Supreme Heir Son-in-law
Chapter 72: The Torn Dress

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: The Torn Dress

"How can my mom be like this." Lin Mengyao sat there trembling with anger at Li Lihua’s words. Wasn’t she aware of the situation at the Lin family, or what kind of person Lin Mengyao was? How could she casually accuse her of exploiting the project for personal gain, making such irresponsible accusations and smearing her name? Did she not consider her a daughter anymore?

"Don’t be upset. I know what kind of person you are. You wouldn’t do the things she just accused you of. Even if no one else believes you, I trust you. Also, you don’t need to worry about the money, I’ll help you settle it, okay?" Xu Ke placed his hand gently on Lin Mengyao, comforting her softly.

Thinking about the balance in her bank account, Lin Mengyao didn’t hold back with Xu Ke, "Then consider this money as me borrowing from you. I’ll return it to you later." Lin Mengyao’s head lightly leaned on Xu Ke’s shoulder. She felt a long-lost sense of security from him, as if no matter what happened, he would shield her from the storm, making her fearless.

The relationship between Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao was such that sometimes they felt really close, giving Xu Ke the illusion they had been in love for years, but other times they seemed so distant like there was a great wall between them. Yet, right now, as they embraced each other, with Lin Mengyao leaning on his shoulder, the physical distance between them was just the fabric of their clothing.

But Lin Mengyao’s talk of repaying him suddenly created a distance between them, and more critically, Xu Ke couldn’t refuse her. Otherwise, based on his understanding of Lin Mengyao, she might even consider getting a bank loan rather than accept his help.

As the two quietly enjoyed some alone time, an exclamation and quarrel came from upstairs, sounding like it came from Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao’s room. The two on the sofa exchanged a glance, their expressions turning grim as they headed to their room upstairs.

Both Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao valued their personal space highly. The thought that someone might have invaded their room did not sit well with them.

As they reached their room door, they saw the previously closed door was open, revealing the state of the outer bedroom. Zhao Chunhua, looking a bit flustered, attempted to exit the room but was blocked by the approaching Lin Mengyao and Xu Ke right at the doorway.

"Aunt, what are you doing in my room?" Lin Mengyao had no likable feelings for these relatives who, from her memory, clung to their family for benefits. Her gaze was cold, making Zhao Chunhua involuntarily take a step back. Realizing she was the elder, she straightened her back with a self-righteous posture.

"What could I be doing? Can’t I have a look around? Besides, there’s no name on the doorplate, how was I supposed to know this was your room?" Zhao Chunhua was not as genteel before Lin Mengyao as she was before Li Lihua; her sharp and harsh tone nearly burst forth.

"Really? And what about you, Mengchen? Didn’t I tell you I don’t like others entering my room? What are you doing here, and why is your hand behind your back?" Lin Mengyao coldly glanced at Zhao Chunhua and then turned her attention to Lin Mengchen, standing in the corner with both hands behind her back, looking uneasy.

Lin Mengyao’s series of questions made Lin Mengchen’s expression turn ugly, but when she looked up, the ugliness was replaced with grievance and determination. "I followed Aunt in. When I came, I saw her touching your things without permission. I told her not to, and she started arguing with me. During the quarrel, your dress got ruined."

After finishing, Lin Mengchen revealed the dress she had been hiding behind her, tears welling up in her eyes. She appeared as if she was blaming herself for not protecting her sister’s belongings or as if she was wrongly accused by her sister, evoking a sense of pity. So much so that it made Li Lihua’s heart shatter when she arrived following the sound.

"Mengyao, how could you say such things to your sister without understanding the situation? Apologize to her now." Li Lihua, nearly bumping into Lin Mengyao at the door, rushed into the room and hugged Lin Mengchen, scolding with heartache, without noticing the change in expressions on Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao’s faces after seeing the dress.

The dress Lin Mengchen held, torn, happened to be the one Xu Ke had given to Lin Mengyao, which she hadn’t had the chance to wear.

"It’s not sister’s fault. She knows nothing about this. It’s all because of Aunt that the dress is ruined, and the dress costs as much as a hundred thousand euros." Lin Mengchen cried, clutching the dress.

"What? A hundred thousand euros!" Li Lihua and Zhao Chunhua’s voices echoed in the room simultaneously, laden with disbelief.

After the two women’s voices met in the air, Zhao Chunhua quickly waved her hands and said, "I didn’t do it. The door wasn’t closed when I came up. Seeing it open, I decided to come in. At that time, she was trying on the dress in front of the mirror. I found the dress lovely and wanted to see it. She wouldn’t let me, leading to our quarrel during which the dress got accidentally torn."

"Aunt, how can you falsely accuse me!" Lin Mengchen said, choked with sobs.

"Alright, it’s not a big deal, just a dress worth a hundred thousand euros. My sister, the rich one, wouldn’t mind a dress. Saying so would make us a laughing stock. You, too, at your age, still fighting for a dress with the young ones in the family, isn’t it shameful? Don’t do this again. If you like, just tell Lihua to buy it for you. Lihua is generous and open-hearted; she wouldn’t mind giving you a dress, right, sister?" Li Dacheng looked at Li Lihua.

Li Dacheng struck Li Lihua’s weakness about saving face. Despite her face turning pale, her heart bleeding over the costly dress, Li Lihua had to swallow her pride and agree.

This conversation went from start to finish without anyone addressing the true victim of the matter. The groups left one by one, each holding their own, leaving behind the torn dress.

The room fell silent, and Lin Mengyao, with eyes red from anger, picked up the dress from the floor and hugged it close. Xu Ke, equally livid, was furious. It was the first dress he had ever gifted Lin Mengyao, and it held immense sentimental value to him. Yet, Lin Mengyao hadn’t even had a chance to wear it before those two ruined it.

Xu Ke didn’t want to dwell on whose fault it was or who lied between the two. The dress was already ruined because of them, so it seemed only fair for him to give them a lesson. Holding Lin Mengyao, he narrowed his eyes slightly, storm and fury swirling within the pupils shadowed by his lashes.