Chapter 103: That Woman’s Daughter

"Yingtang, I’m sorry. I... I was just too angry... that’s why I..."

As Yang Lan said this, she was quickly searching for the right words in her mind.

Some things, she could not say too plainly.

She tugged at Ye Hua’s hand and shot her a look.

Ye Hua understood at once. She stepped forward, looped her arm through Ye Yingtang’s, and said with a pitiful expression, "Dad, those media people love taking things out of context. How can you believe everything they say?"

Then she turned to Ye Zehong, who looked as though it had nothing to do with him, and complained, "It was all because Second Brother provoked Mom with his words. Otherwise, with Mother’s gentle temperament, how could she possibly have lost her temper in the first place? She is the mistress of the Ye household, of course she knows better than to make a scene in public."

"Did you hurt your mother with your words?" Ye Yingtang’s eyes darkened instantly. He knew Ye Zehong had never liked Yang Lan, had never accepted her from the bottom of his heart. No matter how many times he tried to mediate, it was always to no avail.

Ye Zehong lifted his brows slightly, neither admitting nor denying it. "Blame Yang Lan for being in a bad mood and losing her composure. She was secretly photographed, and the persona she had built collapsed."

"You!" Yang Lan was just about to flare up, but realizing she had failed to control her temper, she immediately put on a gentle expression again and shook her head. "Forget it. This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. There’s no need to decide who was right or wrong. The fact is, I shouldn’t have embarrassed myself in public..."

As she spoke, tears spilled from her eyes.

Ye Hua hurriedly took a tissue and wiped them away for her.

Ye Yingtang looked coldly at Ye Zehong. He said not a single word of reproach, yet both his expression and his gaze carried reproach.

Lu Yao watched Yang Lan’s dazzling performance and was thoroughly impressed.

With a helpless sigh, she took the initiative to break the awkward silence.

"Mr. Ye, should I come back another day?"

Only then did Ye Yingtang notice Lu Yao’s presence. He pushed away Ye Hua’s hand and strode quickly to Lu Yao. The impatience and irritation on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by a kindly smile.

His tone softened considerably. "Lu Yao, I’m afraid you’ve had to witness an embarrassing scene."

Lu Yao looked at Ye Yingtang with sympathy and offered a professional suggestion. "Mr. Ye, should I send a lawyer’s letter to the people who posted it? We can accuse them of defaming Madam Ye’s reputation. Then, if your family takes a new family portrait, wouldn’t that trending topic without any hard evidence become fake news?"

"You really do understand me best." Ye Yingtang beamed, leading Lu Yao toward the door. "Come, I’ll show you your new office space."

Lu Yao glanced back at Ye Zehong once, then followed closely behind Ye Yingtang.

Ye Zehong gave Yang Lan a sidelong glance, the corner of his lips curling slightly.

Yang Lan clutched Ye Hua’s hand tightly, fury churning in her heart.

Ye Hua had not gained anything either, and she was equally displeased.

"Just who is this woman? Why is it that every time she’s around, your father sides with her?" Yang Lan stared into Ye Hua’s eyes. "And our organization still can’t find out who she is?"

Ye Hua sighed helplessly. "If our organization can’t trace her, then it means this woman has a considerable background. And the force behind her is definitely far stronger than ours. Otherwise, how could it be this difficult?"

"It seems we underestimated Lu Yao before. Her reason for getting close to the Ye family definitely isn’t pure. No matter what it takes, we have to find out the truth." The more Yang Lan thought about Lu Yao, the more interested she became, and the more determined she was to uncover Lu Yao’s real identity.

After a moment’s thought, Ye Hua voiced the doubt in her mind. "Do you remember the woman who painted ink-wash paintings back then?"

Yang Lan dismissed it lightly. "I remember. Didn’t she die long ago?"

Ye Hua frowned. "Don’t you think Lu Yao looks a little like that woman’s daughter? Especially her eyes?"