Chapter 58: How Much Has She Suffered

Jiang Xiaoxiao and Bo Jinxi immediately drew the attention of everyone present.

All those gathered here were prominent figures of Rong City. There was no one who did not recognize the nickname of the Crown Prince. Especially since he was not merely an ordinary Crown Prince, but the son of the nation's richest man, sole heir to the Bo Group, and a prince of the capital's elite circle.

The capital was far beyond what a small place like Rong City could hope to compare with. Everyone knew that the Crown Prince was in Rong City precisely to personally oversee the Paradise Resort project.

Paradise Resort was not only a venture in the construction industry; it was a coveted prize across various fields. This enormous project, rumored to be worth a trillion, involved countless industries. Even a mere scrap from the Crown Prince's fingertips could propel a family to dizzying heights.

Ordinarily, countless people would go to any lengths, rack their brains, and fight for the chance to meet this Crown Prince. Yet almost all were kept at arm’s length.

Who could have imagined that the true heiress of the Jiang family was so familiar with the Crown Prince?

Many noble young ladies were green with envy and flushed with excitement.

“What’s the relationship between Second Miss Jiang and the Crown Prince? He actually came to attend her birthday banquet!”

“Look at Second Miss Jiang’s shy expression. She might as well have ‘I like you’ written across her face.”

“The Jiang family is truly blessed. If Second Miss Jiang manages to connect with the Crown Prince of the capital, their family will soar to the heavens.”

“I’m not so sure. Attending a birthday banquet doesn’t necessarily mean anything, does it?”

All sorts of voices rippled through the crowd, saturated with boundless envy, jealousy, and resentment.

Many had come with the intention of watching the Jiang family make a fool of themselves; now they found themselves both envious and covetous, all but forgetting what had just transpired.

Those nearby Jiang Jinhui even began to flatter him in hushed tones.

“President Jiang, Second Miss really has connections with the Crown Prince. Soon, you’ll be the father-in-law to the nation’s prince!”

“That’s right, President Jiang. If your family climbs up to the Bo family, don’t forget to look after us old friends.”

“Second Miss is truly impressive, making you proud.”

Jiang Jinhui was flattered to the point of glowing red.

Excited, he walked up to Bo Jinxi.

“I did not know the Crown Prince would grace us with his presence—please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner.”

“Uncle Jiang, just call me Jinxi. No need to stand on ceremony.”

The Crown Prince was so humble, even saying not to be too formal. Wasn’t it rumored that he was rebellious and arrogant, looking down on everything?

Yet standing before Jiang Jinhui, he was polite, just like an ordinary junior.

Of course, this could only mean one thing.

It was all because of Jiang Xiaoxiao.

So, it seemed Second Miss Jiang truly had an unusual relationship with the Crown Prince.

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s heart swelled with excitement. She basked in the envious and jealous gazes around her, as if they were the finest nourishment, inflating her pride.

She even took it upon herself to try to take Bo Jinxi’s arm.

But Bo Jinxi deftly avoided her.

He shot her a cold glance, and Jiang Xiaoxiao instantly retreated, sensing his displeasure.

Perhaps he simply wasn’t accustomed to public displays of affection.

Standing nearby, Jiang Jinhui witnessed this and a hint of suspicion flickered in his heart.

Bo Jinxi suddenly glanced at Jiang Ciyou, his gaze settling on her torn dress.

His eyes grew colder, and the tone he used with Jiang Jinhui became noticeably distant.

Bo Jinxi’s voice was calm and detached: “It seems I just missed a fine spectacle.”

Jiang Jinhui noticed Bo Jinxi looking at Jiang Ciyou and assumed that her current disheveled state must have offended the aristocratic Bo Jinxi.

He barked coldly, “Ungrateful girl! Didn’t you already sever ties with the Jiang family? Why are you still here?”

Jiang Ciyou heard this and began to walk forward.

Yet Bo Jinxi extended his arm to block her path.

He spoke with steady composure, “Uncle Jiang, forgive my meddling, but may I ask what happened here?”

Bo Jinxi had actually arrived earlier today but had run into Xue Qin at the entrance. She had pestered him for quite a while before he managed to shake her off.

Who would have expected that in such a short time, something as dramatic as tearing a skirt and breaking family ties would occur?

Jiang Ciyou’s cat-like languor was not easily disturbed. What kind of grievance had she suffered to act in such a way?

A chilling aura radiated from Bo Jinxi, making those nearby feel as though the air pressure had dropped to a terrifying degree.

Yet every word he spoke was courteous and measured.

Jiang Jinhui could not fathom why Bo Jinxi was suddenly so interested in his family’s private matters.

He had no desire to air this dirty laundry in public; after all, being disowned by an adopted daughter was hardly something to boast about.

Yet Bo Jinxi’s inquiry compelled him.

Jiang Xiaoxiao jumped in to answer.

“Crown Prince, you may not know, but this is my parents’ adopted daughter, Jiang Ciyou. Today, my parents took Sister Xia Ling as their goddaughter. My sister was displeased and, in a fit of anger, pushed pregnant Sister Xia Ling down the stairs.”

“Fortunately, Sister Xia Ling was unharmed and kindly chose not to hold a grudge. Dad only asked my sister to apologize, and that would have been that. But not only did she refuse, she insisted on severing ties with us.”

Jiang Xiaoxiao exaggerated the story.

Jiang Jinhui’s face darkened.

“This is merely a family matter, Crown Prince. I failed to educate my daughter properly—please forgive our embarrassment.”

Bo Jinxi, upon hearing it all, became icy cold.

He had not expected Jiang Ciyou to suffer such humiliation.

With accusations flying and no room to defend herself, Bo Jinxi let out a cold chuckle.

“So that’s how it is. Miss Xia, was it truly Miss Jiang who pushed you?”

Bo Jinxi suddenly turned his gaze to Xia Ling.

Xia Ling and Yan Feng had already walked over, standing just behind Jiang Jinhui.

Under Bo Jinxi’s imposing gaze, Xia Ling felt inexplicably nervous.

She feigned grievance, “I believe Ciyou didn’t mean to.”

Bo Jinxi’s voice remained frigid, “Whether it was intentional or not, you’re saying it was Miss Jiang who pushed you?”

Xia Ling’s heart fluttered with unease. “President Bo, what do you mean by this?”

Bo Jinxi replied, “Are you certain you didn’t lie?”

The word ‘lie’ stuck to Xia Ling like a label.

If anyone else had spoken, it would have been ignored, but the Crown Prince’s every word carried weight.

The crowd began to murmur in suspicion.

Xia Ling hurried to explain, “I did not lie. I was just walking up the stairs, speaking with Ciyou, and perhaps she was in a bad mood, so she pushed me down. Many people saw it happen.”

This was the trap she and Jiang Xiaoxiao had devised in advance.

Jiang Xiaoxiao had assured her that the banquet hall at Cloud Peak Restaurant, reserved for VIPs, had no surveillance cameras—so there could be no loopholes.

Jiang Xiaoxiao chimed in, “I saw it with my own eyes. I was standing nearby and watched my sister deliberately push Sister Xia Ling down the stairs. It wasn’t just me; they all saw it too.”

By ‘they,’ Jiang Xiaoxiao meant her entourage.

Those girls had benefited greatly from Jiang Xiaoxiao, so they naturally echoed her words.

“That’s right, we all saw it.”

Bo Jinxi’s gaze swept over each of their faces, his cold eyes as sharp as daggers.