Chapter 10: Thirty Million in Hand

When Ruan Wei’s gaze landed on the pearl choker around her neck, her eyes flashed.

She walked slowly over to Ruan Cha, saying, “Cha Cha, I’m your elder sister. It’s so wonderful you’re finally home. All these years, we had no idea you even existed, which is why you had to suffer so much outside. If only we’d known about you sooner, I would have done anything to bring you home…”

As she spoke, tears welled up at the corners of her eyes, as though she truly couldn’t bear the thought of Ruan Cha enduring hardship.

Ruan Cha remained silent from start to finish, quietly observing Ruan Wei.

After finishing, Ruan Wei noticed Ruan Cha hadn’t responded; her expression grew awkward. Two seconds later, her eyes shifted to the choker at Ruan Cha’s neck, and she gasped in surprise, “Cha Cha, that pearl choker you’re wearing—!”

Before she could finish her sentence, everyone’s attention turned to the necklace at Ruan Cha’s throat.

They instantly recognized it as the most expensive piece from the Pearl Collection designed by Nan Youxu, once auctioned for an astronomical price at a top-tier event, now a rarity that was priceless even with money.

The girl before them, a lowly country-born illegitimate child, was actually wearing a necklace of such extravagant luxury?

Everyone’s gaze toward Ruan Cha became strange.

Either it was a high-quality counterfeit, or she had a wealthy patron.

And with Nan Youxu on her way here, if it turned out to be fake…

Everyone knew that Nan Youxu had a fierce temper and detested nothing more than others pirating her designs.

The atmosphere among the crowd grew subtly tense.

Only Ruan Cha raised her slender, porcelain-pale wrist and, in an absent-minded, languid manner, brushed her fingers over the choker. Her clear eyes were slightly cool. “Hm?”

“What about my necklace?” She tilted her head lightly, her innocent, beautiful eyes and striking brows stirring the heart.

Ruan Wei met her gaze and felt a faint tremor inside.

In the next moment, awkwardness flickered across her face as she leaned closer, nervously asking, “Where did you get this choker?”

“Just bought it casually,” Ruan Cha replied carelessly, her tone perfectly composed.

But to those listening nearby, her words sounded completely different.

“Of course it’s a knockoff—if Miss Nan finds out, she’ll be furious…”

“Pretending to be rich—it’s shameless.”

“Wearing counterfeit jewelry to an event like this—so typical of an illegitimate child, completely lacking in upbringing.”

…

“Do you have any idea how much that choker costs? Take it off, quick! Miss Nan will be here any minute—if she discovers it, you’ll…” Ruan Wei was frantic, eager to make Ruan Cha remove the necklace.

But as soon as she moved closer, Ruan Cha stepped back, maintaining a deliberate distance between them.

Ruan Wei had been certain at first glance it was a fake, and now, with her insinuations, everyone else was convinced as well.

Ruan Cha’s gaze grew a few degrees colder.

“I know—it cost thirty million,” she said.

Dodging Ruan Wei’s touch, her delicate brows and eyes showed a faint trace of anger.

As soon as she spoke, laughter erupted around them.

“Thirty million? Little girl, you’re lying without even blushing. Do you have any idea what thirty million means? And you dare say that?”

Ruan Wei hurried forward. “Cha Cha, what are you saying? Come on, let’s just take the necklace off, all right? Trust your sister—I wouldn’t harm you.”

“Why should I?” Ruan Cha not only refused to remove the necklace as Ruan Wei suggested, but instead questioned her.

Seeing this, Kong Xian’s expression changed instantly. She walked over to Ruan Wei’s side. “Weiwei, what are you doing? She clearly doesn’t appreciate your kindness—why bother caring about her?”