Chapter 77: How to Get Rid of Her?

"It's none other than that despicable woman with the surname Lu."

"What did Lu Yao do to make you so angry?"

Just thinking about Lu Yao being surrounded and praised by Ye Zehong and Ye Yingtang made Qiao Wan'er furious. "Aunt Ye, you saw it too—this shameless woman actually stole the spotlight right in front of me. Uncle Ye seems to like her so much, he completely ignores my existence. Just now in the study, Uncle Ye praised Lu Yao again, called her talented, and even said it would be great if Sister Ye Hua had half her talent..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Hua set down her teacup, her face darkening. "Did Dad really say that?"

Realizing she'd said something she shouldn't have, Qiao Wan'er quickly forced a smile to make amends. "He was probably just being polite."

"But he said it," Ye Hua retorted, shooting a look at Yang Lan.

Yang Lan gently stroked her back in comfort. "Lu Yao is just a nobody. Your father would never compare you to her; she doesn't even qualify."

Qiao Wan'er hurried to chime in, "Exactly, Lu Yao is nothing but a vulgar woman. To be able to step into the Ye estate is a blessing she earned over three lifetimes!"

"Yes, yes, Wan'er always finds the right words," Yang Lan said, busy pouring Ye Hua another cup of hot tea and handing it to her personally.

Ye Hua drank the tea, but her eyes radiated a frosty murderous intent.

Seeing she was still upset, Yang Lan turned to Qiao Wan'er. "Wan'er, I really consider you one of our own, so I'm telling you the truth."

Qiao Wan'er frowned. "Aunt Ye, please speak your mind."

"During dinner tonight, when Lu Yao spilled her wine, I noticed Zehong seemed very nervous," Yang Lan continued, handing Qiao Wan'er another cup of hot tea, stoking the flames. "I suspect Zehong has feelings for Lu Yao—a man's interest. Otherwise, how could someone as aloof as he is be so concerned about a junior lawyer? Normally, wouldn't he not even spare her a glance?"

Qiao Wan'er had entertained that thought at the time, but she'd assumed her instincts were wrong.

Now that Yang Lan had said it aloud, she was more convinced than ever.

She drank her tea in silence.

A few seconds passed, then Ye Hua fanned the flames. "My dear Wan'er, I really worry about you. After all your patience and perseverance, you finally see hope, only to be intercepted by a nobody halfway through. If word gets out, won't outsiders laugh at you?"

The fire inside Qiao Wan'er burned ever hotter, but she insisted, "Impossible. Zehong would never care for a woman like her. She doesn't deserve it!"

Ye Hua and Yang Lan exchanged a glance, raising their brows. "Let me clarify, I'm not trying to stir up trouble between you and my brother. I consider you a true sister, that's why I'm warning you. Think about it—if it were you, would my brother be so anxious and concerned?"

That final rhetorical question stabbed Qiao Wan'er right in the heart.

She remembered how cold Ye Zehong had been to her at the hospital, the pain slicing through her soul.

At a time when she needed him most, he was callous and left with another woman.

Suddenly, she recalled the hair color of the woman sitting in the passenger seat—it was very similar to Lu Yao's.

Her heart sank deep as the sea, her eyes growing cold.

"I think Lu Yao is trying to steal your man. If you don't nip this in the bud soon, you'll be facing endless trouble," Yang Lan said with a sly smile. "After all, your engagement banquet hasn't been held yet—no one can say for sure if there won't be any surprises."

The word "surprises" completely enraged Qiao Wan'er. She dropped her facade of sweetness and showed a vicious expression, asking, "Aunt Ye, how do you think I should get rid of her?"