*NEXT MORNING - NEWS HEADLINES*
*#Breaking: Heiress Dumped at Engagement, Proposes to Ye Conglomerate CEO On Spot!*
*#Li Xinyue & Ye Chenyan: Real or Revenge?*
*#Shen Yichen's Fiancée Walks Away in Red, Internet Explodes!*
*#Li Family Chaos: Sisters, Love Triangle, and Corporate Collisions!*
The headlines blazed across every tabloid and social media platform. Photos of the dramatic moment were everywhere—Li Xinyue in a scarlet gown, standing tall with her hand in Ye Chenyan's, while Shen Yichen looked like a man struck by lightning. Netizens were divided, gossip forums lit up with debates, and memes exploded within hours.
But the worst hit wasn't the Li family.
It was the *Shen Group*.
Their stocks dipped within hours. Investors called for clarification. Shareholders were livid.
A public embarrassment of this magnitude—at an engagement ceremony tied to a major merger—was catastrophic. Especially when the "jilted fiancée" had walked away with someone even more powerful.
*"We are currently evaluating the situation,"* a bland company statement read, but it did little to calm the market.
Behind the polished doors of the *Li Family villa*, the mood was volcanic.
---
*LI FAMILY – PRIVATE LOUNGE*
Li Rourou sat on the couch, face buried in her hands, tears streaming freely. Her sobs were soft and ladylike, the kind meant to win sympathy. Her mother, Madam Li, held her close, glaring furiously at the door.
"I never wanted things to be like this," Rourou whimpered. "I just... I didn't know jiejie would do something so—so shameful…"
Li Chengwen, the patriarch, paced the room with his cane in hand, face flushed with anger.
"This is how she thanks us?" he barked. "Years of raising her to be the Li heiress, and she throws our face into the mud—for what? A stunt?!"
"She proposed to Ye Chenyan in public, no less!" Madam Li snapped. "Do you know what that man is capable of? Ruthless, cold-blooded. That's not love, that's madness!"
"She embarrassed her sister!" Rourou cried softly, eyes shimmering with innocence. "I never wanted Yichen to choose me… but… but I couldn't stop him…"
The family lawyer stood awkwardly nearby. "The media's tearing into the family reputation. We need an official statement."
Just then, the door opened, and *Li Xinyue* entered.
She wore a simple white blouse and dark trousers—no makeup, no jewelry. But her presence silenced the room.
"You're here," her father said tightly. "We need to talk."
"Go ahead," she said, arms crossed, calm and unreadable.
"Explain yourself," Madam Li snapped. "What were you thinking? Are you out of your mind?"
"Is it true you've been seeing Ye Chenyan behind the scenes?" one of her uncles asked.
"Is this revenge because Rourou—"
"Enough!" her voice cracked like a whip. "You want an explanation?"
They all stared.
"Fine. You raised me to smile through disrespect. To obey, to make the family proud, even if it meant marrying someone who barely looked at me. And yet when I take one step for myself—one that had nothing to do with *you*—you're all scandalized?"
"Xinyue—" Madam Li warned.
"I didn't humiliate the family," she continued, tone cold and unwavering. "You did. Letting my sister parade me like a circus act. And you let her."
"Don't drag Rourou into this," Li Chengwen warned. "She's not the one who proposed to a business rival!"
Rourou sniffled. "I didn't ask for Yichen to pick me…"
Xinyue's eyes flicked to her, sharp as glass. "No. You just set the stage."
Tears welled in Rourou's eyes again, and she curled into Madam Li's arms.
"You ungrateful girl!" Madam Li spat. "You think this family will stand for your tantrums?"
"No," Xinyue said calmly, turning toward the door. "I don't expect you to. Which is why I don't need to explain anything."
And just like that, she walked out.
Stunned silence followed.
"She's lost her mind," one aunt whispered.
"She's lost her chains," Rourou muttered under her breath—but no one heard except the empty hallway where Xinyue's footsteps faded like thunder after a storm.