Taste of her own medicine

"You purposefully approached me, publicly accusing me of tearing your dress. We could have resolved this matter in private, but instead, you chose to make it a spectacle."

Xia Lihua's words carried a sense of clarity and honesty, subtly exposing Mengrui's motivations behind their public confrontation.

There was a shift in the momentum.

"Xia Lihua is not wrong, the cousins should solve this matter between themselves. Isn't it like Xia Mengrui is begging for attention?"

"Solve this at home, not here."

"Xia Lihua, are you indirectly admitting that you tampered with Xia Mengrui's dress?", Tang Susu added with an undertone of accusation. Her tone carried a sense of determination, as if seeking to uncover the truth behind the allegations.

Tang Susu's motivations, however, extended beyond mere curiosity or a desire for justice. She saw an opportunity to forge a connection with Xia Mengrui, understanding her prominent status as the cherished and privileged daughter of the Xia enterprise's owner and her brother Xia Wenjin being the sole heir.

On the other hand, Xia Lihua's position within the Xia family was unknown to the public. Tang Susu perceived Mengrui as a person of influence, and by aligning herself with her, she hoped to gain favor and advantages. Tang Susu's decision to immediately side with Mengrui stemmed from her broader scheme, aiming to establish a connection that could potentially benefit her in the future.

"I did indeed tear that dress." Xia Lihua softly nodded her head, her eyes drooping low, exuding an air of surrender and defeat, evoking a sense of sympathy from those around her. The arch of her lips curved downwards, reflecting a slight melancholy, as if she had been unfairly targeted and bullied by Tang Susu. The combination of her confession, subdued posture, and poignant expression created a poignant tableau, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

What?! Such truthfulness?

The revelation of Xia Lihua's unexpected truthfulness sent shockwaves through the gathered crowd. They felt like their face had been slapped by an invisible force.

"I had no idea that cousin Mengrui had chosen that dress to wear for tonight's party," Xia Lihua explained, her eyebrows furrowing in concern. She shifted her gaze nervously towards Su Wanwan, seemingly to imply that she had played a part in the misunderstanding.

Xia Lihua's expression was a mix of anxiety and fear as if she was intimidated by Su Wanwan's presence.

With a trembling demeanor, Xia Lihua resembled a scared rabbit, on the verge of tears.

"The dress was displayed on the store's counter, and I took a liking to it. I thought it was for sale. When Sister Su tried to snatch the gown, I unintentionally tugged it too hard, causing it to tear. It was my mistake and I deeply regret it." Xia Lihua's words carried a sense of remorse and vulnerability, as she tried to convey her innocence and accept responsibility for the unintended damage caused to the dress.

Su Wanwan's complexion turned pale as a mixture of surprise and confusion washed over her. She found herself abruptly thrown into the center of this unfolding situation, utterly unprepared for the role she now played.

Why was she being implicated in this scenario? What had she done to be dragged into this picture?

"Y'all are putting the blame on the wrong person, it wasn't Xia Lihua's fault. Even if she made a mistake you are the bigger person right, Mengrui? You should forgive her." Yu Yanming stepped forward, assumed the role of a mediator, seeking to resolve the conflict at hand.

Xia Mengrui almost chewed her fingernails off. She was stumped and felt very embarrassed after being called out by Yu Yanming. To maintain her magnanimous image he had to put a bright smile on her face. "Yes, it wasn't entirely Little sister Lihua's fault. I forgive her."

After returning from abroad, Lihua had grown noticeably more cunning and astute. She was no longer the easily manipulated fool that Mengrui had once seen her as, a mere puppet in her hands. It became evident to Mengrui that this particular chess piece had slipped out of her control, leaving her to grapple with the consequences of Lihua's newfound shrewdness.

Lihua even knew how to act like a white lotus bitch! Mengrui was getting a taste of her own medicine.