Chapter 282

“Cen Ting, you vile creature!” Jing Yu was initially caught off guard by the slap, but as soon as he regained his senses, he certainly wasn’t going to let a mere woman strike him without retaliation.

However, before he could raise his hand, his wrist was seized. Jing Yu turned his head and found himself face-to-face with Jing Yan, who had somehow appeared by his side.

This only fueled Jing Yu’s fury further, and he was now consumed with a desire to kill Jing Yan. “You’re so protective of her! You two must have something going on. I was tricked into saying those things by you. The truth is, you’ve been coveting my fiancée. You two are shameless, committing incest!”

Jing Yan, caught off guard by Jing Yu’s persistence in spewing such accusations, almost laughed in anger. “Do you think everyone here is a fool?”

Jing Yu didn’t care. He was determined to pin this accusation on them no matter what.

“You dare say you haven’t touched her! I’d never believe it. You two must have…”

Suddenly, another slap landed, this one even harder.

Jing Yu was knocked to the ground by the force of the blow. He clutched his aching face, stunned, as he looked up at Madam Xie, who had struck him.

“Poisoning, scheming, framing, and now this shameless defense. Jing Yu, you’ve truly disappointed me.” Madam Xie, though not outwardly hysterical, was inwardly shattered. She had long known her son was no good, but she never imagined he had rotted to the core.

Jing Yu’s gaze toward Madam Xie changed as well. He had always harbored resentment toward her, but now it had turned into outright hatred.

Having seen the video and knowing what had transpired, his mother not only didn’t try to help him but instead chose to condemn him and support Jing Yan. Normally, he could have tolerated this, but this was a critical moment where either he or Jing Yan would emerge victorious. If only his mother had sided with him, the situation could have been turned around!

But she chose to favor someone else, and Jing Yu was filled with a hatred so deep it consumed him. “Mom, why are you treating me like this?”

Madam Xie couldn’t bear to meet her son’s hostile gaze and stepped forward to take control of the situation.

“I apologize for the spectacle today. It’s my failure as a mother that led my son to behave in such a manner. I hereby formally announce the cancellation of Jing Yu’s engagement to Cen Ting.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Cen Ting’s eyes sparkled, and she finally released the breath she had been holding.

Although everyone had anticipated this outcome, hearing Madam Xie’s announcement still felt surreal. The engagement, which had been set just an hour ago, was now canceled.

The Jing and Cen families exchanged complex glances. While they certainly wouldn’t allow Cen Ting to continue her engagement with that beast, what about the collaboration between their families?

Madam Xie turned to Cen Ting and apologized. “You’re a good child, and it’s our Jing family that has wronged you. As compensation, if your family still wishes to form a union with ours, you may choose any unmarried member of the Jing family.”

Cen Ting was taken aback, and Jing Yan stiffened immediately, his eyes involuntarily darting toward Cen Ting. Meanwhile, the Cen and Jing families below were overjoyed.

【Madam Xie is truly remarkable. She’s going to replace Cen Ting’s fiancé on the spot!】

The small crowd erupted in excitement. Although there were many unmarried members of the Jing family, the most prominent and likely candidate was none other than Jing Yan. Could it be that their speculation was correct?

Madam Xie spoke with utmost seriousness. “Of course, you can choose the heir.”

As soon as these words were uttered, the room erupted in excitement.

Cen Ting, unable to help herself, looked up at Jing Yan, only to find that their eyes met.

The Cen family immediately grew excited. “The heir?”

They had never considered the possibility of their daughter becoming the heir, not because their family wasn’t qualified, but because they understood their daughter’s personality. She preferred to immerse herself in her own world and pursue her dreams, so she wouldn’t make a good matriarch.

In any prominent family, the matriarch couldn’t ignore the family’s affairs, even if she didn’t work in the company. She would still be involved in social circles. Cen Ting, however, didn’t want that, which was why she had previously been suited only for someone like Jing Yu, who didn’t take over the family business. They had been a match of mutual indifference.

Now, with Madam Xie’s offer, it seemed they were willing to compromise. Cen Ting could still live freely, and they were offering her the position as compensation.

This left the Cen family in a difficult position. They wanted to demand justice for their daughter’s suffering, but with such a sincere apology, it was hard to press further.

Madam Xie directly announced, “In light of this, I hereby officially declare that the future heir of the Jing family has been chosen.” She exchanged nods with the elders of the Jing family and pointed to Jing Yan. “Jing Yan, step forward.”

Jing Yan took a step forward.

Madam Xie then formally declared, “From today onward, Jing Yan will gradually take over my responsibilities. I hope you will all continue to support our Jing family’s child.”

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍atmosphere, which had been awkward as people watched the drama unfold, suddenly shifted into one of succession announcement. It seemed that Jing Yu’s antics had indeed fulfilled the old saying: losing both his wife and his military strength.

【I can’t believe it! Did Jing Yan really just get this opportunity? My emotions are so mixed. It’s like watching a couple I never shipped suddenly announce they’re official. I’d love to interview Jing Yu now. How does it feel to lose everything you tried to gain?】

Everyone was eager to see Jing Yu’s reaction, but instead, Jing Yu suddenly burst out, shouting, “Mom, how can you be so biased? Am I not your son? Is he? You’re even trying to pair them together. How can you treat me like this?!”

Jing Yu was so enraged that his eyes turned red. The cancellation of the engagement and the loss of his position as heir were things he could still endure, but to have what was rightfully his snatched away and given to Jing Yan was something he could never accept.

This time, Wan Ru finally saw her chance. Initially feeling like she had no way to turn things around, she now became ecstatic. “I know, I know! You must have known about their affair and are using this opportunity to whitewash them! So I wasn’t lying. I’ve often seen them acting suspiciously. I’m a witness!”

【This girl is hell-bent on destroying her brother. Is she just stubbornly refusing to admit defeat?】

Qin Xian: One could say she’s refusing to cry until she sees the coffin.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“Wan Ru, are you a goldfish? Have you forgotten that Jing Yu just admitted they drugged and framed them?” Jing Yan sternly warned.

But some people are like that—they can ignore what just happened and continue to make baseless accusations. “Then why would she suddenly change her fiancé? Who would believe there’s nothing going on?”

Wan Ru was like a shadowy figure hiding behind the internet, spreading vague rumors to stir up trouble.

However, most people had their own judgment and saw her for what she was—a petty clown.

Madam Xie also stepped forward and said, “We haven’t even pursued what you and your mother did yet. You’d best behave. And I haven’t finished speaking yet. Who said I was trying to pair them together? I merely offered Cen Ting a choice.”

With that, Madam Xie looked at Cen Ting, who was slightly frowning.

“That was just one suggestion. If you don’t wish to marry into the Jing family, I’ll adopt you as my daughter. If you truly don’t want to deal with anything related to the Jing family, I’ll compensate you in other ways.”

Madam Xie never believed that simply replacing a woman’s partner was compensation. True compensation was giving her the confidence to make her own choices.

Adopting her as a daughter could still maintain the connection between the two families. If she truly didn’t want that, there were other ways. In short, whatever Cen Ting wanted, the Jing family would accept.