The silence hung heavily in the room. Who would've thought Mo Yichen would humiliate the Ye siblings in front of everyone? Not only were they friends, but also connected through business.
Suddenly, Ye Yutong let out a soft sob that echoed throughout the room. "I'm sorry, everyone… because of me, the party was ruined," she choked out, wiping her tears before bowing deeply.
Han Ziqi, still unsure of what had just transpired, awkwardly consoled her, "It's okay, Yutong…"
But she wasn't done. "Brother A-Chen was angry and said things he didn't mean… I'm sure Miss Xia misunderstood something, and… and…" Her voice trembled as she broke down into tears once more.
To the untrained eye, she appeared fragile, eyes brimming with unshed tears, voice trembling at just the right moments. A picture of delicate sorrow. But anyone paying close attention would see the cracks in her performance. It was a carefully crafted illusion; one she had perfected over years of manipulation. She was calculating. Every sigh, every tear was strategic, part of a larger ploy to rewrite the narrative.
It was her signature move, weaponizing pity to build a pit, luring others into it under the guise of vulnerability. She knew how to shift blame without saying a word, how to turn concern into suspicion. Her performance subtly suggested that Mo Yichen's outburst was the result of his wife's influence, that Xia Ruyan had somehow provoked it.
She never accused directly; she didn't have to. Her wounded glances did the talking. Her silence was louder than any scream. It was a well-calculated move to salvage her reputation while dragging Xia Ruyan through the mud. And it was working. People began whispering, questioning how a woman with no proper background had managed to marry Mo Yichen and yet couldn't even integrate into his social circle.
Bo Qinghai had been observing the entire scene in silence. He knew Mo Yichen too well; his friend wasn't the type to speak recklessly or say things he didn't mean.
"Miss Ye," Bo Qinghai spoke lazily, lifting a wine glass to his lips, "Let's not assume things. If Yichen is angry, your family certainly gave him a reason. Who wouldn't be furious after discovering spies in their home? And what does any of this have to do with his wife?"
Ye Yutong's face stiffened. "Brother Bo, you haven't met her… she's difficult," she sniffled, forcing another tear while glancing around.
Some second-generation heirs exchanged sympathetic looks. Ye Yutong was exactly the kind of woman who could easily elicit a protective response from strangers.
Li Wan, who had silently observed everything, stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Ye Yutong. "Don't worry, Yutong. I won't let anyone bully you." She wasn't just her brother's girlfriend; she was also Yutong's close friend. In fact, Ye Yutong helped her pursue a match with her brother, and she had since become a loyal lapdog, willing to do anything to stay in the Ye family's good graces.
"I don't want to hurt anyone…" Ye Yutong said softly. But her eyes told another story. She may not want to hurt anyone, but that just meant she'd let someone else do it for her.
Ever since her father had scolded her and banned her from visiting the Mo household, especially after her and her brother's failed scheme to lure Mo Yichen away from Xia Ruyan, she'd been seething. She blamed everything on Xia Ruyan and was now plotting her revenge.
Li Wan was the perfect weapon. Her family owned a media house, but everyone in the circle knew that behind the glitz was a shadowy operation: extortion, money laundering, even using violence to extract secrets, all in the name of ratings. It was an open secret, but no one dared to speak about it.
She was all muscle and no mind, but she was loyal to Ye Yutong and knew her place. If things went awry, she would never drag Ye Yutong's name into it. A perfect shoulder to fire from.
The night ended on a sour note.
By the time Mo Yichen returned home, most of the household had already retired to their rooms. His mood had darkened further.
The next day unfolded routinely. When he finally saw Xia Ruyan at the office, she was already at her desk, working diligently. He had arrived later than usual due to a prior meeting, accompanied by Lee Jian.
She greeted him with a simple nod and returned to her work. He stood there, staring at her for a moment, utterly speechless. He didn't know why, but in front of her, he always felt like a teenage boy, awkward, self-conscious, tongue-tied.
When her gaze finally lifted to meet his, he panicked and stumbled toward his office, ears flushed red with embarrassment. Anyone watching closely would have seen it.
The day passed without much fanfare, except for one odd moment.
Around 4:30 PM, Qin Feifei strolled into the secretarial office. She chatted briefly, dropped off some desserts for Lee Jian and Xia Ruyan, and casually suggested they all have dinner together or perhaps organize a team-building event.
Lee Jian, ever the professional, replied courteously, "I'll inform the President."
Upon hearing that Secretary Xia would be leaving by 5, Qin Feifei's demeanor shifted ever so slightly. Her ears seemed to perk up, and she didn't linger, leaving in a hurry.
Right at 5 o'clock, Xia Ruyan left the office. From the corner of her eye, she caught Qin Feifei watching her from a distance. If Xia Ruyan had been any lesser woman, she might have laughed out loud. Qin Feifei wasn't even trying to hide her surveillance properly. If someone had sent her to spy, then that someone was either foolish or had underestimated her entirely.
Marie was already waiting by the car. Xia Ruyan climbed into the back seat of the black Range Rover, her expression calm and unreadable. They had barely passed the city center when Marie spoke, her tone cool and steady.
"Miss Xia… we're being followed. A few cars, I count three."
Xia Ruyan gave a slow nod, completely unbothered. "Lower the speed. Let's not keep them waiting."