Chapter 296: Hurry Up and Pay Up
"Isn't that Lin Chuyue, the Xiao Family Patriarch's fiancée?"
"Yes, that's her. I didn't expect her to come today."
"I heard she's going to be the Lady of the House for the Xiao Family. We'd better not mess with her."
Since this was a gathering of top-tier families, almost everyone in attendance shared a similar social standing.
The Xiao Family was undoubtedly at the pinnacle. If it weren't for their younger members' playful nature, they wouldn't have attended such a gathering, effectively lowering their own status.
Lin Chuyue stood in the banquet hall, her gaze sweeping across the room.
She had already gotten a general sense of the people present. All that was left was to find the right ones to talk to.
Suddenly, a gentle voice sounded from behind her.
"Hello, Miss. I've never seen you before. May I ask which family's daughter you are?"
Lin Chuyue turned to see a tall, handsome, mixed-race man.
She smiled faintly. "My name is Lin Chuyue."
"Lin? I don't think I've heard of that surname in the Imperial City."
Lin Chuyue didn't find it awkward at all. "That's fine. I'm sure everyone will be hearing it soon enough."
Just as the two were chatting, the hostess of the banquet descended from the second floor.
She was a top student, unlike the other second-generation rich kids who just wasted their lives away. She was part of the competent minority, and thus, extremely proud.
Her chin was held high, and she wore a diamond-studded gown, looking just like a noble princess.
The people below all started to greet her.
She smiled and waved in acknowledgment, when she suddenly noticed two people chatting happily in the distance.
'That's... the man I have a crush on!'
'Why is he talking so happily with some woman?'
'Everyone at this banquet knows I like him, so no other woman dares to get close. But here's a clueless one who just had to!'
But in a situation like this, she couldn't lose her composure. Otherwise, she'd become a laughingstock by morning!
The woman took a deep breath, suppressed the flames of jealousy in her heart, and gracefully descended the staircase.
Although she was greeting other people, her eyes remained fixed on Lin Chuyue.
After she had made her rounds, Lin Chuyue was left standing by herself.
Seeing her chance, the woman immediately lifted her skirt and walked over.
She held a wine glass in her hand, and upon reaching Lin Chuyue, she unceremoniously splashed its contents onto her dress!
"Oh, my apologies. I accidentally dirtied your dress."
"But this red really suits you. A shameless woman like you is fit to wear clothes of this color!"
It was only then that Lin Chuyue snapped back to reality. She was being bullied!
She had never seen or met the person in front of her. It was completely baffling!
Lin Chuyue had a temper of her own. Besides, she wasn't just representing the Lin Family now; she was representing the Xiao Family.
She had to stand up for herself, or she would bring shame to the Xiao Family!
The Xiao Family has never had a coward!
Lin Chuyue said coldly, "I don't care if you did it on purpose or not. You dirtied my dress, so you have to compensate me!"
The woman curled her lip and sneered in disdain. "A nobody like you... I don't even have to think to know that dress is either borrowed or was bought for you by a man!"
"So tell me, how much? I'll pay you. After all, I'm a rich young lady. I've got nothing but money!"
Lin Chuyue sneered. "Fine. This dress is three million, five hundred and fifty thousand. Pay up!"
"How much?" the woman exclaimed instinctively.
Her voice attracted the attention of others at the banquet, and everyone finally noticed the situation.
"What's going on? Why is she confronting Lin Chuyue?"
"It seems she dirtied Lin Chuyue's dress and they're discussing compensation."
"If you ask me, that Lin Chuyue really lacks class. I've never seen anyone demand compensation in a situation like this."
If it hadn't been intentional, Lin Chuyue naturally wouldn't have done this.
But since the other party had started trouble, she had to pay the price!
Lin Chuyue repeated, "My dress costs three million, five hundred and fifty thousand."
She rarely attended banquets with the Xiao Family; this was probably only the second time.
So, to show how seriously she took the event, she had chosen a gown that looked simple but was actually very expensive.
Who would have thought it would be ruined the very first time she wore it!
The woman was in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? This style is a decade old, and you're saying it's worth three million, five hundred and fifty thousand? I think you're crazy for money!"
"How dare you try to blackmail me! You're shameless!"
Lin Chuyue explained, "This dress is high-end couture, and all the stones on it are real diamonds. Three million, five hundred and fifty thousand is already letting you off easy."
"If it were put up for sale, this dress would auction for at least five million!"
The woman sneered and looked at the crowd. "Did you all see this? She's demanding over three million for this raggedy dress! Why don't you just rob a bank!"
"You really have no class. What right does a kept woman like you have to wear such an expensive dress?"
"Besides, I've seen every brand there is, and I've never heard of this one. It's probably a knockoff!"
The woman had been studying abroad for years and was only familiar with foreign brands.
She was truly unaware of this newly emerged, handcrafted luxury brand from the Dragon Country.
But just because she was ignorant didn't mean others were.
"That dress is a new piece from the 'G' brand. It's a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted by a master. The price really is over three million."
"That's right, I've seen it too. You'd better pay up quickly!"
"Exactly! You've been abroad for so many years, so it's not surprising you don't know who Lin Chuyue is. If you apologize now, you might still be able to salvage this!"
The woman listened to the surrounding voices in disbelief.
'What?'
'Apologize to this woman?'
'What a joke!'
"Impossible! I've never seen this brand before. Fine, let's say I'm ill-informed, but I have absolutely never seen this woman before!"
"I just learned her surname is Lin. She's not from any prominent family. I will never apologize to a woman who depends on a man!"
"She's not worthy!"
Before she had even finished speaking, a woman shot out from the crowd.
SLAP!
The crisp sound of a slap echoed.
The woman looked up in disbelief to see her mother standing beside her. "Mom, you hit me!"
"Of course I hit you! Apologize to Miss Lin right now! How did I give birth to such a disgraceful daughter!"
After speaking, the middle-aged woman looked fawningly at Lin Chuyue. "Miss Lin, I am so sorry. She has been abroad for many years and doesn't understand the people here."
"Please forgive her ignorance. I'll have her formally apologize, is that alright?"
"Mom, why did you hit me? You actually hit me for an outsider!"
The mother couldn't hold back and slapped her again. "Shut your mouth! And here I always thought you were smart. You idiot!"
"Miss Lin, the woman standing before you, is the future Lady of the House of the Xiao Family! Who do you think you are to speak so brazenly to her!"
'What?'
'The Xiao Family's... Lady of the House?!'