The scene suddenly fell into dead silence.
He Siyu's lips pressed into a tight line, a trace of cold fury flashing in his eyes.
Pei Songhan's voice carried a warning: "Lin Shuyan, are you sure you want to keep spouting nonsense here?"
Lin Shuyan flinched, but remembering her purpose today, she swallowed her words bitterly.
"Songhan, our families have been close for generations. Even if you won’t do it for my sake, at least consider the Lin family’s reputation."
Suppressing her humiliation, Lin Shuyan pleaded again.
She was out of options—only if Pei Songhan forgave her and let this matter rest would she have a way out.
Pei Songhan’s voice was icy. "Did you consider my reputation when you schemed against me?"
Lin Shuyan choked on her words.
She glanced around. The guests had all turned to watch, their eyes alight with curiosity and amusement. And there, standing not far away, was Nan Sangning—calm, detached, watching her downfall with cold indifference.
This scene of public humiliation should have been Nan Sangning’s!
Lin Shuyan’s heart burned with hatred. She could no longer hold back, her tone laced with threat:
"The Pei and Lin families are equals. If this escalates, both sides will suffer. Do you really think the Pei family will come out unscathed? I’ve already humiliated myself by apologizing publicly today. Pei Songhan, are you really willing to gamble the entire Pei family just to fight the Lins?"
Pei Songhan’s voice was steely. "The Lin family provoked this first."
"I’ve already apologized in front of everyone! What more do you want? Don’t forget—Langfeng, the Pei family’s biggest asset, is in a critical phase of expanding into the Australian market. If the Lin family withdraws their shares now, the Pei family will suffer massive losses!"
Pei Songhan’s expression darkened.
Lin Shuyan gritted her teeth. "Let’s both take a step back. Let this matter end here. The Lin family is willing to compensate for any losses. Pei Songhan, you’re the Pei heir—you’ve always been the most level-headed. You shouldn’t let emotions cloud your judgment."
Was he really willing to risk the Pei family’s fortune just for Nan Sangning?!
Pei Songhan’s hands clenched at his sides, his face tense as the standoff continued.
Lin Shuyan swallowed her rage and shot a venomous glare at Nan Sangning, who stood silently among the crowd.
People were born unequal. Even after committing such a grave mistake, she was still the Lin family’s heiress!
Even after causing such a scene, all she had to do was lower her head and endure a little shame. What right did Nan Sangning—a granddaughter of a shoe-shiner—have to challenge her?!
Nan Sangning met Lin Shuyan’s gaze calmly, her expression unreadable, yet unsettling in its quiet intensity.
He Siyu spoke then, his voice light but cutting. "Why should the Pei family gamble everything?"
Lin Shuyan stiffened and turned to him.
He Siyu continued, tone indifferent. "If the Lin family withdraws their shares, Huiyao will step in. And if the Lins are so powerful now, perhaps our collaboration with them should end as well."
The room plunged into silence once more.
Gu Xingchen whipped his head around in shock. Was He Siyu really going after the Lin family? Over something so trivial—something that had nothing to do with him?!
The He and Lin families had always been the closest of allies. Had he lost his mind?!
Lin Shuyan’s face paled, her voice trembling. "Siyu… are you really going to destroy me?"
He Siyu’s gaze was cold. "And what if I am?"
Lin Shuyan’s nails dug into her palms, her eyes reddening. Staring into his merciless eyes, she finally understood—she meant nothing to him.
He Siyu’s voice was frosty. "If the Lin family thinks a half-hearted apology is enough, this matter is far from over."
Her entire body shook. "Then what do you want?"
His dark eyes bore into her, a dangerous edge in his tone. "You know how I deal with those who cross me. I always return it tenfold."
Nan Sangning had nearly lost everything—her reputation, all she’d worked so hard for, almost ruined by this scheme.
Did Lin Shuyan think a mere apology would suffice? Dream on.
Lin Shuyan’s face turned deathly pale. They had grown up together—she knew exactly how ruthless He Siyu could be. But after all these years, was he really going to crush her like this?
"Siyu—"
He Siyu cut her off coldly. "Go tell your parents what happened. They’ll know what to do. If I don’t see the results I want, the Lin family won’t survive."
Lin Shuyan stood frozen, her body numb with dread.
Pei Songhan’s lips thinned. His hands flexed at his sides before he gave a subtle nod to his assistant, who stepped forward.
"Miss Lin, the banquet is about to begin. Perhaps it’s best if you leave now. Shall I escort you out?"
Lin Shuyan bit her lip hard, shot one last hateful glare at Nan Sangning, and stormed off.
As she left, the room remained eerily silent.
Gu Xingchen finally snapped out of his shock, turning to He Siyu in disbelief. "You’re really targeting the Lin family?! Why?! Your families have always—"
He Siyu’s gaze drifted to Nan Sangning, who stood quietly, almost blending into the crowd.
Then his eyes shifted back to Pei Songhan, his voice cool. "Pei Songhan is my brother. Of course I’d stand with him."