All the women on the table expressed surprised hearing of the 'eloping' especially Madam Lu who was certain that there was no way anybody in the society will know, Her husband made sure of it.
In spite of that no woman dared to voice her surprise, none of them wanted to be in the bad book of Madam Li because knowing her nature anybody who would, will suffer.
Although Madam Li did have a lot of influence, it was no secret she and rather all the Li women had no power to control or command the Li forces and if they didn't inform her of the escape then….
Madam Lu and Lei Xinyi eyes fell upon Shen Chen. If they didn't have external influence, the only way a person can know is if they were….. Involved.
Lei Xinyi doubted already that the Shen girl was involved in this and now it only confirmed her suspicion.
Raising a finger at Lie Xinyi Madam Li hissed, "This tramp knew well how image is important to our Chenchen instead she accused her of vile shameless things. The naïve child had always been easily hurt and easily bullied. She had always been nice to you yet you treat her like that!"
'Wow too much for being an elegant woman…' Lei Xinyi inwardly scoffed.
As if only Shen Chen had self respect and Lei Xinyi didn't. It is pure nepotism!
Before Lei Xinyi could utter anything in her defense, Shen Chen said between sobs, "….I..I didn't mean to say it like that….sob ..sob… Aun…Aunt Li, I just wanted you to help me makeup with Lu Xinyi but I was scared she would b..be enraged …..sob..sob Ple…Please don't be hard on her. She is still my best friend…sob.. sob… And I am sure she didn't mean to harm m..me."
Shen Chen was one delicate and timid beauty that tactfully drew attention and protectiveness.
And now when she was acting to be a naïve woman who still wants to befriend a person who tried to 'sabotage' her, she instantly became a victim in the eyes of all the woman present.
Meanwhile she also indicated how Lu Xinyi had a bad temperament and subtly explaining how she may be usually lashing out on her.
Madam Shen, who was sitting beside Shen Chen saw that Madam Li was favoring Shen Chen and insulting Lu Xinyi and immediately said in utter disgust, "I am indeed aggrieved but I am not surprised at all, after all…. An apple never falls from the tree."
Lei Xinyi who was standing with her head lowered abruptly lifted her head at the comment. Madam Shen was talking about Lu Xinyi's mother being a scheming wh*re.
She didn't know why but she didn't like hearing anybody curse Lu Xinyi's mother. Maybe it was because she was using the girl ident.i.ty…
Lei Xinyi looked at Madam Lu to lend her a hand but was only met with a smirk that clearly said 'You are on your own.' So deal with it.
Lei Xinyi knew well that the friendship between Shen Chen and Lu Xinyi was forced from their childhood because Shen Chen was Li Yuan's cousin and gave her the 'sincere' advices about her personal life.
In fact after the episode in that bar Lei Xinyi could vaguely guess that the Shen girl had feelings for her distant cousin, Li Yuan.
Taking a deep shaky breath Lei Xinyi fisted her hand with her nails digging in her palm in a force that could draw blood. With the stinging pain Lei Xinyi eyes immediately watered.
Blinking her eyes rapidly Li Xinyi sat in the seat in front on Shen Chen and on the other side of Madam Li, as it was the only empty seat present.
The stream of tears falling from her eyes was a real shock to Shen Chen, who knew her well. She expected Lu Xinyi to shout in hysterics like she usually did when situations like this occurred.
Looking at the table as tears were streaming down her face Lei Xinyi said, "I… I am guilty and I am sorry to be it…"
That shocked everyone on the table Lu Xinyi was known for her quick temper and she almost exploded anytime when such situations arrived.
Shen Chen had been using this quick temper of her against her for many years with the use of young socialites. All she had to do was fuel Lei Xinyi anger from the sideline and she would make a scene.
Recovering instantly Shen Chen decided to play her cue as a good friend, "Lu Xinyi, please don't be sorry. I forgive you. Please don't feel guilty …"
Lei Xinyi cut her off, "I am indeed guilty but my guilt is toward Li Yuan and not anyone else, that I am also not sorry for what I did but I am sorry because I didn't have faith in him."
Although everyone was skeptical, n.o.body dared to say anything. The speech was meant for closure like Lei Xinyi's way of subtly telling everyone that the eloping scenario had nothing to do with them.
And because the matter only concerned Li Yuan, she was only obliged answer him.
Then turning to Shen Chen with aggrieved eyes Lei Xinyi said in a soft voice, "You, Shen Chen are another story but you are my friend and I am not a friend like that who will ever expose your flaws in front everybody."
Everyone understood what Lei Xinyi meant that unlike Shen Chen she was a faithful friend and wouldn't expose her friend and by saying she was 'another' story she clearly meant that there was something Shen Chen was lying about.
All the woman after Lei Xinyi words looked at Shen Chen with different view, within hardly 10 minutes Lei Xinyi altered the direction of blame.
And as they had already seen Shen Chen wailing and indirectly sabotage Lu Xinyi in front of Madam Li before the Mother-Daughter duo arrived so they knew already who was a hypocrite here.
After all they were all socialites and knew well all such tricks and unlike Madam Li, they weren't fond of Shen Chen in a way that under toned rationality.
Al the women on the table pa.s.sed Lei Xinyi silent glances of approval but Madam Li glared at her with intensity that could penetrate her.
As Shen Chen saw all the accusatory glances she gritted her teeth and reddened with embarra.s.sment.
Madam Shen not being able to tolerate the humiliation on her daughter said incredulously, "What kind of way is that to talk to your Mother-in law especially when she was kind enough to invite you for lunch, no wonder they say that you are a spoilt princess."
That erupted Madam Li anger like a volcano and she hissed, "Lu Xinyi, you think you can misbehave with me in my own house?! What is personal between my son and you?! I am his mother! How vile you are to dissolve the situation like this?! And what do you mean by Chenchen is another story?! You are clearly the guilty one here!"
Looking down at the table Lei Xinyi pa.s.sed a cold smirk and thought, 'I was indeed trying to dissolve the situation which would have been in the favor of everyone present but looks like n.o.body appreciates good will here!.'
