Jiao Cheng's birthday banquet was packed with guests. The Jiao family invited many media reporters, as well as business and official media representatives.

The Yinghuan Hotel was brightly lit and filled with singing and dancing. Artists from Yingyue Entertainment took turns performing on stage, as if the Jiao family were putting on a grand show for the outside world, doing their utmost to create a prosperous scene.

"All that glitters is not gold; rottenness is inside." Jiao Yuyin murmured to himself, standing in a corner of the hall, gazing at the stage from afar.

Mi Yang stood beside Jiao Cheng, occasionally chiming in with a few words amidst the conversation of the group of business elites. Her demeanor was dignified and elegant, and she did her best to play the role of Jiao Cheng's legal wife.

In the blink of an eye, the wealthy ladies sat down in twos and threes in the rest area to chat, and their chatter was filled with endless boasting.

As a dance ended on the banquet hall stage, Cen Li, radiant in the spotlight, deliberately glanced at Mi Yang before leaving the stage. Her eyebrows arched, her expression alluring yet filled with provocation.

The ladies around Mi Yang all turned to look at her.

The rumors about Cen Li had already reached the ears of the gossip club, but the slightly awkward situation only made them more interested. Beneath their exquisite makeup were faces waiting to see them make a fool of themselves.

Lu Yu heard Wang Hui beside her let out a soft snort.

Wang Hui is usually meticulous in her work and doesn't express her opinions without a clear purpose, but lately she seems to find fault with everything. It makes sense; her husband, Jiao Yuchen, is about to be released from prison, and with hope for the future, she's no longer willing to tolerate many things.

Jiao Hua'an, who was not far away, changed his expression several times. He pulled Meng Qin to a corner and asked, "Is that Cen Li?"

"Why are you asking me? Go ask your own brother. He's the one who kidnapped my brother, and he's busy working for him every day. But when it comes to me, I'm not even allowed to ask him anything." Meng Qin was annoyed by the questioning and spoke in an unfriendly tone.

"Why are you making such a loud noise? Are you afraid others won't know? Did you and my brother have another fight?" Jiao Hua'an said in a breathy voice.

"All he ever complains about is that I can't give birth to a son..."

Seeing that Meng Qin was about to start complaining again, Jiao Hua'an impatiently interrupted, "I felt something was wrong when Mi Yang caused trouble last time. Later, I found out that you two were involved. You really have some ideas. I told you two back then, don't bring in these third-rate little stars. If something goes wrong, can you control a mad dog like her? She's barefoot, so she'll just jump in headfirst. At worst, we'll all die together, but can you afford to gamble with her?"

As the eldest son in the family, Jiao Hua'an had always stayed by his younger brother Jiao Yushen's side. Having witnessed countless kinds of people and events, he always harbored a vague sense of unease. But some things, once started, are best left undone; it's better to go all the way.

She sighed and continued, "If you had listened to me and gone all the way, things wouldn't have dragged on like this. But look at your brother, he's so spineless. Jiao Yuchen, the second son, is about to be released from prison, and this matter is still not settled. Now, the old man has become suspicious about Cen Li's matter and is investigating. Tang Weiren is here, and Meng Qi still dares to arrange for Cen Li to come over. Isn't he just asking for trouble?"

Meng Qin whispered in defense, "My brother was just following Yu Shen's instructions..."

Jiao Hua'an interrupted, "Don't argue with me. Meng Qi shouldn't have come to this event at all. Your family's business is all supported by me. To put it bluntly, without me helping your brother with those things, your family would have been ruined long ago. What are you pretending to be innocent for?"

The noise from the west stairwell interrupted Jiao Hua'an and Meng Qin's argument.

*

Intermittent sounds of a man and woman making love could be heard coming from the dimly lit stairwell.

"Don't...don't ruin the clothes," Cen Li's charming voice escaped her lips.

A gold-threaded, sparkling dress couldn't hide Cen Li's beautiful figure; the side of the dress was ripped open by the man on top of her.

"That old man has plenty of money. What can't he give you now?" Meng Qi groped Cen Li. "Who's better, me or that old geezer?"

"Then you still have the heart to let me serve this old geezer—" Cen Li's voice sounded as if it had been crushed.

"You! You! You all—!" Mi Yang slammed open the iron gate to the stairwell, making a loud bang.

The gossipy wives around Mi Yang exchanged glances, clearly stunned by the scene and unsure how to react.

Reporters and other onlookers who heard the commotion nearby completely blocked the area.

The sound of reporters' camera shutters and the hushed chatter couldn't drown out Mi Yang's sharp voice.

"You! You're shameless!"

"ah--!"

"You came here and made a fool of yourself! I'll slash your face!"

When the Jiao family members arrived at the stairwell one after another, Mi Yang was pulling Cen Li's hair.

Cen Li, disheveled, and Meng Qi, who had been slapped, were cornered and beaten by Mi Yang, while Mi Yang's wealthy female friends tried to break them up.

Jiao Cheng stood at the top of the stairs, unable to utter a single word, only weak, labored breathing. He couldn't catch his breath and collapsed backward.

Unexpected situations occurred frequently, turning the small stairwell into chaos.

Jiao Yuyin pulled Lu Yu behind him and said, "I've asked Xiao Zhong to pick you up. You go home first, I'll be back later today."

"Are you alright here?" Lu Yu didn't dare ask too many questions, but the worry in her eyes was unmistakable.

"Jiao Yushen and Jiao Huaan will handle this. I'm just putting on a show. Don't linger here. Go home before the reporters corner you."

After understanding Jiao Yuyin's arrangement, Lu Yu no longer hesitated and took advantage of the chaos to leave the banquet hall.