As the commotion grew louder, Xiao Mian's expression turned worried and she quickly left to see what had happened. Li Yue, meanwhile, just glanced at Puff, signaling it to check things out.
"I've looked everywhere, but I still can't find it!" Chen Yifei, one of the noble ladies, wailed, sitting on a chair and crying her eyes out. Her husband, Jiang Tao was kneeling beside her, holding her hands as he tried to comfort her. "Fei Fei, honey, don't cry. We'll definitely find it. I promise."
Xiao Mian emerged from the gathered crowd, her eyes darting between the couple before her. "What's wrong? What happened?" she asked.
Jiang Tao looked up, his face filled with frustration. "Madam Li, my wife's diamond necklace has gone missing. It was our wedding gift, and holds a special meaning in our hearts. Please, can you help us find it?"
She nodded to him and then looked at his wife. "Mrs. Jiang, when did you last see the necklace? Where have you been since then?"
Chen Yifei, who was still sniffling, mumbled in a shaky voice, "I had it with me when I went to get some rest before the ball dance... but I lost it afterwards."
"Why are you still standing there? Go and search the guest rooms for Mrs. Jiang's necklace immediately!" Xiao Mian turned to the head maid and ordered her.
The head maid stuttered, her face pale, "M- madam, we- we are checking the rooms, but until now, we haven't found it." She looked like she was about to faint with fear.
Just as Xiao Mian was about to respond, another maid rushed inside, out of breath. "Madam, one of the guest rooms is locked. The people inside are neither responding nor opening the door." She informed.
The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on Madam Li as they started whispering among themselves. "Then what are you waiting for?" Xiao Mian quickly reproached the maids. "Go open the door and check it. Now."
With that, she stepped forward, leading the crowd to the locked guest room. The keys were handed to her by the maids, and she unlocked it. As the door creaked open, the scene that unfolded shocked everyone. They covered their mouths with their hands.
~~~~~
Before them, Zhao Shui laid in bed with messy hair and disorganized clothes, looking disheveled. A man in a waiter's outfit was fast asleep beside her. Both of them seemed to be unconscious, as neither moved even after the door was opened.
"What is going on?" Someone whispered. "Is that....?" Another guest trailed off. As the crowd took in the scene, they started gossiping among themselves, speculating what might've happened.
When the noise got louder, Zhao Shui slowly stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she sat up with confusion. She looked around the room, trying to make sense of the situation but before she could fully understand what was happening, a stinging slap across her face left her stunned.
Xiao Mian's eyes blazed with anger as she glared at her adopted daughter. "How could you do something so shameful, Xiao Shui?" She shouted while pointing at the man.
Zhao Shui's gaze followed the direction of Xiao Mian's pointed finger, and her eyes widened upon seeing the stranger beside her. She was taken aback, "I- Mom..." She opened her mouth to speak, but Xiao Mian cut her off mid- sentence. "Don't call me mom, I don't have a shameless daughter like you."
Zhao Shui quickly looked up, and grabbed Xiao Mian's dress, tears welling up in her eyes. "No, Mom! I didn't do anything! I don't even know how I ended up here," she panicked, her voice shaking as she pleaded to her mother.
"You have to trust me, Mom. I'd never do something like this. I swear it on my honor." Seeing her daughter like this, Xiao Mian's expression faltered and she hesitated for a moment.
Zhao Shui sensed that, and spoke up again, her tone convincing. "You saw with your own eyes, Mom. I wasn't even awake. This is definitely a set-up. Someone's trying to set me up and ruin my reputation."
Xiao Mian squinted her eyes, contemplating on the overall situation. She had raised the girl herself and knew her the best. Convinced of Zhao Shui's innocence, her heart softened. She let out a deep sigh and gently covered her with a shawl.
Just then, Li Hong, Xiao Mian's husband, entered the room, his face stern. He surveyed the scene before him, and with a curt gesture, he ordered the servants, "Someone! Come and wake that filthy thing up. Throw him outside!" His fingers pointed accusingly towards the waiter, and the servants hastened to obey. They quickly dragged the half- conscious man away.
After that, he turned to the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the disturbance. The banquet is now over and I must ask you to leave." The guests began to disperse, each one still gossiping and whispering about the earlier event.
~~~~~
As the Fu family walked out of the banquet hall, Fu Yichen caught sight of Li Yue leaning against a nearby wall, leisurely sipping wine. When their eyes met, she winked at him with a mischievous smile and playfully swirled the wine in her glass.
His eyes narrowed, he was perplexed by her provocative action. He took a deep breath, calming himself, and continued walking, his expression stoic and unreadable as always.
Li Yue chuckled at the sight and stepped forward. When he walked past her, their shoulders brushed against each other's and she handed him another folded paper.
~~~~~
In the living hall, the atmosphere was tense with an oppressive silence. All the family members and servants had gathered around. Zhao Shui was sitting on the sofa, trembling and sobbing uncontrollably.
Xiao Mian sat beside her, holding her gently in her arms as she tried to comfort her, while Li Hong just stood there, facing them with a stern expression. The two brothers, Li Xiang and Li Xuan, were seated on one of the sofas, their eyes filled with concern for Zhao Shui.
When Li Yue entered, everyone's gaze turned to her, their eyes doubtful as if accusing her of scheming against Zhao Shui. She squinted her eyes as she scanned their expressions and laughed sarcastically in her mind.