CHAPTER 272: CHAPTER 272

Compared to the unclear situation between Ye Yuning and Xiao Linye, the Ye Family’s circumstances were even more chaotic.

Ye Tong returned to the Ye Family disheveled, but she received not a hint of concern from Zheng Cai, who didn’t even ask how Ye Tong had sustained her injuries. What greeted her was a barrage of accusations. "You said you were injured, so why didn’t you just stay home and rest instead of going out and causing trouble?" Zheng Cai railed. "Is Master Xiao someone you should be fantasizing about? Do I need to remind you about your relationship with Xiao Shuo? Even if you stood naked in front of Master Xiao, he wouldn’t spare you a glance! You’re not his type at all!"

Zheng Cai was furious. Even though it was her own daughter, she unleashed a harsh tirade. Sending Zheng Siyu to Master Xiao was supposed to be a foolproof plan. Who could have expected Ye Tong to disrupt everything they had prepared? Now that it was ruined, their greatest concern was retaliation from Master Xiao and the Xiao Family.

Zheng Cai’s cutting words left Ye Tong pale-faced. She couldn’t believe her own mother would say such things to her. She had thought her mother always cared about her... And if I’m not Master Xiao’s type, then who is? Is it Zheng Siyu?! If Ye Yuning were still in the Ye Family, would this opportunity have been hers?

Meeting Ye Tong’s innocent yet furious gaze, Zheng Cai grew even angrier. "Do you realize you’ve practically ruined the company? Do you want me to end up destitute with you?"

The thought that Ye Shilong was already pushing for a divorce enraged Zheng Cai further. She regretted not keeping a closer watch on Ye Tong and allowing her to cause such trouble.

Ye Tong’s chest heaved as she managed to choke out, "Is the company and money really that important to you all?" The more she spoke, the less she could bear it, and her voice grew hysterical.

That’s my mother! How could she say such heart-piercing words?

Zheng Cai, already seething, exploded when she heard Ye Tong say this. "You think it’s not important? What are you wearing? What did you eat when you came back? All of that costs money!"

How can money not be important? What utter nonsense is this? Zheng Cai was fuming.

Ye Tong pressed, "So, between money and your daughter, what’s more important to you?"

Zheng Cai was rendered speechless.

The air in the hall grew quiet.

Zheng Siyu, who had been coldly observing from the side, stood up and moved behind Zheng Cai. She said to Ye Tong, "Sister, Auntie is already very angry. Please say a little less!"

"You shut your mouth! Who do you think you are? You’re not even worth as much as the Ye Family’s dog! Was it you who snitched on me last night?" Ye Tong shrieked. Ye Tong had already been provoked to the point of losing her reason by Zheng Cai. Coupled with her ongoing hostility towards Zheng Siyu, Zheng Siyu’s words now drew all of Ye Tong’s rage onto herself.

Zheng Siyu was momentarily struck speechless, then the hand gripping Zheng Cai’s arm tightened.

Zheng Cai snapped, "You shut up! You’re such a disgrace!"

Previously, during the incident involving Xiao Shuo, Zheng Cai had still held some maternal affection for Ye Tong. But seeing Ye Tong act like this now, she only felt that her daughter was being utterly unreasonable. Instantly, any so-called motherly affection was tossed aside. Zheng Cai’s words, "such a disgrace," made Ye Tong abruptly fall silent.

Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Zheng Cai, unable to utter a single word. Since returning, all her bravado had stemmed from Zheng Cai’s support. Now that even Zheng Cai spoke to her like this, what support did she have left?

If this had happened before, Zheng Cai, seeing her in such a pitiful state, might have softened and felt distressed. But today, the mere thought that Ye Shilong hadn’t returned since last night, and hadn’t even called, threw her heart into utter turmoil. If she truly ended up divorcing Ye Shilong, it would all be this Ye Tong’s fault! Thinking of the hard times she would face after a divorce, Zheng Cai became even more irritated. "If I had known you would turn out like this, I never should have brought you back!"

Ye Tong choked, words failing her.

As Ye Tong looked up at Zheng Cai in disappointment, her gaze met Zheng Siyu’s, who was standing behind her mother. She saw a flicker of triumph in Zheng Siyu’s eyes as Zheng Siyu gave her a smug nod.

At that moment, Ye Tong flew into a rage. "So you believe this wretch and not me? Why don’t you consider that it was this wretch herself who, lacking any ability, messed everything up?"

"Sister, what are you talking about?" Zheng Siyu asked, her tone innocent.

Zheng Cai, feeling as if her head would explode from anger, shouted, "You shut up! Shut up!"

She’s still trying to drag Zheng Siyu into this at a time like this! This thought drove the already furious Zheng Cai to slap Ye Tong across the face.

SMACK!

At that moment, Ye Tong felt as if her heart had shattered. Zheng Cai’s palm tingled from the impact; her own heart trembled, and she froze, stunned.

The air grew still.

Ye Tong stared at Zheng Cai in disbelief. She couldn’t believe her mother would hit her for Zheng Siyu! So, the real threat to her in this family had never been Ye Yuning, but... Zheng Siyu?!