Lianna pursed her lips before finally nodding in appreciation.
After all, Zahn held a status that even the Keir clan couldn't casually dismiss.
Yeri took the microphone back and continued.
"I know you're all wondering how the two of us ended up together. To be honest, I wondered the same thing at first. We were never a match in terms of status, and with him came fame and attention that I could never escape simply by hiding behind his shadow. However, if someone were willing to cross realms just to be with you, look beyond what most people saw you as, a mere green flower with the weakest constitution, and make every effort to show you how much he loved you, I don't think it would be possible not to fall in love."
The guests fell silent.
No one questioned her mention of crossing realms, assuming she was speaking metaphorically about Shin disregarding their differences in status just to be with her.
"Back then, someone attempted to take his life, and I happened to be there when our car was chased by heavily armed mercenaries. He protected me throughout the ordeal. Later, to express his remorse for putting me in danger, he transferred three percent of KGG's shares into my name. When I refused to accept them, he went straight to my father instead."
Some guests chuckled, while others looked astonished as they finally learned the story behind those three percent of KGG's shares.
So it hadn't been because she'd demanded them, nor had they been part of some engagement condition. And the rumors that she had been greedily eyeing the company were nothing more than speculation.
"Ah, I think I remember now. Wasn't there news back then about the late Hadi Keir orchestrating an attempt on Shin's life?" one guest remarked.
"So that's what happened. Yeri almost became collateral damage. If I were Shin, I'd also want to compensate her properly. Besides, he must have valued her life immensely to give her company shares instead of simply offering money."
Yeri smiled faintly before continuing.
"To be honest, although I gradually fell in love with Brother Shin, I never really expected us to be where we are now. I assumed, with his capabilities and status, there would always be plenty of women flocking around him. Perhaps he was only momentarily fond of me and would eventually move on."
She paused, glancing at the pink diamond ring on her finger.
"But when he proposed to me, I couldn't have been more shocked. He even joked that I should never let anyone else wear this ring. Otherwise, they'd be doomed because he'd placed a curse on it."
At that moment, some guests' eyes reddened, while others had already begun dabbing at their tears with tissues. Among them were young women who had always dreamed of finding true love.
Meanwhile, the Keir clan elders looked increasingly grim, their expressions resembling those of people who had just discovered someone owed them billions and had no intention of paying.
They had never expected Yeri to be this clever.
Rather than anxiously defending herself, breaking down in tears, or desperately trying to prove that she had nothing to do with Shin's disappearance, she had chosen to recount their love story instead.
She spoke as though she were simply reminiscing about the past, while casually explaining how she'd received the shares and the engagement ring along the way.
But beneath that seemingly innocent speech lay a carefully considered strategy.
Yeri understood that desperately defending herself would accomplish very little. The truth doesn't matter because those who had already decided to hate her would hardly be persuaded by her explanations.
The more frantically she tried to clear her name, the easier it would be for them to interpret her behavior as guilt or an attempt to conceal something.
Rather, she had chosen a different approach.
She spoke about love. More importantly, she spoke about Shin's love for her.
She wasn't trying to provoke his fans or challenge those who disliked her. Instead, she was reminding them of the man they admired and the way he had chosen to love someone they considered beneath him.
To Shin's female fans, her message was almost disarmingly simple: If even someone like Shin Keir could fall in love so deeply, then perhaps one day, they too might meet someone who would sweep them off their feet.
And for those who had been attacking her out of envy, her words offered a subtle reminder that what she had with Shin wasn't something she had schemed to obtain. It was something he had willingly given her.
Most importantly, if the Keir clan later demanded that she return them, wouldn't that make them appear to be disrespecting Shin's wishes?
And if Shin truly never returned, he wouldn't be at peace knowing that the woman he loved was being bullied.
Either way, Yeri had placed the Keirs in a difficult position.
She hadn't accused them of anything.
She hadn't even asked anyone to take her side.
And even if this wedding never went through, she would never be the one left embarrassed and humiliated. Instead, she would be the one who gathered herself together, broken inside but stronger than anyone, with her dignity intact.
The head of the elders finally stood up and walked slowly forward with his cane, his back straight and imposing as his gaze met Yeri's with a warning.
"Child, you're clearly distraught. No one is blaming you for this matter. We all want Shin to be safe and well. The matter of his assets should be discussed privately, all for your own sake."
Yeri bowed to him out of politeness. "Thank you, Grand Elder. It's an honour to finally meet you."
A subtle murmur spread through the crowd, the guests surprised and unsure whether they had heard Yeri correctly.
She had only met the Grand Elder today?
Wasn't it customary for the Keir elders to meet the heir's bride personally to decide whether they approved of her?
What about the gathering where both families had come together to finalise the engagement? Had the Grand Elder not attended that either?
"Now that you mention it, was the Grand Elder even present at their engagement banquet?"
"I remember Elder Madam Keir was there, but most of the Keir elders weren't. Could it be that they never truly accepted Yeri?"
The Grand Elder's expression darkened as he looked at Yeri, who stood before him defiantly.
Yeri met his gaze without the slightest trace of fear.
In this mind game, she was a succubus who had lived for thousands of years, facing a human who was only a few years older than her current age. Even without her complete memories, seriously? Who exactly was he trying to intimidate?
"I also have something to say."
A stern voice rang out from the entrance, drawing the guests' attention as they turned to see who had spoken.
Master Keir strode over, having clearly just arrived. Most assumed he must have been overwhelmed with the burden of handling the company's affairs.
The Grand Elder frowned, regarding Allister warily. "Allister, what do you mean?"
Allister paused and nodded respectfully before turning back to Yeri, his gaze softening.
Yeri gave him a faint smile and handed him the microphone.
"To everyone here, thank you for coming. I'd also like to apologise for taking up your precious time. This past year has truly been a rollercoaster of events for our family, and we appreciate everyone who has extended us their unwavering support and offered a helping hand." He paused, his voice carried a hint of exhaustion. "I don't like making assumptions, but in a situation like this, who wouldn't? Anyway, Yeri had absolutely nothing to do with my son's plane crash. I believe the authorities have also confirmed that Bryce Gate was responsible. It's heartbreaking to see people spreading malicious rumours, and with me being so busy these days, I didn't even realise that my daughter-in-law was being bullied online."
The crowd buzzed with murmurs as people began whispering among themselves.
"That's right. Let me make this clear now. Regardless of the outcome, whether my son is dead or alive, Yeri will always be my daughter-in-law."
Master Keir's voice was firm and unwavering.
Although he hadn't shown it, the news of the plane crash days ago had nearly shattered him completely.
The netizens had, in fact, been right to suspect that he was blaming himself after learning that Bryce had been responsible.
He had failed to protect Celestine, and now, with every passing moment, he was tormented by the thought that he might have failed to protect his son as well.
If the worst happened, then at the very least, he would do everything in his power on Shin's behalf to protect the woman his son loved.
"What are you making a scene for?" another elder spoke up in frustration. "Do you enjoy airing our family's private matters?"
"The Keirs have always honoured their word, haven't they?" Master Keir replied.
"Enough! Why are we discussing this in front of everyone? Let's put an end to this and focus on what needs to be dealt with now. What about this wedding?" the Grand Elder interrupted, suddenly struck by a bad feeling.
However, Allister acted as though he hadn't heard him.
He had had enough of being filial, of being told time and time again that everything was for the sake of the family.
For the sake of the Keir name, Celestine had been branded a mistress in the public's eyes.
For the sake of the Keir name, he had remained married to Eleanor, and Shin had become their legitimate son. What had Shin felt back then? Why hadn't he objected?
And now, for the same reason, they wanted to benefit from everything Shin had worked so hard to build while disregarding Yeri?
"Generation after generation, we've all done our best to bring KGG to where it is today. Even more so when Shin took over, bringing KGG to new heights on the global stage. And it wasn't just KGG, but Hexion as well. He understood the family's rules perfectly well, including the fact that marriage is more of a political alliance."
"Allister Keir!" the Grand Elder hissed.
"Yeri Zhi may not live up to your expectations or meet your standards of an ideal daughter-in-law, but my son more than makes up for it. No, he has gone beyond that by bringing in business contracts worth billions in exchange of marrying Yeri."
It was as though an explosive bomb had been dropped into the hall, leaving everyone in pin-drop silence before a series of gasps and exclamations erupted.