Chapter 352: Helen Jiang Feigns Compliance
Helen Jiang crawled forward on her knees, desperate, and rushed to Mrs. Jiang, clutching her leg as she sobbed and begged, "Mom, weren’t you always the one who loved me most? Why won’t you let me and my brother be together?"
Mrs. Jiang shoved Helen Jiang away without the slightest hint of softness.
"Helen Jiang, I’ve made myself perfectly clear! If you keep being stubborn, I won’t hesitate to tie you up and throw you onto any man’s bed! Eric Jiang’s future will not be ruined by you!" Mrs. Jiang’s face was cold and stern. "You’re my adopted daughter, and you’ll never escape my control!"
Hearing Mrs. Jiang’s merciless words, Helen Jiang snapped and screamed at her, "I ruined my brother? What a joke! How could I ruin him! The one who really ruined him is Cecilia Gu! My brother likes Cecilia Gu, did you know that?"
"Helen Jiang, you’ve gone too far!" Mrs. Jiang’s face darkened fiercely.
If those words were leaked by someone with an agenda, both the Jiang Family and the Yin Family would lose all their dignity!
"I did not!" Helen Jiang shrieked hysterically. "If you don’t believe me, ask my brother yourself! See if he likes Cecilia Gu! Back then, he was obsessed with Nora Yun. After Nora died, he never got over it! Now Cecilia Gu shows up looking exactly like Nora, and my brother’s fallen for her instead…"
Smack! A harsh slap landed squarely on Helen Jiang’s face.
Mrs. Jiang’s eyes turned vicious and cold.
"I don’t want to hear those words again. Helen Jiang, you’d better behave and follow the path I’ve set for you. Otherwise, if you ruin the Jiang Family, I’ll make your life worse than death!" Mrs. Jiang was never one to show mercy.
The Jiang Family and Eric Jiang are her bottom line.
Everything Helen Jiang said today seriously crossed Mrs. Jiang’s boundaries.
Helen Jiang covered her face, lowered her head, and stayed silent.
"Someone, take Miss Jiang to the Jiang Hot Springs Resort!" Mrs. Jiang abruptly ended the conversation. "And have the young master come see me!"
The servants hurried in and escorted Helen Jiang out.
A short while later, Eric Jiang appeared before Mrs. Jiang.
Mrs. Jiang didn’t waste any words and went straight to the point: "Do you see Cecilia Gu as Nora Yun?"
Eric Jiang’s heart skipped a beat.
But he reacted quickly and answered, "No. Mom, who’s been filling your head with nonsense?"
Mrs. Jiang fixed her gaze on Eric Jiang’s face, scrutinizing his words for truth.
Eric Jiang was a seasoned veteran, so of course his face betrayed nothing as he calmly met his mother’s gaze.
He would never allow anyone to cause trouble for Cecilia Gu!
Absolutely not!
He had promised Nora Yun that he would protect Cecilia Gu no matter what!
He couldn’t let Cecilia Gu get dragged into trouble because of him!
Seeing Eric Jiang’s clear, honest gaze, Mrs. Jiang finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "The guests should all be at the Jiang Hot Springs Resort by now. Go keep an eye on Helen—don’t let her do anything to disgrace the Jiang or Yin families. There’ll be plenty of socialites there today. They may not be top-tier, but our Jiang Family isn’t so desperate that we need to use marriage alliances to hold our position! If you see a girl you like, just tell the butler—Mom will handle the rest!"
Eric Jiang’s eyes flickered. "Mom, it’s been less than three years since Nora passed. I’m not ready to think about marriage yet."
Mrs. Jiang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Then just date for now. Three years from now, you can get engaged."
Eric Jiang opened his mouth, but didn’t argue.
For now, he could only take things one step at a time.
"Yes." Eric Jiang answered obediently.
Only then was Mrs. Jiang satisfied. She said, "Go pack up and stay at the Jiang Hot Springs Resort for a few days. This time, you must find a good husband for Helen. Do you understand me?"
Mrs. Jiang’s tone grew heavier. "Eric, you’re the heir of the Jiang Family. You should know what you can and cannot do!"
"I understand." Eric Jiang had no objections to marrying off Helen Jiang.
He also felt it was time for Helen Jiang to get married.
After saying goodbye to Mrs. Jiang, Eric Jiang quickly went to Helen Jiang’s room to look for her.
After the servants forcibly brought Helen Jiang to her room, they began packing her luggage.
When Eric Jiang arrived, he happened to see Helen Jiang sitting blankly on the sofa.
Eric Jiang walked in slowly, his expression complicated as he looked at Helen Jiang.
He seemed to understand Helen Jiang’s obsession with him, but he didn’t want to face it.
How did the little sister he’d loved and spoiled since childhood end up like this?
"Helen…" Eric Jiang spoke softly. Helen Jiang looked up, and the clear imprint of five fingers on her face instantly tugged at Eric Jiang’s heart.
It seemed Mom had already taught Helen a lesson just now.
Whether it was guilt or something else, Eric Jiang just couldn’t continue speaking.
Helen Jiang stared at Eric Jiang, tears streaming down her face, but she said nothing.
The more she acted like this, the guiltier Eric Jiang felt.
But Eric Jiang had to admit, Helen Jiang’s attachment to him had long crossed the line of normal sibling affection.
"Once you’re packed, let’s go. The guests are already there—we’re being quite rude." Eric Jiang said stiffly.
Helen Jiang said to the servants, "You all go out first. I need to talk to my brother."
The servants hesitated, looking toward Eric Jiang for instructions.
Eric Jiang nodded, and the servants all left the room, closing the door behind them.
"Brother, are you really going to just watch me get married? Weren’t you the one who loved me most? I’m so young—can you really bear to let me go?" Helen Jiang asked, refusing to give up.
Eric Jiang forced himself to reply, "Helen, this is for your own good!"
"I don’t need it!" Helen Jiang sobbed. "Brother, don’t you understand how I feel?"
Eric Jiang quickly looked away, frowning slightly. "Helen, there are things that just shouldn’t be said!"
Helen Jiang lowered her head, biting her lip. "No, I have to say it! Maybe after today, I’ll never get another chance! Brother, I love you! I really love you! I’ve loved you since I was little! We’re not real siblings, so why can’t we be together? Brother, you used to love me, spoil me! You said I was the most precious jewel in your heart, that you’d cherish me forever! Brother, why are you avoiding me? What did I do wrong? Is it wrong to love you?"
Eric Jiang’s face went rigid. "Don’t say such nonsense!"
"I’m not talking nonsense. Brother, I really do love you!" Helen Jiang suddenly stood up and threw herself into Eric Jiang’s arms, clinging tightly to his waist and breathing in his scent greedily. "Brother, don’t reject me, okay? If we get married, we can be together forever!"
Without hesitation, Eric Jiang pushed Helen Jiang away. His handsome face was clouded as he said softly, "Mom’s right—you really should get married! No matter who you marry, you’ll always be the Jiang Family’s eldest miss, and the Jiang Family will always be your support. Helen, pack up. It’s time to go."
Helen Jiang blocked Eric Jiang’s way. "No, I don’t want to marry another man! Eric Jiang, are you even a man? How can you push me away? Is it because I’m not beautiful enough? Or is it… Cecilia Gu!"
When Helen Jiang spat out that name, she was practically shaking with rage.
Eric Jiang’s heart sank. "Helen Jiang, let me warn you! I still haven’t dealt with you for what you did to Cici last time. Because you’re my sister, I let you off with just an apology to her. If you keep this up, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"
"So it’s true!" Helen Jiang shrieked. "You really do have feelings for Cecilia Gu! She’s not Nora Yun—wake up! She doesn’t even like you!"
"My life is none of your business!" Eric Jiang cut her off. "I’m not as pathetic as you think! Cici is Nora’s sister—I only see her as a sister…"
"Eric Jiang, do you even believe what you’re saying? The way you look at her is totally different! Is lying to yourself really the answer? If you didn’t look at her that way, why would I go after her? It’s all because of you! If I didn’t love you so much, why would I fight with her? Brother, I’ve been by your side for over twenty years—why won’t you stay with me? I love you more than anyone else, so why won’t you choose me?" Helen Jiang cried.
"Helen Jiang, this is my last warning. If you keep being so stubborn, I won’t have you as a sister!" Eric Jiang said through gritted teeth. "You’d better think carefully!"
With that, Eric Jiang turned to leave.
Helen Jiang suddenly grabbed Eric Jiang from behind, refusing to let go. "Don’t go!"
Eric Jiang stopped and reached down to pry her arms from his waist.
"Don’t leave me!" Helen Jiang suddenly softened. "Brother, don’t do this! Please! I promise, I promise, isn’t that enough? Don’t ignore me, don’t abandon me!"
Helen Jiang burst into loud, uncontrollable sobs.
Eric Jiang’s fingers froze.
After Helen Jiang finished crying, Eric Jiang finally spoke. "Hurry up and pack. I’ll wait for you downstairs."
After gently prying Helen Jiang off him, Eric Jiang left without looking back.
Helen Jiang dropped to the carpet, staring at Eric Jiang’s retreating figure, fists clenched and teeth gritted. "Brother, I won’t let go so easily! I absolutely won’t! Don’t blame me, brother! No matter what I do, don’t blame me! I just want to be with you so badly."
With those words, Helen Jiang turned to her desk, pulled out a drawer, and took out a pill bottle.
She gripped the pill bottle tightly in her palm.
I didn’t want it to be like this. You all forced me!
I, Helen Jiang, will never admit defeat!