Cecilia Gu's chest heaved with anger.
In all her life, this was the first time someone had pointed at her nose and scolded her like this.
Cecilia wondered if she’d forgotten to check the calendar—had she run into some bad luck today?
Wendy was indignant. "That Miss Jiang was way out of line! How could she just spout nonsense like that?"
Cecilia sighed softly. "I was only trying to be a good hostess, and yet I get talked about like this. Looks like I’d better keep my distance from the Jiang family."
Wendy thought to herself, if the CEO found out the young mistress had been treated like this, Miss Jiang would definitely be in trouble...
Cecilia took a deep breath and said to Wendy, "Don’t tell Charles about what happened today."
"Huh? Why not!" Wendy protested immediately. "You weren’t the one in the wrong!"
"Ethan just got back to the Yin Family. If Charles and his mom start fighting over this, it’ll only benefit Ethan!" Cecilia patiently explained to Wendy. "His mom cares a lot about appearances. If Charles goes after Helen Jiang, he’ll definitely clash with his mom. This isn’t the time for infighting!"
Wendy finally understood what Cecilia meant and said, "But that’s just not fair to you, young mistress! You only chatted a bit with Ethan and got scolded for it. This is the modern world, not the old days!"
Cecilia waved her hand. "Forget it, I’ll let it go for now. For the bigger picture, we’ll talk about it later."
Wendy thought about it, but still couldn’t help feeling upset.
But since Cecilia had said so, she didn’t dare say anything else.
Ethan’s birthday banquet was extravagant—he was the center of attention, his vanity thoroughly satisfied.
The woman by his side was glamorous too, stealing the spotlight from many of the men.
Ethan felt like his life was absolutely perfect.
After Cecilia helped Mrs. Yin see off the last guest, she finally felt the exhaustion hit her.
Charles walked up behind Cecilia and gently rubbed her head. "Worn out?"
Cecilia leaned lightly against Charles and said, "I’m okay, just a little noisy. Where are Mom and Dad?"
"They’ve already gone back to the villa to rest," Charles replied gently. "Helen Jiang was a bit much today, but don’t worry, I’ll stand up for you."
Cecilia grabbed Charles’s hand, stopping him.
"What’s wrong?" Charles raised an eyebrow.
"Charles, let it go. Ethan is eyeing the Yin Family right now—this isn’t the time to sweat the small stuff," Cecilia sighed. "I’m just going to avoid the Jiang family from now on. I want nothing to do with that heiress."
"Heiress? Please," Charles scoffed. "She’s just an adopted daughter—a toy, nothing more."
Cecilia frowned, confused, and looked at Charles.
"She doesn’t have any inheritance rights," Charles explained. "But you do, since you’ve been recognized by the Yun family. Do you get what that means?"
Suddenly, it all clicked for Cecilia!
So the Jiang family adopted Helen Jiang just to raise her, give her a nice dowry, and that’s it.
Everything in the Jiang family still belonged to Eric Jiang.
And even though Cecilia hadn’t officially returned to the Yun family yet, and was only recognized as adopted, the Yun family had already acknowledged her inheritance rights!
That was a world of difference!
Thinking about it, Cecilia actually felt kind of sorry for Helen Jiang.
Forget it, no point getting mad at someone like that.
The butler directed the servants and quickly had the hall cleaned up.
The butler hurried over to Cecilia and Charles, bowing his head. "Young Master, Young Mistress, supper is ready. Mrs. Yin invites everyone to the table."
This supper was the family’s very first reunion meal.
Cecilia and Charles had to attend.
So they nodded and headed for Mrs. Yin’s private dining room.
As soon as Cecilia walked in, she saw Ethan had brought Sylvia Ran and was already sprawled out in one of the seats.
Mrs. Yin was wheeled in by someone as well.
"Alright, let's have some late-night snacks first! Once we're done, everyone should head back and get some rest." Grandma Yin nodded, and the servants quickly brought out the midnight feast.
Ethan Yin had never seen such a lavish midnight spread before.
Every dish was artfully crafted, looking more like works of art than food.
Ethan Yin became even more convinced—one day, he had to become the master of the Yin Family!
Only by becoming the head of the Yin Family could he enjoy everything it had to offer!
With all this wealth, he could squander it for a lifetime and never have to worry again.
After the midnight feast, Cecilia Gu and Charles Yin left with their entourage.
Mrs. Yin watched coldly as May Yan and Ethan Yin left, grinning from ear to ear with the pile of gifts Grandma Yin had bestowed upon them.
"If there's nothing else, Mother, I'll head back to rest too," Mrs. Yin said coolly.
"Jiang Xue, I've been patient long enough," Grandma Yin replied with equal indifference.
"Haven't we always been tolerating each other?" Mrs. Yin retorted, her voice dripping with disdain.
Grandma Yin's eye twitched violently, but she said nothing more, simply waved her hand and left with her assistant.
Mrs. Yin left as well, expressionless, aided by the servants.
Back at the Jiang residence, Eric Jiang ignored Helen Jiang's desperate pleas and locked himself in his room, refusing to respond no matter what.
Two days straight, Helen Jiang was on the verge of a breakdown!
No matter how much she apologized or begged, Eric Jiang just wouldn't pay her any attention.
Just then, a servant came in: "Miss, there's someone outside claiming to be your friend. She says her name is Sylvia Ran."
Helen Jiang was already losing her mind over Eric Jiang's cold shoulder. Hearing that someone was here, she snapped, "Not seeing anyone!"
Before she could finish, she suddenly looked up and asked, "Who did you say it was?"
"Sylvia Ran," the servant replied respectfully.
Helen Jiang thought for a moment—she was about to lose her mind these past two days.
Since Sylvia Ran didn't like Cecilia Gu either, maybe teaming up could help her strike back at Cecilia.
"Alright, tell her I'll be right out," Helen Jiang decided. This kind of thing was better discussed outside the house.