CHAPTER 260: CHAPTER 258 THE TRUTH REVEALED

Jiang Qimeng cleared her throat and said to everyone below, "Everyone, please quiet down."

Following her command, everyone fell silent.

The camera flashes flared non-stop, shutters clicking furiously. No media outlet was willing to miss this moment.

Jiang Qimeng felt an inexplicable unease. She turned to glance at Si Junyan standing beside her. They exchanged a look and felt reassured.

She slowly began, "Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve called this press conference today to return the real estate and cash that Mr. Si Yuhuan claimed to have gifted me. I never expected this matter to escalate so dramatically and consume public resources. For that, I sincerely apologize."

Jiang Qimeng’s eyes were resolute as she gazed into the camera lenses, as if, through them, she meant to deliver a proclamation directly to Si Yuhuan.

"The money was given to me willingly, and so were the gifts. Now that things have turned so ugly, you’ve dishonored our decade-plus relationship. But it’s better this way. From now on, we owe nothing to each other. Those words you said, I’ll pretend I’ve never heard them, nor did I ever believe them."

What words had he said? What could she mean?

The audience and netizens watching the live broadcast began to speculate.

"Seeing her heartfelt accusation, I feel there’s definitely something fishy here! It looks like Si Yuhuan provoked her and made promises! After a decade of companionship, Si Yuhuan talks of marriage so casually—I bet those two billion are compensatory damages! To Si Yuhuan, what’s two billion? He’s utterly shameless, toying with a woman’s youth without paying the price!"

"I guess he’s been defeated and is now acting petty. Such a despicable and classless man is utterly disgusting! It’s a good thing he left Haohan Group; otherwise, I would have been the first to boycott everything they produce!"

"Jiang Qimeng is too pitiful. The founding star of internet celebrities, now brought down to this level, all because of him!"

"Forcing a woman to cough up money? Does he think she’s his personal bank, just there to hold his funds? Now that he’s down on his luck, he just expects to take it all back?"

The netizens shouted in unison, "We don’t support returning the two billion to Si Yuhuan!"

Upon seeing the journalists relaying this, Jiang Qimeng waved her hands repeatedly. "I never intended to accept these things in the first place; he insisted on forcing them on me. Now that he wants them back, it’s only right. After all, times have changed. I can understand him going back on his word."

Netizens commented fervently: "Look how classy and magnanimous Jiang Qimeng is! Si Yuhuan, any man who would betray such a woman is destined to be alone for life! Even with two billion, you’ll never make a comeback!"

Jiang Qimeng wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye and said, "I wish everyone well in the future. I’m transferring the money to you now."

Having said that, she pressed the transfer button!

Behind the screen, Si Yuhuan’s phone BEEPED.

He raised an eyebrow, looking at the freshly credited two billion; his expression was inscrutable.

Yan Qing, seething with anger, said, "Boss, Miss Jiang’s words are too harsh! She’s so adept at guiding public opinion to attack someone. How did we not realize before that she was so sharp-tongued?"

"You haven’t realized she’s ruthless and ready to finish me off!"

Si Yuhuan coughed a few times, the movement aggravating the stinging pain from his wound.

Still unwell from his cold, he looked pale.

Yan Qing hurriedly poured him a cup of water and couldn’t help asking, "Are you really going to let her attack you like this without fighting back?"

"If this continues, your reputation will be completely ruined!"

Si Yuhuan spoke unhurriedly, "No rush, someone will act."

Just then, Jian Xi pushed the door open, and Yan Qing quickly turned off the TV.

But Jian Xi still heard the news report.

"Jiang Qimeng seems to hate you deeply. She wants to use the power of public opinion to trample you, paving the way for Si Junyan to crush you and ensure you can never recover. Aren’t you going to do anything?"

Si Yuhuan pointed to the wound on his abdomen. "In this condition, how can I counterattack?"

Jian Xi’s lip curled. "Si Yuhuan! She used those two billion to buy your life!"

"I’m preparing to release evidence that I haven’t touched her all these years. Netizens have discerning eyes; they won’t fail to distinguish right from wrong then."

Jian Xi looked somewhat disappointed. "Is that all?"

Si Yuhuan was weaker than she could have ever imagined.

The man gave a self-deprecating, cold smirk. "There’s so much I want to do, but my capabilities are limited now. Who else can help me?"

"I can!"

Jian Xi stated coldly, "I just fear you won’t be able to bear the consequences!"

Jiang Qimeng was making grand statements, putting on a dramatic performance in front of the cameras, and netizens were on the verge of becoming her diehard fans.

From offstage, Si Junyan praised, "Sister Meng truly belongs on screen. It’s all Jian Xi’s fault; otherwise, she wouldn’t have ended up in this situation. If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll definitely help restore her to her former glory so she can continue the career she loves."

Secretary Li, standing beside him, couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

What career! She just loves money! If she were truly capable, she’d pay the two billion herself instead of relying on Si Junyan to misappropriate company funds! Who knows what kind of major trouble this will cause down the line! I need to find a chance to secure an escape route for myself.

"I just don’t know if Miss Jiang’s grandstanding like this will make those old fogies on the board of directors realize that you took the two billion from the company that was meant for production and operations..."

Si Junyan sent a cold glance her way, and Secretary Li quickly shut her mouth.

"Young Master Si, I misspoke. Please don’t be angry. I was only thinking of you. Miss Jiang really didn’t consider your position when she acted," Secretary Li said with a nod, whimpering softly.

Si Junyan was annoyed by her crying.

He knew that all too well! But only when Jiang Qimeng was happy did he feel that anything he did was meaningful. However, Sister Meng’s current actions seemed increasingly alien to him; she wasn’t this kind of person before.

"Get out, you’re not needed here!"

Si Junyan had barely finished speaking when a round of applause erupted from the audience.

Jiang Qimeng announced she was cutting all ties with Si Yuhuan, a sentiment that resonated with everyone present.

The moment he had eagerly anticipated had finally arrived; Si Junyan was so excited his hands trembled.

She’s finally willing to make a clean break with Si Yuhuan! The time I’ve spent by her side these past few days hasn’t been in vain after all!

Seeing this, Secretary Li turned away in annoyance.

A sycophant who fawns till the very end is doomed to get nothing!

Suddenly, a deluge of damaging information about Jiang Qimeng flooded the internet. There was evidence of her plotting to harm Old Master Si, proof of her repeatedly acting two-faced while scheming against Jian Xi, details of her bribing staff at the Si Family Old Residence to sow discord in Jian Xi and Si Yuhuan’s marriage, and even evidence of several attempted murders—the list of her crimes was too extensive to fully recount.

The netizens who had just moments before been reviling Si Yuhuan were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out.

The damning exposé not only listed evidence but also publicly detailed every wicked act Jiang Qimeng had ever committed.

Jiang Qimeng saw this and screamed, teetering on the verge of madness, "Bastards! Who is secretly trying to destroy me? Shut down all these comments immediately!"