Yun Shu had always managed to project an image of being gentle,
magnanimous, and sensible to everyone.
In contrast, Jasmine seemed like a petulant child throwing a tantrum.
Five years ago, she had gotten pregnant out of wedlock,
humiliating Chun Ji and nearly turning the two families into bitter enemies. Now, five years later, she was openly disrespecting her own father at this crucial auction.
Many people shook their heads in disapproval.
Who would want to marry a woman like her?
"I'm not talking to you. You don't need to try to get attention in front of me. Can't you understand simple instructions?" Jasmine said expressionlessly, showing no mercy to Yun Shu.
Yun Shu's eyes welled up with tears. She gave Zhenguo Qin a pitiful look, then turned to the onlookers, forcing a smile through her tears. It was as if she was saying that she wouldn't hold it against her step - daughter, no matter how poorly she was treated.
What a masterful act.
"Jasmine! Go back!" Zhenguo Qin growled through gritted teeth, his face contorted with anger. If it weren't for the public eye, he might have given Jasmine a good thrashing.
This eldest daughter of his had done nothing but bring shame to him.
"West Hill is my bottom line. I've been following your orders because of it. If I hadn't come today, I wouldn't have known until the land was being developed, right?" Jasmine's voice trembled. Her throat felt swollen, making it hard for her to speak.
Her beautiful eyes were filled with unshed tears. She fought hard to keep them from falling, refusing to show weakness in front of Zhenguo Qin.
"We'll discuss this at home!"
"No! I want to settle this right here, right now. Zhenguo Qin, do you have a heart at all?"
She suspected that this man had never truly loved her mother. His false pretense of affection made her sick to her stomach.
"Security! Escort her out!" Zhenguo Qin snapped. "She's disrupting the event."
"Mr. Qin, where do you think you're taking my person?" Yiqin Chu stood up, his presence imposing. His deep, cold eyes fixed on Zhenguo Qin. "Aren't you coming back?"
The last sentence was directed at Jasmine.
"Secretary Qin, you should remember your position. Please," Yingyao said with a hint of admonition. "The land has already gone through the approval process. If you continue to make a scene, you'll only be thrown out."
Jasmine felt a wave of helplessness wash over her.
Reality was cruel indeed.
No! She looked at Yiqin Chu. There had to be another way!
She dragged her heavy feet, slowly making her way back to Yiqin Chu's side. Her palms were completely soaked with sweat.
Yun Shu watched Jasmine's defeated state with a sense of satisfaction.
She wanted to push Jasmine to the brink, preferably to the point where she would take her own life. Then, there would be no more Jasmine in the world. And the Huanyu Group would belong entirely to Zhenguo Qin. Snow would be his only daughter.
Jasmine would never find out about that agreement.
"Sit down," Yiqin Chu commanded indifferently, looking at her disheartened appearance.
Jasmine was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she complied without hesitation. She sat down beside him obediently, like a marionette, having lost all her vitality.
"The auction begins."
The sound of the gavel falling silenced the entire hall.
Jasmine snapped out of her daze. The land on West Hill was the last to be auctioned and was the most expensive.
Land in Jiangcheng was scarce. Whenever a plot became available, it would attract intense competition. The city was developing at an astonishing pace, and every inch of land was precious. Zhenguo Qin wouldn't have put it up for auction if he didn't desperately need the money.
Jasmine stared intently at the image of the land on the screen.