Su Mingyuan's face turned blue and white in an instant. He stared at Gu Xiangyun as if she were a complete fool. Finally, unable to contain his rage, he raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face.
"Shut up, you disgrace!"
The force of the slap sent Gu Xiangyun staggering. Su Mingyuan looked like he was about to strike her again, but Su Nuo quickly rushed over and shielded her mother, crying out in panic, "Dad, please don't hit her again! Mom knows she was wrong!"
"Gu Xiangyun, how dare you!" The old lady's voice thundered across the room. Her face was dark with fury, and her eyes gleamed coldly with authority.
Under the weight of the old matriarch's gaze, Gu Xiangyun's arrogance instantly deflated. Her spine stiffened, and she hurriedly bowed her head to admit fault. "Old Madam, please calm down. It's all my fault. I was confused and acted without thinking. Please forgive me this once."
The old lady's sharp gaze only grew colder. "Over the years, you've become more and more disrespectful. You think I'm too old to see what goes on?"
She slammed her cane onto the floor with a loud crack. "Since you clearly have no regard for this family or its dignity, you no longer need to be involved in the company's affairs. Step aside and make room for someone competent."
As soon as the old lady's voice fell, Gu Xiangyun let out a shriek. She crawled to the old lady's feet on her knees, sobbing and pleading, "Mom, I really know I was wrong. Please don't remove me from my position as manager. I won't dare to make such a mistake again!"
Despite her pitiful appearance, the old lady remained unmoved. Her expression was cold as frost. She let out a low, displeased hum and turned to Su Mingyuan. "What are you waiting for? I don't want to see her again."
Su Mingyuan was stunned. His gaze shifted between Gu Xiangyun, now curled up miserably on the floor, and the old lady whose expression was as firm as stone. Realizing she wouldn't relent, he sighed, stepped forward, grabbed Gu Xiangyun by the arm, and dragged her out of the room.
"Mom, please… just this once. I swear I won't do it again!" Gu Xiangyun's wails echoed from the corridor.
The old lady's brows furrowed at the noise, her expression turning darker.
Mrs. Li understood her meaning instantly. She followed Gu Xiangyun out and said in a quiet but firm tone, "Madam, please stop shouting. You made a serious mistake, and it's only natural for the old lady to be angry. Withdrawing your post is already a merciful punishment. Instead of causing more trouble and upsetting her further, you'd best return home and reflect. Once her anger subsides, you can try pleading again."
Mama Li's words left Gu Xiangyun hiding her face in her hands as she wept silently.
Ever since marrying into the Su family, the old lady had always been the one holding the reins of power. For Gu Xiangyun, securing the position of general manager had taken years of careful scheming and endurance.
And now, with a single sentence, it was all gone.
Mama Li had spoken gently, but Gu Xiangyun knew all too well—it wouldn't be easy to appease the old lady again.
She walked away, dejected and full of resentment. And in her heart, her hatred for Su Jin grew darker, deeper.
"Mom, I'll go with you," Su Nuo cried, chasing after her. She couldn't bear to watch her mother leave like that.
But Gu Xiangyun quickly stopped her. "Nuo Nuo, don't be foolish. I've already been punished like this. If you go back with me now, you'll only make the old lady even angrier."
"But, Mom…" Su Nuo's voice choked as tears spilled from her eyes. "I don't want to see you leave alone. It's all Su Jin's fault—if it weren't for that little witch, you wouldn't have been scolded by Grandma!"
A flash of venom passed through Gu Xiangyun's eyes. She squeezed Su Nuo's shoulder and leaned in close, her voice low and cold. "That's exactly why you have to stay. You're still the Su family's legitimate granddaughter. Stay here and keep an eye on that wild girl. Watch her every move. Let's see what she's really up to."
"OK, Mom, I'll do that," Su Nuo nodded firmly, her eyes filled with resentment as she watched Gu Xiangyun walk away.
Inside the car, Gu Xiangyun's expression was dark and venomous. Her nails dug sharply into the flesh of her palms, but she didn't even notice the pain.
She was seething with frustration.
Everything had been planned perfectly. She had made sure to slip the bracelet into Su Jin's handbag herself. So how—how on earth did it end up in her own pocket?
Her mind replayed every detail in a frenzy, searching for an answer.
Then, like a flash of lightning, it struck her—Su Jin had bumped into her when they got off the car.
That moment.
That subtle, seemingly accidental contact…
Could it be… that damned girl planted the bracelet on her during that instant?
Gu Xiangyun's eyes widened in disbelief. Rage churned in her chest like a storm. That little wench had outplayed her. Again.
Her lips curled into a cold sneer.
"Su Jin… just you wait. You think this is over? You've only just started a war you won't survive."