Chapter – 30
Tonight’s Protagonist Finally Makes an Entrance.
The Jiang family’s decorations were understated yet exuded luxury. The glass doors connecting the front hall and the garden terrace were opened, turning the entire banquet into a semi-open event. Everything from the venue decor and proceedings to the various dishes was arranged by a dedicated event planning company.
The Guan family often attended various parties, but even they couldn’t hide their envy upon seeing the scale of the Jiangs’ event. Watching the stream of elites entering, Guan RuiRui unconsciously straightened her back, determined to show her most beautiful self tonight.
For this day, she had pestered her father into spending a fortune to buy Blue’s spring haute couture collection for her. She wore a princess-style bustier gown paired with a small tiara, creating the perfect “princess” look. The moment she entered with a sweet smile, she indeed attracted many gazes.
—But in the next instant, that attention drifted away effortlessly. The eyes that had been on her even held a hint of mockery.
“Huh…?” Guan RuiRui was bewildered. She didn’t know what was wrong with her attire.
Unbeknownst to her, a girl in a black dress in the corner of the venue was whispering to her friend with a smile. “That girl just now, which young lady is she from? Does she not know who the protagonist is tonight? Wearing a tiara like she’s the princess herself.”
“Her face looks familiar, but I can’t recall the name… Oh, but wasn’t the one with her the CEO of Guan Corporation?”
Meanwhile, Jiang YuTong was also stunned to see the Guan family appear at the venue.
(The Guan family? Who let them in?)
His elder brother, Jiang YuCheng, had already severed all cooperative ties with the Guan family due to their mistreatment of the Jiang family’s daughter. He had given strict orders to have no further dealings with the Guans—
“Vice President Jiang, it’s such a pleasure to finally meet you! I’ve been wanting to pay my respects, but our schedules never aligned… Ah, what a fortunate coincidence today!” Guan BaoCheng spotted Jiang YuTong keenly and quickly turned on the charm.
Jiang YuTong’s wife, the Third Lady of the Jiang family, Xue NingYu, was also making rounds with her husband. She was momentarily surprised by the sudden appearance of the three Guan family members but maintained her smile and asked, “YuTong, who are these guests?”
“Let me introduce you. This is President Guan, his wife, and their daughter.”
“Guan…?” A subtle shift immediately colored Xue NingYu’s smile.
She knew very well, through her husband, how much the Jiang family’s eldest brother despised the Guan family. In fact, she herself looked down on the Guan family’s actions from the bottom of her heart.
—Treating Xu Xu like a mere servant, even forcing her to accompany their daughter to the hospital, and showing not a shred of gratitude even when she got injured while protecting their daughter, ultimately driving her out. That wasn’t “parenting”; it was “exploitation.”
And now, this Guan family stood here with nonchalant faces. It was only natural for Xue NingYu’s expression to turn cold. “So, these are President Guan and his wife. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
(…I must make sure they are stopped at the gate next time.)
But Guan BaoCheng, unaware, continued beaming. “Yes, actually, my wife and daughter came to visit the other day, but unfortunately, they didn’t get to meet you. They were quite disappointed. Today is truly a delight.”
“Is that so?” Xue NingYu raised an eyebrow, her smile laced with sarcasm. “Then, did your wife not tell you why they couldn’t meet us that time?”
At these words, the faces of Bai ShuQin and Guan RuiRui turned pale instantly. Guan BaoCheng also caught on immediately, shooting a cold glance at his wife and daughter.
(…You kept this from me? What exactly did you do at the Jiang residence?)
However, this was a public occasion. Suppressing his anger, he maintained a pleasant smile and said to Jiang YuTong, “Vice President Jiang, it must be a misunderstanding. We are truly eager to cooperate with the Jiang Hai Group. We are fully prepared to meet your terms, please consider it positively…”
Jiang YuTong shook his head. “No, this matter was decided by my elder brother. It’s not something I can change on my own.”
“Wha…!” Guan BaoCheng was utterly crushed. He looked back at his wife and daughter, whose faces were even more terrified than before.
(…Just how badly did you anger the eldest Jiang?!)
Rage and anxiety churned in Guan BaoCheng’s chest. But just then, Xue NingYu abruptly changed the subject.
“Ah, it seems tonight’s protagonist is finally making her entrance. President Guan, we are grateful for your constant concern for our child. Tonight, please enjoy the celebration with us.”
“Protagonist…?” Guan BaoCheng didn’t understand and followed the surrounding gazes towards the staircase in the front hall.
And then—
The moment he saw the beautiful figure quietly descending the stairs, holding a pure white camellia, Guan BaoCheng froze on the spot.
