Chapter 24 Spreading Rumors

The cries of injustice gradually rose and fell in the hall.

"Butler, we're innocent! We didn't take it."

"We didn't even have a chance to go into the lady's room."

“I have worked diligently for the Duan family for so many years and I would never cross that red line or do such a heinous thing.”

"Butler Chen said coldly."

"Quiet down. If any of you have taken it, hand it over."

"You can also receive a decent severance package."

"Otherwise, if things get out of hand, not only will we have a criminal record, but who would dare to hire someone with a dirty hand in the future?"

Over here, Cong Chun, ignoring the stares of those around him, placed two large bags of items on the table and handed the receipts for the purchases to Butler Chen.

Butler Chen looked at him, took the receipt, nodded, and told Cong Chun to go back to his room to rest.

At this moment, some people below who saw this scene became indignant.

A man suddenly spoke up; he was the one who had led the mockery of Cong Chun in the backyard a few days ago. The man's name was Jiao Jun.

Jiao Jun has single eyelids, a slightly dark complexion, and a buzz cut. He is exactly twenty-five years old this year, but he has been working for the Duan family for four years. He is mainly responsible for the maintenance of the backyard landscape.

"Butler Chen, we're all here waiting to find out who the real culprit is."

"How come he was able to leave first? If you ask me, he's quite suspicious."

Jiao Jun pointed his index finger at Cong Chun, his eyes full of malice. He just couldn't stand Cong Chun, this pretty boy from the countryside, so scheming and cunning, all because he was good-looking.

Since entering the Duan family, not only the hot-tempered eldest son has taken a liking to him, but even the Duan family's maids have been praising Cong Chun behind his back.

In reality, Cong Chun simply helped these maids move things around.

As soon as Jiao Jun said this, several of his male servants who were on good terms with him began to echo his words.

"People from the countryside are just not clean."

"He's not here this morning. Could it be that he secretly took Madam's necklace and sold it?"

Butler Chen frowned and looked at them.

"This morning I asked Xiaochun to go out and buy things."

At that moment, a woman in the crowd suddenly raised her hand.

“Butler, yesterday when I was about to clean Madam’s room, I saw Cong Chun standing at the door of Madam’s room.”

"Like...like he just came out of the lady's room."

Cong Chun looked at the woman who was speaking. She was a middle-aged woman with a slightly plump figure, thick lips, and an ordinary appearance.

Cong Chun didn't know her, and the two had no conflict. Why would this person lie?

"Everything should be based on evidence."

“I was sick yesterday and stayed in my room the whole time, so I didn’t see you at all.”

Cong Chun remained calm, showing no sign of panic at being slandered, clearly indicating that this was not the first time he had experienced something like this.

The woman hesitated before continuing, her eyes darting nervously left and right.

"But...but I really saw you."

Seeing the woman's pathetic state, Jiao Jun felt a little anxious.

“Butler Chen, someone saw him at Madam’s door. Shouldn’t we have someone search his room?”

"The lady's necklace might be hidden in Cong Chun's room."

"Yes, butler, everyone's room has been searched to prove their innocence, we can't leave his room out of it."

"This is completely unfair to people like us."

Hearing these chattering voices, Butler Chen felt a headache coming on and his gaze fell on Cong Chun.

Cong Chun spoke calmly, his tone revealing no emotion.

"Now that everyone's rooms have been searched."

"You can search my room now."

He looked at Jiao Jun indifferently, but in the man's eyes, Cong Chun seemed to be pitying himself.

Jiao Jun gritted his teeth. Ever since Cong Chun entered the Duan family, he had disliked him. The man's eyes were filled with resentment.

It reached its peak when Young Master Lu mocked Cong Chun in front of everyone on that day.

It's all Cong Chun's fault; he made him look bad in front of so many people on the grass that day.

Jiao Jun felt that his self-esteem had been trampled on, and the culprit behind all of this was Cong Chun.

The group arrived at the door of Cong Chun's room.

Cong Chun opened the door himself; the room was empty, with shockingly few belongings.

Aside from the existing bed and cabinet, Cong Chun hardly bought anything else for himself.

Butler Chen casually pointed to two male servants and sent them in to search the place.

The room was small, and Cong Chun didn't have many belongings. They searched for several minutes but found nothing. Just when everyone thought nothing had happened...

At that moment, a male servant unscrewed the thermos cup that Cong Chun had placed by the bedside. One of his eyes inadvertently peered into the cup through the rim, and the servant suddenly let out a gasp.

"I found it! I found it!"

Immediately afterwards, the male servant poured the water from the thermos onto the floor, leaving a puddle of water.

Along with it flowed out, a wet jade necklace shimmered with dazzling fire under the indoor incandescent light.

Overjoyed, the male servant didn't think twice and carelessly threw Cong Chun's thermos on the ground.

The thermos made a loud "bang" when it hit the ground, and then rolled to the corner of the wall.

At this moment, Jiao Jun, standing at the door, couldn't help but shout triumphantly.

"Look everyone, that bitch really stole the necklace!"

"I think this slut is a thief."

Cong Chun pursed her lips, her pupils contracting slightly when she saw the thermos cup carelessly discarded on the ground.

Immediately afterward, Jiao Jun's triumphant shouts rang in her ears, and Cong Chun felt a little irritated. The next second, she looked at the other party with a stubborn tone.

"I didn't steal it."

"Don't spread rumors."

Jiao Jun looked Cong Chun up and down.

"Heh, still being stubborn even when death is imminent."

Just as Jiao Jun finished speaking, a cold voice pierced the air.

Duan Mingxiao had just returned from the birthday party early, carrying a box of small cakes. His good mood was completely ruined the moment the young master witnessed this farce.

He stepped forward, suppressing his anger.

“He didn’t steal it, I can testify to that.”

“Cong Chun stayed with me all day yesterday. Do you think he’s a ninja with the ability to create clones?”

Then Duan Mingxiao's gaze fell on Jiao Jun.

"Especially you, you're mentally ill."

Jiao Jun's face immediately turned pale and then ashen.

The young master didn't even bother to glance at him. Duan Mingxiao snatched the million-dollar jade necklace from the male servant's hand, held it in his palm, and waved it in mid-air, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"Such an ugly necklace, who would have such poor taste? Only a fool would steal it."

"If it falls on the ground, I won't even bother to bend down and pick it up."

"Are you all crazy?"

Butler Chen, standing to the side, couldn't help but twitch his lips upon hearing his young master's words.

Oh dear, young master, you should say less. If Madam comes back later and beats you up, I, the old butler, can only stand by and watch.

The next second, Duan Mingxiao grabbed the jade necklace in his hand and threw it to Cong Chun.

"Here you go, take this."

Everyone present was stunned by Duan Mingxiao's actions, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Jiao Jun, standing to the side, had bloodshot eyes and was practically jumping up and down, clenching his teeth.

"Young Master, you are... you are simply protecting Cong Chun, this thief."

Duan Mingxiao turned around, his face cold and ugly, like ice that never melts, his eyes fixed on Jiao Jun with a sinister and terrifying gaze.

"If you spread any more rumors, I'll tear your mouth apart."