"Who are you? What do you know about Zuri and me? We grew up together. I know everything about her—what she likes to eat, drink, wear. If you don't believe me, ask me anything." Manuel boasted confidently.
His certainty convinced many guests. Rumors had already circulated that the Lin family's second daughter had once lived in the most chaotic slums of the western suburbs, a place rife with crime and home to gangsters.
Surviving there as a young girl was incredibly difficult.
Azura was taken aback. Although she didn't believe Manuel, she didn't know how to counter him. Asking him questions would only further validate his claim of being close to Zuri. She wasn't foolish enough to fall into that trap.
Just as Azura was at a loss, Leo, who had remained silent, spoke in a deep voice, "None of this proves anything. Azura has only known Zuri for a few months, yet she knows what Zuri likes to eat, what colors she prefers, and her habits."
Azura nodded vigorously, silently admiring her uncle's quick thinking.
"Exactly. Ask me anything, and I can answer it too. Does that mean I'm also Zuri's man?" Azura huffed.
Laughter erupted around them, amused by her blunt honesty and her chubby cheeks.
"You're just after her looks," Azura retorted, ignoring the laughter.
Security rushed in, and Aaron angrily commanded, "Take him away."
"Are you denying it? You can't deny that Zuri is my woman," Manuel shouted.
Aaron couldn't stand to see or hear him for another second. He signaled to the butler, who ordered the security guards to gag Manuel to stop him from spouting any more nonsense.
"Wait!"
As the security guards were about to drag Manuel away, a clear, cold voice rang out.
The guards stopped, and everyone turned to look at Zuri in surprise.
"He's right. We grew up together. We were poor, living in the slums of the western suburbs," Zuri said, her voice clear and calm, reaching everyone present.
The guests were in an uproar!
This indirectly confirmed that Manuel's words were true and that their relationship was indeed disgraceful.
Scornful, contemptuous eyes converged on Zuri from all directions.
Manuel was thrilled, shaking off the security guards' grip and proudly declaring, "See, I told you! I am Zuri's man and the future son-in-law of the Lin family."
Aaron's blood pressure spiked in anger.
His beautiful daughter was destined to marry into the Feng or Ye families, not be ruined by this thug.
As Aaron was about to speak, Zuri cut him off.
"Manuel, are you sure you're my man?" Zuri asked, her eyes fixed on him with a chilling smile.
Manuel was about to answer when Zuri's voice turned icy.
"Think carefully before you answer. You only get one chance."
Her smile grew brighter, but it carried an eerie, unsettling quality, as if her bloodlust was boiling within her.
Manuel didn't take her words to heart. Blinded by greed, he was oblivious to the approaching danger.
He had been hired to act out this scene and was simply following the script. Otherwise, how would he get paid?
"Of course. We even had a child together. If I'm not your man, who is? Are you planning to deny the father of your child now that you're a rich young lady?" Manuel asked, feigning helplessness.
Zuri laughed softly, her laugh chilling and bizarre, sending shivers down the spines of those who heard it.
"Clap, clap, clap..."
Suddenly, applause broke out.
Everyone looked at Zuri in confusion.
"Well done, Manuel. Your acting skills are impressive. It's a waste you're not in show business."
Manuel, seeing her defiance, produced evidence he had prepared. "Zuri, are you trying to deny it? I've seen every part of your body. You have a mole on your chest."
In her previous life, it was this accurate description of her mole that had convinced everyone of their relationship, condemning her to a life of scandal and disgrace.
This was a heartless attack!
Amid the odd looks from the crowd, Zuri remained calm and composed.
Suddenly, the projector dropped down, showing a video of Manuel standing at an alleyway entrance.
Soon, a woman in a baseball cap hurriedly appeared, handing him a package.
The woman's voice echoed, "Remember, it's the 28th of this month. Don't forget the time. We'll arrange for you to enter the banquet hall."
"No problem," Manuel replied confidently.
"Do you remember the lines and how to respond to different questions?" The woman's voice was clear, young.
"Don't worry, I remember everything." Manuel patted his chest. "What about the rest of the money?"
"Once it's done, you'll get the rest."
The video ended. The woman's voice was unfamiliar to the guests, but it was all too familiar to Zuri.
That woman was Rhea.
The guests were shocked!
Natalie and her friends, watching from the back, were stunned.
Samara cursed, "That idiot! How could he be so careless and get caught on video?"
"Naya's excellent plan was about to succeed, and this fool ruined it," Natalie fumed, wanting to beat Rhea.
"Good thing Rhea was handling it. Do you think she'll betray us?" Samara asked worriedly.
"She wouldn't dare," Naya said firmly.
"Hmph, she better not," Samara said.
The three were relieved they hadn't been exposed.
But Saira was not satisfied. This was not the outcome she wanted.
She wanted to see Zuri disgraced, unable to stand in the Lin family or high society in Oceanic City.
But everything was ruined, by that foolish woman.
That damned fool!
As the video ended and everyone thought it was over, a familiar voice rang out through the sound system, a voice all the guests recognized.