Chapter 126: Dead Men Tell No Tales

When Xiao Qi was struck, he was sent flying through the air, tumbling several times before hitting the ground ten meters away.

His head struck the pavement first, and blood began to pool instantly. The air was thick with the metallic scent of gore.

This was not the first time Lu Yao had witnessed death, yet a lingering sense of dread still gripped her.

Sun Ying had been frozen in shock from the start, looking as though her soul had been ripped from her body. Her eyes were locked onto Xiao Qi, unmoving, while her entire frame trembled uncontrollably.

It was only when her brain finally processed the reality of the situation that she began to wail in agony. She stumbled toward Xiao Qi, but upon seeing the gruesome wound on his head, her stomach churned violently, and she retched on the spot.

"Qi... Qi..."

"Wake up, please... Qi..."

"Qi..."

Sun Ying shrieked in heartbreaking despair, but no matter how she called out, Xiao Qi offered no response.

Media reporters swarmed forward, capturing the horrific scene, each competing to be the first to broadcast the tragedy online.

Lu Yao stepped forward quickly, blocking the reporters who were still trying to take photos. Keeping her voice calm and steady, she said, "Do you have any conscience at all? Can you not choose to show some respect for the dead? Must you insist on rubbing salt into an open wound?"

Among the reporters were individuals planted by Ye Hua. Hearing Lu Yao’s remark, they immediately sought to incite the crowd, shouting, "You have no right to speak! You are the devil rubbing salt into others' wounds. Miss Sun is clearly the victim here; you must have threatened and coerced her. Otherwise, as a victim, why would she ever admit to framing the Third Young Master?"

"In this day and age, a woman's reputation still holds great weight. How could Miss Sun possibly sacrifice her own integrity just to admit she framed him? It must be that you used despicable means to threaten her."

"That's right! You are the one who caused the death of Miss Sun's boyfriend. You're nothing but a devil cleaning up the messes of the wealthy!"

"You murderer, get lost!"

The scene descended into chaos. Reporters began to shove Lu Yao. Just as she was about to argue back, a tall figure stepped in front of her, shielding her from the barrage of insults.

Ye Zehong cast a cold, sharp glare at the crowd. "If any of you dare to publish a single thing that has happened here today, the Ye Corporation will blacklist every one of you. We will show no mercy."

The reporters, who had been clamoring and cursing just moments before, fell silent instantly.

As Lu Yao turned to check on Xiao Qi, a warm hand covered her eyes.

A gentle voice murmured in her ear, "It’s too gruesome. Don't look."

At these words, Lu Yao turned around.

Ye Zehong stood guard at her side, his gaze cold as he watched the paramedics lift Xiao Qi onto a stretcher and cover him with a white sheet.

The moment the white sheet was pulled over him, Sun Ying, overwhelmed by grief and emotional collapse, felt the blood rush to her head and fainted on the spot.

The paramedics quickly loaded Sun Ying onto the ambulance and rushed her to the hospital for emergency care.

Watching the ambulance drive away, Lu Yao felt a complex, indescribable weight in her chest.

She raised her eyes to look at Ye Hua, who happened to be looking back at her.

The corners of Ye Hua’s mouth curled upward in a subtle, imperceptible smirk of triumph.

Lu Yao’s fury surged, and she clenched her hands into tight fists.

Xiao Qi’s death was certainly no accident.

It was ninety-nine percent certain that Ye Hua was behind it.

That vicious woman, Ye Hua—she was truly brutal!

Lu Yao took a deep breath, strode directly up to Ye Hua, and met her gaze with icy defiance. Her voice was cold as she said, "Do you think that just because Xiao Qi is dead, there is no proof left?"