Chapter 87: Forcing With Death

“Miss Qiao, I’m afraid I cannot help you.”

Lu Yao had no interest in a case with little chance of winning and only a twenty percent likelihood of success. She was on the rise in her career and would not risk tarnishing her record—especially with this case involving Ye Hua. She had no intention of taking such a risk for Qiao Wan’er.

“Lu Yao!” Qiao Wan’er clung desperately to Lu Yao’s leg, pleading bitterly, “Please help me! I’ll pay you any amount you want. As long as you agree, you can name your price.”

Lu Yao gave a faint smile and shook her head. “There are several top lawyers in the capital who specialize in infringement cases, and their success rate is as high as sixty percent. Miss Qiao, there’s no need to trouble me.”

Seeing the resolute expression on Lu Yao’s face, Qiao Wan’er understood that Lu Yao was determined not to help her. Tears, as large as pearls, streamed down her cheeks like a torrential rain, blurring her vision.

“Right now, you’re the only one I trust.”

She looked at Lu Yao with pleading eyes, her breaths coming in ragged, emotional gasps, her complexion growing increasingly pale. Her hands gripped Lu Yao’s leg tightly, as if afraid she would vanish the next moment.

Lu Yao laughed at Qiao Wan’er’s words, reminding her, “Miss Qiao, not long ago, you described me as utterly ordinary and unremarkable. But you were right—I truly am just an ordinary person, with no special powers.”

“No, I only said those things out of jealousy. In my heart, you are extraordinary. I envy your natural beauty. I envy your brilliance. I envy how you earn others’ admiration without trying. And I envy your independence and wit. In short, every quality you possess is something I long for but can never attain.”

Qiao Wan’er silently wept, finally voicing the words she had kept hidden deep inside. All her pride shattered at Lu Yao’s feet.

Lu Yao arched a delicate brow. Faced with Qiao Wan’er’s string of heartfelt compliments, the corners of her lips lifted in a faint, cool smile. Yet her resolve was not shaken; she still refused to accept.

She glanced down at Qiao Wan’er, whose face was deathly pale and whose breath came unevenly, then lifted her leg, preparing to leave.

For a moment, Qiao Wan’er was stunned. Watching Lu Yao’s departing figure, a despair close to death swept over her. Without thinking, she shouted, “Lu Yao, if you refuse me, I’ll die right here in front of you!”

With that, she ran toward the balcony.

Lu Yao turned around to see Qiao Wan’er clinging to the railing, half her body teetering over the edge in a desperate, tragic pose. Yet she did not rush over to stop her; she simply watched from a distance.

Qiao Wan’er gripped the railing tightly, gambling everything on this moment—gambling that Lu Yao was not a cold and heartless person, gambling that she had a conscience, that she was flesh and blood.

She was gambling…

Second by second, time slipped away. Qiao Wan’er waited in vain for Lu Yao to come save her, or even to hear her accept the plea. Her heart sank into utter despair.

She glared fiercely at the unmoving Lu Yao, tears falling once more, soaking her cheeks.

“Lu Yao, remember this. Today, I die because of your mercilessness.”

She hoisted herself onto the railing, preparing to leap, when Lu Yao’s voice sounded from behind her.

Lu Yao said, “Miss Qiao, I don’t know why you insist on me, to the point of threatening me with your life. Since that’s the case, I will reluctantly help you this once. But let me be clear—I cannot promise victory.”

Upon hearing this affirmation, hope flickered anew in Qiao Wan’er’s heart. She believed Lu Yao would help her weather the scandal and resolve her crisis.

(End of chapter)