Lin Minglan instantly became extremely flustered, "It wasn't me. Why are you looking at me? This has nothing to do with me!"
"Miss Lin, he hasn't said anything yet."
Shen Qingqing's implication was clear: if she was already this flustered without him saying anything, it obviously meant she was guilty.
Lin Minglan then realized she had lost her composure. She quickly pretended to be calm again, "I just feel that when you asked him who the mastermind was, he looked at me, clearly intending to frame me. I don't mind being misunderstood by everyone in the world, but..."
She looked at Fu Jingshu with deep affection, her eyes filled with longing that seemed to envelop him, making everyone present sigh.
Although Lin Minglan had acted improperly earlier, her deep affection made it hard for people to dislike her.
Seeing Lin Minglan successfully turn the tide and improve her image with this display, Shen Qingqing didn't want to give her the chance. She lowered her gaze to the man and asked, "Are you going to speak or not?"
The man shivered. The moment he saw her, his fingers began to ache faintly. "It was her. She told me your name and said you have two children who are twins. She told me to cause trouble at the banquet..."
Lin Minglan retorted furiously, "You're talking nonsense!"
The man hesitated, glancing at Shen Qingqing. Her expression was cold and indifferent, inexplicably making him feel afraid. He continued, "She also said that today's goal was to ruin your reputation. It doesn't matter if everyone believes the twins are my children; as long as your reputation is damaged, that's enough."
Everyone present looked at Lin Minglan in astonishment.
This was an undeniably vicious scheme. If Shen Qingqing's reputation was ruined, she wouldn't be able to marry Fu Jingshu.
"This is too cruel!" someone muttered.
Lin Minglan immediately glared at the speaker and scolded fiercely, "It's all nonsense! I don't know you at all. I've never seen you before, so how could I have instructed you to cause trouble at the banquet? I think you're clearly unable to win her love and are just trying to create chaos for everyone!"
She glared at the man, her eyes filled with threats.
The man flinched. Being scolded by her, however, made him bolder. "You did it! I can't believe you're so shameless, doing things and not daring to admit it!"
Lin Minglan coldly asked, "Do you have proof?"
"Of course, I do!"
The man's words caused Lin Minglan to lose her composure and become flustered. "No matter what evidence you produce, it will definitely be fake!"
"A recording can't be fake!" The man directly took out a voice recorder from his pocket and pressed the play button in front of everyone.
Immediately, two voices began to play.
One of them was Lin Minglan, her voice slightly sharp and recognizable. The man's voice also matched. Most terrifying of all was their conversation.
"Go to the banquet today and in front of everyone, say those two brats are yours, and brand Shen Qingqing as promiscuous and shameless. This money will be yours."
"So much!" the man's voice exclaimed with surprise. "Don't worry, I'll handle this!"
Although it was only a few short sentences, it was enough to serve as evidence.
"Fake, fake, it's all fake!" Lin Minglan lunged forward to snatch the voice recorder, but the man was prepared. He quickly clutched the recorder, scrambled up, and hid behind Shen Qingqing.
At this point, he was no longer afraid of Shen Qingqing and even pleaded somewhat obsequiously.
"Miss Shen, I truly know I was wrong. I promise I will never do such a wicked thing again. I was blinded by money this time. I'm willing to testify for you that she framed you!"
The man turned against her, enraging Lin Minglan. Disregarding the strange looks from the crowd, she angrily shouted, "I think you two are in cahoots! This whole drama today was just to frame me!"
She was out of options and could only say this.
Unfortunately, the people present were not devoid of sense. With such irrefutable evidence laid bare, how could anyone believe her words? The whispers that had been directed at Shen Qingqing earlier now all turned into scornful glances aimed at Lin Minglan.
She was now as embarrassed and pained as she had been proud earlier.
"I've already called the police," Shen Qingqing said, shaking her phone and looking at Lin Minglan's pale face. "Who exactly is framing whom? The police will find out."
Lin Minglan's hands trembled behind her back. This woman was determined to destroy her. Begging was useless, and she wouldn't beg Shen Qingqing!
She looked at Fu Jingshu, tears welling up in her eyes. "Jingshu, do you really believe I would do something like this? We grew up together, we were childhood sweethearts. You should know my character well."
"I've never known you," Fu Jingshu's gaze was terrifyingly cold. Upon closer inspection, one could even detect a hint of scrutiny and investigation in his eyes.
Clearly, he had truly come to know this woman for the first time today.
Nothing was more hurtful than his gaze.
Lin Minglan stumbled back a step, but even at this moment, no one stepped forward to support her. Everyone looked at her with condemning, contemptuous, and mocking eyes.
The police soon arrived.
After learning the whole story, coupled with Fu Jingshu's decisive statement, "I want to sue her for defamation, spreading rumors, and infringing upon the reputation rights of my son, myself, and my fiancée."
Shen Qingqing suddenly looked up at him.
He remained calm and composed, saying to the police, "I hope the law will deliver a just verdict."
The law enforcement officer immediately said, "Please rest assured, our country has recently been advocating for the 'Clear and Bright Operation.' We will strictly deal not only with rumors appearing online but also with those spread in reality, which will be punished!"
Lin Minglan's face turned ashen.
Subsequently, the law enforcement officers took her away. The man was also taken away. As he left, he looked pleadingly at Shen Qingqing for help.
Shen Qingqing ignored him.
He fell into despair.
News of Lin Minglan's arrest at the police station quickly reached her parents, who were abroad. Their daughter, who had returned home for less than a month, was arrested. As parents, they had to come back to seek justice.
Thus, they booked tickets for the same day and arrived in A City that afternoon. The couple went directly to the Fu family.
Upon seeing Lin Gong and his wife, Fang Ruo and Fu Tingyi warmly welcomed them and invited them inside to sit, having a servant serve them fruits, snacks, and tea.
However, the couple had no appetite for the refreshments. Shu Youqing, Lin Minglan's mother, was a woman who appeared very gentle. Grasping Fang Ruo's hand, she said with a face full of worry, "Ruo Ruo, we've come back because of our daughter's matter. Our daughter was taken to the police station. What exactly happened?"
Fang Ruo and Fu Tingyi exchanged a glance.
They had also heard about the incident, but Fu Jingshu was very angry this time, so neither of them had gone to the police station to bring her back yet.
Lin Gong's eyes flickered as he said, "Tingyi, our two families have been old friends for many years. These children are still children. No matter what mistake they make, they can be hit, they can be scolded, but don't send them to the police station. If this happens, won't her future be ruined!"
Shu Youqing also shed a few tears. "Poor child. If something happens to her, who will inherit our vast family fortune!"
Lin Gong's expression became serious, and he said gravely, "Tingyi, you must help me. She is my only child. No matter what, she cannot be in trouble. If the child made a mistake, call her back, and I will scold her!"