Chapter 3 Who Was The Real Bitch

Lana lowered her head and touched her diamond ring. "Really? I must have misunderstood you. When I saw you hiding in the corner, I thought you were uncomfortable," she said snidely.

The guests surrounding them began to whisper. "That's right. It's her sister wedding and not only was she late, but she was also hiding in a corner and not speaking to anyone..."

"She must be jealous! Her younger sister is getting married before her, after all. She must be feeling left out."

Shirley frowned slightly. She had no intention of getting into a debate with Lana, but it seemed that Lana wouldn't let her be in peace.

"Sister, why aren't you saying anything?" Lana said innocently, "I'm sorry, sister. I didn't mean to embarrass you."

As Lana spoke, she sauntered over to Shirley. With a sweet smile, she continued, "I apologize to you right here, right now. Please, sis, it's my wedding day. Can you forgive me?"

Shirley took a step back warily, but it was too late.

Suddenly Lana shrieked and fell backward!

Baldwin immediately stepped forward and supported Lana by the waist. Lana collapsed weakly in his arms and looked at Shirley in disbelief.

"Sis, I know you like Baldwin and you admire our relationship, but I'm the one he loves and love can't be forced!"

cried Lana, biting her lower lip as her big eyes filled with crocodile tears. Her body trembled slightly and she looked frail and distressed.

"Sis, I know you are so depressed today. I can understand that you just wanted to give vent to your anger. You can treat me however badly you want today, as long as you promise to stay away from Baldwin in the future." Lana had played her cards right. She played the role of damsel in distress perfectly.

Baldwin comforted his wife softly. Then he looked up at Shirley with disappointment and said, "Shirley, Lana is your younger sister! How can you push her like this?"

Shirley felt her heart lurch. She clenched her fists, digging her fingernails into her palms. People began whispering frenetically.

"So the elder sister likes her own brother-in-law."

"She looks so innocent and poised, but she is so vicious. She is trying to break up her younger sister's relationship."

"Yeah, she is just frustrated because she didn't succeed in seducing her brother-in-law!"

A hint of victory flashed across Lana's eyes, but her voice was meek. "Baldwin, don't blame my sister. She acted on impulse because she is so unhappy. I don't blame her," Lana whimpered.

"I saw the whole thing clearly. Miss Shirley didn't even touch you. Why are you accusing her falsely? On the contrary, Mrs. Lana, You are responsible for all this drama!"

Came a deep, magnetic voice from behind.

Shirley spun around in astonishment.

A handsome face came into view. The man's profile was sharp and his facial features were gorgeous. He exuded a natural aura of nobility. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and even though the corners of his mouth were up, there was a dangerous edge to his expression. The tall man, who was standing outside the crowd, cut a dapper figure in his sleek suit. No emotion could be seen in his deep eyes.

The gossip quickly subsided, as if there was some kind of tacit understanding, and the crowd parted to make way for him.

Dan, who was chatting happily with his guests, also rushed over.

He was overjoyed to see the mystery man.

The man was Albert Yuan, the future heir of the YS Group, the largest financial group in A City. He was also the most eligible bachelor in A City. Not to mention his illustrious family, including Howard Yuan, his uncle who was a state-level official.

When Dan extended the invitation to Albert Yuan, never in his wildest dream did he imagine that this prominent personality would grace his daughter's wedding.

Dan was thrilled that Albert Yuan had come.

If the Rui family could forge a partnership with this man, they would live a life of luxury in the years to come.

"Mr. Albert, welcome! We are so honored by your presence," Dan said, trying to suck up to him. He had a stupid grin plastered on his face as he walked up to Albert Yuan to escort him inside.

Albert Yuan smiled politely, but there was no friendliness in his voice. "Mr. Dan," he greeted coldly. Casting a scornful glance at Lana, Albert Yuan then turned to look at Shirley.

He nodded politely to her and said, "Nice to meet you, Miss Shirley!"

Looking at the stranger in front of her, Shirley wondered whether she had ever met him but couldn't recall, although she felt that he looked familiar.

For some reason, she felt that there was some hidden meaning in his eyes.

When Albert Yuan had made the comment on Lana's drama, everyone had burst into laughter. Lana's face had turned red after her trick being disclosed in public. In her anger, she forgot about her victim act. "It was she who pushed me. How can you say that I framed her?"

Baldwin took a deep breath. It was too late to stop Lana. Albert Yuan sneered, "Since Mrs. Lana doesn't remember, we can check the surveillance video to uncover the truth."

Lana was stunned. She knew that Shirley didn't touch her. If they checked the surveillance video in front of everyone, she would be humiliated!

It suddenly dawned on the guests that it was not Shirley who was jealous of her sister. Instead, it was the other way around. Lana wanted to slander Shirley in public!

Albert Yuan's words made Dan's head spin. Dan couldn't lose his temper in front of this important man. He glared at Lana and said, "What is all this, Lana? Apologize to your sister right now!"

Dan didn't understand why Albert was trying to protect Shirley but it didn't matter, because he couldn't afford to offend the Yuan family.

Lana was used to getting her way always, and Dan never gave her a hard time. So now when her father took Shirley's side, she was astounded. "Dad, did I hear you wrong? You want me to apologize to her? Why should I apologize to a woman who has seduced men everywhere?"

Everyone's curiosity was piqued.

Lana's statement not only insulted Shirley but also offended Albert indirectly.

Albert looked at Dan with a mocking smile and commented, "Mr. Dan, you do teach your daughter well."

Dan was so embarrassed his face became hot.

He glared at Lana sullenly and then he turned to Albert, putting on a flattering smile. "Mr. Albert, I'm sorry. This way, please. Let me offer you a drink..."

"No, thanks!" Albert cut in and said coolly, "Mr. Dan, if you have the time, why don't you teach your younger daughter some manners?"

He glanced around the crowd and his eyes rested on Shirley for a moment. Then he averted his gaze quietly. More and more people began to approach Albert. Although he greeted everyone with a polite smile, there was deep darkness in his eyes.

He didn't need to say anything else to Dan. Just a glance was enough to drive home the point that the Rui family had annoyed him.

Beads of sweat rolled down Dan's back, and his weak explanations died on his lips. He watched helplessly as Albert marched out.

"Dad!" yelled Lana, who didn't dare to utter a word while Albert was there. "Even if I was rude just now, you can't ask me to apologize to her in front of so many people," she spat. Shooting a savage look at Shirley, she asked, "Does she deserve it?"

Looking at his daughter, Dan sighed. "You are so spoiled that you don't even know how to speak properly! Do you know who that man was?" he asked in exasperation.

Then Dan turned to Shirley. "Tell me the truth. What's your relationship with Mr. Albert?" he demanded.

That man was Albert Yuan. Why did he take up for Shirley?

Lana said arrogantly, "When Mr. Albert left, he didn't even say goodbye to her. What does she have to do with him? He just felt sorry for her. Dad, don't be fooled by Shirley!"

When Dan thought about the two of them and Shirley's reaction, he became furious. "It's bad enough that you don't add any value to our family business, now you are making trouble everywhere! If you want to be part of the Rui family, you will go on a blind date tomorrow!"

The party ended soon after that on a bitter note. Shirley walked out of the hotel alone, trying to avoid all the intrusive eyes.

She stood by the road, waiting to find a taxi.

Suddenly, a silver Bentley stopped in front of her.

The window rolled down, and a handsome man's face was revealed. His chin was sharp, like a statue.

"Where are you going? Come on, I'll give you a ride," he said.

Shirley looked around subconsciously to see if he was talking to someone else, but found no one standing around her. Shirley thought for a while and refused, "No, that's okay. I can take a taxi." After a pause, she added, "Thank you."

As if Albert didn't hear Shirley, he offered again, "Get in the car."

His authoritative tone made most people cower and obey.

It was no different for Shirley. She hesitated for a moment but finally conceded. She opened the door and got in.

Albert drove silently, showing no inclination to talk to Shirley. The cramped space in the car and the impassive expression on the man beside her made Shirley a little uncomfortable.

She stalled for a long time before speaking carefully, "Thank you...for today."

She was grateful to him for defending her while everyone stood by and watched the show.

Albert didn't respond. He stopped the car at the red light. "Seat belt," he said shortly.

Shirley looked down and realized that she was so nervous that she had forgotten to fasten her seat belt.

She blushed, feeling silly.

A long silence stretched out in the car. The chilly night wind blew in through the car window, making Shirley feel cold. She sneezed.

Without looking at her, Albert closed the window.

A lump formed in her throat.

Few people had shown her such kindness since she was a child. Her so-called family had never cared about her.

Shirley's eyes slowly turned misty. She lowered her head slightly and bit her lower lip to prevent herself from sobbing. Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to allow them to fall.

She was used to withholding pain and grief in her heart. After all, no one would feel sorry for her.

However, her body trembled uncontrollably. Albert gave her a sidelong glance and frowned. "Are you okay?"