He reached over and gently lifted her arm, pointing out the area where Gu Yan had grabbed her.

"Look at her arm right here. Her delicate skin is already starting to bruise. Not only that, but can you not say that her pride is also harmed? She was wronged, and the assailant could get off with a simple apology that you tried to pressure her into accepting?"

"I don't know what world you live in, but in no world of mine does anyone get away with harming my woman. Not a single soul."

Gu Yanya was about to intervene once again but Zhao Xiang stopped her as he abruptly stood up and bowed deeply to Liu Haoyu.

"I apologize, Mr. Liu. You are, in fact, correct. If I had noticed the damage done sooner, I would've had her punished immediately."

"It is also apparent to me that you will care for my daughter the way she deserves to be looked after, so I leave her in your care and officially accept your request to marry her."

"As for Gu Yan..."

Zhao Xiang walked over to where Gu Yan stood. Just as she was about to plead her case again, he slapped her straight across the face. It forced her head to the side—her cheek instantly having a red mark the shape of a hand print on it.

Gu Yanya immediately yelled, "Xiang!"

He flipped his head and glared at her—a silent warning to not say another word. He was seething right now. Just now, he gave up the chance to milk an extremely good dowry out of Liu Haoyu due to the ignorance of his wife's precious niece.

Gu Yan cried out, "Auntie, Uncle, I'm so sorry. I understand I've done wrong. I'll leave to go reflect on my apology again. I'm sorry Young Miss."

Zhao Xiang was still angry as he shouted, "Who's your uncle!"

He had put up with Gu Yan for many years to appease his wife. However, what she did here today was an embarrassment and lost him a great opportunity. He was livid.

"I'm sorry sir, I will go repent now!"

Before she could attract any more fury, she ran out of the room in tears.

Liu Haoyu got up and bowed to Zhao Xiang.

"I sincerely thank you for accepting our proposal, Uncle.  And for taking care of that woman."

The man was in a foul mood but still knew better than to direct his anger at Liu Haoyu. Instead, he bowed back.

"No. Thank you for putting up with this embarrassing display of family drama! It seems as if I wasn't proper enough in the training of my staff."

The two men made small talk for a few more minutes as Zhao Yingyue sat there happily. Her parents had accepted the marriage and Gu Yan was put in her place. It was a good two for one.

However, when Zhao Yingyue looked up at her mom's face, she could see the pent-up anger in her expression.

Rather than deal with her anger now, she got up.

"Sorry to interrupt you, dad and Liu Haoyu, but I just wanted to remind my dear fiancé of the day that we had planned out."

Still wanting to appease Liu Haoyu, Zhao Xiang thought nothing of it and said, "Alright, alright. I shouldn't keep you guys any longer. Don't bring my daughter back too late. After all, the two of you aren't married just yet!"

"Yes sir," Liu Haoyu said with a bow.

He and Zhao Yingyue then excused themselves.