Everyone in the audience who knew me was on edge. Lin Hui had always thought Jiang Zhi was superior to me in every way. Her daughter had just made it past the passing line; how could I possibly surpass her?
She had just made a boast in front of Jiang Qing, but it had come back so quickly, slapping those who looked down on me in the face.
The person who disbelieved me the most was Jiang Qing. He seemed to be meeting me for the first time, and there was a hint of disbelief in his eyes.
"How could it be her?"
Lu Yanchen said coldly, "Why not? Uncle Jiang, do you really know your daughter?"
This statement was like a resounding slap in Jiang Qing's face. How could Lin Hui tolerate the idea of me being better than her daughter? She immediately retorted, "Impossible! I know Wanwan's painting skills best. She must have cheated. Oh, and she hired a ghostwriter."
She quickly turned to Jiang Qing, "Hubby, we're going to compete live soon. A ghostwriter can't go on stage. If anyone finds out, it'll be disgraceful for our Jiang family. You should withdraw from the competition with the organizers. It's better to withdraw now than to be embarrassed later."
Jiang Qing was undecided. He had no memory of ever seeing Jiang Wanwan paint. If she really wasn't convinced that Jiang Zhi had hired a ghostwriter, wouldn't her true colors be revealed when she went on stage?
Because of the S incident, she was already controversial, and her company's stock had been affected.
If she was exposed on stage, the stock price would plummet, which would be even more embarrassing.
"You have a point," Jiang Qing frowned. "Uncle Jiang, I'm really curious about how the Jiang Group actually operates. They're not losing money, but actually making a profit. It's truly a blessing from the ancestors! You, the CEO of the Jiang Group, are being led around by a woman. Don't you think it's ridiculous?"
Lin Hui looked at Lu Yanchen unhappily. "Mr. Lu, you're Jiang Wanwan's husband, so naturally you're on her side. Have you ever considered the humiliation it would bring to both our families if she were ever exposed?"
"What evidence do you have that she hired someone to do the painting?" Lu Yanchen asked.
"She's the child I've watched grow up. How could I not know her worth? She must have hired someone to do it..."
"Bullshit!" My mother, usually gentle, cursed in my defense. "Only your daughter hired someone to do it, not your whole family."
Jiang Qing clearly hadn't expected my mother to speak up, especially in this kind of setting. Even though everyone's attention was on the stage, he felt a little embarrassed. But seeing my mother's face flush with anger, her protective, mother-hen look was quite endearing, a touch more animated than usual.
He coughed softly, "Alright, stop arguing. Now that it's come to this, the assassin will soon be revealed."
Lin Hui tugged at his arm, "Hubby, it's too late. If it's exposed, not only will the Jiang family be affected, but my daughter's future in-laws will be criticized. People in the community will definitely laugh at her sister for hiring an assassin. Go and stop her."
My mother grabbed Jiang Qing's other arm. "If you dare go! I'll divorce you."
At the word divorce, Jiang Qing's expression changed drastically. He shrugged off Lin Hui's hand and gathered my mother in his arms. "What's all the fuss? It's just a painting, a joke."
My mother burst into tears. "You've ignored Wanwan since she was little. She's worked so hard just to get your attention. Now she's finally on stage, why won't you trust her? Even just once?"
Jiang Qing seemed touched. Perhaps it was because my mother used to be so cold and indifferent, rarely showing such a pitiful look in front of him.
He seemed to be susceptible to this kind of trick. When my mother cried at the Lu family, he immediately softened.
"Okay, I believe her. Don't cry."
Jiang Qing said, hugging my mother and taking her aside to comfort her.
I saw it all clearly from the stage. I was afraid my mother would soften again and refuse to leave this scumbag.
The expressions of Mrs. Su, Mrs. Fu, and the others were also very interesting, but of course, Su Ning'an was even more interesting.
She was more than surprised, but terrified.
Because I wasn't using any other name, but the code name of a dead person, and that person was related to her. As the saying goes, if you don't do anything wrong, you won't be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door in the middle of the night.
I'm afraid she's terrified right now, constantly speculating about the relationship between Su Wan and me.
Was it an accident or a coincidence?
But how many coincidences are there in this world? Some things are just long-planned.
The host continued to introduce the other people's names. I walked over to Su Ning'an, put the "S" label on myself, and raised my hand. "Ms. Su, I'm S. Please give me your guidance."
The moment she squeezed my hand, her palm was cold and sweaty.
At that moment, what she saw wasn't Jiang Wanwan, but Su Wan!
It was as if a dead person had come to life, standing in front of her and greeting her. Her body trembled uncontrollably.
"What's wrong, Miss Su? You seem very afraid of me. Have you done something wrong?" I whispered in her ear.
We didn't have microphones, so the audience couldn't hear what we were saying.
All they could hear was me actively greeting Su Ning'an. When she touched my hand and felt my warmth, she suddenly realized I was a living person, not the dead Su Wan.
She gradually regained her voice, "Miss Jiang, I didn't realize you were so secretive."
"There's so much more you haven't seen."
I smiled brightly at her, then said softly, "Miss Su, I really admire your courage. You stole someone else's things and still stood there in front of everyone with such brazenness."
Su Ning'an's face paled with fear, and she instinctively stepped back.
I grasped her waist and smiled, "Miss Su, if you steal something, you have to return it. If I were you, I would withdraw from the competition."