C18 The Princess Meng Lin(2)

Su Fei nodded in agreement.

For the first time, their hands clasped together with a firm, supportive grip.

Watching the security guards close in on Su Fei, Qin Ying couldn't contain his laughter. "Su Fei, you burst in here with such ferocity. What's happened now? Why are you suddenly too scared to utter a single word?"

"I've always said you're nothing but trash, and now you're just trash with a bit more muscle! The world is ruled by a select few elites. As for the likes of you, you belong in the garbage heap!"

"Some people are way out of your league, trash. Anyone who dares to cross me or mess with my affairs will regret it! Soon, you'll understand what it means to neither live nor die!"

Qin Ying gestured to the security guards, "Take him away!"

"Let's see who has the guts!"

As the security guards were about to act, a furious shout echoed from the corridor outside the room. At the sound of the voice, Yuan Hen froze, then broke out in a cold sweat, his complexion turning deathly pale in an instant.

"Great, my brother and I go abroad for a short trip, and the Emerald Garden turns into this chaos. Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would have been none the wiser!"

A cadre of bodyguards, dressed in the Meng family's uniform, parted the crowd and entered the third private room of the Emerald Garden. In their midst was a stunningly beautiful girl, reminiscent of a Barbie doll, gracefully stepping into the room.

She appeared a few years younger than Shen Bingyan, with a clear mix of Chinese and European heritage. Her light golden curls draped over her shoulders, and she was clad in a pristine white European-style court gown, the very image of a medieval European princess.

Upon her arrival, Yuan Hen collapsed to the ground with a thud, wordless, his body shaking uncontrollably.

Qin Ying thought the girl looked familiar but couldn't quite place her.

Meanwhile, Shen Bingyan's face lit up with a smile, as if clouds had parted to reveal the sun.

The girl approached Shen Bingyan, smiling. She lifted the hem of her dress with both hands and, with a curtsy befitting European courtly manners, apologized, "I had no idea you were here, Sister Bingyan. My oversight. I've thoroughly investigated the situation. If you trust me, please make yourself comfortable elsewhere for a moment. I promise to provide you with a satisfactory resolution."

The young lady gestured to the strikingly handsome man resembling a butler behind her, "Tianyu, please take good care of Sister Bingyan for me."

"Thank you," Shen Bingyan replied, giving a slight bow in response, but her gaze shifted to Qin Ying, turning icy, "Meng Lin, I'm counting on you."

Upon hearing the name Meng Lin, Qin Ying finally recognized the person before him, and he understood why Yuan Hen had remained silent and simply knelt on the spot!

Like Yuan Hen, Qin Ying's face drained of color. His legs shook uncontrollably, as if he might collapse to his knees at any moment.

The Meng family's approach differed from other major business families in Klido. The elders had started to delegate authority early on to groom the next generation. Among the younger members, two had distinguished themselves. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they were poised to become the future helms of the Meng family enterprise.

These were the twins, Meng Fan and Meng Lin!

And the stunning girl before them was Meng Lin!

"I... I..."

Qin Ying was at a loss for words. Despair washed over him as he watched Shen Bingyan, Su Fei, and Shen Bingyan leave the room with Tianyu, his heart plummeting into an abyss.

...

Upon exiting the room, Shen Bingyan suddenly realized something and quickly withdrew her hand from Su Fei's grasp.

A hint of disappointment flickered in Su Fei's eyes, but he swiftly regained his composure and followed quietly behind Shen Bingyan and Shen Bingyan, resembling a servant.

Had Lin Tianyu not been aware of Su Fei's relationship with Shen Bingyan, he might have mistaken Su Fei for a servant of the Shen family.

Lin Tianyu glanced back at Su Fei, his expression contemplative.

After ensuring Shen Bingyan and the others were comfortable in the hall, Lin Tianyu discreetly returned.

"Sister, is that really Meng Lin? She seems different from before," Shen Bingyan inquired, her curiosity piqued after Lin Tianyu had left.

Su Fei, standing behind Shen Bingyan, listened intently, equally curious.

"We'll discuss this later," Shen Bingyan said, shaking her head and gesturing to an empty seat beside her. "Su Fei, please take a seat."

Shortly after the trio had taken their seats, Meng Lin arrived to meet with them, accompanied by Lin Tianyu. As one of Klido's three jewels, Meng Lin's beauty was on par with Shen Bingyan's, though she was two years younger. While Shen Bingyan exuded a mature charm, Meng Lin appeared more youthful, and it wouldn't be out of place to mistake her for the same age as Shen Bingyan.

"I've taken care of the matter," Meng Lin stated directly. "Qin Ying will no longer be permitted to enter Skywater Manor, and he will also be barred from all other upscale clubs operated by the Meng family. However, my authority only extends so far, given the ongoing business relations between the Meng family and the Kailu Group."

Regret flickered in Meng Lin's eyes as she gestured to Lin Tianyu, who promptly placed a USB drive on the table and slid it toward Shen Bingyan.

"This contains all the original surveillance footage from the Emerald Garden's third hall and the corridors, from seven this evening until now. I've transferred everything onto this drive for Bingyan to handle as she sees fit."

Shen Bingyan understood the significance of the footage. Meng Lin's personal delivery of such crucial evidence was the clearest form of accountability.

At least Shen Bingyan could rest assured that the information wouldn't be exploited by others to tarnish her or the Shen family's reputation.

"Thank you, Meng Lin. You've already done so much," Shen Bingyan said, pocketing the USB drive. After exchanging a meaningful glance with Meng Lin, she rose and departed, her mood somber.

"Bingyan," Meng Lin called after her, "if you're ever in trouble, remember you can always turn to my brother and me for help."

"Thank you," Shen Bingyan replied, her heart heavy. Once, she, Bai Feifei, and Meng Lin had been celebrated as Klido's three great pearls, basking in their shared luster. Now, as Bai Feifei and Meng Lin continued to shine, Shen Bingyan was the one to exit the stage in quiet defeat.

It was a harsh reality, perhaps even a twist of fate.

Pride was ingrained in Shen Bingyan's very bones, yet that pride made it all the more difficult for her to revisit her past.

Meng Lin watched as Shen Bingyan and the others walked away, lost in thought. With a wave of her hand, Lin Tianyu stepped forward, ready to receive her next instructions.

"Keep an eye on Su Fei going forward."

"Understood."