Shen Shiyan suppressed a nameless fury in his chest and asked coldly, “Is that so?”

His sharp gaze fixed on Jiang Mian as he pressed further, “Or are you suggesting Secretary He is lying and slandering you?”

Jiang Mian felt a surge of excitement. Finally, the plot was heading in the right direction.

The next step would be for the male lead to side with his secretary and dismiss her!

But first, she needed to stir the pot and make Shen Shiyan more convinced that she was deceiving him.

She glanced at He Lai, who was quick to play her part. She put on the act of a wronged victim, repeatedly casting sorrowful glances her way, her eyes brimming with hurt. Her expression practically screamed, I thought we were like sisters, and now you’ve betrayed me!

Wasn’t it just competing on the same stage? She’s not afraid of anything!

“I really didn’t!” she tearfully denied, telling the truth.

He Lai couldn’t be sure her plan was flawless, so she prepared carefully. First, she pretended her period had started and claimed she forgot her towel, asking Jiang Mian to fetch a new one. Once Jiang Mian handed it to her, He Lai asked her to grab her phone first. But when the door closed, the bathroom lock suddenly jammed, trapping He Lai inside.

She knew all these plot twists well, and Jiang Mian had walked straight into her trap without hesitation.

“Secretary He, why did you lie? I thought you were a good sister. I thought it was those people who envied me and deliberately lied to deceive me. Until now, I believe they were all true!” Jiang Mian looked at Shen Shiyan and pointed at He Lai, saying, “Those three people who just bullied me said they were sent by Secretary He and threatened to teach me a lesson to keep me away from you, or they would teach me a lesson again! It was all thanks to Mr. Ji, who helped me… I didn’t believe it, but Secretary He slandered me and said I locked her in the bathroom. I never did it!”

Tears streamed down her face, her beauty made all the more heartbreaking by the sorrow in her foxlike eyes.

He Lai was so furious she nearly coughed up blood, and a wave of shock surged through her. She had clearly warned those three not to talk carelessly, but they still exposed her?

Those idiots were really going to ruin everything for her!

Though she quickly composed herself, a flicker of panic still flashed across her face, which Jiang Mian didn’t miss.

Jiang Mian smirked inwardly. In reality, those three lackeys had run off without saying a word. By all accounts, she shouldn’t even know about this!

What could she do? After all, she was the “chosen one” dropped into this novel—twisting the plot was just part of the deal.

But even if she hadn’t set things in motion this time, the storyline made it clear: Shen Shiyan would never trust her.

He never believed her anyway—how could he, when he thought she was just a pawn sent by Ji Zishen to get close to him?

Sure enough, when she stole a glance at his face, it was chillingly cold. His dark eyes, brimming with icy disdain, made her shiver involuntarily, despite mentally preparing herself for this reaction.

The male lead’s fierce expression was genuinely terrifying.

In reality, her thinking was entirely off base.

Shen Shiyan’s anger wasn’t just about the situation—it flared up the moment she mentioned Ji Zishen.

Was Ji Zishen’s timely rescue just a coincidence, or were the two of them secretly meeting up all along?

The man’s gaze grew colder, like a blade grazing her cheek. “Is that so? You seem to think highly of Ji Zishen.”

No matter what he said, Jiang Mian kept nodding instinctively.

Wait—something’s off here!

A second later, she snapped out of it, lifting her head in shock. What does this have to do with Ji Zishen?

Her bewilderment only deepened the suspicion in Shen Shiyan’s eyes, convincing him she was caught red-handed. His face darkened as he turned and walked away without another word.

Shen Shiyan’s sudden departure left not only Jiang Mian stunned but He Lai as well.

He Lai was first shocked, then delighted.

It seemed Jiang Mian wasn’t as important to Shen Shiyan as she feared—otherwise, he wouldn’t have walked away so easily!

Still playing the victim, He Lai pretended to be indignant. “Jiang Mian, why did you lock me in there?”

Jiang Mian secretly rolled her eyes. Now that it was just the two of them, was there really still a need to keep up the act?

Jiang Mian played along, her eyes reddening as she glared angrily. “You’re the one lying! I didn’t do anything!”

He Lai smirked with disdain. “It doesn’t matter if I’m lying or not. What matters is that Mr. Shen believed me!”

“I don’t buy it! He even told me he liked me yesterday. How could he just leave me like that?”

Jiang Mian was determined to keep up her role as someone deeply in love with the male lead and wanted to chase after Shen Shiyan to explain. But He Lai grabbed her arm, stopping her. “What makes you think Mr. Shen likes you? What a joke! Let me tell you, the only reason you even caught his attention is because you look like someone else!”

“What did you just say?” Jiang Mian looked genuinely puzzled, as if she couldn’t grasp what He Lai was implying. He Lai sneered. “Don’t you get it? Mr. Shen really likes someone else. Your face just happens to resemble hers a bit. You, Jiang Mian, are nothing but a stand-in—got it?”

In the original plot, He Lai played on the original character’s ignorance, pretending to be a supportive sister while secretly digging traps for her. Since the original character had no clue who was behind her downfall, He Lai patiently maintained the fake friendship.

But now, with Jiang Mian already aware that He Lai had sent those three thugs, there was no need to keep up the pretense of sisterhood.

After He Lai’s “kind” explanation, Jiang Mian appeared to finally realize she was being treated as a substitute. Yet, she stubbornly refused to accept it, shaking her head in denial. “No, that’s impossible! He clearly likes me, not someone else—you’re lying!”

He Lai released her grip and sneered, “Go ahead then—ask Mr. Shen yourself. Ask him who he truly likes!”

Jiang Mian wanted to run after him, but fear held her back. What if Shen Shiyan’s answer confirmed everything He Lai had just said? Her steps faltered, and she stood there, frozen in uncertainty.

He Lai smirked as she stepped closer. “I suggest you don’t embarrass yourself!”

With those cutting words, He Lai strutted off confidently in her high heels, following the path Shen Shiyan had taken.

As soon as they left, Jiang Mian, who had been crying just moments before, instantly wiped away her tears. She stared in the direction they had gone with a look of contempt, scoffing under her breath. “You really think your precious Shen Shiyan is such a catch? Just wait—there’s plenty of suffering headed your way.”

She had no interest in Shen Shiyan anyway, so whoever wanted to chase after him was welcome to it!

Her priority now was waiting for Shen Shiyan to hand over some money and send her off.

Meanwhile, Shen Shiyan had walked quite a distance before realizing that Jiang Mian hadn’t followed. His irritation only grew stronger.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Shen Shiyan thought it was that little liar catching up. He turned back expectantly, but the slight smile on his face quickly faded—it was just He Lai.

Even He Lai had caught up, yet she hadn’t. So, all those sweet words were lies after all.

He Lai called out, “Mr. Shen,” and glanced at the man’s icy expression, feeling a flicker of joy in her heart.

Although he had always been cold towards her, she was certain she held a place in his heart. All those years of following him, all her efforts—it had to mean something.

She firmly believed that one day, Shen Shiyan would recognize her efforts and be moved by her unwavering persistence.

Cautiously, she asked, “Mr. Shen, are we still attending the charity auction tonight?”

Shen Shiyan’s mood was foul, and the stains on his clothes from Jiang Mian only worsened it. Without any warmth in his voice, he snapped, “We’re going back.”

He Lai obediently agreed. Although she was disappointed not to accompany him, she found comfort in knowing she had successfully eliminated a rival.

He Lai smiled and was about to follow Shen Shiyan when he said flatly, “You stay.”

She was momentarily confused, but then Shen Shiyan ordered, “The bracelet tonight—make sure it’s auctioned off, no matter the price!”

Shen Shiyan had attended the event for two reasons: he couldn’t refuse a friend’s invitation, and he wanted to bid on a pair of bangles as a birthday gift for his mother.

He Lai knew this man well and had a decent understanding of his family dynamics.

Shen Shiyan’s mother’s birthday was next month, and she would be hosting a large gathering—He Lai was among those invited.

She obediently replied, “Yes,” as Shen Shiyan removed his suit jacket and called for the driver.

Once she saw him get into the car and leave, He Lai let out a sigh of relief and headed back into the venue with a calm heart.

On the other side, Shen Shiyan got into the car and carelessly tossed his jacket aside, frowning at the white stain on it, a vague irritation simmering in his chest.

The driver, noticing that Shen Shiyan was alone, hesitantly asked, “Mr. Shen, where is Miss Jiang?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he caught a glimpse of Shen Shiyan’s icy glare in the rearview mirror, instantly silencing him.

The car had barely driven a short distance and was approaching a traffic light when Shen Shiyan suddenly commanded, “Stop the car.”

The driver’s palms grew sweaty as he nervously asked, “President Shen, is something wrong?”

Shen Shiyan glanced at his phone, annoyed that the little liar hadn’t even bothered to call him!

Frustrated, he yanked at his tie, trying to ease the tightness in his chest. “Turn around!” he ordered.

The driver, startled at first, quickly adjusted and made a swift U-turn.

About twenty minutes later, Jiang Mian emerged from the restroom with a clean face. Thankfully, the staff had makeup remover on hand—otherwise, she would’ve had to leave looking like a clown.

After removing her makeup, Jiang Mian looked pure and innocent, her red eyes still a bit dry from crying, giving her a delicate and pitiful appearance.

As she rubbed her face, she silently cursed the villain’s ancestors up to eighteen generations, blaming Ji Zishen for being such a meddler and making her cry so much. Now, she’d have to drink extra water to recover.

She booked a ride online, and when the driver called to say he was nearly there, she lifted her skirt and headed outside to meet him.

The day was exceptionally cold, with the temperature plummeting to minus ten degrees by nightfall.

Jiang Mian shivered as she stepped outside.

Tucking her chin into her coat, she glanced toward the door and muttered, “Strange, didn’t she say he was on his way?”

Just then, a black car pulled up. Assuming it was her ride, she waved urgently.

She instinctively assumed it was her ride and waved urgently.

Inside the car, the driver noticed Jiang Mian waving from the doorway and said cheerfully, “Mr. Shen, it’s Miss Jiang!”

Shen Shiyan, seated in the back, glanced at her. Her hair, tousled and curling with the cold wind, gave her a disheveled look.

He snorted coldly, acknowledging that at least she had some awareness of her surroundings!

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