Jiang Youli turned her gaze toward Jiang Yonghe, whose eyes were filled with resentment, and curled her lips into a meaningful smile. "So, fakes will always be fakes. No matter how well they're disguised, they can never become the real thing."
Before anyone could notice her reaction, Jiang Yonghe slowly unclenched her tightly balled fists, suppressing her indignation as she maintained her elegant and composed demeanor.
Jiang Youli explained, "Those who have paid attention to this evening gown should know its design concept. The designer, Banlan, mentioned in an interview that her inspiration came from the dawn. That’s why the authentic piece actually glows in the dark."
A young socialite chimed in, "That’s right! I’ve seen Banlan’s interview, but I had no idea about this hidden detail."
"How is that even possible?"
"It’s so beautiful!"
Jiang Yonghe paled as she looked at Jiang Zhao.
Jiang Zhao appeared utterly bewildered—he truly hadn’t known the dress held such a secret.
But there was no way he would admit to having obtained a counterfeit. Instead, he sneered, "So what if it glows? Who’s to say you didn’t just smear some fluorescent powder on it for attention?"
His words prompted immediate agreement from Jiang Yonghe’s circle of friends.
"Yeah, she probably just coated it with glow-in-the-dark paint!"
"Just using cheap tricks to cover up the fact that she’s wearing a fake!"
Jiang Youli chuckled, unfazed. "Jiang Zhao, it seems you won’t give up until you’re utterly defeated. But don’t worry—when I said I had evidence, I wasn’t bluffing."
Jiang Zhao scoffed, completely unshaken. "Then go ahead and show us this so-called evidence!"
He refused to believe Jiang Youli could produce anything that would seal his fate.
Jiang Youli pulled out her phone. "I have a video right here—this is the evidence."
With that, her screen was projected onto the venue’s large display.
The footage showed a woman in a white tailored suit and pencil skirt speaking to a striking blonde foreign woman:
"Well?"
"I’m sorry, but Banlan said her latest evening gown design has already been reserved. Once the final touches are done, it’ll be shipped directly to the client."
"I know. That’s why I’m asking you—sell me the real one. Money isn’t an issue. Then, just swap it out with this high-quality replica when you deliver it to the original buyer."
The blonde woman hesitated. "That’s impossible! If Banlan finds out, my career is over!"
"Aren’t you doing this job for money? Just this one switch, and you’ll walk away with ten million. Why waste your time as an assistant, bowing to others?" the woman in white tempted.
"...I’ll think about it."
Some guests had already recognized the woman in the video.
"Isn’t that Jiang Zhao’s agent, Sister Kitty?"
"It’s definitely her!"
Jiang Zhao’s eyes widened in disbelief, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
The next scene showed the same blonde assistant conversing in English with a woman who had auburn hair.
Given the elite audience, everyone understood the exchange perfectly.
The gist was that the assistant had reported the bribery attempt to the renowned designer, Banlan.
Banlan then instructed her assistant to play along—letting Sister Kitty believe she had successfully swapped the real dress for a counterfeit.
The assistant agreed.
At this point, it was undeniable that Sister Kitty had been acting on Jiang Zhao’s behalf.
The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Jiang Youli lifted her gaze to Jiang Zhao. "Well? Should we keep watching?"
Jiang Zhao stayed silent, his face drained of color.
"As for how I obtained this footage—Banlan is a friend of mine from abroad. When she learned I’d found my family and was hosting a homecoming banquet, she decided to gift me her latest masterpiece. But someone got too clever, trying to bribe their way into obtaining it and slipping me a fake instead." Jiang Youli ended the projection without playing further.
Jiang Yehan finally understood why his wife had been so composed—Jiang Youli had known about Jiang Zhao and Jiang Yonghe’s scheme all along, playing them at their own game and waiting for this exact moment.
After witnessing the spectacle, Old Master Qi chuckled. "Old Master Jiang, your grandson is quite the character. According to my future granddaughter-in-law, she’s his real sister, while Jiang Yonghe is merely an adopted daughter of the Jiang family. Yet instead of compensating and cherishing his blood sister who suffered for twenty years before being brought home, he conspires with a girl who shares no relation to him to humiliate her at her own banquet. Truly baffling. If I had a grandson like this, I’d likely strike him from the family registry."
Old Master Jiang gave an awkward smile but said nothing, his sharp eyes fixed on Jiang Zhao’s ashen face.
Qin Yulian grew frantic—what had her son done now?
And this time, the evidence was damning!
Jiang Yangxu’s expression darkened. Before Old Master Jiang could speak, he strode forward and slapped Jiang Zhao across the face.
Crack.
The force sent Jiang Zhao stumbling backward, dazed.
Qin Yulian gasped and rushed to steady him. "Zhao’er…"
The crowd murmured in shock.
Jiang Yonghe stood frozen, not daring to move.
"Look at the stupidity you’ve committed! I’ve told you time and again to focus on your career, not waste energy on nonsense. And yet here you are, making a disgraceful scene in front of everyone!" Jiang Yangxu was livid—his second son had now been outmaneuvered by Jiang Youli twice.
This time, the entire elite circle knew about it.
He had never felt so humiliated in his life.
With the evidence undeniable, Jiang Zhao hung his head, blood trickling from his lip.
Old Master Jiang slammed his cane against the floor. "Enough! Either beat him to death right now, or stop embarrassing yourselves in front of me if you lack the resolve."
Jiang Yangxu clenched his fists. "Fine, I’ll finish him off!"
He moved as if to strike again.
Qin Yulian immediately shielded her son. "Jiang Yangxu, he’s your own flesh and blood! Don’t be reckless!"
Seeing this, Jiang Yonghe knew she could no longer stay uninvolved—if she did, she might truly face expulsion from the Jiang family.
