Wedding Livestream Exposé: Groom and Bestie Go Viral - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

I stood at the anniversary gala, surrounded by dazzling lights that seemed to ignite hope with every beam. Yet, the emotions churning within me made it nearly impossible to stay calm. Indeed, the thorns of the past had only made my future path clearer, strengthening my resolve to move forward.

“Nianhe, congratulations! You’re truly amazing!” My colleagues crowded around me excitedly. Their warm words and eager expressions seemed to dissipate the lingering anxieties in my heart.

“Thank you, everyone. I wouldn’t have made it this far without your support,” I replied with a smile, my gratitude beyond words. Every colleague who had fought alongside me was an indispensable part of this journey.

However, as I looked up during our small celebration, I suddenly spotted Cheng Xubai in the distance. He was watching me quietly, his eyes reflecting a hint of tenderness and admiration. In that moment, I felt a surge of strength like never before. He was supporting me silently, both professionally and emotionally.

“I’d like to buy you a drink. This is a moment to celebrate our collective victory,” he said, walking over with a slight upward curve of his lips and a composed expression.

“Cheers to that.” I raised my glass, my heart fluttering as a wave of emotion washed over me. We had weathered many storms together; what we needed to celebrate now was not just this professional achievement, but the trust and unspoken understanding between us.

Just then, the atmosphere shifted subtly. Lu Jingchuan appeared on the other side of the venue. Though his aura remained powerful, he looked somewhat isolated. Our eyes met, and for a fleeting second, it felt as if time and space had frozen. This was the opponent I had once feared, but now he was nothing more than a shadow of the past. I smiled inwardly; despite the countless challenges I had faced, I was still standing.

“He certainly has some nerve showing up here.” Noticing the change in my expression, Cheng Xubai followed my gaze. His lip curled slightly in a disdainful sneer. “He always thinks he’s invincible.”

“Invincibility isn’t a title for ordinary people; true invincibility comes from inner strength,” I said softly, my eyes fixed on Lu Jingchuan. That old fear and oppression had now become the very shackles I had broken. No matter how forceful he tried to be, he could no longer shake my current resolve.

As Lu Jingchuan approached, the air around us grew heavy. People instinctively cleared a path, as if preparing for an imminent showdown. I silently summoned my courage and steadied my breathing.

“Nianhe, I always believed you would eventually understand my good intentions,” he said, his tone dark and laced with a hint of contempt.

“Good intentions? Do you truly believe you were acting in our best interest?” I shot back, my disgust for his hypocrisy deepening.

“You should know that silence is golden. Some things are not as simple as you imagine.” A flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes. “If I wanted to, I could crush you into pieces at any moment.”

“Your threats are meaningless,” I replied, undeterred, my voice clear and firm. “I am no longer the person who can be fooled, and I have nothing left to fear.”

His lips quirked up slightly. He no longer seemed to dismiss me as he once had; instead, a glint of playfulness appeared in his eyes. “Oh? But I have ways to bring immense trouble to your fund.”

Cheng Xubai spoke up coldly, “You’re only looking for trouble. Any tactics you use will only result in more pain for yourself. Do you really think you can win this confrontation?”

Lu Jingchuan faltered for a moment before gesturing to his assistant, who handed him a file. “I have evidence in my hands that you wouldn’t want to see. I can blow your reputation to bits whenever I please.” He stared at me, his tone dripping with disdain.
“This is your last chance. Stop being so full of yourself.” I smiled, my expression radiating a defiant confidence. “Even if you have evidence, so what? I’m already prepared to strike back.”

My words rang out with power, each syllable striking like a war drum, ratcheting up the tension in the room. My resolve was unshakable; the shadows of the past could no longer influence me, nor could they waver my hopes for the future.

Beside me, Cheng Xubai whispered, “He’s just trying to make things difficult for you. Pay him no mind.”

“I won’t let him off that easily,” I replied, calm yet firm, my eyes shimmering with an unyielding light.

Just then, Lu Jingchuan’s assistant suddenly pulled out a photograph and handed it to me. “Take a look at this. Perhaps it will stir some emotions.” A slight smirk played on his lips, his expression provocative.

I took the photo, and my heart jolted. It was a picture of me and Lin Qingyue. In the photo, I was smiling brightly, but the shadows behind us now felt ominous. Lu Jingchuan had ruthlessly exposed the connection between Lin Qingyue and himself.

“I once thought it was friendship, yet your betrayal has left me feeling so powerless.” Shadows of the past surfaced in my mind, and I found it difficult to suppress the surge of anger.

“I’m merely bringing the truth to light,” Lu Jingchuan shot back, his eyes filled with a twisted sense of pleasure. “Don’t think that everything you have now can change reality.”

“I have the power to overcome all this darkness!” My voice rang out with absolute certainty in that moment. “You think you can control my life? I suspect this ‘friendship’ was simply your best weapon.”

“Friendship is like salt; once it dissolves, it only corrodes faster.” His face contorted, seemingly finding relief in my anger. “That’s why I’m telling you-you will always be nothing more than a pawn in this game.”

In that split second, I felt a shock as if I were gripping a sword-the roar of a betrayed soul. I was no longer the victim he could control. The fire in my eyes began to burn, and I fought to suppress my rage, struggling to maintain my composure.

“I will never let anyone manipulate my life again.” I turned back to look at Cheng Xubai and said firmly, “After today, I will stand on higher ground. I will never be drawn into such a scheme again.”

Under the hazy lights, the surrounding crowd began to gather. No longer silent, they started whispering among themselves. My voice did not falter; instead, it became a spreading force, drawing everyone’s attention back to this confrontation.

“You’re just a pathetic woman,” Lu Jingchuan suddenly mocked, glancing around at the onlookers. “It’s so ridiculous it’s almost heartbreaking.”

“What’s ridiculous is you-someone who has always used power and lies to treat me as a pawn, yet never truly knew me.” I looked him straight in the eye. Winning or losing no longer mattered; what mattered was my determination to fight back.

“Then let’s wait and see. In this final round, I’ll show you what I’m truly capable of.” He gave a cold laugh, seemingly dismissive of my vow, and turned to leave.

“I know he won’t let you go easily,” Cheng Xubai said softly, his gaze shifting between concern and resolve.

“No matter what he throws at me, I will use my own strength to withstand it all,” I responded quietly, my heart growing even more certain.

I looked back at the crowd and saw encouragement flickering in their eyes, sending a surge of emotion through me. Today was finally the start of a new life, and I would carry this conviction into the near future.

In the days to come, though there will be challenges, I will walk every step with determination. The dawn of the future is already before my eyes. To me, true victory is surpassing the past, listening to my heart, and embracing hope.

And in my heart, I kept telling myself: once I am stronger and more composed, I will be able to light the path ahead and welcome my own brilliance!