Reborn to Outshine My Ex and His White Moonlight novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Another Turnaround

Chen Hongwei, upon seeing Lin Zhiyi arrive, took out the piece of jewelry he had prepared.

"I’ve already had it checked; the sapphire on this brooch is definitely not the same one I entrusted to Lin Zhiyi."

"I have the gemstone’s certificate here, as well as a confirmation letter signed by Lin Zhiyi herself during the handover."

"It is enough to demonstrate that she has been harboring designs on my gemstone for a long time, and today’s events are just a trap she set."

With Chen Hongwei’s accusations, Song Wanqiu in the crowd gave Shen Yan a threatening look.

Shen Yan had almost blurted out her name during the live broadcast, and Song Wanqiu had made a point of giving her a good talking-to as they descended the stairs.

And now, Shen Yan did not disappoint Wanqiu; wrapped in a bathrobe, she stared at Lin Zhiyi with a dark and twisted expression.

The next second, she suddenly burst into tears and wailed in protest.

"It wasn’t me! I’ve been framed by Lin Zhiyi as well! I had no idea she stole Mr. Chen’s gemstone! Zhiyi, how could you do this to me and Mr. Chen? I don’t want to live anymore!"

With that, she ran into a pillar.

The crowd was slow to react, but by the time someone stepped forward to pull Shen Yan away, her head was already bleeding profusely.

Don’t be fooled by how meek Shen Yan usually plays it; in reality, she is even more desperate than Song Wanqiu.

Bowing and scraping, admitting guilt, harming oneself to prove a point—she was capable of doing what others would disdain or dare not do.

As long as it served her purpose.

Like now, faced with someone whose attempted suicide apparently proved her innocence, the people were naturally more inclined to believe.

Coupled with the evidence provided by Chen Hongwei.

Disdainful and reproachful glances once again fell on Lin Zhiyi.

But as Lin Zhiyi approached, the crowd, seeing the scarf around her neck, exchanged their disdainful looks for ones of shock.

They conscientiously made way for her.

Without suspicion, Lin Zhiyi walked slowly to the edge of the stage, looked at Chen Hongwei and Shen Yan, and chuckled softly.

"You two are saying I’m framing you, a charge I certainly can’t accept. After all, I’m not holding a knife to your throats making you two fool around."

"Besides, throughout the live broadcast, Shen Yan never cried out for help, and Mr. Chen was still enthusiastically engaged even when Mrs. Chen knocked on the door. Please explain, how am I to blame?"

"I have another question: if I wasn’t even there, how, pray tell, did you two get into the room?"

At this query, Shen Yan’s blood-stained face turned even paler, while even Chen Hongwei’s expression froze.

Shen Yan’s room card had been stolen.

Chen Hongwei, having publicly declared himself framed, how could he admit to having accepted someone else’s room card?

As such, the two of them became mute, unable to explain themselves for a long time.

Shen Yan, of course, was not about to sit idly by; unable to explain, she cried as if in unbearable agony.

Always believing her tears could garner sympathy.

Alas...

Lin Zhiyi slowly approached Shen Yan, not only refraining from questioning why she was being framed but also kindly helped her to her feet.

"Shen Yan, if you really like Mr. Chen you could have just said so, no need for these underhanded schemes. It really isn’t nice to meddle in other people’s relationships."

Frozen with terror, Shen Yan stammered out, "No, I, I’m not... you’re slandering me."

Lin Zhiyi scoffed.

Feels the pain when the boomerang hits you, huh?

This wasn’t over yet.

Suddenly, Shen Yan’s voice came through the banquet hall’s speakers.

"Mr. Chen is so wealthy, if he were willing... that would be such a great thing, something others would envy."

Seeing how affairs were progressing unfavorably, Chen Sulan turned to Gong Yan, hoping he would have a suggestion.

But Gong Yan was intently staring at the scarf around Lin Zhiyi’s neck, his mind evidently elsewhere.

Chen Sulan’s gaze instantly turned venomous. After pondering for a few seconds, she walked up to the crowd to change the subject.

"Lin Zhiyi, what you’ve said doesn’t prove you didn’t steal the sapphire. The Chen Family entrusted to you what could be the last of the Kashmir Sapphires. Now that the gem has gone missing from your possession and you’ve switched it with an inferior one, don’t you think you owe us an explanation?" she asked.

Hearing this, Lin Zhiyi turned to Chen Sulan.

Upon meeting again, there was no longer the harmony and warmth that had once been between them.

Not even the nodding acquaintance of strangers.

At this moment, Chen Sulan wished she could tear Lin Zhiyi apart on the spot.

Lin Zhiyi no longer backed down; she pointed at Chen Hongwei, "Madam, the sapphire is with Mr. Chen."

Chen Hongwei stiffened, his lips pressed tightly together, his hands clenched into fists.

Yet, Chen Sulan didn’t notice his irregularities, laughing scornfully, "Lin Zhiyi, are you suggesting my Chen Family cries ’Stop, thief!’ to cover our theft? That’s a complete joke."

"Indeed, it’s like a joke, but I have evidence," Lin Zhiyi responded.

Lin Zhiyi took out her phone and played the recording from her dinner with Chen Hongwei.

Chen Hongwei had always known she’d had a tough time in the Gong Family, and seeing her act timid and fragile when alone with him, he was even more certain she wouldn’t dare step out of line.

In the recording, he admitted to switching the sapphire and using that fact to coerce Lin Zhiyi into submitting to him.

Lin Zhiyi swung her phone at the people on stage, "Madam, any more questions?"

Chen Sulan’s mouth twitched as she looked at Chen Hongwei, hating that he hadn’t lived up to her expectations.

Just as everything was about to be set in stone, Gong Yan stood up.

He was the same as always, perpetually gentle and warm in public, and at first glance, quite persuasive.

"Zhiyi, my uncle likes to spout nonsense when he’s drunk. Whatever people say, he loves to joke and play along. That recording clearly shows you leading my uncle into talking. He was drunk, how could he think straight? Don’t you think so?" he said, finishing with a soft smile and a confident look at Lin Zhiyi...