What the hell is Lila up to?
The crowd buzzed with confusion, curiosity burning in their eyes, though they masked it with feigned concern. Vanessa stepped forward, her voice dripping with fake sincerity: "Who would dare frame my sister? Dad, tell me—I'll make them pay!"
Jo An ignored her, his skeptical gaze fixed on Lila. "You sure about this?"
Lila's eyes gleamed with unshakable confidence. "Trust me, Dad. Do exactly as I say."
Her certainty silenced his doubts. Jo An nodded and strode off.
Susan moved to follow, worry creasing her brow, but Vanessa grabbed her arm. "Mom, you think the culprit's dumb enough to leave evidence?"
Susan relaxed, a smirk tugging at her lips. Her daughter was thorough—every trace was erased, every loose end tied. No one could pin this on them. Even if something slipped through, they'd just deny it. No proof, no crime.
The crowd exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to react. Then Jo An stormed back, his face a thundercloud ready to burst.
"Jo An, what's wrong?" a guest ventured.
He snarled, "I know who did it!"
"Who? Dad, spill it! We need to clear Lila's name!" Vanessa jumped in, her loud plea a desperate bid to deflect suspicion.
She'd been meticulous in the control room, her tracks covered flawlessly—or so she thought. But Jo An's icy stare sent a shiver down her spine.
"The culprit knows who she is," he said coldly. "No need for me to spell it out."
Vanessa's heart skipped. "Dad, what's that supposed to mean? You think I did it? I've been right here the whole time!"
Jo An had wanted to handle this privately to save the Jo family's face, but Lila insisted on a public showdown. He sighed and tossed a small object her way.
Vanessa caught it, and her face drained of color. "This… this is…"
Lila's lips curved into a faint, victorious smile.
She'd noticed Vanessa wearing only one earring earlier and sensed an opportunity. Setting this trap was a gamble, but it paid off. Her father had clearly pieced it together too.
In one move, Lila had cleared her name and turned the tables.
She didn't linger on her triumph. "Dad, since you know the truth, let's settle this at home."
The crowd gasped, realization dawning.
Vanessa framed her own sister? Over jealousy of her engagement to a billionaire? The whispers grew venomous: What a snake!
Vanessa, desperate to escape, plastered on a smile and sidled up to Lu Zhe. "Lu Zhe, I'm so sorry our family drama dragged Lila into this."
She clapped her hands, all charm and deflection. "Come on, bring out the cake! Get the rings ready! Aren't these two just perfect together?"
Her heart seethed with rage, but she knew better than to crack now. Vanessa was a master at playing the flawless socialite, her mask impenetrable.
Lila watched, almost impressed. What a chameleon. But your act won't save you.
The ceremony resumed, the scandalous video replaced by Lila and Lu Zhe's engagement photos. Lila's radiant smile contrasted with Lu Zhe's cool detachment, yet their images screamed power-couple perfection.
Jo An watched Lila command the stage with poise, relief washing over him. She'd not only cleared her name and exposed the culprit but also shielded the Jo family's reputation. Lu Zhe's silence—no blame, no outburst—eased his fears further. He turned to Vanessa, his voice low and furious: "You're kneeling in the ancestral hall for three days when we get home."
Susan jumped in: "Jo An, Vanessa didn't—"
"You're joining her," he snapped. "You two nearly ruined us today. If Lila hadn't played it smart, the Jo family would be a laughingstock!"
"Thank her?" Vanessa's mind hissed. Over my dead body.
But with her father's fury blazing, she bit her tongue, her eyes smoldering. Lila, you got lucky. Think you can take me down with the cops? Dream on. I'll crush you like an ant once I regroup.
The司仪 stole a glance at Lu Zhe, marveling at his calm. This guy's unreal. His fiancée was framed, nearly humiliated with a fake cheating scandal, yet he stood there, unfazed, like a king above the chaos.
Lu Zhe's dark eyes flicked to Lila, then to his assistant, a subtle nod passing between them. The assistant slipped away to dig into the truth.
This woman… sharp, composed, nothing like the rumors. Could she have been playing a role all along? How does someone change this much, this fast?
He decided it was time to "talk" to his fiancée—properly.
Despite Lila's rocky reputation, the engagement banquet was a spectacle, courtesy of the Lu family's influence. Glasses clinked, laughter echoed, and the night glittered with opulence.
As Lila slipped into her room to change into her toasting gown, a knock sounded at the door.
"Finally! I can't reach the back zipper—hurry, help me!" she called, opening the door and turning to expose the open zipper and a swath of creamy skin.
No response.
She frowned. "Come on, don't waste my time. I'll tip you!"
Still nothing.
Suspicious, she spun around—and froze, her face paling as she stumbled back against the wall.
"You… why are you here?"
Lu Zhe leaned casually against the doorframe, his voice smooth as silk. "What, I can't visit my own fiancée's room?"
"I-I called for a female staff member…" Lila stammered.
He raised a brow, his tone laced with amusement. "Your reaction's… interesting."
Lila's cheeks flushed, her words tripping over themselves. "Uh, could you… get someone to help with the zipper? I can't reach it…"
Lu Zhe's gaze slid over her, lingering on her flustered form pressed against the wall. His eyes darkened, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"What's this? You used to throw yourself at me every chance you got. Now you're playing shy?"
Her blush deepened, but she kept her tone light. "I was young, reckless. I'm past that… impulsive phase."
"Impulsive?"
Lu Zhe's smirk faded, his eyes narrowing. Her past devotion—those desperate attempts to win his heart—was she calling it all a childish whim?
And now… what was she playing at?