Derek Tang was momentarily speechless.
When dealing with the easily fooled Miss Li, Derek Tang could still get away with vague answers.
But when it came to the sharp and capable Cherry Miller, Derek knew he wasn't skilled enough to fool her.
Cherry let out a light laugh, stood up, and looked down at the seated group with contempt. "So, without any evidence, you all just made up rumors about me and Mr. Tang being in a relationship and spread them everywhere. Not only did it cause me trouble, but it also tarnished the Yin family's reputation. The Li Residence and the Tang family, you sure are something!"
Cherry might only be 160 centimeters tall, but right now, her presence was overwhelming. That one sidelong glance made everyone on the sofa instinctively lower their heads—no one dared meet her eyes.
Yina Yin sat to the side, a proud smile on her face.
Her Cherry was just that amazing, just that outstanding!
"I've grown up in the Yin family, but I've never seen anyone dare to smear our name like this. You really are something." Yina stood up and started walking out. "I'll be reporting this to my father exactly as it happened. Cherry, let's go."
"Yes, Miss." Cherry gave the group a meaningful look. "Everyone, you'd better watch yourselves!"
Derek Tang finally snapped out of it. Forgetting all about saving face, he rushed to the door and blocked Yina and Cherry's way, panic written all over his face. "Miss Yin, I know I was wrong! I apologize, I really do! It was my fault! I was shameless! I resented Cherry for rejecting me, so I made up those rumors out of spite!"
Afraid that Yina Yin would really report him to her family, Derek Tang slapped himself across the face. "Miss Yin, please, I'm begging you! Let me off! I really know I was wrong!"
Derek's cowardly behavior utterly shocked Miss Li.
She never imagined that the man she liked would turn out to be such a wimp.
Even Miss Li's best friends were stunned.
Is there anything left to be confused about?
From start to finish, it was Derek Tang stirring up trouble and telling lies!
How could there be a man like this in the world!
"Oh! Mr. Tang, you're too kind," Cherry said coolly. "The Yin family has never bullied anyone. That slap you gave yourself—no way two 'frail women' like us could force you to do that."
Yina Yin couldn't help but twitch her lips.
She hardly considered herself a 'frail woman.'
Still, she wouldn't undermine her own people.
Sweat beaded on Derek Tang's forehead as he nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, yes, I'm reflecting on my own mistakes. Miss Yin and Ms. Miller (Executive Assistant) didn't force me at all."
"Today is Miss Li's birthday, so this really shouldn't have gotten so out of hand." Cherry turned to Miss Li, showing not a hint of sympathy.
If Miss Li had any sense at all, she wouldn't have called Cherry over for an interrogation like this.
If you make a dumb move, you can't blame others for slapping you in the face.
Cherry continued, "Since we're all being honest today, why not just clear things up publicly?"
Miss Li's expression changed instantly. "What do you mean? Are you saying I should apologize to all the guests? It's not like you were really hurt!"
Yina Yin and Cherry snorted in unison.
The Li Residence had really fallen from grace.
Their descendants had ended up like this.
A woman who can be so easily fooled by a man's sweet talk is just plain stupid!
Dragging innocent people into drama with such confidence, then acting like it's no big deal just because no one was physically hurt?
What a fantasy!
Doesn't she know it's easy to invite trouble but hard to get rid of it?
"How was there no harm?" Yina pointed to her head. "You hurt our feelings, our spirits, our dignity. What, Miss Li, do you think our feelings and dignity are worthless? Is that why you don't plan to apologize publicly?"
"I... I..." Miss Li was stunned, instinctively looking to Derek Tang for help.
But the man who used to sweet-talk her was now shaking, sweat pouring down his face.
Unlike Miss Li, who couldn't see the reality, Derek Tang knew exactly how wrong he'd been.
He thought Cherry Miller had fallen out of favor with the Yin family, so he could bully her however he wanted.
But he never expected that instead of losing favor, Cherry was even more loved than before!
If it weren't for the fact that the heiress of Yin Enterprises herself came to the Li Residence to back her up, none of this would have happened.
What a miscalculation—seriously, what a miscalculation!
If he'd known Cherry Miller hadn't fallen out of favor, he never would have given up on her!
If only he hadn't been blinded by appearances and kept clinging to Cherry, things wouldn't have ended up like this.
"Cherry, I really know I was wrong!" Derek Tang couldn't care less about anyone else anymore; his legs buckled and he actually knelt before Cherry.
There's a saying: a man's knees are worth their weight in gold.
Looks like Derek Tang's 'gold' wasn't worth much.
"I really know I was wrong! Please forgive me!" Derek Tang pleaded anxiously. "I'll apologize in front of everyone, I'll turn over a new leaf..."
Derek Tang wasn't the only child in his family.
If the Tang family found out he'd offended the Yin family, they wouldn't protect him—they'd cut him off.
The Tang family was eager to build ties with the Yin family and keep their relationship strong.
No matter how much they valued their own children, they wouldn't risk losing such a valuable connection over just one kid.
Otherwise, Derek Tang never would have worked so hard to pursue Cherry Miller in the first place.
It was this realization that made Derek Tang swallow his pride and kneel before Cherry.
Yina Yin watched Derek Tang grovel and couldn't help but snicker, her face full of disdain.
Cherry took a step back, expressionless. "Mr. Tang, I can't accept your kneeling. We'll deal with your issues another time. Since today is Miss Li's event, let's handle her situation first."
This chapter isn't over yet ^.^, please click to the next page to continue reading!
After speaking, Cherry looked up at Miss Li. "Are you ready to go apologize publicly now?"
"I..." Miss Li panicked, at a loss for words.
Just then, a panicked voice came from outside the door: "What's going on in here? What happened?"
Yina Yin glanced toward the door, a mocking smile on her face. "Mrs. Li, what perfect timing."
The newcomer was none other than the current lady of the Li Residence—Miss Li's own mother, Mrs. Li.
"Mom!" Miss Li, seeing her mother, immediately ran over and began to complain, "This has nothing to do with me. I just wanted to chat with Ms. Miller (Executive Assistant)—it's all Derek Tang's fault!"
Cherry chuckled softly. "I have a not-so-great habit—whenever I negotiate with someone, I always record the conversation."
With that, Cherry held up her phone, smiling gently. "Would anyone like to hear a recording of our conversation just now?"
Miss Li nearly fainted when she heard that!
What kind of demon is Cherry Miller, anyway?
She tried to play a trick and ended up losing everything!
If she'd known Cherry was this formidable, she would never have messed with her!
Mrs. Li took in the scene—there was nothing left she didn't understand.
Mrs. Li shot her daughter a fierce glare, full of regret—she never should have raised her to be so spoiled and naïve.
She was old enough to know better, yet still so childish.
Of all the people to bully, how could she dare target someone from the Yin family?
Was she just asking for trouble?
Mrs. Li had no choice but to swallow her pride and try to save face for her daughter. "Miss Yin, Ms. Miller (Executive Assistant), could we perhaps discuss this? After all, it's my daughter's birthday party. I'm very upset about what happened. We'll do everything we can to restore Ms. Miller's reputation and make amends! If word of this gets out, it won't be good for Ms. Miller's image, will it?"
"I don't see how that's a problem," Cherry replied calmly. "Clearing up rumors about me is actually a good thing."
"This kind of gossip can just be cleared up privately," Mrs. Li nearly begged. "Miss Yin, please—think of the many years our families have been friends—"
Yina Yin just smiled.
When they bullied Cherry, did they think about those years of friendship?
Now that they're in the wrong, suddenly those years matter?
So friendship really is a cure-all, huh?
Cherry spoke up: "Mrs. Li, I won't comment on how your daughter's behavior has troubled the Li Residence."
"Yes, yes, it's all my fault—I didn't teach my child well." Mrs. Li apologized humbly. "I'm willing to make it up to you! Whatever you ask, I'll do my best."
Yina Yin wanted to push further, but Cherry gently shook her head at her.
Some things are better left at that.
After all, she wasn't really the Chief Special Assistant.
Solving the problem by relying on the Yin family's influence was enough.
There was no need to push things too far.
"Since Mrs. Li has said so, it's not my place to embarrass the Li Residence," Cherry said coolly. "Today is Miss Li's birthday—announcing an engagement to Mr. Tang would make it even more festive, don't you think, Mrs. Li?"
Mrs. Li glanced at Derek Tang, still kneeling on the floor, unable to hide her disgust.
If she'd known what kind of person Derek Tang really was, Mrs. Li never would have let her daughter date him!
But now, with Cherry Miller's threat looming, Mrs. Li had no choice but to agree.
"Fine, I'll announce their engagement today," Mrs. Li said through gritted teeth. "And I'll clear up the misunderstanding between my daughter and Ms. Miller (Executive Assistant)."
"Miss Li and Mr. Tang are a perfect match—may you grow old together," Cherry said smoothly.
Yina Yin immediately understood what Cherry meant.
Forcing two people who dislike each other into an engagement was the greatest punishment.
Now that Cherry had spoken, they couldn't break up easily.
Otherwise, this debt would be settled sooner or later!
Both the Li Residence and Derek Tang truly realized just how formidable the Chief Special Assistant from the Yin family could be!