"But it seems she's being suppressed by her stepmother and stepsister. After the death of her biological mother, the Gu family patriarch's attitude toward her changed.
However, he still restrains himself because of the thirty percent shares she owns."
Lin Feng paused briefly before continuing.
"What happened at the hotel was a conspiracy carefully arranged by her stepmother and stepsister, together with the illegitimate son of the Song family, to completely ruin her reputation."
Inside the quiet study, Lu Zhenyu leaned back lazily in his chair, his sharp gaze fixed on the surveillance footage playing on the screen.
Gu Anran appeared in the video—alert, calm, escaping decisively.
Without realizing it, the corner of Lu Zhenyu's lips curled slightly.
"But from my investigation," Lin Feng added thoughtfully, "Miss Gu isn't known for being particularly intelligent. Yet her actions that night suggest she already knew about the conspiracy."
He frowned faintly.
"Was she pretending to be foolish all along… or did she simply get lucky?"
Lu Zhenyu's eyes darkened.
"It seems," he said lazily, "she's not as stupid as she appears."
Lin Feng hesitated before asking carefully, "Sir, Miss Gu seems to be in a difficult situation. Should we lend her a helping hand?"
Lu Zhenyu glanced at him coldly.
"Are you really that free?"
Lin Feng straightened immediately. "No, sir."
Lu Zhenyu shifted the topic effortlessly.
"How's the Shanghai project progressing?"
"There are a few complications," Lin Feng replied honestly, "but the team is working on resolving them."
"Book a flight to Shanghai," Lu Zhenyu ordered calmly. "I'll personally oversee it."
"Yes, sir."
Lin Feng bowed slightly and exited the study.
Gu Anran stepped out of the real estate agency with a faint smile on her lips.
The Gu Mansion property deed was no longer in her hands.
The deal had been completed smoothly.
The following days passed unusually peacefully. Her stepmother and stepsister made no moves, nor did they provoke her openly.
Standing outside the gates of the Gu Mansion, Gu Anran felt a wave of complicated emotions surge within her.
She had already purchased her own villa.
This place no longer belonged to her.
This place no longer belonged to her.
Memories of her mother surfaced—warm smiles, gentle hands.
Her chest tightened.
But the moment she remembered her tragic death in her previous life, the warmth vanished. Hatred filled her eyes, and a cold, self-mocking smile curved her lips.
"This is no longer my home."
She took a deep breath and walked inside.
The living room was lively.
Li Meirong and Gu Yuhan sat comfortably on the sofa, surrounded by piles of designer clothes, handbags, and jewelry.
Gu Anran's gaze flickered.
She remembered now.
Tonight was the Song family matriarch's 80th birthday banquet. Invitations had been sent to all prestigious families in Jingzhou.
In her previous life, this banquet had been the beginning of her public humiliation.
"Sister," Gu Yuhan called sweetly as she stood up. "Tonight is Grandma Song's birthday banquet. I'm sure you don't even have a proper evening gown."
She picked up a purple dress and handed it to Gu Anran.
"Why don't you wear this? It suits your… personality."
Gu Anran's pupils shrank slightly.
She recognized the dress instantly.
In her previous life, she had worn this exact gown.
It was well known that Matriarch Song preferred modest and elegant girls, yet this dress was revealing and vulgar. During the banquet, Gu Yuhan had accidentally stepped on the slightly torn hem, ripping it all the way up and exposing Gu Anran in front of everyone.
Humiliated and half-naked.
Matriarch Song had been so disgusted that Gu Anran was thrown out of the banquet on the spot.
Later, her father locked her in a dark room for several days—without food or water—for bringing shame to the Gu family.
The memory made Gu Anran's eyes turn cold.
She lifted her head and smiled faintly.
"Thank you, sister," Gu Anran said gently as she took the gown. "I won't disappoint your efforts."
She turned and walked upstairs.
The moment she disappeared, Gu Yuhan's expression twisted with malice.
"It's a good thing that bitch fell for it," Gu Yuhan sneered. "Just wait. I'll make sure she embarrasses herself completely tonight."
Li Meirong patted her daughter's hand soothingly. "Don't worry, my dear. I'll make sure the spotlight is on you."
"Mom," Gu Yuhan added disdainfully, "find an excuse so she doesn't come with us.
She's not worthy of sitting in the same car as us. If she insists on attending, let her take a taxi."
Li Meirong nodded. "I'll do exactly as you said."
Satisfied, Gu Yuhan stood up. "I'm going to the salon."
She left the Gu Mansion gracefully, while Li Meirong returned to her room to prepare.
Inside Gu Anran's bedroom, the purple gown lay discarded on the floor.
Her expression was calm.
She picked it up slowly—
and tore it cleanly into two pieces.
"This time," she murmured coldly, "I won't give you the chance."
There were still a few hours before the banquet.
Gu Anran changed clothes, grabbed her bag, and left the mansion quietly.
She had something important to do.
Like buying herself a new evening dress.