As people shuffled out of the courthouse, the former lovers turned enemies had another face-off. Camera flashes and the reporters’ shouted questions rained down at them like lightning and thunder. Both groups were protected by their own respective teams of bodyguards, holding the reporters and curious passersby at bay.
Jiang Ying Yue’s team of bodyguards were especially impressive as they were her own colleagues working under Jin Liwei as part of Dragon Palace Home #10’s security. Iris and Jin Liwei increased the number of bodyguards protecting her during the court sessions because there had been instances when she was almost assaulted by angry civilians who believed the cheating allegations against her and Lin Yehan, condemning her as an immoral slut who was unfit to be a mother.
The new evidence against Long Hui changed this to some degree and her image somewhat improved. However, there still remained some people who were unsympathetic and unswayed by the new evidence, continuing to condemn her due to the cheating allegations. The new evidence only showed that Long Hui wasn’t suitable to raise their son because of the proof that he would become rough and violent in front of the child when angered. It did nothing to prove that the cheating allegations were false. No matter how many times Jiang Ying Yue swore that she didn’t cheat on Long Hui, the fact of the matter was that she had no evidence to prove it, while Long Hui had the photos and video as evidence to show that she cheated on him. To the more critical members of the general public, this was enough for them to condemn Jiang Ying Yue.
Despite the attack on her image and reputation, Jiang Ying Yue only stood straighter, held her head up high, and looked straight ahead. She didn’t break down anymore for the rest of the court sessions, except for the first day and when the new evidence was shown in court where her son’s heart-wrenching cries were played for everyone to hear. A sense of strength that had nothing to do with her muscular physique began emitting from her. It wasn’t too distinct yet, unlike Iris’ natural “I’m the queen” aura which could be overwhelming to others sometimes, but Long Hui immediately noticed the change in Jiang Ying Yue because they were former lovers.
He didn’t like it at all, preferring the previous timid Jiang Ying Yue who looked at him with her innocent eyes filled with love for him. Even when she left him after becoming pregnant back then, he could still see the love for him shining in her eyes. It was why he always had the confidence of winning her back and gradually persuading her to follow him to the Long clan and live happily ever after together with their son.
Wasn’t their love story like in the fairy tales? She was the poor maiden who made the handsome prince fall in love with her. He was, of course, the prince who swept off her feet.They were supposed to have a happy ending after overcoming various obstacles but because of the great villain—a.k.a. his half-sister, Xiulan—the poor maiden was corrupted and their love story ended up becoming a tragedy instead.
[This novel is a contracted work with W e b n o v e l . c o m (remove spaces). If you’re not reading this chapter on W e b n o v e l, it has been stolen. It’s very discouraging to see thieves profitting from my hard work. Please read this novel on W e b n o v e l. Thank you! -Arria]
Ignoring the questions being thrown by the reporters around him, Long Hui spoke to Jiang Ying Yue in a mocking tone. “Are you happy now that you won?”
Jiang Ying Yue didn’t back down this time. Her tone was cold. “All you think about is winning and losing. I don’t view anything concerning our son as black and white like you do. My number one priority will always be Little Jun, not about winning or losing. If I could give my son a happy, safe and fruitful life, I don’t care if I ‘lose’ again and again. Unfortunately, you can’t give that happy, safe and fruitful life to our son because you’re a typical Long who only thinks about protecting your high pride. You’re crazy if you think I’ll allow you to take Little Jun to the Long clan where he’ll only be bullied for the rest of his life. I didn’t give birth to my son just so he’ll suffer.”
“I’ll protect him,” he hissed.
“You!”
Atty. Hong Shaoqiang stepped in front of Jiang Ying Yue and blocked Long Hui, while Atty. Kang Huizhong and His Excellency Deng Gui pulled her away. Their group’s security team was very tight and professional because the reporters were unable to get a clear view of Jiang Ying Yue and Long Hui’s current confrontation. Her group then started to leave.
Long Hui was angered by her attitude. He wanted to follow her but his own lawyers pulled him back, so all he could do was raise his voice and continue taunting her.
“I don’t have the ability to protect my son, you say? You mean that you do?”
She stopped and turned to face him again. “Yes.”
He sneered. “Who gave you that kind of confidence? Ah, right. Xiulan. And that s—mother of hers.” He was about to say “slut” but stopped himself in time because of the reporters’ presence.
She didn’t respond immediately but just continued looking at him instead. Her voice was soft when she finally replied, but he still heard her loud and clear. “Yes, Xiulan and the viscountess taught me to be confident of myself and I’m thankful to them. I’m still a work in progress but I intend to be a stronger woman in order to be a better mother to our son.”
He snorted in derision. “You think that you’re untouchable now just because you have Xiulan backing you? Do you really believe that she’ll always be there to protect you? Hah! Don’t delude yourself! She’s only doing this to spite me and to damage my position in the clan. She’s only using you and my son to hurt me!”
“I pity you, Long Hui,” she replied after a long pause. Then she turned on her heels and left with her team of formidable lawyers and impressive bodyguards.
