“Among the shareholders are your second uncle and your uncle. The senior executives have been loyal to your father for years. I trusted them to guide you, but I forgot that money can corrupt even the closest ties. You handled it well. Never show mercy to traitors. As for your second aunt and younger aunt, don’t worry. I’ll deal with them when I’m better.” Mother Wen’s voice trembled with anger at the thought of her husband’s trusted allies betraying their daughter while he lay in critical condition.

“Mom,” Wen Ya quickly patted her back. “Don’t get upset. The doctor said you need to stay calm.”

“I’m not upset,” Mother Wen exhaled slowly. “Those people aren’t worth my anger. By the way, what did the Gu family say?”

“On my way to the hospital, Gu Chengze called. He agreed to cancel the engagement but wants to meet in person. I think he wants to wait until things calm down before making it official.” Wen Ya could easily guess his intentions.

Proposing to cancel the engagement now would be a devastating blow to him. Once the dust settled, they could quietly end it without drawing attention.

“What’s there to discuss? Just cancel it. If someone hadn’t helped you this time, your reputation would’ve been ruined. How dare he come to negotiate?” Mother Wen scoffed. “Notify the reporters. We’ll hold a press conference tomorrow morning. I’ll join you, and we’ll announce the cancellation.”

“Wait, you didn’t post those things online?” Wen Ya asked, surprised.

She had been wondering who had leaked the information earlier. After hearing her mother’s words, she assumed it was her doing. But now it seemed someone else had stepped in.

“The college part wasn’t me. Someone else did that. I only handled the later parts. You really don’t know who helped you with the college stuff?” Mother Wen was equally curious.

Wen Ya shook her head. She truly didn’t know. Her original self had been abroad for years and lost touch with friends back home. No one would’ve helped her, or she wouldn’t have been so desperate as to work in a brothel.

“But I really owe this person a debt of gratitude. I was too careless with Gu Chengze. I didn’t expect him to take the initiative.” Wen Ya sighed, annoyed at her own recklessness.

“Every failure teaches you something. Remember, if you don’t kill the snake, it will bite back. Next time, wait for the right moment, aim for the weak spot, and strike decisively.” Mother Wen’s tone was firm and commanding.

Wen Ya was stunned. She hadn’t expected her gentle, frail mother to speak so fiercely. Her own personality was bold and decisive, quite different from her original self. She had always acted gentle and obedient in front of her mother, thinking that was what she preferred. But it turned out they were more alike than she realized.

Mother Wen was equally pleased with her daughter’s transformation and began sharing her own life lessons.

In the hospital room, the mother and daughter chatted warmly. Meanwhile, online, the buzz didn’t die down as evening fell. If anything, it grew louder as more people finished work and joined the discussion.

So far, only Xu Qingqing had spoken out. Neither Gu Chengze nor Wen Ya had made a public statement, leaving netizens eager for their response.

Wen Ya, now back home, saw the messages and instructed someone to post an announcement on the Wen Group’s official website. They would hold a press conference the next morning, and it would be broadcast live.

Netizens who caught wind of the news eagerly awaited the next morning. Many began speculating about what she would say.

Most guessed she would cancel the engagement. After all, there was solid proof of Gu Chengze’s infidelity, and based on her previous actions and personality, she wasn’t one to tolerate betrayal.

Gu Chengze also saw the news. Like most, he believed Wen Ya would announce the end of their engagement tomorrow.

He closed his eyes, wondering how things had spiraled so out of control. Everything had been going according to plan. How had it come to this?

“Chengze, maybe I should beg her not to cancel the engagement. I’ll step aside. I’ll go abroad and never appear in your life again,” Xu Qingqing said, tears streaming down her face.

“Don’t talk nonsense. This isn’t your fault. Wen Ya… she’s wanted to end this for a long time,” Gu Chengze hugged her, patting her shoulder gently.

Xu Qingqing, nestled in Gu Chengze’s arms, felt a flicker of doubt. Wen Ya had wanted to cancel the engagement for a long time? How could that be? How could someone who once seemed willing to live and die for Gu Chengze suddenly claim she no longer cared for him?

This night was bound to be restless. Wen Ya had just stepped out of the shower when Uncle Li informed her that Old Master Gu and Madam Gu had arrived in person.

Wen Ya had expected Gu Chengze to come, but instead, it was his grandparents who showed up.

“Got it. Entertain them first. I’ll be down after changing,” Wen Ya said. Even if she disliked the Gu family, basic manners were still necessary.

Old Master Gu, though over seventy, looked no older than sixty. He was energetic and had a warm, rosy complexion. When he saw Wen Ya, he smiled warmly before speaking, his face full of kindness.

“I’m sorry for coming unannounced.”

“You could’ve just called. Why trouble yourself to come here in person?” Wen Ya poured tea for both Old Master Gu and Madam Gu, smiling politely.

“Originally, when you returned to China, our families should’ve had a meal together. But with your father’s accident, I didn’t want to burden you. How have you been? And your mother? I heard her heart isn’t well. How is she now?” Madam Gu asked with concern.

Wen Ya raised an eyebrow. In her memory, Madam Gu was a cold, aloof woman who rarely showed warmth. This was unusual.

“My mother is doing well, though she’s at the hospital caring for my father. As for me, I’m fine,” Wen Ya replied with a slight smile.

Old Master Gu nodded, his expression tinged with shame. “That’s good. Health is the most important thing. But today, I’m here to apologize. Chengze was foolish and made a terrible mistake. As his grandfather, I’m deeply ashamed. We’re not here to beg for forgiveness, but to ask you to delay canceling the engagement for now.”

Wen Ya raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

Old Master Gu’s eyes dimmed as he sighed. “I’ve always liked you, child. I was thrilled when you got engaged to Chengze. But he’s been ungrateful and unlucky. I know this request is unfair, so name your conditions. If it’s within my power, I’ll agree to anything.”

“Xiao Ya, I’m too ashamed to face you. Chengze is entirely at fault. But our families have been close for years. The Gu family is in the catering business, and our reputation is everything. If it’s ruined, the Gu family will fall.” Madam Gu’s voice broke as she spoke.

Wen Ya narrowed her eyes. “You’ve admitted Gu Chengze was wrong, so he should be the one apologizing. As for the engagement, I can’t agree to delay it.” She raised a hand to stop them from interrupting. “We all know who exposed this online. If no one had helped me, it would be me and the Wen family in chaos now. If that had happened, would you have stepped forward to clarify? I don’t think so. I’m not a bad person, but I’m not weak either. If someone respects me, I’ll respect them tenfold. But Gu Chengze’s affair is public knowledge. If I don’t act now, how will people see me and the Wen family? The Gu family never considered us, so how can we call ourselves old friends? I’ll announce the engagement’s cancellation tomorrow. That’s my final concession.”

Mrs. Gu opened her mouth to speak, but Old Master Gu stopped her.

“Enough. It’s my fault for not raising my grandson well. The Gu family has wronged you. You can make the announcement tomorrow, but we still want to compensate you.” He pushed a folder across the table.

Wen Ya had noticed it earlier. She opened it and glanced inside: a 1% share transfer of Gu Corporation, a villa in East South City, two properties in the city center, and 50 million in cash. Quite the offer.

She pushed it back. “I’m sorry, but I can’t accept these.”

The more lavish the gift, the greater the risk. Besides, Wen Ya wasn’t short of money.

Old Master Gu’s face darkened. “Xiao Ya, you truly won’t forgive us?”

“You and your wife have done nothing wrong. It’s Gu Chengze who should apologize. As for these, I really can’t accept them.” Wen Ya politely escorted them out.

As she had said, if the situation hadn’t turned in her favor, the Gu family would never have stepped forward to defend her. They would’ve let her take the fall.

Accepting the compensation would imply she forgave the Gu family. Moreover, while the amount might seem trivial to the Wen and Gu families, it was a fortune to ordinary people. How would they view Wen Ya then? A rich girl paid off, or a pitiful woman cast aside for money?

Neither image suited her. After completing the West City project, Wen Ya’s net worth surpassed Old Master Gu’s. Why would she settle for such a short-sighted deal?

Back at the Gu family estate, Madam Gu finally spoke up. “Father, giving her money and property is one thing, but why offer shares to an outsider?”

“She didn’t take them,” Old Master Gu replied, glancing at her. “It would’ve been better if she had.”

Madam Gu frowned, displeased. She had never liked Wen Ya, and now she was glad the marriage was off.

The next morning, Wen Ya dressed in a white suit and black heels, heading to the hospital to pick up her mother.

“Mom, I’m here to take you.”

“Child, I have a driver. You didn’t need to come all this way,” Mother Wen said, though her tone betrayed her happiness.

After the incident, I became much more sensible.

Mother Wen stood at the company’s entrance, overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes moist. “I came here with your dad last time,” she said softly.

“Mom!” Wen Ya called out.

“It’s okay, let’s go in,” Mother Wen replied, stepping inside. She noticed the company’s atmosphere had changed, feeling more lively now. “You’ve done well. Your father would be proud.”

Wen Ya hugged her mother’s arm, smiling. “Even if I didn’t do well, I’d still be Dad’s pride.”

Mother Wen tapped her nose gently, and they headed to the office to wait for the reporters.

The press conference started at nine sharp.

This time, there were more reporters than before. Gossip always draws a crowd.

Seeing Mother Wen at the press conference, the reporters grew even more excited. They had always wanted to interview her but never got the chance. Today was a pleasant surprise.

Reporter 1: “Hello, Mrs. Lin. There were reports about your health. How are you now?”

Mother Wen: “I was unwell before, but I’ve recovered. I’m here today to clarify that I’m fine and to support my daughter.”

Reporter 2: “Is this about your daughter’s fiancé cheating? Did you notice anything before? What do you think? Will the Wen family still accept this marriage?”

Reporter 3: “Premier Wen, did you arrange the online leaks yesterday?”

Reporter 4: “Mrs. Lin, how is Mr. Wen’s health? Any signs of recovery?”

“Please, one at a time. I’ll answer everything,” Mother Wen raised her hand, calming the crowd.

“Chengze is a child I watched grow up. He was well-behaved, smart, and good-looking. When the Gu family proposed, Qihua and I were pleased. Xiao Ya liked him too, so we agreed to the engagement. But I never expected he would…” Mother Wen shook her head regretfully. “Luckily, they aren’t married yet. It’s better this way.”

Wen Ya took the microphone. “Let me answer a few questions. First, I didn’t leak anything online. I don’t have time for that. Second, we should respect each other’s choices. If you don’t love me and have someone else, I’ll let you go. I hope you find happiness. I officially announce that Gu Chengze and I have ended our engagement.”

Mother Wen added, “Everyone here can witness this. My daughter and Gu Chengze are no longer engaged. They are free to pursue their own paths. I hope he takes care of himself.”

The press conference was live-streamed. When Wen Ya and her mother appeared together, many online viewers were captivated by their presence. After hearing Wen Ya’s bold words, netizens were thrilled.

Some praised the mother-daughter duo for their strong, decisive words. Others cheered Wen Ya for cutting ties with the cheater, saying there was no reason to keep him around.

Overall, the response was positive. A few negative comments were quickly drowned out by supportive ones.

Ji Ming closed the video, recalling Wen Ya’s fiery expression. His heart stirred slightly.

“Did you find out who leaked the information online yesterday?” Ji Ming texted Wen Ya casually, then turned to Xiao He.

“It was Mrs. Wen,” Xiao He revealed, still surprised. He never expected the elegant, gentle Mrs. Wen to be behind the leaks.

“I thought so,” Ji Ming said. He never underestimated anyone, especially a mother protecting her child. “Leave some clues for others to find.”

Xiao He didn’t understand at first but then realized Ji Ming wanted Mrs. Wen to discover his involvement. This way, she would know his intentions toward Wen Ya.

A young, handsome man helping a woman—clearly, he had feelings for her.

Ji Ming’s approach was subtle yet effective, showing his interest without being too direct.