The surrounding guests whispered amongst themselves, their gazes on Jiang Tian shifting as if she were insane. Gu Corporation's banquet was well-guarded, and bodyguards quickly arrived. Jiang Jingxiu unhesitatingly pushed Jiang Tian towards a bodyguard, instructing, "Throw her out, and don't let her back in."
Hearing her uncle not only defending but also siding with the two women who had slandered her made Jiang Tian even more agitated. She roared, "Uncle, how can you treat me like this! I am your real niece, what is that Jiang Mi supposed to be!"
Jiang Jingxiu raised a hand to his temple in exasperation. The bodyguards immediately understood, covering Jiang Tian's mouth to prevent her from shouting further.
Seeing this, Tang Xinran also dared not stay any longer and quickly followed her out.
With the troublemaker gone, Jiang Mi, leaning on Jiang Yan for support, slowly stood up. Jiang Jingxiu asked with concern, "How are you? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Jiang Yan felt a little guilty, as she had just verbally attacked Jiang Jingxiu as well. "I'm not hurt, just fell. It's nothing."
Jiang Mi's expression was rather grim. Fortunately, Jiang Yan had been quick-witted today, driving Jiang Tian and Tang Xinran away with a single move. Otherwise, she shuddered to think what those two would have done to her.
Her initial plan to seduce Jiang Jingxiu today was now completely out of the question.
"Let's go sit over there," Jiang Mi said, supporting Jiang Yan as they walked towards the lounge area.
Jin Lan watched Jiang Yan limping and walked over, grabbing her wrist and pulling her along.
Startled, Jiang Yan exclaimed, "What are you doing?"
Jiang Mi tried to hold onto Jiang Yan, but Jiang Jingxiu stepped forward, directly separating her grip on Jiang Yan and pushing her in another direction.
"Jiang Yan."
Jiang Mi couldn't just abandon Jiang Yan after she had helped her so much.
"They have something to discuss, don't interfere," Jiang Jingxiu said, pushing Jiang Mi towards the lounge area and finding a secluded spot for them to sit.
Jiang Mi felt a knot of nervousness in her stomach but still faced him with composure. After a moment's thought, she said, "Jiang Tian came looking for trouble with me."
"If you hadn't come here, she wouldn't have found you," Jiang Jingxiu replied coldly, picking up his wine glass and draining it in one gulp.
Hearing this, an inexplicable anger flared up in Jiang Mi's chest. She was already fed up with Jiang Tian's insults.
"I am a free person, and wherever I want to go is my choice. You Jiang family has no right to control me! I cut ties with your Jiang family the moment I turned eighteen! Jiang Jingxiu, remember this, it's your Jiang family that owes me, not the other way around!" Jiang Mi's mood soured instantly. If she hadn't exchanged lives with Jiang Tian, how could her health have been so poor that her child, Mianmian, was born weak and sickly?
"Jiang Mi, don't forget you're responsible for a life." Jiang Jingxiu's expression darkened as he looked at her coldly.
Hearing this, Jiang Mi suddenly let out a laugh, but it was a bitter one. Her voice dripped with a resolute tone, "I'm responsible for a life? Why aren't the police arresting me? Jiang Jingxiu, let me tell you today, I, Jiang Mi, have a clear conscience! In the past, I was young and foolish, and I took the blame for a life. But I'm not a little girl anymore! Tang Yaqi's death has nothing to do with me! You and your family will never be able to pin this on me again!"
At the time of the incident, Jiang Mi was only eighteen. She was terrified and felt that Tang Yaqi's car accident was a result of her sleeping with Jiang Jingxiu. Later, when everyone else said the same, she became even more convinced. Out of guilt, she nearly lost her life. It was only when she discovered she was pregnant that she found the courage to live again.