Pressing her lips together, she could only try her best to ignore it, but with the ridiculous model in front of her, the scrutinizing gazes of the reporters, and Yang Ruqin being bombarded with questions, she knew it was time she made her statement.

"Miss Zhao, is the mystery man in the photo an ex-lover, a boy toy, or is he someone you had been seeing before President Yang came into the picture—

"

Zhao Lifei lifted her head and looked at the reporters. They expected to see an infuriated expression, but when they saw the slow smile spread on her face, they were momentarily captured by her.

She looked into the eyes of the camera, her hazel gaze piercing through the lens, sending goosebumps to rise on everyone watching her.

"I do not have any romantic affiliation with the mystery man.

" She enunciated each word perfectly, clear as day. Without waiting for their response, she continued to climb up the stairs.

She brushed past the fuming model, whispering,

"You offended two great households. I hope you're ready for the consequences.

"

Zhao Lifei did not spare the model another glance, nor did she linger long enough for the reporters to see she had threatened the model. Instead, she continued to walk up the stairs, her dress swaying and capturing the light, blinding everyone that looked at her. With the face of a goddess and posture of an Empress, she has effortlessly glidden up the stairs, there was an air of nobility surrounding her. Like an untouchable star lighting up the night sky, the people could not do anything but stare at her, as if they were spellbound.

Yang Ruqin proudly smiled as she watched Zhao Lifei walk up the stairs, unbothered by the people around her. She truly did her gown justice…

Yang Ruqin knew by the end of this banquet, YQR's designs would once again make a wave in the media, and soon, she would have to confront her parents about it. But she kept her hopes high, for she had Zhao Lifei on her side now. With the help of Feifei, Yang Ruqin hoped her best friend would be able to pacify Yang Feng.

- - - - -

Inside the banquet was as loud as the red carpets. Each time a person arrived, there was an announcer to state their name and affiliations. The minute Zhao Lifei's name was revealed, the room went into a hush silence before loud chatter erupted again. She knew she was the center of everyone's attention by then.

There were mixtures of eyes upon her. Some were filled with curiosity, others were filled with disdain, and a few were even filled with envy.

Instead of cowering back upon seeing so many pairs of eyes on her, Zhao Lifei raised her chin and strode into the room, her eyes on high alert. When a waiter walked past her with a glass of champagne, she instinctively grabbed it in hopes of easing her nerves

Her fingers curled around the thin glass stem while she walked into the center of the room, her eyes searching for something, but she didn't know exactly what. She knew the people were expecting her to walk to the corner and hide, but would not give them the satisfaction. She took a sip of the champagne, the sweet carbonated taste lingering on her tongue.

So many familiar faces surrounded her...so many of them filled with contempt for her. She understood their reasoning. Like the rumors, she was once a vile b*tch that people only put up with because they had no other option.

Memories of her horrible past surfaced, the sound of glasses shattering while she threw a tantrum over the latest scandal, the look of horror on women's faces when she unleashed her wrath upon them.

All of it was coming back.

The faces before her morphed from flesh and skin to blank silhouettes whose eyes were gleaming red with mockery and lips abnormally curving upwards like that of a clown's. A chill crept up her spine upon seeing the dark shadows that surrounded them, similar to the ones she saw in her childhood.

She took another sip of the champagne, but instead of easing her anxiety, it ramped it up higher. Suddenly, the grand ballroom felt stuffy. She could not breathe properly. Without looking at where she was walking, she turned around and bumped into someone, the champagne nearly spilling over the other person if it wasn't for their fast reflexes.

"To harm my woman, are you insane?

" There it was. That husky, mellow voice. It was annoyed at her, it always was.

Zheng Tianyi scoffed upon seeing Zhao Lifei. Of course, it was this b*tch. Who else would touch Xia Mengxi so freely when he was present?

"Why are you standing in front of me? Scram.

" He hissed at her, pushing her back while wrapping a protective arm around Xia Mengxi's body.

Zhao Lifei blinked in surprise, her eyes slightly hazy. She finally registered who was standing in front of her.

"You're still here? Are you that desperate for my attention, you have to do it by bumping into Mengxi?

" Zheng Tianyi loudly said, his words capturing the attention of a few onlookers.

Businessmen turned their heads to get a proper look at the pitiful woman foolish enough to offend an enormous powerhouse like Zheng Tianyi. Women batted their long lashes, peering at her with amusement.

"Get lost. Your appalling face is bothering my wife—

"

"Wife? Since when did the honorable Zheng family accept commoners into their bloodline?

" Zhao Lifei mused, tilting her head towards Xia Mengxi who was glowering at her.

"What a despicable woman you are.

" Zheng Tianyi spat out, his nonchalant expression turning cold.

"You've already been tossed to the trash by me, yet you're still clinging onto my leg. Don't you have any morals?

"

Zhao Lifei ran a slender finger over the rim of her glass, her face incredibly calm.

"President Zheng, you should not be talking about morals here.

" She let out a low chuckle, lifting her head from the glass to reveal her calculative eyes.

"What did you just say?

" Zheng Tianyi seethed, releasing Xia Mengxi and taking a threatening step in Zhao Lifei's direction. The people trembled upon facing the great calamity known as Zheng Tianyi's wrath. Everyone knew how ruthless he could be when angered. The beast does not spare mercy.

"What? Did I stutter?

"

Zhao Lifei's words were the breaking point of his patience. He raised a heavy hand, ready to smack the life out of her, but a hand grabbed his wrists, placing pressure on the weakest point of the joint.

Zhao Lifei's eyes flared as she caught Zheng Tianyi's hand.

"What a violent little thing you are.

" She scoffed, digging her fingers deeper into the spot. She was grateful that for once, she did not let her guards down when encountering him. All the time he had tossed her around like a ragdoll, the humiliation from being publicly beaten by him, she would not feel that ever again.

Zheng Tianyi let out a laugh, his body relaxing and without using much of his strength, harshly pushed Zhao Lifei away. He had to admit, her self-defense was on point. She had pressed into a very sensitive area and if it wasn't for the fact that his immunity for pain was quite high, he might've cried out in pain.

Zhao Lifei thought that would be the end of it and she could leave now. With her guards down, she turned her back — ready to walk off — when suddenly a hand grabbed her shoulder. She turned around and in her peripheral vision she saw a hand coming her way, but it was too late for her to dodge. The only thing she could do was squeeze her eyes and brace the pain.

PAK!

The sound rang throughout the room, but what followed after it was a loud silence. The people held their breaths, their eyes going wide at the sight in front of them.