C14 Very High Price!

As the Ding family's eldest daughter, Ding Yue was always at the center of attention wherever she went. Soong Yan was acutely aware of the esteemed status such a person held in Old Madam Meng's heart. If Lin Hao were to offend Ding Yue, it would undoubtedly cast a shadow over Meng Shuran's standing as well.

Yet, Lin Hao was preoccupied with Shuran and completely missed the warning glances from Soong Yan. Or perhaps, he caught them but chose to ignore them.

Meng Junjie, unable to contain himself, blurted out, "Are you deaf? I've told you several times to give up your seat. What's the problem? Do you think offering Miss Ding your seat is beneath you?"

Ding Yue's frown deepened as she cast an impatient glance at Meng Junjie, before her icy stare shifted back to Lin Hao.

Noticing Old Madam Meng's attention turning their way, Meng Shuran feared the positive impression she had cultivated might suffer. Biting her lip, she turned to Lin Hao, who had completely disregarded Meng Junjie, and asked with uncharacteristic concern, "Lin Hao, why don't you switch seats?"

Upon hearing his wife's request, Lin Hao grinned and nodded agreeably, "Sure, I'll follow your lead."

He then stood up, moved to an adjacent table, and sat down, pointedly avoiding any further glances at Meng Junjie and Ding Yue.

Meng Junjie, though seething inside, had to maintain his composure in front of Ding Yue and refrained from overreacting.

No sooner had Ding Yue taken her seat than she found herself repeatedly glancing at Meng Shuran with an intense look in her eyes.

Specifically, it was the 'Dream Lover' necklace adorning Meng Shuran's neck that captured Ding Yue's attention. She had long coveted that particular piece, but despite the Ding family's connections in the jewelry business, they had never managed to acquire it.

She was astonished to see the necklace she had longed for gracing Meng Shuran's neck, and with her expert eye, she immediately recognized it as an authentic piece.

Feeling increasingly uncomfortable under Ding Yue's scrutiny, Meng Shuran finally spoke up, her voice tinged with embarrassment, "Miss Ding, you've been staring at me quite intently. Is there something amiss?"

Ding Yue offered an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Miss Meng. I was just wondering where you bought that 'Dream Lover' necklace you're wearing?"

Meng Shuran felt a surge of vanity as she noticed the envy in Ding Yue's eyes. She hadn't expected that someone like Ding Yue, a wealthy heiress, would be unable to acquire a 'Dream Lover'. The fact that she envied her filled Meng Shuran with immense satisfaction.

With a soft clearing of her throat, Meng Shuran responded with a smile, "A friend gave it to me."

Ding Yue nodded, her eyes still fixed on the necklace. "Miss Meng, I have a favor to ask. Could you possibly inquire with your friend? If it's not too much trouble, I'd like him to help me purchase a 'Dream Lover' necklace as well."

She quickly added, as if afraid of being turned down, "Don't worry, I won't expect him to do it for nothing. Whatever he paid for the necklace, I'll offer double."

Double the price?

The surrounding tables, overhearing the exchange between Ding Yue and Meng Shuran, were astounded. A 'Dream Lover' necklace was valued at nearly 30 million. At double the price, that would be almost 60 million! She truly was the Ding family's esteemed daughter—so wealthy!

In that moment, Meng Shuran and Ding Yue sat together, one radiating warmth, the other exuding a cool elegance. The men admired their beauty, while the women envied them.

Soong Yan, seeing her daughter silent, gave her a nudge under the table. "What are you daydreaming for? Go on, help Miss Ding with her request."

Meng Shuran looked up, realizing all eyes were on her. She bit her lip and reluctantly pulled out her phone from her purse.

After a moment's hesitation, she scrolled through her contacts and dialed Wang Wennyuan's number.

Lin Hao watched Meng Shuran with an amused expression, curious about who she would call. He was certain it wouldn't be him. If his hunch was right, it would be Wang Wennyuan.

The call connected quickly. Meng Shuran, feeling Ding Yue's intense gaze, had no choice but to put the call on speaker.

Soong Yan, peering over, noticed Wang Wennyuan's name on the display and frowned slightly, her gaze drifting involuntarily toward Lin Hao.

It turned out that it was Wang Wennyuan who had given Shuran the necklace. She wasn't sure how Lin Hao would react upon finding out, and she hoped he wouldn't get into an argument with Shuran over it, especially not at the banquet. It would be so embarrassing if a scene were to unfold there.

Wang Wennyuan, answering the phone, was sitting by himself at a roadside stall, nursing a beer. Not long ago, the Lin family had warned him that he had crossed someone he shouldn't have, and as a result, he would soon be ousted from the family.

His finances and resources had quickly become a mess, followed by his company being flagged for tax issues. In what felt like an instant, he had lost everything.

To this day, Wang Wennyuan still couldn't pinpoint who he had managed to offend.

He answered the call without checking the caller ID, his voice heavy with frustration. "Hello? Who's this?"

Meng Shuran's expression tensed, a wave of discomfort washing over her. Wang Wennyuan had always been nothing but gentle and considerate around her. Why was he suddenly so short-tempered, as if he had swallowed gunpowder?

"Wenyuan, it's me, Shuran. I wanted to ask you something. Is there any way you could get another 'Dream Lover' necklace?"

Hearing Meng Shuran's voice, Wang Wennyuan perked up, quickly clearing his throat and softening his tone. "Shuran, I'm so sorry about earlier. I was upset with some people here, and I didn't mean to take it out on you. Were you asking about that fake 'Dream Lover' necklace?"

"Fake?" Meng Shuran's brow furrowed, and she exchanged a look of disbelief with Ding Yue. That couldn't be right; they couldn't have been mistaken. The necklace Meng Shuran wore was undoubtedly authentic.

Wang Wennyuan let out a sigh on the other end. "Yeah, remember I gave you a fake 'Dream Lover' necklace before? Your husband threw it out, but thankfully it wasn't damaged. I brought it home with me. Do you want it? If you do, I can bring it over to you right now."

Meng Shuran's mind was a whirlwind of confusion. If the necklace hadn't been a gift from Wang Wennyuan, then who else could have given it to her?

She racked her brain but couldn't come up with anyone who would be willing to spend 28 million on a 'Dream Lover' necklace for her.

After ending the call, Meng Shuran glanced at Ding Yue, whose face was etched with disappointment, and said apologetically, "I'm truly sorry, Miss Ding. I can't seem to recall who gave me this necklace."