I naturally possess the capital for my arrogance.

Ye Xin also stood up a moment later, looking ready to act at any second.

Huangfu Qing'an retreated a few steps in slight fright. "How dare you? I brought bodyguards with me!"

Ever since the bodyguards of his father and grandmother had been murdered, his grandfather had added five new elite bodyguards for each of them. Not only were they stronger than the previous batch, but they were also extremely clever.

He had no idea where his grandfather had managed to dredge such people up from.

Recalling the dozen or so bodyguards waiting outside, his courage returned, and his tone grew even more arrogant. "So, hand over those desserts you just ordered right now, or else the one who's going to get beaten up shortly will be you!"

Tina stood off to the side with her arms crossed, watching her with an undisguised look of smug triumph that brought a certain word to Shangguan Ranran's mind.

With a cold and aloof expression, Shangguan Ranran looked at Huangfu Qing'an. "Hand them over to you? And just who do you think you are?"

Furious, Huangfu Qing'an raised his hand, intending to teach this ignorant and arrogant woman a proper lesson.

Without a second thought, Ye Xin lashed out with a swift kick, sending him sprawling to one side.

Hearing the commotion, the bodyguards outside rushed into the shop. The customers who had been enjoying their desserts fled in terror, while even the store clerks hid away in fear.

The bolder ones immediately called the police.

The dozen bodyguards who had rushed in froze for a moment, exchanging bewildered glances.

Lying on the floor and clutching his stomach, Huangfu Qing'an cursed up a storm. "What are you idiots standing around for? Beat them to death! Damn bitches..."

The lead bodyguard looked at Shangguan Ranran across the room, not daring to make another move, and whispered an explanation to Huangfu Qing'an, "Young Master, she... she... the Old Master... she cannot be touched."

"What the hell are you babbling about? Were you kicked in the head by a donkey? Why can't my grandfather touch her?"

The bodyguard leaned in close and murmured a few words into his ear. Huangfu Qing'an's eyes widened in sheer astonishment, contorting his face into an expression of utter shock that was genuinely comical.

Clutching his stomach, he was hauled to his feet by his bodyguards, cast a resentful glare in their direction, and left in bitter frustration.

As he walked away, he viciously kicked over a nearby table and chairs.

Damn it, she was actually a member of the Shangguan family!

No wonder that damned bitch had been so arrogant.

Watching Huangfu Qing'an being led away by his bodyguards, Tina's blue eyes flickered with deep contemplation before a mocking smile pulled at the corners of her lips. "Miss Shangguan is certainly quite capable! Even the Second Young Master doesn't dare touch you. Could it be that you possess some sort of seductive trick?"

Shangguan Ranran curled her lips into a smile, her blue eyes curving into clear, untainted crescents. Her long lashes cast delicate shadows, and her graceful demeanor was full of charm. "I certainly don't have Miss Tina's remarkable skills. First Piha leaves, and now Huangfu Qing'an shows up—yet my heart is devoted to Mr. Huangfu alone."

"Miss Shangguan has quite a sharp tongue. Does Mr. Huangfu know about this formidable side of yours?"

Shangguan Ranran stepped closer to her, her voice cool and detached. "Mr. Huangfu is not someone you have any right to address so familiarly. Let me offer you a piece of advice, Miss: what isn't yours can never become yours no matter what you do. Much like..."

She raised a graceful, slender finger and pointed straight at Tina's colored contact lenses. "fakes will always remain fake; they can never become real."

"You..."

Tina's face twisted in rage. She raised her hand to strike her, but Shangguan Ranran caught her wrist and backhanded her across the face with a swift slap.

*Crack.*

The crisp sound echoed clearly throughout the entire dessert shop.

It caused the clerks to repeatedly glance over in shock.

Five distinct finger marks instantly bloomed across Tina's snowy white cheek.

Clutching her face, her eyes wide with disbelief, a towering wave of fury swept through her entire being the very next second.

"You... how dare you hit me? Shangguan Ranran, you..."

Ye Xin produced a piece of tissue and respectfully handed it over. Shangguan Ranran took it and meticulously wiped every inch of her right hand.

Honestly, it was greasy and utterly disgusting.

Without even lifting her head, she retorted, "Wasn't you who threw the first punch? Did you expect me to just stand here and let you hit me? I may be a lady, but if someone bullies me, I'm going to return the favor, aren't I? By the way, is that foundation from the mid-range brand Paona? Didn't you know their foundation is notorious for separating and getting oily? Tsk, truly disgusting."

That merciless mockery and ridicule, delivered with such haughty, cold, and disdainful composure, felt like the ultimate humiliation and derision to Tina's ears and eyes.

In a fit of rage, she raised her hand again, eager to return the slap.

Shangguan Ranran didn't move, but Ye Xin swiftly grabbed Tina's wrist and delivered another resounding slap. *Crack.*

The blow was so forceful it almost knocked Tina off her feet.

It was at least twice as vicious as Shangguan Ranran's strike.

"My young lady is someone you can lay a hand on? How utterly presumptuous."

Tina took another blow to her left cheek.

Broken capillaries surfaced through her skin, and half her face instantly swelled up red.

The searing pain left her ears ringing.

After wiping her own hand clean, Shangguan Ranran tossed the tissue into the trash can.

"My name is easily found online, very simple to look up. It's no surprise that Miss Tina recognized me so quickly, but don't forget—there's always someone better, and heaven beyond the skies. Miss Tina cannot afford to be so brazen in front of just anyone."

She gestured to a nearby clerk, her tone returning to normal. "Are all my things packed?"

"Y-Yes, Miss. Are you... did you drive here? W-We can help you carry them up..."

Shangguan Ranran flashed a sweet, girlish smile. "Then I'll have to trouble you."

"N-No trouble at all."

Ye Xin went out to pull the car around, and the clerks joined forces to load all the desserts and coffee into the vehicle.

Gritting her teeth, Tina snarled, "Shangguan Ranran, I will remember what happened today. Let's see if you can remain this arrogant forever."

"I naturally have the capital for my arrogance, unlike those who cling and beg for things to be handed to them."

Staring at her with festering resentment, Tina felt the fires of wrath burning wildly inside her.

Wherever she looked, she wished nothing would be left standing.

Clenching her fists, she turned on her heel, preparing to storm out.

Shangguan Ranran stepped forward to block her path, her blue eyes locked onto Tina's.

"Huangfu Shenqing belongs to me. I advise Miss Tina not to play with fire, or the next lesson won't just be a couple of slaps."

She could read it clearly enough—the hidden depth in the way Tina looked at Huangfu Shenqing.

She could yield on almost anything else.

But Mr. Huangfu was the one exception.

No one was allowed to touch him.

Retrieving her bag and phone, Shangguan Ranran turned and walked out.

Watching her cool, aloof figure depart, with those final words echoing in her ears, Tina felt fury, humiliation, resentment, jealousy, rage, and self-mockery coil around her like venomous snakes, tightening viciously.

Shangguan Ranran handed her card to the clerk. "Put tonight's damages on my tab."

The clerk took it happily, gratitude filling their voice. "Thank you so much, Miss. You are welcome back anytime."

With Ye Xin driving and Shangguan Ranran seated in the back, the car drove off smoothly in the direction of the Lianran Corporation.