High society is the most hypocritical place where even sworn enemies, seething with hatred in their hearts, will pretend to be friendly and warm at banquets, taking photos arm in arm as if they were longstanding buddies.

After all, one must consider one’s face and maintain a semblance of grace.

Yet Ye Lu’s provocative words, laced with sarcasm as if keen to stir conflict, truly made things awkward, instantly stiffening the atmosphere, leaving guests with surprised and sheepish expressions.

In the eye of the storm, Ye Lu herself showed no sign of embarrassment or discomfort; instead, she observed Su Feiman with a mocking smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

"Godfather, am I wrong?"

Su Feiman’s face remained expressionless, and he did not speak.

But his eyes, sharp and hiding a gleam, bore into Ye Lu, as if those piercing eyes sought to penetrate her heart and see through her thoughts.

"Ye Lu, you’re being incredibly rude," Yiren scolded angrily, lecturing her from a position of superiority, "Mr. Su is an elder and our guest. Your lack of manners is an embarrassment to the Hua family. Do you even understand what breeding is?"

But Ye Lu did not look at her, instead keeping her gaze firmly on Su Feiman.

"After all, you didn’t come here because I’m the wife of your godson. Since you and I have mutual enmity, why bother with insincere acts of harmony?"

"You really have the nerve to speak such blunt and unreserved words to me, Su Feiman," he said with a forced smile, surface calm but with a glint of coldness flickering deep within his sunken eyes.

What a gutsy girl to challenge him so publicly without reservation.

Indeed, he hadn’t expected her to confront him openly, nor had he anticipated her to show fear upon seeing him. Her unexpected performance piqued his interest even further. Too weak and timid, and people would find her boring and look down upon her.

But she, she was stronger than he had imagined, bold enough to provoke him and play at resistance. She was truly the woman chosen by the king, with a will stronger than that of ordinary women, and more spine too.

He was curious to see where her courage and strength came from, and what she was planning to do.

Regrettably, no matter how formidable or brave she was, he would never consider her a worthy rival; after all, she was still too weak, her social experience and strategic mind insufficient to be his opponent.

Ye Lu spoke indifferently, "Because I’m not afraid of you. I’ve always been straightforward; I say what I think. Godfather, you’re generous, so if I say something wrong later, I hope you won’t mind. But from your look, it seems you don’t take me seriously anyway."

"Hmph, of course, I wouldn’t stoop to concern myself with such trivial matters with the younger generation," Su Feiman dismissed casually.

Ye Lu smiled faintly.

"That’s good to hear. Since that’s the case, I’ll just speak my mind directly. If I offend you, I trust that you, Godfather, with your broad-mindedness, will not take it to heart."

Ye Lu first flattered him, then paused, her gaze sparkling as if alight with a strange luminance, cunning waves flowing in her eyes like gentle breezes and white clouds.

The subtlety in her tone made everyone present feel that the upcoming statement would be out of the ordinary, silently wondering at what astonishing words she would speak next.

Su Feiman didn’t flicker an eyebrow, not believing she could say anything that would shake him or shock him.

"I’ve heard that the Godfather wants... to kill me."

Her voice was calm and mocking, but the words that left Ye Lu’s mouth exploded through the banquet like thunder, rendering everyone utterly speechless.