Chapter 491: Chapter 491: The Real Purpose
As soon as she asked, the dinner gathering was set.
Shuangshuang wasn’t someone with any cunning, so she blurted out many topics at the table that made Lin Zhiyi uncomfortable.
But she wasn’t inherently like that.
The photos Shuangshuang mentioned, Lin Zhiyi had seen them in Fang Lai’er’s social media circle.
They seemed like just ordinary status updates.
But to Shuangshuang, who knew her husband’s company was about to go bankrupt, it was like timely assistance.
Lin Zhiyi pondered for a few seconds, “Shuangshuang, was it you who suggested the dinner?”
Shuangshuang nodded, “I just asked Lai’er if she had time to dine, and Lai’er said she’d organize a gathering, so I agreed.”
To others, this sounded natural and completely unobjectionable.
But from Fang Lai’er’s mouth, Lin Zhiyi didn’t hear such a casual tone of organizing a gathering.
It sounded more like Shuangshuang had insisted.
And Shuangshuang’s husband didn’t seem like the kind of man to enforce traditional obedience on his wife.
So, when Fang Lai’er left to use the restroom mid-gathering, it appeared she wanted to help Lin Zhiyi out, but in fact, she aimed to shift the blame.
Lin Zhiyi understood in her heart and continued, “Shuangshuang, was it Lai’er who told you that Mr. Sang is my fiancé? Did she also say I was designing jewelry for the Gong Group’s charity gala?”
Shuangshuang was a bit surprised and nodded.
“Didn’t you tell her that? I was annoyed at you for always being so nice to her and telling her everything.”
Fang Lai’er had a tragic past life, so Lin Zhiyi indeed felt some sympathy for her.
She didn’t expect Fang Lai’er to stab her in the back.
But she still couldn’t figure out why Fang Lai’er acted that way.
Moreover, how did Fang Lai’er know so much about her?
Fang Lai’er, no, the name Emily was somewhat famous in Jing City’s fashion circle.
Her social media was filled with celebrity photos or en route to various events.
Why target Lin Zhiyi, an unknown designer starting over?
While thinking, someone hurriedly pushed the door open.
Dazhu, panting heavily, glanced between Lin Zhiyi and Shuangshuang.
Lin Zhiyi was surprised, “Dazhu? How did you know we were here?”
Dazhu sighed deeply, “Ladies! You two have gone viral! I went to Zhiyi’s studio and asked the receptionist to find you here.”
Shuangshuang was stunned, “What went viral?”
“What you said at the entrance of Zhiyi’s studio was recorded and posted online. Someone provided content from over three years ago about Zhiyi being kept, and now the internet is full of criticism against her.”
“Wh-what?”
Shuangshuang realized she had made a huge mistake, and in her agitation, she almost collapsed.
Thankfully, her husband held her tightly.
Lin Zhiyi and Li Huan exchanged glances, both familiar with such tactics, calmly taking out their phones to check the online news.
“I heard that man is married, and she couldn’t force him, only causing a scandal.”
“No wonder she was expelled by the Gong Family, she wasn’t one of them in the first place and didn’t know how to behave properly.”
“Aren’t you curious who this man is? To let her orchestrate so many dramas.”
These comments seemed normal, at least focused on Lin Zhiyi.
But some suddenly highlighted comments appeared very strange.
“That report was removed online within hours, indicating that man’s identity is no ordinary one.”
“According to insider sources, she’s still designing jewelry for the Gong Group’s charity gala. How can someone so immoral design charity jewelry? It’s ridiculous! Clearly, someone is backing her!”
“These bigwigs spend fortunes on jewelry, but where does the money go in the end? We poor people can’t play these games.”
“Is the charity gala just to polish the image of such women?”
These people started criticizing Lin Zhiyi from the charity gala angle.
Being kept could be seen as a personal moral issue, but once it involves others’ interests, there’s always a ‘judge’ ready to criticize her.
Li Huan noticed something, “Seems like this was their real goal. Do you know who it is?”
Lin Zhiyi immediately pictured a face in her mind.
“Fang Lai’er. When Shuangshuang went to the villa to secretly take photos, she also went along.”
Actually, Lin Zhiyi initially wanted to look for Dazhu, not Fang Lai’er.
Perhaps due to her family background, Fang Lai’er was timid in her actions, unlike Dazhu, who was bold and meticulous.
But Dazhu happened to be on a business trip, so Lin Zhiyi didn’t tell her about this matter.
Li Huan realized, “No wonder she wanted to use a borrowed knife to kill. With this mess, all the attention is on you and this lady, allowing her to clear her suspicion.”
Upon hearing Fang Lai’er’s name, Shuangshuang raised her head sharply.
“It’s her! It must be her! I wasn’t the one who exposed the story about being kept, I swear, it wasn’t me!”
Shuangshuang clutched the blanket, confused about how she, not an impulsive person, ended up doing such a thing.
Her husband patted her back comfortingly, “Don’t worry, let’s clarify things.”
Shuangshuang nodded, explaining, “She came to see me at home this afternoon, persuading me to reconcile with Zhiyi. After she left, I just got angrier and somehow went to Zhiyi’s studio.”
Lin Zhiyi astutely asked, “Did you eat or drink something together?”
“She brought me my favorite mango sago dessert,” Shuangshuang replied.
“Is there any left?”
“When she left, she took the trash with her, so…” Shuangshuang said confusedly, “Zhiyi, why are you asking this?”
Lin Zhiyi didn’t know how to explain to Shuangshuang, so she looked at Li Huan.
As a doctor, Li Huan had the right to inform patients of their condition.
Seeing Shuangshuang’s poor state, he briefly explained the situation, avoiding discussing the drug’s effect on the fetus.
“Drugged? She actually drugged me!”
“No wonder she had me watch Zhiyi and Third Young Master yesterday, then said today that with Zhiyi and Third Young Master’s relationship, Zhiyi would definitely secure the charity gala jewelry design.”
“Then I felt awful and rushed to Zhiyi’s studio.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhiyi was shocked.
“You saw it last night?”
“Yes, but I just wanted you to help my husband, I never meant to harm you, so I didn’t do anything, I was just mad.”
Shuangshuang finished, pressing her lips tightly, feeling any explanation was unnecessary.
Dazhu sighed beside her, “Haven’t done anything? With this mess, who will believe what you two say now? Even if you explain, netizens might think you’re staging another show.”
Tears rolled down Shuangshuang’s cheeks, filled with fear and regret.
“I’m sorry.”
“But… why would Fang Lai’er do this to me and Zhiyi? We don’t have any grievances with her.”
Wiping her tears, Shuangshuang was truly puzzled.
Lin Zhiyi also nodded; she hadn’t seen Fang Lai’er for over three years, what grudge could there be?
Then, Dazhu moved to face her.
“No grievances, huh? You flaunt your good husband on social media like it’s a 20-hour job, from engagement to wedding preparations, you even struggle to choose between gold or silver-plated chopsticks. Look at how much you show-off!”
“I was just documenting, I didn’t mean it that way,” Shuangshuang explained.
“Others might not see it that way. Fang Lai’er looks dazzling, but do you know how she climbed to her current status?”
Dazhu frowned tightly.
As a roommate, she didn’t want to gossip behind backs.
That’s why she was hesitant to speak during yesterday’s dinner gathering.
Working in jewelry sales, she often lent jewelry to people in Fang Lai’er’s circle for photos or event appearances.
Sometimes, she’d collaborate with small-time stars and male models in the circle to sell jewelry to wealthy women and businessmen.
Over time, she heard a lot of rumors about Fang Lai’er.