The decor of the Jiang residence exuded a sense of low-key luxury. Once the glass doors connecting the front hall to the garden terrace were pulled open, the entire banquet took on a semi-open-air feel.
A professional planning company had meticulously arranged the decorations, the flow of the event, and the various delicacies offered.
Although the Guan family frequently attended all sorts of parties, they couldn't help but feel a pang of envy as they looked at the Jiang family's grand display.
Scanning the arriving scions and socialites from various prominent families, Guan Ruirui instinctively straightened her back the moment she stepped through the door. She was determined to show everyone her most beautiful side tonight.
For this evening's banquet, she had specifically pestered Guan Baocheng into spending a fortune on a spring haute couture gown from Dior. The princess-style strapless tulle dress, paired with a small crown atop her head, made her look every bit like a literal princess.
Complemented by Guan Ruirui's intentionally sweet smile, her entrance did indeed draw quite a few sideways glances.
However, before Guan Ruirui could strike a more graceful pose, those gazes were quickly withdrawn. In the corner of her eye, she even caught several looks of disdain.
Guan Ruirui was a bit dazed, unable to understand what was wrong with her look.
She didn't know that after she and her parents moved away, a young girl in a black evening gown in the corner chuckled to the person beside her.
"Which family's daughter was that? Does she not know who the protagonist is today? She's even wearing a crown. Does she really fancy herself the princess of the night?"
The person beside her replied, "She looks a bit familiar, but I can't place her."
"Isn't that the president of Guan Corporation? How did the Guan family end up on today's invitation list?"
It wasn't just the guests who noticed the Guan family; Jiang Yutong was visibly stunned when he saw the three of them walking toward him.
Wait, weren't these the Guans? Who let them in?
His eldest brother had repeatedly emphasized that the Guan family had mistreated the Jiang family's daughter. He had forbidden Jiang Corporation from having any future dealings with them and had already pulled out of their existing collaborations. So, why was this man here?
"Vice President Jiang, it's truly wonderful to see you. I've been looking for an opportunity to meet with you again, but I could never get an appointment. What a coincidence this is!"
The moment Guan Baocheng caught him, he unleashed a wave of enthusiastic greetings. After all, it was this Vice President Jiang who had first approached him about the partnership, so he naturally sought him out first upon entering the Jiang home.
Jiang Yutong's wife was the Jiang Third Madam, Xue Ningyu. She had been weaving through the hall, greeting people while linked arm-in-arm with her husband. She was startled to see the three members of the Guan family, but she maintained a faint smile as she asked,
"Yutong, who are these people?"
Xue Ningyu had never met the Guans. Although Bai Shuqin had come to visit her before, she had been turned away before even reaching the front door, so Xue Ningyu didn't recognize them.
She heard Jiang Yutong explain, "Let me introduce you. This is President Guan and his wife. And this should be President Guan's daughter."
Hearing the name Guan, Xue Ningyu's expression instantly became a bit subtle.
Although Jianghai Group was inherited by the eldest brother, Jiang Yutong had always followed his lead, and the entire third branch was accustomed to obeying the eldest brother's words.
Xue Ningyu knew that the eldest brother held the Guan family in utter contempt.
In fact, it wasn't just the eldest brother who looked down on them; she did too.
She only found out later that even though Guan Xuxu was publicly known as the eldest miss of the Guan family, she had actually been raised as Guan Ruirui's servant since childhood.
Carrying bags and buying snacks at school were routine operations; whenever Guan Ruirui was unwell and hospitalized for checks, Guan Xuxu was required to stay by her bed and care for her.
They called it an elder sister taking care of her younger sister, but it wasn't as if the Guan family couldn't afford a nurse. Was it really necessary to force one child to take care of another?
Xuxu had been hit by a car and sent to the hospital while saving Guan Ruirui, yet the Guan family showed no gratitude. They had even kicked her out of the house empty-handed.
Had Bai Shuqin not accidentally revealed her attitude toward Xuxu during her visit yesterday, Jiang Yucheng wouldn't have bothered to investigate so quickly.
The results of that investigation only grew more infuriating the more one read.
Even if there was no overt evidence of Bai Shuqin physically abusing Xuxu, Xuxu had clearly suffered a great deal of grievance while living with the Guan family.
Xue Ningyu immediately lost any goodwill toward this family. The expression on her face cooled. "So these are the Guans. I finally get to meet you today."
Now that I know what they look like, I have to make sure the guards never let them in again.
Guan Baocheng's mind was occupied with the business partnership, so he didn't overthink the Third Madam's attitude. Instead, he laughed.
"Yes, my wife brought our daughter to visit the day before yesterday, but sadly you weren't available. She mentioned how much she regretted missing you when she got home. Luckily, we've finally met today."
"Oh?" Xue Ningyu raised an eyebrow with a half-smile. "Then did Mrs. Guan tell you why she didn't see me?"
If Xue Ningyu's previous attitude had made the mother and daughter a bit uneasy, hearing these words made their hearts skip a beat.
Guan Baocheng was confused at first, but he was a shrewd man. He finally noticed something was amiss and instinctively glanced at his wife and daughter. Seeing the guilty looks on their faces, his heart sank. He hurriedly said,
"My wife and daughter have been spoiled by me. If they have offended you in any way, Jiang Third Madam, please don't take it to heart."
Xue Ningyu looked at Guan Baocheng's reaction and instinctively exchanged a glance with Jiang Yutong. The two of them understood immediately.
It seemed that after the incident at the Jiang house the other day, this mother and daughter hadn't breathed a word of it upon their return.
Now, things were getting interesting.
"Mrs. Guan and the young miss didn't even lay eyes on me that day, so I wouldn't call it an offense."
Jiang Yutong laughed it off. He naturally couldn't say outright that the cooperation was cancelled because they had offended his eldest brother; such talk wouldn't reflect well on the Jiang family's reputation.
Guan Baocheng was well-versed in the verbal acrobatics of the business world. He was now certain that his business with the Jiang family had definitely been ruined by Bai Shuqin and Guan Ruirui's visit that day!
And these two had actually kept it from him!
Guan Baocheng shot the two of them a cold glare, but out of respect for the occasion, he didn't make a scene. He simply wore an expression that promised he would settle the score with them later. Turning back to Jiang Yutong, he said with total sincerity,
"Vice President Jiang, there must be some misunderstanding. We shouldn't let a small mistake ruin the partnership between our families. I truly hope to cooperate with Jianghai Group. If you have any thoughts regarding the terms, Guan Corporation will do everything to cooperate."
Jiang Yutong looked at him and simply shook his head. "Actually, the decision to cancel the cooperation came from my eldest brother. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do to help."
Jiang Yutong feigned distress, acting as if this wasn't his intention, but he had to follow his elder brother's lead.
Guan Baocheng's heart skipped another beat when he heard it was the elder President Jiang's decision. He couldn't understand why the elder Jiang was involved. He instinctively looked at his wife and daughter again, only to find their faces looking even guiltier than before.
He was nearly fuming with rage.
Just how many people did they offend when they went to the Jiang house that day?!
Before Guan Baocheng could decide how to interrogate the mother and daughter when they got home, the Jiang Third Madam suddenly spoke up, but her words were completely unrelated to the previous topic.
"Oh, the star of the night is finally coming out. President Guan, you took such good care of our child before. Since you are here tonight, you must have a proper drink with us."
Guan Baocheng felt baffled. He instinctively followed the crowd's gaze toward the landing of the staircase in the front hall.
However, the moment he saw the elegant figure holding a pure white camellia slowly descending the stairs, he froze on the spot.
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