Chapter 499: Nostalgia
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“You’re lying! How could I have robbed a grave? What nonsense are you spouting?” Meng Xia’s sharp voice grated on everyone’s ears. “I saw the ring in Dad’s study and wanted to use its design for inspiration.”
Her words only drew more disdainful looks from the others. They had long known this foster daughter of the Song Family was unrefined, but her actions and poor planning had proven her incompetence.
Song Fan raised an eyebrow and looked sadly at Song Yi. “Dad, I asked you for this ring before, and you said it was buried with Mom. But now you’ve given it to Meng Xia…”
She didn’t need to say more. Everyone understood that Song Yi had favored his foster daughter, giving her his late wife’s belongings. Even without a will, such items should have gone to his biological daughter or daughters-in-law.
Li Na quickly added, “My grandfather said this ring was custom-made by Mr. Yu for his daughter. It has family heritage value and shouldn’t be casually given to outsiders.”
Song Fan had repeatedly warned her not to reveal the ring’s design origin, but Li Na wanted to expose Meng Xia and now even disdained the chairman.
“I’m not an outsider,” Meng Xia mumbled. Her status was always a sore spot for her.
Knowing she shouldn’t say more, she realized that as a foster daughter of the Song Family, Yu Wan’s belongings had nothing to do with her.
Song Fan stared at Song Yi. Since her return, she had learned that appealing for sympathy was more effective than confrontation. With public opinion on her side, she could avoid many arguments.
Sure enough, the atmosphere in the meeting room shifted. Everyone exchanged glances that made Song Yi uncomfortable.
“Your mother’s passing was heartbreaking for me. Many of her beloved items were buried with her,” Song Yi said, his expression mournful, as if on the verge of tears. “I couldn’t part with this ring, so I kept it in my study to reminisce.”
He sighed, wiping non-existent tears. “But as the head of Song Corporation, responsible for thousands of employees, I had to move on. I kept the ring in my study drawer. Maybe Meng Xia saw it during a work meeting and thought it was pretty, so she borrowed it for a few days.”
Song Yi’s explanation seemed reasonable. With many of his supporters present, they quickly defended him, reinforcing his image as a loving, grieving husband.
“Young girls are often attracted to jewelry. It’s a minor issue since it wasn’t used for a new product.”
“The chairman is truly devoted. Even after all these years, he keeps his wife’s belongings close.”
“Making this ring the flagship product to commemorate her would be meaningful.”
The tone in the room shifted. Song Fan exchanged a glance with Lan Yue, who rolled her eyes at the fickle support.
Meng Xia quickly grasped Song Yi’s intention, seeing it as a way for both of them to save face.
“Yes, I often saw the ring in Dad’s study. It’s my fault. I didn’t realize its value,” Meng Xia said, tears streaming down her face. “It was vanity. I didn’t want people to look down on me, so I tried to impress. I’m sorry, Song Fan.”
She bowed to Song Fan, her expression sincerely remorseful, her tears making her look pitiful.
One manager spoke up, “Deputy Manager Meng has acknowledged her mistake. Let’s not make a big deal out of it. She’s pregnant, after all, and crying isn’t good for the baby.”
This manager was one of Meng Yu’s people and naturally supported Meng Xia.
The reminder that Meng Xia was carrying a child from the Brown family made everyone more lenient, agreeing not to pursue the matter further.
Song Fan inwardly scoffed but knew she had achieved her goal.
“Yes, pregnant women often act unpredictably,” Song Fan said, not looking at Meng Xia but at Song Yi. “Since you can’t bear to part with the ring, why not let me, your daughter, keep it? It would prevent any similar incidents and serve as a keepsake from Mom.”
“No!” Song Yi’s immediate reaction was regrettable. Everyone gave him strange looks.