Chapter 47: Deceiver
The moment Ye Tianlin smirked, Liang Xiaoluo knew trouble was coming. His twisted sense of satisfaction made her skin crawl, and she instinctively braced herself.
"Stop smiling like that," she hissed, her irritation bubbling over. Then, a thought struck her. "You said you'd grant me one wish. Was that true or just another one of your games?"
Ye Tianlin's eyes flickered with a mischievous glint. "Of course, I meant it."
Liang Xiaoluo seized the opportunity, determined to escape his clutches. "Fine. Here's my wish: after this dance, we sever all ties. You'll let me go and never bother me again."
Ye Tianlin's smirk deepened. "Sure… if you still want to leave after this dance, I'll personally see you off."
His words seemed genuine, but Liang Xiaoluo felt uneasy. Yet, she clung to the possibility of freedom.
As the dance ended, applause erupted, but Liang Xiaoluo's mind was elsewhere. "That's it. I've fulfilled my end. Now let me go."
"Wait," Ye Tianlin said, his grip on her firm. "I need to make an announcement. It'll only take a moment."
Liang Xiaoluo frowned. "Fine, but hurry up."
Ye Tianlin turned to the crowd, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Ladies and gentlemen, I know many of you are curious about my dance partner tonight. Allow me to introduce her: my fiancée, Liang Xiaoluo."
Gasps rippled through the ballroom, and Liang Xiaoluo froze. What did he just say?
The room buzzed with whispers.
"Fiancée?" "When did this happen?" "Who is she?"
Liang Xiaoluo's heart raced. She turned to Ye Tianlin, her voice trembling with anger. "What are you doing?"
His grip tightened. "Keeping things interesting."
Before she could retort, a familiar voice broke through the commotion.
"Xiaoluo, is this true?"
Her heart sank as she saw her father, Liang Hui, pushing through the crowd, flanked by her stepmother Lin Meiling and stepsister Lin Xue.
"Dad? Why are you here?" she stammered, her mind reeling.
Ye Tianlin stepped in smoothly. "I invited him. How could I not include my future father-in-law in such a joyous occasion?"
Liang Hui's eyes filled with confusion. "Xiaoluo, is this true? Are you really engaged to him?"
Before she could deny it, Ye Tianlin leaned in and whispered, "Go ahead. Tell him the truth about our deal—the money, your desperation. Let's see how he takes it."
Liang Xiaoluo's blood ran cold. She knew her father's pride would never recover if he learned the truth.
"Yes," she finally said, forcing a smile. "It's true."
Liang Hui's face softened with relief. "As long as you're happy, Xiaoluo, that's all I care about."
Ye Tianlin turned on his charm. "Rest assured, Uncle. I'll take good care of her."
Liang Xiaoluo clenched her fists, her stomach twisting with resentment.
Just as the tension seemed to ease, Suxin's voice cut through the air like a blade. "That's a lie! Xiaoluo isn't in love with him. She sold herself for money!"
The crowd erupted again, and all eyes turned to Suxin as she stepped forward, her face twisted with malice.
"Suxin, what are you doing?" Liang Xiaoluo's voice was barely above a whisper.
"I'm exposing the truth," Suxin sneered. "Uncle, your precious daughter is lying to you. She's only with Ye Tianlin because of a deal!"
Liang Hui's expression darkened, and his voice trembled. "Xiaoluo… is this true?"
Liang Xiaoluo opened her mouth, but no words came out. Suxin's accusation, though cruel, wasn't false. Her mind raced, searching for a way to salvage the situation.
Ye Tianlin, however, remained unbothered. With a flick of his wrist, he signaled to Left Wheel, who quietly slipped out of the room.
Moments later, Left Wheel returned with several servants in tow. They moved swiftly, restraining Suxin despite her protests.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" Suxin screamed.
Left Wheel addressed the crowd. "Apologies for the disturbance. This woman has been causing trouble for some time. She's been diagnosed with mental instability and will be taken to a facility for treatment."
The room buzzed with shock.
Liang Hui looked at Suxin with disbelief. "She's… mentally unstable?"
"Yes," Left Wheel replied firmly. "She's been trying to sabotage Miss Liang out of jealousy. We've been monitoring her behavior and have sufficient evidence to support the diagnosis."
"No! That's not true!" Suxin shrieked. "I'm not crazy! Xiaoluo, tell them I'm not crazy!"
Liang Xiaoluo averted her gaze, guilt and relief warring within her. Suxin's betrayal had hurt deeply, but watching her being dragged away was no victory.
As Suxin was escorted out, she turned back one last time, her voice venomous. "Liang Xiaoluo, you won't get away with this. You're just as despicable as him!"
Her words echoed in the room long after she was gone.
Liang Hui sighed heavily. "Let's not dwell on unpleasant matters tonight. As long as Xiaoluo is happy, that's all that matters."
Ye Tianlin smiled. "Of course, Uncle."
Liang Xiaoluo, however, felt anything but happy. Standing beside Ye Tianlin, she realized just how deeply she was trapped.