Jiang Mengxin sized up Lu Ming from head to toe, saying, "Hmm, you're dressed acceptably today, you won't embarrass me."
She casually glanced at the Patek Philippe on Lu Ming's wrist, thinking to herself, This watch alone must be worth over a million. I only put 160,000 in his bank card in total, where did he get the money to buy it? It must be rented!
Little did she know, such watches were piled high in Lu Ming's private vault, not worth mentioning at all.
Just then, a charming woman walked over.
"Oh, Mengxin, you're here too?"
Jiang Mengxin turned to see who was speaking and found it was her 'good best friend' Yuan Keying.
The moment she saw Yuan Keying, Jiang Mengxin felt a surge of anger.
She remembered the last time the Jiang family faced difficulties and was short on money. Jiang Mengxin had asked Yuan Keying for a loan, but Yuan Keying had actually told her to strip dance at a bar!
If Lu Ming hadn't intervened in time, Jiang Mengxin feared she would have been ruined.
Jiang Mengxin sneered and retorted, "Since the inception of this banquet, our Jiang family has always been on the invitation list! It's your Yuan family that has only been invited in the last few years."
Yuan Keying chuckled and said, "People can't live in the past forever. When Old Master Jiang was around, the Jiang family was incredibly strong. But now, with the Old Master gone, who is supporting the Jiang family? Is it you, a woman, or your good-for-nothing husband who guards graves?"
Jiang Mengxin was rendered speechless by the retort.
Indeed.
After the loss of Jiang Dingbian, the Jiang family's influence declined day by day. If this continued, they would eventually be removed from the invitation list.
Jiang Mengxin felt her own capabilities were insufficient to support the Jiang family.
As for Lu Ming...
Heh, relying on him was no better than relying on a dog or a pig!
Yuan Keying deliberately flaunted a huge diamond ring on her finger in front of Jiang Mengxin, taunting, "See? This diamond ring was crafted by a top international designer and has a dreamy name – 'Eternal Heart.' Look at the diamond ring you're wearing, it's not even as big as a grain of rice. Aren't you ashamed to wear it out? Mengxin, compared to me now, you are utterly dim!"
Jiang Mengxin was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear.
This was the nature of high society.
Whoever had money, power, and influence could stand tall, while everyone else had to look up to them.
The current Jiang Mengxin was indeed no match for Yuan Keying.
Jiang Mengxin lowered her head slightly, no longer arguing, wishing only to walk away quietly, as far from this woman as possible.
But fate intervened.
Lu Ming let out a chuckle.
Yuan Keying glared at him, "You grave-guarding good-for-nothing, what are you laughing at?"
Lu Ming shrugged, "I'm laughing at your ignorance. Although Mengxin's diamond ring is small, it's made of genuine diamond. Yours, though big and bright, is actually just a piece of glass. You're wearing a fake and shamelessly mocking our genuine one? Tell me, should I not laugh?"
What?
Yuan Keying's eyes widened as she stared at the diamond ring in her hand.
The people around them also looked over curiously.
A moment later.
Yuan Keying sneered, "You grave-guarding good-for-nothing, you really know how to spout nonsense. I spent a fortune at an international auction to get this ring, how could it be fake? You're clearly just jealous!"
Lu Ming chuckled, "To be deceived and not even know it, you truly are a pig's brain."
"You!!!" Yuan Keying was furious.
"Fine, you say my ring is fake, do you? I'll find someone to verify it and show you if it's fake!" Yuan Keying immediately pulled over a senior diamond industry designer.
Yuan Keying said, "This is Mr. Peter, a renowned diamond designer. I'll have him appraise this 'Eternal Heart' of mine and see if it's fake!"
With that, she took off the ring and handed it to Peter for appraisal.
Curious onlookers gathered around.
Jiang Mengxin was the most nervous. If the appraisal confirmed it was real, it would solidify Lu Ming's envy and jealousy, and the Jiang family would be further humiliated!
Moreover, what kind of identity did Yuan Keying have that she would wear a fake ring?
Therefore, the appraisal result being real was a foregone conclusion.
Jiang Mengxin shot an angry look at Lu Ming, completely displeased. She had repeatedly warned him before they came to speak less and cause less trouble, yet trouble had still arisen.
She thought to herself, this grave-guarding good-for-nothing, he only causes me trouble!
Lu Ming, however, remained unfazed.
With his hands in his pockets, he appeared calm and composed, as if everything was under his control.
Soon, the appraisal results were out.
Peter coughed and said awkwardly, "Miss Yuan, I'm very sorry, but your ring is not made of diamond."
"What?"
Yuan Keying's face instantly changed.
She demanded, "If it's not diamond, what is it?"
Peter scratched his head and said in a low voice, "It's... it's... it's a piece of glass."
Pfft!!!
Instantly, a wave of laughter erupted.
"No way, the esteemed daughter of the Yuan family is actually wearing a piece of glass?"
"Sigh, if you have no money, just admit it, why pretend to be a big shot? Wearing glass as a diamond, she really thought of something."
"She's completely shamed the Yuan family."
Yuan Keying's face turned green, then white, then red. She was so ashamed she wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
She picked up the ring and threw it fiercely onto the ground.
"Die, die, all of you die!"
Yuan Keying cursed and turned to leave, too ashamed to show off in front of Jiang Mengxin anymore. Her previous arrogance had completely vanished.
It wasn't until Yuan Keying left that Jiang Mengxin snapped back to reality.
"It really was fake," Jiang Mengxin said incredulously, looking at the broken pieces of glass on the ground. She then looked at Lu Ming and exclaimed in surprise, "I never expected you to have expertise in diamond appraisal."
Lu Ming chuckled.
What expertise did he have?
It was just that the real 'Eternal Heart' was already locked away in Lu Ming's vault, so how could Yuan Keying be wearing the genuine one?
Lu Ming's confidence stemmed from his immense wealth!
Suddenly.
The lights in the entire venue dimmed.
Xu Jun walked to the center of the stage and said into the microphone, "Thank you to all the distinguished families for gracing us with your presence at the Goldenling Star Gala hosted by my father. I hope everyone has a delightful time eating and enjoying themselves tonight."
After his speech, elegant and romantic music filled the air.
Numerous men and women converged on the dance floor, showcasing their graceful dance moves.
This was a traditional segment of the annual event.
When young men and women from various families took a liking to each other, they would invite them for a dance. Many family alliances were forged under such circumstances.
Every year, Jiang Mengxin was the most sought-after.
Because the Jiang family was powerful and Jiang Mengxin was beautiful, but she looked down on everyone and never accepted anyone's invitation.
This year was even more special.
Everyone knew Jiang Mengxin was engaged to Lu Ming. As a married woman, she shouldn't be invited for a dance.
But then.
A familiar figure emerged from the shadows – it was Cheng Hai!
He approached Jiang Mengxin with a sinister smile, beginning to execute the task given to him by the scarred man. The plan to bring down the Jiang family had officially begun!