Chapter 142

"You came to our home when you were 12 years old, and in two months, you'll be 31. Do the math—how many years has it been? Almost twenty years! Twenty years!" 

"How have I treated you? I neglected my own daughter, always putting you first, making sure you had everything you needed. And this is how you repay me?"

As Layla imagined the future, with people pointing fingers at her, mocking her family for a scandal of incestuous siblings, she felt like her head was going to explode. 

Grinding her teeth, she lunged at Zoya, raining down punches and slaps on her in utter despair. 

"Of all things you could have done, why did you seduce my son? You two may not be related by blood, but in name, you are siblings! If word of this gets out, you might not care about your reputation, but your brother's life will be ruined!"

"Mom—" 

Leopold never expected his mother to show up. The sudden tug earlier had left him dazed, but now he finally snapped back to reality. He quickly stepped forward, positioning himself between Zoya and his mother, grabbing Layla's arms with both hands. 

"Mom, this isn't Zoya's fault. I was the one who had improper thoughts. I didn't maintain the right boundaries. It's all my fault."

Layla was already furious that he was protecting Zoya, and hearing this, her vision went black, and she fainted on the spot. 

"Mom!" 

Seeing her collapse, Leopold's expression changed. He quickly reached out to support her. 

Zoya stood there, stunned, her cheek burning from the slap, her mind buzzing. 

She hadn't expected Layla to come over. In a situation like this, Layla's attention should have been on Wang Niannian. Layla disliked Wang Niannian and should have been focused on making her miserable right now. 

Why did she come over here? Zoya suddenly realized something, and she looked up, scanning the surroundings until her gaze settled on the left front. 

Lily was standing in a shadowy spot, smiling as she waved at her. 

Their eyes met briefly, and Lily nudged Wang Niannian with her elbow. "Niannian, it's your turn. Go on." 

Wang Niannian hesitated, "I... I don't think I can do it. I'm not good at acting." 

Her phone chimed with a message—it was from Edmond, asking why she wasn't back yet. 

Lily quickly replied to the message, briefly explaining what was happening, then turned to Wang Niannian. "If you don't want to marry Leopold, now's your chance. Of course, I could go instead, but it would be more effective if his 'fiancée' did it."

After sending the message, Lily turned around, only to find Wang Niannian was no longer there. 

Puzzled, she suddenly heard Wang Niannian's voice, crying. 

"Leopold, how could you... She's your sister! How could you... If you really don't want to marry me, you should have just told your family. What is this?" 

"They're in there discussing our marriage, and now where am I supposed to put my face? If it weren't for my health, needing to get some fresh air outside, I wouldn't have caught you like this. What are you going to do about this?" 

"Are you planning to marry me as a cover, while secretly carrying on with her?"

Wang Niannian accused him through sobs, clutching her chest, her breathing ragged as if she might faint at any moment. 

Lily stood aside, stunned. 

Wow, she thought, just moments ago, she claimed she couldn't act, and now she's performing like an Oscar winner. 

Leopold felt his head throb even more. 

His mother was unconscious in his arms, Zoya was trembling behind him, and Wang Niannian was crying in front of him. 

Three women, and each one was a headache. 

He felt utterly overwhelmed. 

Faced with Wang Niannian's accusations, he didn't even want to explain himself anymore. After all, he was in a situation where there was no way to defend himself, so he responded with silence.

As for Layla, she had regained consciousness by now and had overheard Wang Niannian's words. At this moment, she was filled with regret. 

If only she hadn't intervened earlier, if she had allowed them to get engaged sooner, no matter how bad Wang Niannian was, she was better than Zoya. But now, Wang Niannian had witnessed the whole thing. 

The marriage was likely ruined.

Layla pinched the bridge of her nose and stood up, thinking that Wang Niannian's soft nature might allow her to be persuaded to keep quiet. But before she could say anything, Wang Niannian turned and ran off, crying. 

Layla feared she might go back to the private room and spill everything, so she hurriedly pushed her son. 

"Go after her! Don't let her say anything. That Mrs. Wang has the fastest mouth in town!" 

Leopold, realizing the severity of the situation, glanced at Zoya before taking off after Wang Niannian. 

Lily waited until Leopold was gone before strolling over casually. 

"So, Mrs. Mei, do you believe me now? I told you Zoya wasn't any good."

Hearing this, Layla was filled with regret. 

Lily had actually warned her before, back on New Year's Eve. 

"That day, I saw my brother sleeping, and Zoya sneaked a kiss on his lips. I was like, oh my god, this adopted daughter of yours really knows how to play." 

"You say I'm wild, but at least I openly chase someone. Your adopted daughter is coveting someone outside while messing with someone inside the family. I'm seriously impressed." 

"Here's a piece of advice: don't alert her just yet. Keep an eye on her and gather some evidence. When you've got solid proof, throw it in her face. Otherwise, Zoya will never admit it."

"My brother is an outstanding man. Don't let her ruin him. Sibling incest... If word of that gets out, where would you hide your face?"

Layla had taken it seriously at the time and secretly observed Zoya but found nothing suspicious. Eventually, she got absorbed in finding a match for her son. 

Then, after Qingming, Zoya went on a business trip for half a year, and Layla completely forgot about it. 

It wasn't until just now, when Lily mentioned that Zoya was the one she should be wary of, that Layla began to realize what was happening. 

And then, fifteen minutes ago, Lily sent her a message. 

Breaking! Zoya forcibly kissed Leopold. Live broadcast.

Layla, worried her son couldn't handle Wang Niannian, rushed to salvage the situation and didn't have time to deal with Zoya. 

As Lily was about to head up with her, Zoya stopped her. 

In the dark night, Zoya asked Lily, "Did you call Layla here?" 

Lily, in a good mood, smiled sweetly. 

"Does it matter how she got here? What matters is that you brought this on yourself. If you hadn't acted shamelessly, it wouldn't matter if Mrs. Mei, or even the old Jian, had shown up. You'd still be fine."

Just then, Lily's phone rang—it was Edmond. 

Your dad flipped the table. Aren't you coming back? Want me to record it? 

Lily was about to leave when Zoya stopped her again. 

"Lily, if you want to ruin my life, then no one's life will be spared." 

Lily noticed the eerie smile on Zoya's face. "What do you mean?" 

"Selena... do you know whose birthday Selena was celebrating when she last came to Jiangyu?" 

Zoya stared at her, enunciating every word, "Edmond. Selena was celebrating Edmond's birthday—your husband's birthday." 

If her life was going to fall apart, then everything should fall apart. 

If she was going mad, Lily would go mad too. No one would get away unscathed. Let it all burn.

The first time Zoya received a call from Zhang Zhen, she hadn't returned to Jiangyu yet. 

Her biological mother's second husband was from a small county in the north, where Zhang Zhen was from. 

Zhang Zhen was a year ahead of her in school, so they had seen each other before, but they never really interacted. It wasn't until five years ago, when Selena's fame and influence skyrocketed, and L&S wanted her to endorse a new product, that Zoya officially got to know Zhang Zhen. 

Since they were from the same hometown and had gone to the same school, they got along well, but unfortunately, they couldn't close the deal. 

The reason given was that Selena didn't work with companies from Jiangyu, and when Zhang Zhen took over, she threw a fit.

Zoya had asked Zhang Zhen about it, and she explained, "Selena's brother died in a car accident in Jiangyu, so she doesn't like this city."

If they couldn't get Selena, there were others. There were plenty of celebrities, and Zoya didn't care at that time.

Because she knew Selena wouldn't come to Jiangyu, she never got in touch with Zhang Zhen later. She just didn't delete their WeChat or phone number and left them as they were.

After five years, when she received a call from Zhang Zhen again, she thought it was about work.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Zhen asked about Lily.

"I heard your sister Lily married Edmond from Jingxiu Group. Is that true?"

She wondered why Zhang Zhen suddenly inquired about Lily. Zhang Zhen hemmed and hawed, sighed for a long time, and finally told her the truth.

"Edmond is the man behind Selena."

Zoya wasn't stupid. She knew that with Zhang Zhen's connections, it was easy for her to find out if Edmond's wife was Lily.

Zhang Zhen came to ask her and, knowing that she was Lily's'sister', and telling her the story of Selena and Edmond, was because Zhang Zhen knew that she had a bad relationship with Lily.