"This woodcarving's Lila's handiwork," Lu Zhe said, his voice steady. "It's no master's piece, but she poured time into it, even hurt her hand. It's her heart, Mother—stop nitpicking."
Lila's eyes flicked to him, stunned. He's… defending me?
She'd braced for Lu Mom's usual venom if she spoke up, but Lu Zhe stepping in to shield her? Unexpected.
"Handmade?" Grandma's smile faltered, overwhelmed by today's surprises. "Does your hand still hurt, Lila? Oh, you're Grandma's treasure—my perfect granddaughter-in-law!"
Grandma's affection for Lila surged, her eyes glowing with pride.
Vanessa glowered, her face twisting with disdain. "Ji Zi Lan? Probably some roadside weed," she muttered, her voice sour enough to pickle a jar.
Why? She'd gifted a priceless night pearl, yet Grandma barely nodded; Lila's cheap carving got her worshipped? That old bat's blind! Vanessa seethed, thinking, If not for Lu Zhe, I wouldn't grovel for this hag!
Susan yanked her daughter's arm, forcing an awkward smile. "Kids, you know—speaking out of turn. Please, don't mind her."
The Lus, used to such drama, smirked silently, treating it as entertainment.
Lu Mom shot Vanessa a calculating glance. She despised Lila and had half-planned to team up with Vanessa to oust her. Not so fast.
Lila glided to Vanessa's side, her voice low, just for the Qiaos' ears. "Grown woman, and your mom calls you 'clueless'? Hinting you're slow? Also, we're on the same side here—you sabotage me, it's the Qiaos who'll lose face, not me."
Then, with a saccharine smile, she clasped Vanessa's hand, cooing, "Sorry, everyone. My gift can't compare to Vanessa's."
"You—" Vanessa jerked free, fuming. "Don't touch me, Lila! You're disgusting!"
Lila bowed her head, feigning hurt, her voice trembling. "I'm sorry… I don't belong here. I shouldn't have come… I'll leave."
Her "distress" sent Vanessa over the edge. "Stop faking! Fine, I'll show everyone who you really are!"
She whipped out a stack of photos from her bag, flinging them across the floor—snaps from the basketball court incident.
"Lila with another guy?" "Two-timing, huh?" "So the engagement rumors were true…"
Whispers buzzed through the crowd.
Lu Zhe picked up a photo, studying it—Lila, carried by the basketball captain to the infirmary. His brow furrowed, a knot tightening in his chest. She's always so… detached, like nothing fazes her.
He didn't like this new Lila—guarded, untouchable.
"Lila, is it… true?" Grandma asked, tentative.
Before Lila could speak, Vanessa launched into a tearful tirade. "I thought she was decent, but she's cheating on Lu Zhe! I saw it, snapped these, planned to warn her privately. She threatened me to stay quiet! I can't hold back anymore…"
Her sobs were Oscar-worthy, voice quivering.
Lila's lips twitched, nearly applauding Vanessa's dramatics. Scriptwriter vibes—she's wasted outside Hollywood.
But Vanessa had miscalculated. Lila had just won Grandma's heart; no scandal would sway her now. Plus, the photos were baseless.
Lila matched her, eyes glistening, voice breaking. "That day, I hurt my leg, and the captain kindly helped me to the infirmary. Look at these photos—only my upper body. My injury's hidden."
She lifted her skirt, revealing a still-bruised knee, then rolled up her sleeve, showing a raw scratch. "This is from that day."
Vanessa scoffed, defiant. "Who says you didn't fake the fall?"
Lila's smile was icy. "So, you stalked me or planned this trap? A few photos prove I'm 'shady'? You flirt with guys daily—if I snapped you, could I slander you too?"
"Prove you're not cheating, then!" Vanessa shrieked. Susan chimed in, "No proof, just pity-plays? Filthy girl!"
Lila smirked. They're really stirring drama at Grandma's banquet? Fine, let's make the Qiaos the joke.
"Filthy?" Lila fired back, voice sharp. "You're my stepmom, Susan, and you call your foster daughter that? I'm a Qiao by upbringing—your family's reflection!"
Susan clutched her head, livid. "The Qiaos disown you!"
Vanessa, enraged, shoved Lila. Lila, seizing the moment, fell dramatically, her wound tearing open, pain whitening her face.
Lu Zhe, expression unreadable, knelt beside her, silently checking her injury.
"Are you all blind?" Lu Yun erupted from the corner, fed up. He'd stayed quiet, but seeing Lila treated like he always was—scorned, misjudged—snapped him. "My sis-in-law's hurt, and you're bickering? Shouldn't you care about her first?"
He darted to Lila. "You okay, sis? I'll grab a med kit."
Lu Zhe eyed him, a flash of suspicion. Since when are they so close?
He pulled Lila into his arms, her pain forcing her to lean on him. Grandma hurried over, distraught. "My precious girl! You're breaking Grandma's heart!"
Lu Mom, sharp as ever, saw Grandma's bias and regretted siding with Vanessa. She glared at her, voice dripping with scorn. "Jo An, this is your 'clueless' girl? More like a scheming bully."
Vanessa stammered, panicking. "No, I didn't mean—"
Lila, milking the moment, sobbed, "I know I'm not good enough for Lu Zhe. You mock my piano, trash my gift, call my carving garbage… Why frame me like this?"
Tears streamed, her performance heartbreaking.
Lu Zhe, seeing her cry, fumbled for a tissue, wiping her face gently.
"I shouldn't love Lu Zhe, shouldn't be a Lu. I'm not worthy…" Lila whimpered.
"Enough!" Grandma slammed the table, voice thunderous. "Lila's my chosen granddaughter-in-law. No one slanders her!"
Lila, knowing her cue, softened. "Grandma, I'm sorry for ruining your birthday."
Grandma stroked her hair, tender. "Silly girl, you've made me so happy."
She turned, icy, to the Qiaos. "The Lus don't welcome you. Leave."
Vanessa exploded. "Why me? I gave you a fortune's worth—"
Susan yanked her back, Jo An's face ashen. "Enough! You've shamed us enough!" Spoiling her made her reckless.
Vanessa stormed out, shooting Lila a venomous glare. You'll pay, Lila.
Once they left, Grandma's smile returned. "Lila, rest now. I'll save you cake."
Lu Zhe whispered to Grandma, then carefully carried Lila to his room, setting her on the bed. "You played that, didn't you?"
Lila's smile was faint. "Yeah, but I didn't start it—just hit back. Even bunnies bite when cornered. You saw my plan—didn't you see Vanessa's malice?"
Lu Zhe paused, studying her. He'd known Vanessa's stunt was deliberate, wanted to see Lila's counter, and how she'd handle the photos. "Your childhood friend outshines your nobody fiancée, huh? You trust her so much—can't spare some for me?"
She grabbed his tie, voice cold. "Lu Zhe, don't let me down. I'm not a pushover—rein in your little sweetheart."
He smirked, tugging his tie free, pinning her gently to check her wound. "Who taught you that tone? And don't think Grandma's favor means you're set. Win me over—that's the real prize."
His voice softened. "Don't pull stupid stunts like that again, or… I might pity you."
Lila blinked, dazed. Am I dreaming?
Lu Yun burst in with a med kit, catching Lu Zhe over Lila. He coughed, awkward. "Sis, I left the kit at the door. Let… whatever-his-name-is handle it."
Lu Zhe, irked by the jab, grabbed the kit.
"Say that again?" Lila asked, voice soft.
"What, the pity part?" Lu Zhe teased, applying ointment with featherlight care. "Want my sympathy? Keep working, Lila."
She paused, then murmured, "Thanks for speaking up for me today."