Thorns in the Spotlight: A Tale of Love and Betrayal
Thorns in the Spotlight:A Tale of Love and Betrayal
Lin Wan'er,who had witnessed the entire scene,felt a burning jealousy in her heart.She couldn't bear to see Su Yao steal the spotlight,especially not during such a tense moment.She gritted her teeth and strode forward,feigning a delicate demeanor as she clutched Li Yi's arm.With a tearful voice,she said,"Li Yi,I was so scared just now.I thought I'd never see you again."She glanced at Su Yao with a provocative look,as if to say,"Who do you think you are,trying to take him away?"
Su Yao felt a pang of bitterness and instinctively took a step back,trying to distance herself from the awkward situation.She knew she was worlds apart from these socialites,who had every advantage with their family backgrounds and long-standing connections to Li Yi.Her fleeting sense of warmth and confidence was once again overshadowed by self-doubt.She lowered her head,avoiding Li Yi's gaze,not wanting him to see her despondency.
Li Yi subtly shook off Lin Wan'er's grip,his brow furrowed and his tone cold."Miss Lin,it's over now.You should rest and recover from the shock."He then walked back to Su Yao,gently took her hand,and looked into her eyes with a mix of tenderness and determination.It was a silent declaration,as if to say,"Don't mind her.I'm here for you."He led her to a quieter corner,leaving Lin Wan'er standing there,fuming with frustration and her face turning red with anger.
---
As they reached the corner,Li Yi turned to Su Yao,his expression softening."Are you really okay?"he asked,his voice filled with concern.Su Yao nodded,though she could still feel the lingering effects of the evening's events."I'm fine,"she replied quietly."It's just...it's been a lot to take in."
Li Yi sighed,running a hand through his hair."I know.Tonight was supposed to be a simple gathering,but it turned into something far more complicated."He paused,his eyes searching hers."I'm sorry you had to go through all this.I should have been more vigilant."
Su Yao shook her head,her eyes meeting his."It's not your fault.None of this is.It's just...the world we're in.People like Zhang Feng and Lin Wan'er—they'll stop at nothing to get what they want."
Li Yi nodded,his expression darkening."I know.And I won't let them win.Not while I have a say in it."
---
Zhang Feng seized the moment and sauntered over to Lin Wan'er,wearing a fake,concerned smile.In a low voice,he said,"Miss Lin,this is just terrible.You were supposed to be the star of the night with Mr.Li,but Su Yao somehow managed to steal the show.I wonder what tricks she used to bewitch him so completely?"
Lin Wan'er's eyes welled up with tears as she glared at Su Yao,who was now in the corner.She gritted her teeth and said,"I can't stand her.She's just an ordinary girl.What gives her the right?"
Zhang Feng's lips curled into a barely noticeable smirk as he leaned in closer and whispered,"Think about it.She has no background,yet she's getting so close to Mr.Li.There must be something fishy going on.Maybe she's just using him to climb the social ladder.You,on the other hand,are a perfect match for him.We can't let her succeed."
Lin Wan'er's forehead creased with hesitation.She murmured,"But what can I do?"
Zhang Feng's eyes gleamed with cunning as he patted her shoulder reassuringly."Don't worry.We can start by targeting her at work.You have connections in the company.We can create some trouble for her,make her look bad,and she'll back off.If she loses face in front of Mr.Li,she won't stand a chance.I can help you with the details.Together,we can outsmart her."
Lin Wan'er wavered for a moment,then her expression hardened.She nodded slightly and said,"Alright.I'll do it.Tell me what to do."
---
Li Yi and Su Yao had just reached the corner when Qin Wu,Li Yi's bodyguard,rushed over with a grave expression."Mr.Li,this incident is more serious than it seems.Someone is deliberately targeting you,and they have significant influence.I've already started an investigation.It appears to be connected to some of our recent business rivals,and Zhang Feng seems to be involved as well,"he said,glancing at Su Yao before continuing,"Miss Su,you should also be careful.I don't think they'll give up easily."
Su Yao's heart tightened.She had always known that the injustice surrounding her father's case ran deep.Now,the dark forces that had been lurking in the shadows were out in the open,and they had almost cost Li Yi his life.Overwhelmed with guilt,she said,"Mr.Li,this is all my fault.If I hadn't insisted on investigating my father's case,none of this would have happened to you."
Li Yi gently placed a hand on her shoulder,his eyes warm and resolute.With a reassuring smile,he said,"Su Yao,don't blame yourself.This isn't your fault.From the moment you told me about your father,I decided to stand by you.No matter what kind of trouble we face,I won't back down.We'll uncover the truth and clear your father's name."
Tears welled up in Su Yao's eyes as she nodded firmly,vowing to fight alongside Li Yi,no matter what challenges lay ahead.The party had come to an abrupt end,with guests leaving in a somber atmosphere,unaware that an even greater storm was brewing,waiting for them to face it head-on and defend the justice and truth they held dear.
---
Lin Wan'er watched Li Yi and Su Yao retreat to the corner,her frustration growing.She hurried after them,blocking their path,and sneered at Su Yao,"Don't think you're something special just because Li Yi is protecting you.You're just an ordinary girl.You don't deserve him."
Su Yao frowned slightly,feeling wronged,but she straightened her back and replied firmly,"Miss Lin,my relationship with Mr.Li is none of your concern.I rely on my own efforts,not my family background."
Lin Wan'er laughed scornfully."Effort?In our world,effort means nothing.Without connections,you'll always be invisible."
Li Yi's face darkened as he stepped in front of Su Yao,his gaze cold on Lin Wan'er."Miss Lin,that's enough.I know exactly who Su Yao is.I value her resilience and kindness,not her family background.If you continue to cause trouble,don't expect me to be polite."
Lin Wan'er,intimidated by his stern demeanor,felt tears welling up in her eyes.She said in a pitiful tone,"Li Yi,I just don't want to see you deceived.I'm the one who truly cares about you."
Li Yi waved his hand impatiently."True care isn't just words.If you really understood,you wouldn't be so aggressive."With that,he took Su Yao's hand and led her past Lin Wan'er,continuing toward the corner.
---
Following behind Li Yi,Su Yao looked at his upright figure,her heart filled with mixed emotions.She felt grateful for his support,uncertain about the future of their relationship,but most of all,she was determined to stand by his side,no matter what.
As they reached the corner,Li Yi turned to Su Yao,his expression softening."Are you really okay?"he asked,his voice filled with concern.Su Yao nodded,though she could still feel the lingering effects of the evening's events."I'm fine,"she replied quietly."It's just...it's been a lot to take in."
Li Yi sighed,running a hand through his hair."I know.Tonight was supposed to be a simple gathering,but it turned into something far more complicated."He paused,his eyes searching hers."I'm sorry you had to go through all this.I should have been more vigilant."
Su Yao shook her head,her eyes meeting his."It's not your fault.None of this is.It's just...the world we're in.People like Zhang Feng and Lin Wan'er—they'll stop at nothing to get what they want."
Li Yi nodded,his expression darkening."I know.And I won't let them win.Not while I have a say in it."
---
As the guests began to leave,the ballroom gradually emptied.The once-lively atmosphere was now replaced by a somber silence.Li Yi and Su Yao stood in the corner,their thoughts heavy with the events of the evening.Li Yi's phone buzzed,and he glanced at the screen."It's Qin Wu,"he said,answering the call."What have you found?"
Qin Wu's voice came through the line, steady but serious. "Mr. Li, I've dug deeper into the background of the men who attacked us tonight. They were hired guns, but their employer is someone we didn't expect—Zhang Feng's partner, a man named Zhou Ming. He's been working behind the scenes!