Lila's voice was gentle, but every word landed like a hammer. "If I really wanted to steal it, why would I hide the jade pendant in a bag that you were in charge of? Was I just waiting to get caught?"
Her gaze was sharp, slicing straight through Vanessa's facade.
She was no longer the helpless girl from five years ago.
Lu Zhe's deep black eyes narrowed slightly as they swept across Lila. She stood there calm and composed—nothing like a thief caught red-handed.
His lips pressed into a tight line. A flicker of hesitation crossed his otherwise emotionless, handsome face.
Vanessa panicked. Seeing Lu Zhe waver, she quickly squeezed out a few more tears, her voice trembling, "Lila, I'm your sister. Brother Zhe is your fiancé. We're family! Even if you took it, we wouldn't blame you. So why lie about it?"
Her expression screamed "just confess already", the faux sympathy making Lila want to laugh out loud.
Lila's smile turned icy. "Sister, if you truly think I stole it—then bring out the evidence."
Her tone was cold as steel, her stare like a blade. Vanessa flinched.
"I… We all saw the pendant fall out of your bag. Isn't that proof enough?" Vanessa's voice faltered, her confidence crumbling.
"You saw it fall out?" Lila stepped closer, her voice ringing clear. "What if someone planted it? Does seeing it fall still count as evidence?"
Lu Zhe's eyes flickered again, caught between belief and doubt.
He wanted to trust Vanessa, his childhood friend. But Lila's logic, her poise… they stirred something inside him—uncertainty.
Vanessa clenched her teeth, suddenly realizing that Lila was no longer the naive girl she could control.
She shifted tactics instantly, tears cascading down her face like rain. "Brother Zhe, this is a family matter. I just wanted her to admit her mistake so it wouldn't escalate. But now she's accusing me of framing her… I treated her like a real sister…"
Lila stood aside, watching with cold amusement.
An Oscar-worthy performance. Vanessa could go from righteous fury to pitiful victim in under sixty seconds. What a waste not being on a film set.
Lu Zhe's expression was unreadable, like a still lake hiding its depths.
But Lila knew—deep down, he still sided with Vanessa.
In her previous life, he always stood behind Vanessa. He never said much, but his silence was damning.
No matter what Lila did, no matter how hard she worked, in his eyes, she was never even worthy of standing beside Vanessa.
Pain pierced her chest, but Lila forced herself to stay calm.
"You never go through my bag, but today you made an exception?" Her tone dripped with sarcasm. "And you know I never wear makeup, let alone carry lipstick."
Vanessa froze. Then she sobbed harder. "I forgot, okay?! You're trying to twist everything. Fine! If you think I'm so awful, I'll just leave!"
She turned dramatically, about to flee the room—tears and all.
As expected, a long, slender hand grabbed her arm.
"Enough," Lu Zhe said coldly.
But his frosty gaze fell on Lila. "Fix yourself up. Don't delay the ceremony."
With that, he turned and left with Vanessa in tow, his tall figure radiating indifference.
Lila's composure shattered for a moment. Her eyes reddened.
So it's true. Lu Zhe's heart never belonged to me.
Vanessa was his childhood sweetheart. And Lila? Just a fiancée forced on him by Grandma—nothing more than a pawn. She had been too naive.
Taking a deep breath, Lila's eyes glinted with vengeance.
Vanessa, you wanted to give me a "gift"? Well, I've received it loud and clear.
She steadied herself, straightened her dress, and walked gracefully into the banquet hall.
A wall of soft pink roses. Lavender chandeliers. Bubbles drifting through the air. Plush red carpet. It was like stepping into a fairytale.
On the stage, Lu Zhe stood in a custom tuxedo, godlike and aloof, commanding attention with every glance.
He greeted the guests with polite detachment, his faint smile making the women swoon and the men feel inferior.
But all his stolen glances were reserved for Vanessa, who mingled among the elite with practiced charm. His eyes sparkled with admiration and tenderness.
To Lila, he didn't spare so much as a glance.
Her heart ached, but she forced herself to stay alert.
He never loved you, Lila. It's time to wake up.
In her past life, she was foolish enough to believe love could be earned. She learned piano for him—her fingers bleeding from practice—only for him to call it noise. She learned to cook for him—he had it thrown away. She stayed up all night learning economics just to stand by his side—he laughed at her efforts.
Only later did she learn… the one he truly admired was Vanessa. Vanessa's piano. Vanessa's cooking. Vanessa's "talent."
And she? A joke.
But not this time.
No more begging. No more crawling. This time, she would live for herself—and make those who betrayed her pay dearly.
On the family bench, she spotted familiar faces—beloved friends and relatives long gone—smiling, clapping, blessing her.
Lila's eyes welled up.
Heaven gave me a second chance. I won't waste it. I'll make this life brilliant.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! Tonight, we celebrate the engagement of Miss Lila and Mr. Lu Zhe. Let's welcome the couple with a round of applause!"
Amid thunderous clapping, Lila raised her head, a flawless smile on her lips, and stepped onto the red carpet.
Last time, she walked it full of dreams.
This time, each step was laid with betrayal and blood.
She slowed her pace, arriving at the center of the aisle.
Suddenly, the giant screen descended.
Speakers blasted to life—and a scandalous sound pierced the hall:
"Ahh… yes, right there!"
On screen, a woman wrapped herself around a man, panting seductively.
"Lila, I love you so much," the man cooed, caressing her cheek.
"I love you too… I love you!"
The scene was steamy. The moans unbearable. The guests gasped.
Murmurs and gasps erupted across the crowd. Shock. Intrigue. Judgement.