Chen Residence.
"Slap!" Chen Anguo struck Chen Zhihan across the face.
"Are you not done humiliating our Chen Family? Running to the Nans to make a scene?! Begging them to laugh at us!" Chen Anguo roared.
Chen Zhihan's eyes were red with fury. "That bitch Sang Ning set me up! How could I not confront her?"
"You have no proof! Spouting nonsense without evidence! Stay home and don’t show your face outside—if you have no shame, I still do!"
Chen Zheng also scolded her, "Why did you even enter Du Yao’s room? If you don’t explain, how can we demand justice from the Nans?"
Chen Zhihan shrieked, "I just went to the wrong room!"
"It’s her own stupidity!" Chen Anguo snapped. "You pull this idiotic stunt and now you’re playing the victim? Do you know how much disgrace you’ve brought upon the Chen Family? Get back to your room! Tomorrow, we’ll finalize the marriage with the Du Family—at least then you won’t keep embarrassing us!"
Chen Zhihan screamed, "No! I’d rather die than marry Du Yao! Nothing happened between us! How could trash like him ever deserve me?"
"Photos of you two are everywhere! What else can you do?!"
Chen Zhihan was hysterical. "It’s a setup! I told you it’s not real! If you force me to marry Du Yao, I’ll kill myself!"
"Get out of my sight!"
With a final glare, Chen Zhihan stormed back to her room.
"What kind of disgraceful daughter have I raised?!" Chen Anguo fumed.
Mrs. Chen quickly intervened, "We can’t actually go through with the Du Family alliance. You know exactly what kind of scum Du Yao is. You were the one who pulled strings to cover up his last scandal—no one knows his true nature better than you. How could we let Zhihan marry him?"
"She’s the one who crawled into his bed!"
"Zhihan is my daughter. I know her—she would never. There must be a misunderstanding. But think about it: marrying Du Yao would tarnish our family’s reputation forever! Do you really think he’d change after marriage? It’s better to call it a breakup and let the scandal fade quietly."
Chen Anguo had spoken in anger earlier. The Du Yao incident had been suppressed, and outsiders were clueless, but he knew the truth.
That rotten good-for-nothing would inevitably self-destruct within three years. Last time, his crimes were buried, but next time, he might go even further. Allying with the Du Family could drag them down too.
Not worth it!
The original plan was to push the Nans into marrying their daughter to take the fall while they reaped the benefits. Now, the disaster had landed on their doorstep—no way would he accept that loss.
But this whole mess was more disgusting than swallowing a fly.
---
The next morning, Sang Ning came downstairs for breakfast.
It was Wednesday, and she still had classes to attend.
When she entered the dining room, she was surprised to see the entire Nan Family gathered—a rare sight for breakfast.
Though the Nans had strict traditions requiring family dinners, breakfast and lunch were usually flexible since everyone had their own schedules.
"You’re up, Miss. Please sit."
Aunt Chen hurried to the kitchen and brought out a bowl of freshly made wontons and a cup of soy milk.
Sang Ning disliked Western breakfasts like toast and sandwiches, and Aunt Chen had learned her preferences by now.
She pulled out a chair and sat down. "Grandpa, Mom, Dad."
Her gaze flickered to Nan Siya, whose eyes were swollen and bloodshot, as if she’d cried all night. Now, she glared at Sang Ning, gripping her fork so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"You’re still going to class today?" Grandpa asked.
"Yes, my schedule is full."
"Perhaps you should rest at home for a few days. Yesterday’s incident was ugly, and I’m worried about further trouble."
"I’m not the one who should be ashamed."
Yet Grandpa’s expression darkened with worry.
The Nans weren’t the ones humiliated, but they had still made enemies.
Right now, the Chen and Nan Families were tied together, and the Nans weren’t afraid of them. But if the Chens allied with the Du Family and retaliated later, it would spell trouble.
"The news about Chen Zhihan and Du Yao is everywhere now—even outsiders know. I heard there were reports yesterday. The Chens suppressed them, but rumors are spreading. If the Chen and Du Families seek revenge..."
Sang Ning had seen the headlines too: "Heir and Socialite Caught in Compromising Position."
Admittedly, it was a scandalous title—enough to make even a passing dog stop and click.
With practiced grace, Sang Ning said, "Since the rumors are so vicious, perhaps I should help clarify. I can say they were in a legitimate relationship, and it was my mistake for taking the wrong room key, causing a misunderstanding. That way, both families can save some face."
Grandpa looked at her in surprise. "Wouldn’t that be unfair to you?"
After all, Sang Ning was the one who’d been cheated on.
Her voice was gentle. "If it eases tensions and helps Grandpa, this small sacrifice is nothing. Extending goodwill to the Chen and Du Families might resolve things peacefully."
She then turned to Nan Siya, who was still glaring at her with hatred, and feigned a look of remorse.
"Besides, the Nans and Chens still have a marriage alliance. I wouldn’t want to ruin their relationship or jeopardize Siya’s engagement to Chen Zheng. I know how much Siya loves him—I’d hate to be the reason their betrothal falls apart or for the Nans to lose a business partner."
Wen Meiling was moved, her eyes glistening. She’d once worried Sang Ning might try to steal Siya’s advantageous match, yet here she was, still prioritizing Siya’s future.
This child was so considerate it broke her heart.
Grandpa nodded approvingly, his voice softening. "You’re far too understanding."
He then glanced at Nan Siya, still seething with resentment, and scowled.
"Unlike some, who bite the hand that feeds them and lack even basic gratitude!"
