Chapter 245

Chapter 245

Aubrey had made a point of sending invitations to both Yanny and Ethan. Staring at the card, Yanny's brow furrowed.

"They're definitely up to no good. Do you want to go?"

Ethan's expression barely shifted.

"Right now, they're solidifying their position. If we don't show up after receiving this invitation, people will definitely gossip—which is exactly what they want. I have to go."

Ethan looked at Yanny with concern.

"Yanny, maybe I should go alone. I'll tell them Skyline Health needed you."

Yanny knew he wanted to shield her from this. But she'd faced these troublemakers completely alone before and survived. Now, with Ethan firmly in her corner, what did she have to fear?

"Didn't we say we'd face everything together? Besides, if I don't show up, they'll get suspicious, and everything we've worked for will be wasted."

Seeing her resolve, warmth flickered through Ethan's chest.

"Okay. We'll go together."

After a quick freshen-up, Ethan and Yanny arrived at the engagement party. The venue buzzed with noise. Delbert and Olivia stood arm-in-arm, smugness written all over their faces.

Spotting them, Olivia let out a cold snort.

"Dad, look who's here. If it isn't Mr. Smith himself."

Ethan paid no mind to her tone, merely giving Oscar Loomis a curt nod.

In this sphere, power had reigned supreme, and the rush to undermine anyone who lost their standing could not have been more evident.

Oscar glanced at Olivia, then plastered on a smile.

"Mr. Smith, my daughter can be a bit thoughtless. I hope you'll forgive her."

His gaze shifted to Yanny, the smile never reaching his eyes.

"I'd heard about your unrequited love before. Seeing her today, I finally understand why you refused to marry my daughter all along."

The mockery in his voice was barely concealed.

"Mr. Loomis, you're joking. I made things clear with your daughter long ago. I'm afraid Ms. Loomis misunderstood."

Olivia scoffed.

"Mr. Smith, there's no need to rehash the past. I'm engaged to Delbert now. You two had better come to the wedding."

After that tense exchange, the two retreated to a corner.

Watching the new project director surrounded by fawning sycophants, Yanny felt a sudden prickle of unease. She turned to Ethan.

"I remember that director came over to talk to you earlier. Everyone else is ignoring you, but he's still openly dealing with you. Don't tell me there's nothing fishy going on."

Ethan's thumb traced slow circles on her wrist.

"The cruelest way to destroy someone is to let them climb to the top—then watch them fall hard. Isn't it?"

Yanny immediately grasped his meaning, staring at him in surprise.

"Ethan, you're such a schemer. And here I thought you were just being patient."

So it simply wasn't time to settle the score yet.

Ethan frowned slightly at her words.

"Yanny, I'm not that old."

Yanny burst out laughing. She hadn't expected that to be his takeaway.

"I meant it as a compliment—that you're smart."

Only then did Ethan's lips curve into the faintest smile.

"Thank you."

Meanwhile, Bianca was stuck in the rehabilitation center day after day. Though she had caretakers, nothing compared to the comfort of home.

Worse, she had zero freedom at the facility. Every day felt suffocatingly dull.

Having grown up pampered and privileged, she'd never experienced hardship.

Even when the Smith family elders visited, she never learned to hold her tongue.

Seeing a crowd gathered around Cleo, Bianca spoke sharply.

"What are you all doing crowding around? Doesn't my mother need rest?"

Several people shot her irritated looks, clearly displeased by her attitude.

"Bianca, just because you're stuck here at the rehab center with Cleo doesn't mean you get to act superior. You're not the one being treated, so quit acting like you're still the glamorous Bianca of the past."

Hearing their sarcasm, Bianca's frown deepened. She fired back without hesitation.

"Are you all idiots? I simply asked you not to disturb my mother, and you twist my words. Anyone listening would think you can't understand basic English."

Bianca rolled her eyes without a trace of courtesy.

"Why are you spouting all this jealous nonsense? People might think you've got nothing better to do than fish for attention."

With that, she shoved through the crowd, helped Cleo sit up in bed, and handed her a cup of hot water.

Watching her brazen attitude, one of them finally snapped.

"What exactly are you being so arrogant about? Do you even understand the situation? Your son doesn't have control of the company anymore. You two are stuck in this rehab center with nowhere to go. Don't you understand what it means to be living under someone else's roof?"

Bianca's expression darkened. Fury surged through her, and she couldn't hold back.

"If you can't use that foul mouth of yours properly, maybe you should just sew it shut. You really think your family's acting CEO position is such a big deal? You talk about others looking down on people, but you're the worst offenders—standing here daydreaming. The Smith Group will never have anything to do with you!"

Bianca trembled with rage. Just as she was about to say more, Cleo grabbed her arm and shook her head.

Bianca forcibly swallowed her anger and let out a cold snort before falling silent.

The others hadn't expected Bianca to still be this fierce even now.

"Psycho!"

With that parting shot, they turned and left. The hospital room finally fell quiet.

Cleo spoke softly.

"Why bother arguing with them? They just came to see me humiliated. Was it worth making enemies for my sake?"

Bianca looked at her with displeasure.

"Mom, what are you talking about? We're family. No matter what, they can't treat you this way. Besides, standing up for you is the right thing to do."

Cleo coughed twice.

"I know you mean well, but if this happens again, we should just let it go. Right now, those two are out there probably worried sick. For the sake of the bigger picture, try not to clash with them anymore. We can settle these scores later."

Though still angry, Bianca had to admit Cleo had a point.

"Mom, I understand."

Recently, Ethan's compliant behavior had satisfied Aubrey. When the two sat down together, Ethan seized the opportunity.

"Uncle Aubrey, I'd like to see Grandma. She's not well, and I'm sure she's worried about us."

The smile froze on Aubrey's face. Though Ethan seemed obedient now, Aubrey remained cautious. Cleo was cunning—what if the two of them were plotting something together?