C25 Truly

With a broken heart, Xia Mengyao looked into Xia Yunsheng's tear-filled eyes and asked, "Grandfather, do you really think I would use a girl's most precious integrity to deceive you?"

"Hmph, you've already been with Lin Zongwei. What integrity is left to speak of?" Xia Zilan muttered under her breath. With Chen Feng present, she was cautious not to even breathe too loudly, but she felt compelled to speak her mind.

Xia Yunsheng's brow furrowed. He clearly grasped the implication of Xia Mengyao's words. Indeed, for a girl, her integrity was of utmost importance. Yet, he remained unconvinced of Xia Mengyao's truthfulness.

In plain terms, he showed favoritism.

He favored Xia Hao because the future of the Xia family was inevitably going to be entrusted to Xia Hao.

"Xia Hao, you claim that Mengyao met with Gu Dongchen and that they spent the entire afternoon together in a private room. Do you have any proof?" Xia Yunsheng glanced at Xia Hao and inquired.

Xia Hao stood tall and replied, "Grandfather, I don't have any concrete evidence. But I do know why Xia Mengyao sought out Gu Dongchen."

"And why is that?" Xia Yunsheng prompted, arching an eyebrow.

"It's about the Jade Hill project!" Xia Hao declared with conviction. "Grandfather, Xia Mengyao was furious when she learned that you had assigned the Jade Hill project to me. She confronted me, demanding that I relinquish the project back to her. Of course, I refused."

"Later, Chen Feng threatened me at the office and even slapped me twice, probably in hopes of pressuring me to surrender the Jade Hill project. This incident was witnessed by many. Chen Feng even boasted that he wasn't afraid of you." Xia Hao paused, cautiously observing Xia Yunsheng's reaction.

But Xia Yunsheng's expression remained impassive, revealing neither anger nor pleasure.

Xia Hao went on, "I kept wondering where Chen Feng, that good-for-nothing, got his audacity to stand up to you."

"Then, at noon, I saw Xia Mengyao at the Golden Age. She stayed there the whole afternoon without leaving. That's when it dawned on me where Chen Feng's confidence was coming from!"

"Chen Feng's audacity stems from Gu Dongchen! He coerced Xia Mengyao into sleeping with Gu Dongchen to curry favor and establish a connection. Then, leveraging Gu Dongchen's influence, he threatened me to surrender the Jade Hill project!"

"He's the epitome of ruthless ambition!" Xia Hao, brimming with moral indignation, pointed accusingly at Xia Mengyao and Chen Feng. "Not only is Xia Mengyao a betrayer, but Chen Feng is no better. He's been with our Xia family for three years, receiving nothing but kindness. Yet, he's not only ungrateful but also conspires with outsiders to usurp our family's assets. His actions are utterly contemptible!"

"What's even more outrageous is that Chen Feng, as a man, fails to protect his partner. Worse still, he's so blinded by greed that he's willing to let his own woman sleep with other men—first Lin Zongwei, and now Gu Dongchen. Chen Feng, how can you justify your actions to Mengyao?"

Xia Hao's voice boomed, his eyes alight with fervor. He was surprised by his own eloquence. Initially, he only intended to turn the tables on Xia Mengyao, but unexpectedly, his tirade extended to Chen Feng, and it was compelling. If he wasn't privy to the truth, he might have even convinced himself of their guilt.

"I wondered why Chen Feng wasn't upset about Xia Mengyao being with Lin Zongwei—now it all makes sense. Chen Feng, you've outdone yourself, allowing your own woman to be with another man. You're despicable, deserving nothing less than a tragic end!" Realization dawned on Xia Zilan, and she too began to vehemently denounce Chen Feng.

Xia Mengyao clenched her teeth, shaking with rage. In that moment, her heart plummeted into despair.

She now saw Xia Hao and the others for who they truly were—vile beyond measure. They had nearly destroyed her life, and now, in a desperate bid to save themselves, they were fabricating lies, ready to obliterate her good name and innocence.

Her so-called relatives were far more cruel and heartless than any enemy she had ever faced.

Xia Mengyao felt a chill, but it was her heart that was colder still.

At that moment, a warm hand rested on Xia Mengyao's shoulder. She turned to find Chen Feng standing behind her.

With a soft smile, Chen Feng brought a sense of calm to Xia Mengyao.

As she gazed into Chen Feng's tender eyes, tears welled up in Xia Mengyao's eyes. She realized she wasn't alone; no matter how others treated her, this 'fool' would always be there to support her. He might not be as capable as some, but he was the only man in the world who had given her his whole heart.

With such genuine love, she felt she could face any challenge, scale any mountain, or cross any fiery abyss.

Chen Feng gently patted Xia Mengyao's shoulder, understanding her sorrow. He had the power to comfort her, yet he knew he must not coddle her.

This was a pivotal moment of growth for Xia Mengyao. She needed to see the true colors of Xia Hao and Xia Zilan to make informed decisions in the future. After all, Chen Feng had much more to offer her than just the Xia family.

Regarding Xia Hao and Xia Zilan...

A glint of icy resolve flashed in Chen Feng's eyes. He vowed to make them pay for their foolishness in time.

"Why the tears, Xia Mengyao? Feeling wronged?" Xia Zilan's voice cut through the air with renewed arrogance.

"Mengyao, is what Xia Hao said true?" Xia Yunsheng demanded coldly. If Xia Hao's accusations were accurate, Xia Mengyao had crossed a line with him.

To conspire with outsiders against the Xia family's interests was an unforgivable betrayal, far worse than any other.

Xia Mengyao, seeking solace, nestled into Chen Feng's embrace, remaining silent. She was exhausted and knew that her words held little weight. What mattered was whom Xia Yunsheng chose to trust. Even if she could present irrefutable evidence today, would Xia Yunsheng truly hold Xia Hao accountable?

Unlikely. Xia Yunsheng would probably administer a token punishment to Xia Hao, only to quietly let him off the hook at the first opportunity.

"Does the truth really matter?" Chen Feng inquired with composure.

"What are you implying?" A glint of cold light passed through Xia Yunsheng's eyes as an overwhelming sense of authority enveloped Chen Feng. This was the kind of dominance Xia Yunsheng had cultivated from years in a high position, something ordinary people simply couldn't withstand.

Yet, Chen Feng's demeanor remained unchanged; he even allowed a faint sneer to curl his lips. "Isn't it clear what I'm saying? The actual truth isn't what's important. If you believe someone, their word becomes the truth. If you don't, then their word is false."

"How insolent!"

Xia Yunsheng's face turned frosty. Chen Feng's stance was clear—he was siding with Xia Hao!

True, there were questionable aspects to Xia Hao's statements, but Xia Yunsheng had chosen to overlook them.

Nevertheless, he had to place his trust in Xia Hao, even if Xia Mengyao was speaking the truth.