Chapter 71 Hypocritical Invitation
In the reception room on the top floor of the Mo Building, the air was filled with invisible tension.
Victor Berg sat across the long table, his slender fingers folded on the table, his gray-blue eyes with a perfect business smile.
"Mr. Mo, thank you for taking the time to meet me." He pushed over a cooperation proposal with a gold-stamped cover, on which was printed a letter of intent for cooperation between Berg Pharmaceuticals and the ministries of health of Southeast Asian countries.
"Berg Pharmaceuticals plans to establish Trauma Recovery and Psychological Reconstruction Centers in Southeast Asia, specifically for drug addicts, war survivors, and... victims of human trafficking." He deliberately paused on the last few words, his eyes vaguely glancing at the person opposite him.
Mo Xiaohan didn't touch the document, but just leaned lazily back in the chair, the silver ring slowly turning between his fingers, and his eyes swept over Victor coldly, with undisguised scrutiny and alienation.
"Why, Mr. Berg, are you tired of arms in Europe? Are you turning to charity?" His voice was not loud, but it was like a piece of ice thrown into boiling water, instantly breaking the hypocritical peace in the meeting room.
"There's no conflict between the two." Victor maintained the composure of a European aristocrat, his voice low and elegant. "We've noticed that resources for psychological trauma treatment in Southeast Asia are extremely scarce, especially for PTSD patients, who often lack access to professional intervention. We have extensive experience in Europe."
He paused, his tone subtly slowing. "Especially cases like Miss Ruan's, who experienced extreme trauma but successfully recovered... are very representative."
The air suddenly stagnated.
A dangerous glint flashed across Mo Xiaohan's eyes, and the pressure around him instantly dropped to freezing point: "Mr. Berg, are you investigating my wife?"
Victor smiled and spread his hands, his posture still elegant. "It's just public information. Ms. Ruan is a former medical student and a survivor. If you can participate in our project as a recovered person, it will be a great encouragement to many victims."
"Impossible." Mo Xiaohan's voice was cold, with an extremely strong sense of oppression, "She won't participate."
Victor raised his eyebrows and sighed with pretended regret: "Mr. Mo, this is a win-win cooperation. Berg provides funds and technology, and Mo provides local resources. Together we can improve—"
"I said, it's impossible." Mo Xiaohan interrupted him, his tone not softening at all, "She is Mrs. Mo, not your case study subject."
Victor's smile remained, and a hint of interest flashed in his eyes: "I understand your desire to protect her, but a project like this will also benefit her personally. Perhaps it can help her-"
"Victor Berg. This is my last warning—" Mo Xiaohan slowly stood up and looked down at him condescendingly, "Don't set your sights on her."
Victor chuckled and calmly took back the document: "Of course, I was presumptuous."
He stood up and straightened his suit cuffs, the platinum snake pattern flashing in the light.
"However, Mr. Mo, have you ever thought about—" He suddenly leaned over, his hands on the table, his gray-blue pupils looking directly at Mo Xiaohan, "In the field of public opinion, the truth is often not as moving as the story."
Mo Xiaohan did not move, but the oppressive feeling emanating from his body caused the temperature in the conference room to drop again.
"Victor Berg." His voice was as cold as ice, carrying a heavy murderous intent: "You'd better remember—"
"If you touch my things, you'll pay with your life."
Victor smiled and stepped back, nodding gracefully: "Looking forward to seeing you next time."
The rejected Victor stood downstairs of the Mo Building. The heavy rain was pouring down, but it did not affect the smile on his lips at all.
The confidant held up an umbrella and whispered, "Sir, what's next..."
"How interesting." Victor stroked the snake pattern on his cufflinks, his gray-blue eyes flashing with dangerous amusement. "I didn't expect that the cold-blooded Mo Xiaohan would care so much about his little rose."
He had originally intended to use the partnership as an excuse to get Ruan Xingchen deeply involved in the project. The so-called trauma recovery seminars and survivor support activities were merely a pretext to get closer to her.
He would personally guide her work, discuss cases in the lab late at night, and create opportunities for solitude during inspections. He was patient, using just the right amount of care to dismantle her defenses and subtle appreciation to stir her emotions, allowing her to experience a sense of understanding, guidance, and gentle care beyond Mo Xiaohan's dominance.
He waited until she let down her guard and even developed a slight dependence on him, then he would drag her into the trap step by step. He had never expected Mo Xiaohan's protectiveness to reach this point, which made the game even more interesting.
"In that case..." Victor looked up at the still-lit conference room on the top floor and chuckled, "Let's see... if he can still protect her when the whole world accuses her of falling into evil."
He turned and looked at the city in the rainstorm. The snake pattern on his cufflinks reflected the file he had just received on the tablet - Ruan Xingchen's student photo at Huaguo Medical College. The girl in the ID photo with a blue background had eyes that were dazzlingly clear.
"What a perfect comparison," he whispered, stroking the contrast between her and now on the screen. "...the angel before the fall."
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