The Lin Family banquet was being held at The Grand Hall, a venue designed for high-society affairs.
Lin Aiguo, the host, was already positioned by the entrance, playing the enthusiastic patriarch, receiving important business acquaintances.
Soon, Bai Mei Ling and Bai Lian joined him, presenting a united, smiling family front to the gathered guests, completely ignoring the fact that Lin Yue was also supposed to be attending.
Bai Lian was immediately surrounded by her clique of girlfriends, who showered her with compliments on her 'angelic' appearance.
Lin Aiguo, Bai Mei Ling, and Bai Lian worked the room, focusing on networking and ensuring their faces were seen by the most powerful people.
Lin Aiguo, preoccupied with making connections, didn't spare a thought for his eldest daughter, Lin Yue.
A new wave of reverence swept through the arriving guests, a sleek black luxury sedan pulled up as Chen Family arrived.
Old Master Chen, Chen Long, the family's venerable figurehead, stepped out first, followed by his son, Chen Ling, the current CEO of Chen Corp, Chen Ling's elegant wife, Liu Wanrou, and finally, Chen Hao.
They entered in the banquet hall with air of superiority and elegance as Chen Family comes into the top richest family in the city.
The buzz in the room intensified as the doors opened and the Chen family walked inside the hall.
Lin Aiguo rushed forward enthusiastically to greet them "Old Master Chen! Welcome, welcome. What an honor to have you," Lin Aiguo beamed, bowing slightly.
Bai Mei Ling and Bai Lian also followed instantly, greeting the Chen Family memebers with polished grace.
Chen Hao caught Bai Lian's eye and offered a swift, lingering gaze—a secret acknowledgment of their covert relationship. He didn't dare do more, not infront of his family.
Old Master Chen smiled, accepting the effusive greetings, "Lin Aiguo, a fine gathering," then his gaze swept the room. "But tell me, where is Lin Yue? I was hoping to see the young lady."
Lin Aiguo stiffened internally, a flash of annoyance crossing his mind.
"The girl is always so troublesome. Why isn't she here yet?"
Lin Aiguo forced a warm chuckle. "Ah, Old Master Chen, my deepest apologies. She is just putting the finishing touches on her preparations. You know how young ladies are! She will be joining us shortly."
Just as he finished the clumsy excuse, the collective noise in the hall died once more, replaced by a wave of gasps.
Everyone turned.
Lin Yue stood framed in the banquet hall doorway. The sapphire gown, simple yet incredibly elegant, contrasted sharply with the extravagant lace and diamonds of the other women.
Her hair was swept up simply, highlighting the flawless, jade-like clarity of her skin.
Without any makeup, her features were flawless, exuding a serene confidence that felt less like an arrival and more like a queen reclaiming her throne.
She wasn't just beautiful; she radiated a composed and confident aura that made every other woman in the room seem suddenly less significant.
Bai Mei Ling's face went instantly rigid, her eyes narrowing in silent fury, and internally, she spat a torrent of curses:
"This bitch! She dared to wear her dead mother's old rag! Not only did this wretched girl defy my order, but she appears like this!"
Bai Lian was first stunned, then her eyes flared green with pure, vicious envy from Lin Yue's beauty. She also start cursing Lin Yue internally:
"Bitch! Vixen! How dare she steal the thunder!!" The limelight Bai Lian had been enjoying dissolved instantly.
When her gaze snapped to Chen Hao, her anger spiked as she watched Chen Hao, who was standing right next to her, staring at Lin Yue in a daze, just like every other man in the banquet hall. Bai Lian nearly gnashed her teeth audibly.
Lin Yue walked into the hall with a graceful, unhurried pace, her strong demeanor silencing the whispers.
Ignoring the envious glances, Lin Yue moved gracefully toward the Chen Family group.
"Good evening, Old Master Chen," she said, her voice clear and respectful.
"Lin Yue! There you are, young lady," Chen Long said, his smile genuine. "You truly looks beautiful in this dress".
Lin Yue then offered polite greetings to Chen Ling and Liu Wanrou, "Uncle Chen, Aunt Wanrou'" maintaining a slight, elegant distance, before turning to her own family.
She then gave Lin Aiguo and Bai Mei Ling the briefest, most distant acknowledgement.
Whispers immediately broke out among the surrounding guests.
"Who is she?"
"Is that a celebrity? She's so beautiful!"
"No, she's not a celebrity but Lin Aiguo's eldest daughter." Someone confirmed Lin Yue's identify.
"Lin Aiguo has another daughter? I didn't know that."
"What do you know, the girl standing beside Lin Aiguo is his stepdaughter, that beautiful young lady is the legitimate and eldest daughter of Lin Family." Some of the guests whispered and revealing this information.
One of the guest surprised by this news said "Really? But I didn't saw this beautiful young lady before in any event or gatherings."
The other one gossiped "I heard a rumor that this eldest daughter didn't like to show her face in public that's why she didn't join such public gatherings."
The guests nod in understanding "Such breathtaking beauty. No doubt that the eldest daughter of Lin family didn't engage in public gatherings."
"Lin Aiguo sure has been keeping that stunning girl hidden because of her beauty." Someone click his tongue.
Guests continue to whisper and admiring Lin Yue's beauty.
Ignoring the whispers of people, Lin Yue offered a modest bow in response to Chen Long's compliment. "Thank you, Old Master Chen. I am simply wearing a classic piece from my mother's collection."
This was Bai Lian's cue, unabling to stand being ignored and watching Chen Hao's lingerin gaze on Lin Yue, stepped forward, plastering on a concerned expression.
She adopted a look of wide-eyed, innocent concern, perfectly masking the hatred boiling beneath. "Yue-jie, I was just so worried when you weren't with us. Are you feeling unwell? Why are you so late?And why are you wearing that old sapphire dress?" Bai Lian whispered loudly, ensuring the Chen family could hear the implied criticism. "Mother specially prepared a gorgeous emerald gown for you. Everyone has been worried!"
Bai Mei Ling immediately stepped beside Bai Lian and followed, her voice softening into a pitifully worried mother's tone. She gave a heavy, calculated sigh "Yes, Lin Yue. We were so worried about you, but seeing you here is a relief."
She turned slightly towards Old Master Chen, her voice lowered to a disappointment tone "Oh, my dear, you didn't wear the gown I chose? I prepared that gown specifically for this occasion. I worry I've failed you as a mother. Did you really dislike my efforts that much?" She cleverly painted herself as the victim, suggesting Lin Yue was ungrateful and arrogant.
The implication hung heavy: Lin Yue was an arrogant, spoiled child who disdained her family's efforts.
Lin Yue met Bai Mei Ling's gaze with absolute calm, her expression unreadable and reply calmly " Thank you for your concern, Aunt Mei Ling. I am perfectly well. As for the emerald dress,"
Lin Yue paused, her voice measured, "the zipper of that dress accidentally broke when I was attempting to put it on. It was a complete disaster."
Her gaze sweep over the mother-daughter pair. "As for the delay, I simply couldn't find a ride with Aunt Mei Ling after the unfortunate incident with the dress." She indirectly counter Bai Mei Ling's accusation for not being come with family members but alone.
She paused again and look at other family members and said "I didn't wish to further inconvenience the driver, so I had no choice but to wear my mother's gown. It seems carelessness runs rampant in this household, causing accidents at the most inconvenient times."
The indirect accusation—aimed at Bai Mei Ling for providing a faulty dress, and by extension, to show that both Bai Mei Ling and Bai Lian didn't even bother to ask for Lin Yue's whereabouts, it was clear and chilling.
Lin Aiguo, sensing the delicate balance of the moment and the scrutiny of the Old Master Chen, quickly interjected, forcing a jovial tone. "Enough of women's attire! Lin Yue, be more careful next time. No more talk of dresses or accidents! You are causing a scene"
He turned immediately back to the Chen elders, his face strained. "Old Master Chen, please disregard this domestic squabble. We were just discussing the current market rates for raw materials. I believe the future of the Lin Group lies in diversification…"
Lin Aiguo had clearly prioritized saving face and business over clearing his eldest daughter's name, failing even to ask Lin Yue about the alleged broken zipper. He only cared about silencing the argument.
Sensing the tension had reached an awkward peak, Old Master Chen Hai intervened smoothly. "Now, now. Let the young people enjoy the evening. Lin Yue, Chen Hao, and Miss Bai, please go enjoy the party. Aiguo, let us discuss the current market rates."
Lin Yue exchanged a final, polite pleasantry with the Old Master before walking away, deliberately ignoring Chen Hao, who seemed slightly thrown by her changed demeanor and the public drama.
While the elders were busy themselves, Lin Yue headed to a quiet, velvet-lined corner where a small table of delicate appetizers sat, and sat down.
Chen Hao frowned, finding Lin Yue's utter dismissal of him shocking. He turned to Bai Lian.
Bai Lian quickly change her angry face to a pitiful innocent and pure look, and whispered, her voice laced with false sincerity, "Brother Chen Hao, did you see her face? She acts so superior! She doesn't even care about your presence!"
Chen Hao frowned, still glancing towards Lin Yue's distant, sapphire-clad back. "She does seem... different." The difference was disturbing and intriguing.
Bai Lian fiddled with a small ribbon on her dress, forcing a look of fragile worry. "It just worries me so much that she treats you with such disrespect."
Bai Lian leaned slightly to Chen Hao, clutching his sleeve, desperately trying to grab his attention "Her arrogance is unbearable. Ignoring her own fiancé in front of everyone—she's treating us like servants. I truly hope she doesn't embarrass you further tonight Brother Chen Hao." Making a pitiful and concerned face infront of Chen Hao.
Chen Hao's jaw tightened, his ego bruised. "She is absolutely outrageous. I am her fiancé; she needs to be taught her place and her duties. Perhaps she thinks her sudden change in appearance gives her license to forget her manners."
Lin Yue, utterly unconcerned with their whispers, calmly selected a glass of sparkling cider and a miniature tart, enjoying the food and the quiet moment. She didn't feel the need to posture or react; their opinions were irrelevant noise.
From across the large, glittering hall, positioned near the tall windows overlooking the city lights, a youthful boy stood apart from the crowd.
He was effortlessly handsome, his features sculpted and cold, and he was dressed in a dark suit that made him seem even more remote.
Lin Yue was completely unaware that the boy, with an amused glint in his eyes, had observed the entire spectacle: Lin Yue's entrance, the venomous exchange, her calm reply, and her casual disregard for her fiancé.
As Lin Yue took a delicate sip of cider, a non-existent smile appeared on his handsome, cold face as he found Lin Yue amusing.
This young lady has spirit. He thought.