Guided into the villa by the crew members, Jiayi saw outside the room temporarily set up as the director’s office that several people had already taken their seats.

They must all be representatives from clothing companies here to bid for the contract today.

Their presence was not to be underestimated—with many bringing assistants along.

It was as if high-level executives of the companies had personally come to negotiate the deal.

This indicated that clothing companies in Yunling truly valued the opportunity to collaborate with the Island Wuhun Crew.

She felt a bit nervous, took a seat, glanced at the sample garments bag in hand, and tried to muster up confidence.

Just having sat down, she heard a familiar female voice drifting over: "Oh, Xiaoyi?"

The tone was somewhat surprised, yet carried a tinge of arrogance.

Jiayi looked in the direction of the voice.

It was Su Yan.

Oh right, Yundu had long been acquired by Huo Zhenyang, and was also one of the Huo Group’s industries.

Yundu was the largest clothing company across Yunling, and of course, they would be eager to cooperate with an international film crew.

It’s just that she did not expect Su Yan, the Huo Family wife, to personally attend today.

However, she certainly did not come alone, flanked by assistants and secretaries.

One assistant was holding samples of clothing, another secretary was clutching design drafts.

And there she was, the Huo Family wife, leisurely stirring her cup of coffee, oozing confidence in securing the business deal without the slightest worry about losing the bid.

Jiayi maintained her composure, and forced a polite tone: "Mrs. Huo."

Su Yan stirred her coffee a bit and said with a smile, "I didn’t expect you to come. Your bridal boutique, I thought it was just about the wedding dresses, turns out you also do gowns and tailored clothing."

Naturally, Jiayi could detect the disdain in Su Yan’s voice, definitely thinking how could a mere bridal shop compare with a big company like Yundu.

Jiayi curved her lips slightly, unabashedly proud: "I was invited by the crew."

Su Yan’s smile faltered but then she smiled again: "Why come alone? Even if it’s a small shop, you’re still the owner. You should be able to afford assistants and secretaries, right? The film crew’s shooting location is quite remote, across the sea, not easy to find. Surely you didn’t carry the clothes alone and drive here by yourself, did you? If I had known, you could have called me. After all, we were once family. I would have certainly arranged for some people to come with you in advance."

As she spoke, she raised her delicate hand and commanded her secretary: "Shelly, bring Ms. Chu a bottle of mineral water. I bet Ms. Chu is utterly exhausted."

"No need, Mrs. Huo. I’m here to discuss cooperation with the crew, not to flaunt the airs of a wealthy lady or to drink coffee."

She’s been a wealthy Huo wife for just a few days and it seems she can’t wait to announce to the whole world her status as a lady of leisure, not even finding it laughable.

Unknown to her, while others superficially respect her with the title "Mrs. Huo," they only know her as a woman who married an old man from a wealthy family for money.

For the sake of money, marrying an old man paralyzed by a stroke, if she were Su Yan, she would enjoy her fortune quietly.

To come out and flaunt her sense of superiority everywhere, isn’t she afraid of being laughed at behind her back?

Jiayi’s voice rose a few decibels, drawing the attention of the other clothing merchants around to Su Yan.

Su Yan clenched her fists in secret.

She had climbed high above, her status surpassing hers.

And what about her? She was just a woman who had been proposed divorce and discarded by her husband. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

But in her mind, perhaps she was still that pitiable orphan from years ago who needed scholarships, was discriminated by classmates, and needed her help all the time?

What gives her the right to mock her?

Su Yan’s anger rippled through her heart like waves.

Mocking her? Make sure not to cry when the time comes!

Su Yan’s gaze fell on the sample garment in Jiayi’s hand, scoffed coldly, and gave a gesture.

The assistant lowered her head, listened to a few whispered words from the lady, nodded immediately, and left.

The assistant walked to the photography studio outside the villa and saw several crew members holding paint, busy painting the background boards.

She pulled aside a stagehand and secretly stuffed a stack of not-so-thin banknotes to him, whispering a few words.

The stagehand glanced at the money, his eyes sparkled with joy, and without hesitation, he agreed.

*

Inside the villa.

Jiayi was called out alone by a stagehand for a few minutes, supposedly to discuss something about costumes.

After going out, the stagehand said a few words perfunctorily and sent Jiayi on her way.

Jiayi felt suspicious, quickening her pace as she headed back to the villa, a sense of foreboding growing within her.

As expected, when she returned to her spot, the sample garments hanging there seemed to have been tampered with.

Her heart lurched as she dug a few sample garments out of her bag, only to find they had been doused with paint!

The red and green paint had made a complete mess of the sample garments, obscuring their original designs!

Her face changed color, and she instinctively looked over at Su Yan nearby.

Who else could it be but Su Yan?

She grabbed the sample garments and quickly approached Su Yan, her eyes burning with anger: "You did this."

Su Yan lazily stirred her coffee, looking up: "What are you talking about?"

Jiayi slammed the garments onto Su Yan: "Using such despicable means to defeat your competitors, is this the corporate strategy of big companies?"

Worried about the paint getting on her expensive clothes, Su Yan stood up disdainfully:

"Are you insane? Which eye of yours saw me do it? Maybe you rubbed against the paint yourself when entering the set and didn’t realize—"

"How could I accidentally rub against so much paint!"

Su Yan scoffed: "How would I know? Blaming us for everything, if you dare to keep slandering, I will preserve the right to sue you for defamation!"

Jiayi was practically certain it was Su Yan who had bribed the crew members to call her away and then ruined the sample garments with paint,

She looked around at the other costume merchants participating in the bidding, holding back her temper: "Excuse me, did anyone see someone coming near my seat just now?"

If Su Yan or her secretary had been near her seat, people around would have noticed.

But why would the other merchants unnecessarily offend Madam Huo of Huo Group?

One is Mrs. Huo who controls the Huo Group’s business in China.

The other is a former prominent Madam, on the verge of divorce, minding a little shop.

Everyone knew which was not to be offended.

Not a word from any of them.

Jiayi’s words went unnoticed, like stones thrown into the water, sinking without a trace.

Su Yan started to gloat: "Well? Where’s the evidence? Did anyone see it?"

Jiayi clenched her fists.

Su Yan stepped closer, a pair of seven-centimeter heels making her a few centimeters taller than Jiayi. She looked down at Jiayi with disdain, her words dripping with sarcasm:

"Given that you were once the Madam of Huo Family, and now you’re so pitiful, I’ll let this go today. But if you dare slander me again, I certainly won’t hold back."

Leaning in close to Jiayi’s ear, she taunted softly: "Do you still think you have a husband to stand up for you? Can’t you see what you are now? No one will help you anymore! If I were you, I’d just scram, still dreaming of competing with others!"