Chapter 242 Pursuer
Meng Anran's fingertips trembled, "Did you arrange this?"
"No, he was the one who contacted the organizer." Situ Huajian's eyes were deep. "He seemed to have found out something."
Meng Anran's eyes instantly turned cold. The only lawsuit Lin Rencheng had on his hands recently was the one regarding "Hot Wheels" that she had entrusted him with.
Although public opinion has been reversed and the incident has come to an end, the mastermind behind the incident has not yet been found. Perhaps Lin Rencheng has discovered something by following the clues.
At the cocktail party, the light from the crystal chandeliers flowed through the hall of the castle, making every carefully groomed face shine brightly.
Meng Anran stood beside Situ Huajian. Her smoky green velvet dress shone with a low-key luster under the light, complementing her cool temperament.
"Is this your grandfather's estate?" She glanced at the ancient paintings hanging on the wall and the antiques in the display cabinets, and said softly, "I remember your grandfather bought this painting for 300 million six years ago."
Situ Huajian raised the corners of his lips slightly, his amber eyes looking particularly deep under the light, "You have a good memory and an even sharper vision."
Meng Anran raised an eyebrow, "So, why did you ask me to accompany you to your family's cocktail party today?"
Situ Huajian's slender fingers gently twirled the crystal glass, and the bubbles of champagne slowly rose in the glass. "My grandfather and several bankers are descendants of the nobility of Country A. I would like to introduce them to you."
"It seems that I am not repaying you a favor, but I owe you a favor again." Meng Anran's tone was meaningful, and it was obvious that she did not trust Situ Huajian's words.
Just as he finished speaking, a commotion was heard from the entrance of the hall.
A blonde woman walked in under everyone's gaze. She was wearing an ivory haute couture dress with tiny pearls embellished on the hem, which shimmered softly with her steps.
Her appearance was like a dazzling beam of light, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
Meng Anran took a sip of champagne, a faint smile on her lips.
It seems that the protagonist has appeared.
Lillian von Kleist walked straight towards them, her sea-blue eyes staring directly at Situ Huajian, completely ignoring Meng Anran who was standing beside her.
"Situ, long time no see." Her tone was filled with a pure Country A accent. "Your grandfather told me you would be here, so I rushed here from State Z."
Situ Huajian smiled politely: "Welcome. Let me introduce you, this is Miss An Ran, my——"
"Female companion?" Lillian finally turned her gaze to Meng Anran, sizing her up and down with an undisguised assessment in her eyes. "Asian faces are not common in the upper class of Country A."
Meng Anran met her gaze, a faint smile playing on the corners of his lips. "Ms. von Kleist, I've long heard of you. Mr. Situ often mentioned you—he said you were the young woman his grandfather admired most."
A hint of pride flashed in Lillian's eyes, but she quickly regained her haughty expression. "Really? Then he must not have told you that the marriage between our two families is almost a done deal."
Situ Huajian frowned slightly: "Lillian, I think there is some misunderstanding here——"
"Misunderstanding?" Lillian chuckled and suddenly reached out to hold Situ Huajian's arm, almost leaning against him. "That's not what your grandfather said. He said you just need some time to get used to this arrangement."
She looked at Meng Anran provocatively, "Of course, young people always have some...temporary entertainment."
The music in the hall seemed to become particularly harsh at this moment.
Meng Anran could feel the curious gazes from the guests around her. The scene was like the gossip scene that the upper class was most keen on.
At this moment, she finally understood Situ Huajian's purpose in asking her to accompany him to the cocktail party.
"Ms. von Kleist," Meng Anran's voice remained calm, but a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes. "I think you have misunderstood the relationship between Mr. Situ and me. We are just—"
"Business partner?" Lillian interrupted her sarcastically. "That's what every woman who wants to curry favor with the rich and powerful says."
Situ Huajian's expression darkened. "Lillian, please be careful with your words. Miss Meng is my important partner and friend."
Lillian shrugged disapprovingly. "Whatever you say. But..."
She suddenly leaned close to Meng Anran and lowered her voice, "Do you think you can fit into our circle by wearing a decent dress? You will always be an outsider."
Meng Anran was stunned for a moment, and then she just felt funny. To her, female competition was the most boring and stupid game in the world.
She took out her phone from her handbag, quickly searched her name on the browser, and showed the pop-up identity introduction to Lillian.
"I'm Meng Anran, Chairman of the Ruiming Group in Jing City, Huaguo. I've been negotiating a chip deal with your country's most famous mobile phone brand. Nice to meet you, Miss von Krest."
The tone is neither salty nor bland, neither humble nor arrogant, which reflects the confidence and demeanor unique to those in a superior position.
Lillian's face immediately turned pale, and she snatched the phone and carefully compared the photo with the person in front of her.
After confirming that it was her real self, she glanced at the entry on the webpage - founder, chairman, and CEO of Ruiming Technology Co., Ltd., an outstanding young entrepreneur in China, one of the top ten outstanding entrepreneurs in Beijing, and a representative of the China Charity Federation.
Lillian's fingers paused on the phone screen for a few seconds, a hint of disbelief flashing in her eyes.
She looked up and looked at Meng Anran again, and this time the contempt in her eyes was replaced by complex emotions.
"Rui Ming Technology..." Lillian muttered, suddenly remembering something. "Is it the technology company that developed the Starlink chip?"
Meng Anran put the phone away, the corners of her lips raised slightly: "Exactly. It seems that Miss von Kleist has heard of our products."
Situ Huajian interjected at the right moment, her voice tinged with pride: "An Ran's company signed a five-year cooperation agreement with Country A's Ministry of Communications last month."
Lillian's expression changed again and again, and she finally forced a smile: "Excuse me, Mr. An, my father often mentioned Ruiming Technology's innovative technology."
She paused, then suddenly changed the subject: "However, business success cannot change certain...traditional concepts."
Meng Anran's face lit up slightly, and she couldn't help but laugh, "Do you think I'm capable of founding an internationally renowned company like Ruiming Technology, yet I still have to rely on men for a living?"
Lillian was suddenly speechless. To be honest, she herself couldn't believe that a strong woman like Meng Anran, who was capable of supporting an entire large group, would choose to be a dodder that clung to a man.
Seeing that she was no longer aggressive, Meng Anran glanced at Situ Huajian beside her and said, "I think I can't help you with anything tonight. I owe you a favor, and I'll repay it in other ways later."
After saying that, she turned around and prepared to leave this Shura scene. As she passed by Situ Huajian, she lowered her voice and added, "Your own engagement should be handled by yourself. I won't do anything to make Qin Mu sad, even if it's just for show."
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