By now you should know that everytime an event happens, my notifications will expload the next morning.
This time round, it was not because the gala was successful or because of what was auctioned.
My notifications were exploading because Yu Feiyan decided I hadn't humiliated her enough.
She had set up her phone, her make up making her look all pale, and recorded a long video with tears streaking down her face.
"Hello everyone. I am here today because my heart is shattered," she sobbed for her followers, pathetically sniffing every few seconds. "Jiang Rui framed me. I...her hatred from me stems from the fact that I am close to Lu Jinghao. She is driven by jealousy...she might even be working with dark forces."
Dark forces?
Really now?
I had assumed that she would retreat after yesterday. Perhaps seek forgiveness and lick her wounds but a fool will remain to be a fool.
Instead, she was here ranting digitally and even involving Lu Jinghao.
'She really is a delusional one, host. Does she want us to send her a fruit basket?'
"Hmm...I hope she realizes that what she has just done is a masterpiece of self destruction."
There were comments pouring in, some sympathizing with her, others accusing her, others defending me, others just there for fun. It was a chaotic comment section.
But then, Lu Jinghao's PR team appeared out of nowhere, shredding her post within minutes.
This bold act led to social media influencers and users looking into the charity event's livestream, wanting to review it.
Some users uploaded videos from the stage, others from the backstage, while others outlined mini mini factors that unravelled her lies.
Within an hour, a lot had been found but, she didn't back down. Instead, she doubled down and posted another crying video.
This time, she even came with a voice recording of me 'threatening' her. Pathetic.
I sighed, then smiled. I wasn't going to let her go, even if Lu Group decided to punish her on my behalf.
"Nova darling?"
'Yes my darling host? Would you like a meal of someone's ruin today?'
"Affirmative," I replied sweetly, biting into the sausage I had on my fork."Thank you."
Within minutes, the internet exploded...again.
My verified account had released:
The original, unedited backstage camera footage.
Emails and bank transfers, alongside the records of her purchasing the vial.
Voice notes of her bragging about sabotaging me for her Jiejie.
Exchange between her and one of my recently hired employee, showing a stolen document of my sketches.
There were also receipts showing how she stole from her interns, alongside her misdeeds in the past years.
Merciless if you ask, but it was a necessary move on my part.
One particular part of the evidence stood out.
"Jiang Ning told me that if I successfully destroy Jiang Rui during her charity gala, then she will get me that endorsement I've been wanting."
Boom!
Everything turned against her in minutes. From her supporters to her business.
All her brand deals were terminated one after the other.
Her sponsors and investors pulled out and terminated contracts with her.
Yu Fashion house saw a major dip in their stocks, immediately spiralling into potential bankruptcy.
Her family tried to release a statement disowning her but her mother fainted during the press.
All this happened in a couple of hours, sending her into complete panic mode.
She stopped crying and started hysterically screaming but it was too late.
Her sanity finally snapped and she revealed the truth. A single post that read:
"I DID IT FOR HER! IT WAS JIANG NING! SHE PROMISED TO PROTECT ME! SHE PROMISED ME EVERYTHING IF I RUINED JIANG RUI!!!"
Just like that, Jiang Ning's name shot to the top trending searches again...but not with a good reason.
'Hehe host. You need to see this. Your family's company has it's stock graph looking like it's diving for hidden treasures buried deep in the Pacific.'
I smiled and continued monitoring the progress online.
Unfortunately , that was how Yu Feiyan ended. Not with grace but with a pathetic, humiliating and desperate moment.
By evening, they were still losing but I felt... hollow. That was a weird feeling because Yu Feiyan had always been one of my tormentors. Right behind the Jiang family, the pain she caused me can't be easily erased.
I was getting to learn everyday that winning doesn't equate to feeling triumphant.
Sometimes victory is quiet...and empty. It is a reminder of everyone and everything that forced you to not only grow claws but also sharpen them.
'Don't worry host. You've still got this. The way you strike back is a daily reminder to me that your mother never chose wrong.'
Nova's words were truly comforting but after a day of dealing with two retarded grown women, I think I needed a hot meal.
"Thanks Nova. I appreciate you."
I rubbed my temples, exhaustion still settling deep, as I changed into something warm.
"Now let's go get something to eat. Ribs or cake or even both." I whispered to myself as I left my house.
I ended up finding a beautiful upscale restaurant, quiet and tucked behind the major library. It was a discreet and soft place, perfect for my unwinding.
Or so I thought.
Because peace naturally hated me.
Just as I took a couple of steps inside, I heard an annoying, cold, familiar voice.
"Great... If it isn't the disgrace of the Jiang family."
My stepmother.
Followed by my father and Jiang Ning, who looked like she was experiencing paranoia from her recent spirals.
Why did they event have to choose this restaurant of all the restaurants in the city? That too at my exact time?
My father's cold eyes swept over me with the usual contempt.
He looked at me like a man who loaths the daughter who resembles the wife he couldn't fully control, making it his biggest source of resentment.
"You have really caused a mess online Jiang Rui," he spoke loudly, clearly intending to draw attention.
"Is destroying people and their families your form of entertainment now?"
I inhaled slowly. "Unfortunately not. Unlike a certain someone, I don't let trash pile up in my path."
His jaw twitched at my snide remarks.
"You are nothing but an inexperienced little girl. So you think you're powerful now? You think you are untouchable now? Do you enjoy the fame? Do you think Lu Jinghao will protect you forever? When he loses interest..."
"Unfortunately for you, he won't," I interrupted him quietly. "But even if he did, I don't see a problem, because I don't need anyone to deal with people beneath me."
Gasps echoed from nearby tables, as my father's face redened like a boiling kettle.
"JIANG RUI!"
"Yes...father?"
My stepmother sneered, trying to add salt into her husband's injury. "You disrespectful brat!He is your father, you..."
" Come on. You should focus on saving your collapsing empire, lest we think financial ruin runs in YOUR blood."
My father's jaw ticked, as he pointed me with shaky fingers.
"You ungrateful little..."
I raised my hand at him. No words but that silent authority made him shut up.
"Mr Jiang. If you want to scold a child, at least try scolding the one you raised. Not the one whose childhood you...murdered." I spoke softly, knowing that I was going to touch a nerve on my stepmother.
And sure enough, she hissed at me in anger. "Watch your mouth Rui, you...no wonder your mother died,I..."
I turned to her with a smile, sharp enough to cut tough skin.
"Oh dear. Say her name." I eaarily whispered. "Just once, I dare you woman. Go ahead. Say her name."
She flinched as her lips trembled. My father and Jiang Ning looked like they wanted to lunge at me but fear held them in place.
'I never expected them to behave in this manner. I'll avenge for you even if you don't tell me to Host. And you won't stop me.'
I didn't bother reading into Nova's words, as I left the room, my stomach already too tight to eat. I currently needed cold water on my face and hands more than I needed a pair of chopsticks.
I went to the restroom but of course, they followed me.
The door creaked open and in walked my stepmother. Jiang Ning followed.
Both blocked the exit, amusing me greatly.
"Afraid I'll turn into the hulk?" I spoke as I slowly dried my hands.
"Do you think this is over? You think publicly humiliating us and taking down our businesses makes you powerful?" My stepmother spoke, stepping forward.
The Jiang Ning who looked lifeless and full of fear some minutes ago now wore a spiteful look on her face. She started giggling in an unstable manner before unleashing her knife.
"You know Rui, you are still the same useless sister. If you have as much power as you claim to have, your mother wouldn't have died..."
My blood chilled.
"What did you just say?"
"Oops. Did we just touch a nerve? We can make people lie six feet deep Rui. We made her bid this world goodbye. We wouldn't mind reuniting her with her offspring."
My stepmother giggled more before continuing.
"So you think her accident was an accident? It was all planned and the worst part? Your father didn't even try rescuing her. He just let us do as we pleased."
"Us?" I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Exactly," she continued. "All we had to do was make sure she never returns. That bitch should stay dead."
My breath stilled as my pulse seemed to have stopped for a moment.
I felt the shift in Nova too.
Something ancient and unsettling cold uncoiled inside me. I felt like I was holding a blade.
My voice came out deadly calm. I didn't even know I had that kind of control in me.
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you just confessed," I said. "Voluntarily."
They both froze as if reality finally dawned on them.
I stepped forward, forcing them to retreat.
Good.
"Now, let me make things crystal clear." I whispered, my voice lethal cold.
"I am not the Rui you used to bully. If you dare touch me..."
Their eyes widened at the coldness in my voice.
"If you dare touch anyone I treasure, or even breathe my way will ill intent," I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a soft but deadly level.
"You will beg for Mercy that no one can give you."
My stepmother's face paled as Jiang Ning staggered.
"Right...unlike my mother, my sweet, gentle and brilliant mother, I am here to haunt you forever."
I walked past them.
And neither dared to stop me.
'Host...you are terrifying. But...Lin Yue and I are proud of you.'