That must be the ingredients Rachel Bailey prepared for his breakfast, right?

Diana Powell had actually trampled them into a mess!

Turning around, Hansen Ruiz faced Diana Powell.

His face still wore an air of gentleness, even carrying a hint of a smile, but that smile gave Diana Powell a chilling sensation, as cold as the current temperature, biting and frosty.

"Miss Powell, can you explain what exactly is going on here?"

Hansen Ruiz's questioning was extremely mild, as if he wasn't the one who had just hit someone.

Rachel Bailey stood by, a suppressed laugh in her eyes. This man, being called a smiling tiger, was truly fitting. Even though he felt like tearing Diana Powell apart, he could still wear a smile on his face. His questions were so gentle that one might think he lacked masculinity if they didn't know any better.

The Shopping Mall was bustling with people coming and going. Everyone cast unusual glances at the trio, but no one stopped to watch.

The languid winter sun, like an old bull, finally began its slow climb from the east. Once the high sky held sunlight, the brightness on the ground instantly doubled. Thousands of sunbeams reflected down, warm and caressing like a lover's touch.

The wind today wasn't too strong, but it still felt quite cold blowing against one's skin.

True winter had arrived; the basic daytime temperatures now hovered in the teens.

Rachel Bailey felt a chill. She was only wearing two layers, and although her coat was relatively thick, standing outside the Shopping Mall with the wind blowing made her feel cold after a while.

From the corner of his eye, Hansen Ruiz noticed her lips seemed a bit discolored and bluish from the cold. He immediately took off his own coat, twisting around to drape it over her shoulders, speaking fondly and affectionately, "Silly girl, you didn't even think to wear more clothes when you went out. If you catch a cold, I'll tear down the sky for you."

"You're not wearing much yourself. I'm not cold; please put it back on," Rachel Bailey hurriedly tried to return the coat to him, but his deep eyes darkened, a thread of intimidation directed at her. Rachel Bailey resignedly wrapped herself in his coat.

Only then did Hansen Ruiz turn around contentedly, facing Diana Powell once again.

"You hit me?"

Diana Powell, dizzy from the sudden twists and turns, didn't recognize Hansen Ruiz. Hansen Ruiz was very famous; everyone knew his name. However, he had never appeared in newspapers or magazines. Outside of work, he kept an extremely low profile and was elusive—often described as an "unseen dragon." He was unlike Glades Horne, who had been a public figure in T City, attracting attention since childhood. Hence, while many knew of Hansen Ruiz, few could recognize him in person.

Cosmos Group had previously had business dealings with Valence Group, but how could someone of Diana Powell's status have ever met Hansen Ruiz?

Without Glades Horne's notification, Hansen Ruiz would not have appeared at Valence Group.

"Yes, I hit you. Do you need compensation for some medicine?" Hansen Ruiz asked with a light smile, which to Diana Powell sounded insane—this man had hit her and was even offering compensation willingly.

Rachel Bailey felt that Hansen Ruiz would definitely strike again; she had not missed the chilling flash in his eyes when he saw the food Diana Powell had trampled into a mess.

"Can you afford to pay?" Diana Powell's cheeks were swollen as she yelled furiously. He must be Rachel Bailey's boyfriend, she guessed. And judging by Rachel's background, this man is probably just an ordinary worker.

Hansen Ruiz didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out his wallet, took out all the money inside except for a fifty USD bill, and threw it at Diana Powell. Thousands of dollars in bills fluttered down upon her like heavenly blossoms scattering.

"I, Hansen Ruiz, can afford anything." As soon as his words fell, he raised his hand and, with several loud slaps, hit Diana Powell across the face again, almost turning her into a pig-head. Diana Powell hadn't expected him to hit her again and, without any defense, was struck once more. Her ordinary face immediately swelled, and pain seared through her as blood began to seep from the corners of her mouth.

"Since I've paid, just slapping you twice would be a loss, so I hit you a few more times. Pick up this money and consider it your compensation," Hansen Ruiz said after hitting her, then dusted off his hands as if touching Diana Powell had dirtied them.

Rachel Bailey stood by, distressed as she saw the USD bills being whisked about by the wind, and quickly went to pick them up. Even if Hansen Ruiz had enough money to use as a blanket for her, she didn't want him to squander it like this. Some people work hard for a month and still don't earn that much!

No, I have to lecture him about this, she thought. Otherwise, he might start throwing money around at every little thing, and that would eventually lead to bankruptcy. I don't want us, as a couple, to be so poor we can't even afford baby formula in the future.

Wait a second! A couple! I just agreed to date him, to give each other a chance, and now I'm thinking of these terms, and even of children? Could it be I've already decided to marry him?

After Rachel Bailey picked up all the money, her face secretly flushed red.

"You... I'm going to call the police... Who did you say you are? Hansen Ruiz? The CEO's Assistant from Valence Group?" Diana Powell was about to call the police when she suddenly remembered what Hansen Ruiz had said. She stared with her small eyes, asking in disbelief.

It couldn't be my bad luck to run into Assistant Ruiz here!

Hansen Ruiz smirked, but this time it was a cold sneer.

Seeing Rachel Bailey still looking around to see if she had missed any money, Hansen Ruiz stretched out his large hand, pulled her back to his side, and held her close. He was so much taller than Rachel Bailey that holding her like this, she looked like a little bird nestled against him.

"Indeed, I work at Valence Group. It seems Cosmos Group still has the capital to allow Miss Powell to be arrogant," Hansen Ruiz said cryptically, yet his words sent a chill down Diana Powell's spine.

Julia Bluen married Glades Horne because Julia had the resources and background for it, Diana fumed internally. But what made Rachel Bailey worthy of being with Hansen Ruiz?

A wave of jealousy swept through Diana Powell's heart.

"Rachel is my woman! Whoever dares to harm her, I will have their whole family sweeping the streets! Miss Powell, go home and tell your father to clean up Cosmos for me, especially the CEO's Office. It's time for sweeping changes." After dropping these harsh words, Hansen Ruiz, arm around Rachel Bailey, walked past Diana Powell, who stood rooted to the spot in a mixture of anger, hatred, and fear.