Hong Qingzhu's heart lurched, and she hurriedly opened her mouth to explain, "Father, it's not what you think! Young Master Xu was just—"
"Silence!" Hong Shixian cut her off, his face as cold as ice. His tone was filled with an undeniable authority. "You don't have a choice! I've already decided. This marriage is not for you to refuse!
"From this moment on, you are to sever all ties with that boy, Xu Hong. You are forbidden from meeting him in private and from exchanging any letters!"
He took a step forward, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing straight into Hong Qingzhu's eyes. "If you dare to defy me, dare to have any further involvement with that boy, and let so much as a whisper of gossip reach Yang Jing's ears, jeopardizing this crucial marriage alliance... then when the time comes, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Hong Qingzhu's body went rigid. In the eyes of the father who had always doted on her, she clearly saw a glint of bone-chilling killing intent.
