Chapter 1728: Taking Shortcuts

“It’s okay,” Nan Jiaojiao suddenly interjected, “you don’t have to spare my feelings.”

Lin Shuyun immediately shot her a glare, unable to hide the threat in her eyes.

Chen Nian’s eyelid twitched; she, being quite sharp, feigned persuasion, “Could there be a misunderstanding? I think Jiaojiao is quite well-behaved. Why don’t you just say it out and let us help you judge?”

Lin Shuyun nearly clenched her teeth to pieces.

This troublemaker!

She discreetly clenched her palm and glared fiercely at Nan Jiaojiao, speaking through gritted teeth, “She saw that designer’s blueprints, took photos, and drew an identical set herself, making only minor modifications before coming to me. She wants results and wants me to cooperate with her, but I cannot condone such breaches of professional ethics!”

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Nan Jiaojiao.

Yet she showed no reaction, her expression calm, neither angry nor distressed, without a hint of panic at having her misconduct exposed in public.

Everyone waited for her to speak, but she remained silent. The Ye family members wanted to side with her, as after all, this girl was of significant value to them. But there was no mistake in Lin Shuyun’s words that could be immediately pointed out.

Ye Linlin rolled her eyes, wondering why she felt so exasperated yet fond.

Others may not know, but how could she not see clearly her days in E.Y? Sometimes, even Su Miaotong relied more on Nan Jiaojiao. Every meeting, Nan Jiaojiao was either silent or prompted by Su Miaotong, and every word she said was crucial and useful.

With such ability, would she plagiarize?

She wanted to speak up in support, but Ye Congjie rested his hand on hers, lightly tapping his fingertips as a signal for her not to act rashly, without even giving a glance, as if his hand was merely resting there, before reaching for a teacup.

Chen Nian was also anxious and urged, “Jiaojiao, say something, is it true?”

“What could she possibly say!”

Lin Shuyun interrupted hastily, sighing, “I wanted to teach this child some sense of shame. She’s just starting out; she shouldn’t be looking for shortcuts. But when I barely tried to persuade her, she got upset and even said… said I’ve wronged her over the years and that I should accede to her every demand, or I wouldn’t be a qualified mother. Hearing these words, I was truly… truly…”

Lin Shuyun clutched her chest, seeming pained and aggrieved. Her friend quickly stood up to support her, helping her to a chair and gently patting her back to soothe her, “Don’t worry, the child is still young, inexperienced, she doesn’t understand much yet, just teach her slowly.”

“She doesn’t understand much? Without saying a word, she managed to get into E.Y. When I saw her in the meeting room, although I questioned her abilities, I said nothing and was even willing to make the anniversary jewelry for her and her dad. I thought she would approach it seriously, but it turns out she just wanted to take shortcuts with me!”

Lin Shuyun took a deep breath, “I haven’t even told her dad about this incident, and I informed her today that it’s her choice whether to come. But this child insisted on using the company’s invitation, attending as a guest, hurting me so deeply, as if she doesn’t consider me family, I…”

“Alright, alright, enough…”

Her friend was also embarrassed. They rarely heard Lin Shuyun mention her biological daughter usually, and when they did, the remarks were not positive. Whatever issues existed between the mother and daughter wasn’t something outsiders could pry into.

No one expected it to be beyond remedy to this extent.

She glanced surreptitiously at Nan Jiaojiao.

Indeed, she was incomparable to Ye Shiqing.