The CEO's Secret Muse

"What's going on?" Mu Tianyang's voice was laced with danger, assuming Wanqing had caused some sort of trouble.

"Yesterday's incident might have been captured by the paparazzi. Madam just called to inquire about it."

Mu Tianyang paused, then coldly replied, "Ignore her."

"Understood."

A few seconds of silence passed before Acheng, noticing the stillness on the other end, asked, "Sir, how should we handle this? Should the magazine and the newspapers be informed?"

"How was the photo?"

"Uh… I haven't seen it. Miss is in the living room."

"Don't let her see it!" Mu Tianyang blurted out before realizing why he had said it. After a brief pause, he asked, "Did you give her the watch?"

"Yes, she said she liked it very much."

"Mm." Mu Tianyang hung up the phone.

Acheng quickly entered the room, noticing the watch box on the coffee table while Wanqing was engrossed in a newspaper.

"Miss!" he called out sharply.

Wanqing was startled and looked up at him. "What is it?"

"Nothing… Aren't you going to wear the watch?"

Wanqing glanced at it and said, "I'm afraid it might get damaged."

"The President gave it to you. Surely he hopes you wear it."

Wanqing paused for a moment, then nodded. "You're right." She put down the newspaper and took the watch upstairs.

After waiting for the sound of the door closing upstairs to confirm she was in her room, Acheng quickly moved to the coffee table, grabbed the newspaper, and flipped to the entertainment section.

"Mu Tianyang Shops with Mysterious Woman, Spends Over a Million in Two Hours"

The accompanying image was a blurry shot, showing only Wanqing's back and half of Mu Tianyang's profile. This was clearly due to the paparazzi's reluctance to take a clearer picture, fearful of angering Mu Tianyang.

Had Wanqing been a well-known celebrity, they wouldn't have hesitated. After all, which wealthy man doesn't flirt with stars? Mu Tianyang had done so in the past. But if the woman was someone who had never been in the public eye, and whose demeanor bore no resemblance to the glamorous entertainment industry or the elite society, the paparazzi would be more cautious. Who knew if Mu Tianyang had developed real feelings for her? If the truth got out, exposing his affection could lead to trouble. They certainly couldn't afford to be reckless.

Meanwhile, Ding Caiyan, in the Ding family villa, had also seen the article.

"Mom!" She shoved the newspaper at Xue Lina. "Look, doesn't this look like Wanqing?"

Xue Lina froze for a moment. "Impossible. How could she be with Mu Tianyang?"

"But she's wearing the same dress from that night!"

"It's just someone who looks like her."

"That's Chanel's latest collection! I can't be mistaken!" Ding Caiyan said. "If she didn't know Mu Tianyang, how could she afford this?"

Xue Lina frowned, considering it for a moment, then spat bitterly, "Your father must have bought it for her! That old fool, right after the company gets through a crisis, and he's buying gifts for that little tramp! Don't overthink it, she never had a chance to meet Mu Tianyang."

"Maybe Dad introduced her to him!"

"Does she compare to you?" Xue Lina reassured her. "Mu Tianyang doesn't even look at you, let alone her."

By conventional standards, Ding Caiyan, dressed in luxury, elegant and sophisticated, and with a more mature, sensual appearance than Wanqing, was indeed more likely to attract men's attention. She tossed her hair back and threw the newspaper aside. "Hmph! It's probably some little star! That little bitch Wanqing is making me nervous! I can lose to anyone, but not to her!"

Xue Lina shot her a glance. "Then why don't you compete? Mu Tianyang is an unclaimed prize, others can fight for him, and so can you."

Ding Caiyan, now brimming with confidence, looked at her mother. "Don't worry, one day I'll become Mrs. Mu!"