Chapter 2148: Withdrawing in Time

She’d said everything there was to say.

A clear and straightforward warning.

Things had already come to this point; even the reporters on site were tightly zooming in on facial expressions, yet neither Pei Dongshi, nor Nan Jiaojiao—who was being shielded by him and had been sitting there without saying a word—showed the slightest trace of anger or being cornered.

So calm it was like they had everything firmly in hand.

The evidence was ironclad—how could they possibly turn this around?

Just as everyone’s confusion was pushed to a peak, they heard Pei Dongshi let out a low, restrained laugh. “That’s not possible.”

Rose’s heart leapt. “So that means, President Pei, you’ve already admitted you plagiarized and are going to issue a public apology?”

“Who said I admitted it?”

“I’ve already presented all the evidence I’m supposed to present.” Rose’s anger was already written all over her face. “It’s come to this, and you still want to cover for her? What kind of relationship do you have that you’re determined to protect someone who plagiarized? She hasn’t given a single explanation up till now—it’s all you standing in front. What, did she save your life or something?”

Pei Dongshi’s expression sharpened. “Watch your tone. You’re getting way too aggressive.”

Rose frowned, her face leaving no room for softening. Just now, with that one look from him, she’d actually felt a jolt of fear. She lagged for a beat, and by the time she wanted to say something to talk back, the best timing had already passed.

“Maybe she really did save him.”

From within the crowd, someone suddenly made a snide, sarcastic comment.

This guy was a rich second generation, a useless playboy. He’d come today with a newly hooked-up little celebrity, bored out of his mind as he casually scrolled the news—happened to see a piece of gossip that had just climbed onto the trending list.

He smiled provocatively, aiming straight at Pei Dongshi. “Everyone says our President Pei is like a flower high up on a cold mountain—no scandals, no girlfriend, abstinent male god. Turns out he’s just not letting us see anything. The dating is all done in private.”

What he said was already pretty rude.

Thing is, Pei Dongshi wasn’t actually that much older than them. It’s just that he was too outstanding, especially after he’d gradually built things up in Rongcheng City; every time their old man lectured them at home, he’d compare them to Pei Dongshi. Over time, even Pei Dongshi himself didn’t know that, just because he was too capable, he’d become the enemy of a whole group of rich brats.

Hearing that, everyone started flipping through their phones.

Qin Qing also came over with her phone. “President Pei, look.”

Pei Dongshi took the phone. It was a video recorded on a phone.

In the pantry, he was teasing Nan Jiaojiao while reaching for a cup. The angle of the recording was very tricky; he had raised his arm, Nan Jiaojiao was standing in front of him, with the counter behind her. She didn’t dodge at all, didn’t lean back, her forehead practically poking his shirt buttons. Later, he bent down to speak to her, close enough that it looked almost like they were flirting without meaning to.

Pei Dongshi replayed it in his mind, trying to recall when it had happened.

When she’d just joined the company?

“President Pei, I’ll have PR handle this right away.”

Pei Dongshi let out a cold laugh and handed the phone back. “No need.”

“This will have a huge impact on you!”

Qin Qing looked grave, and her gaze deliberately flicked toward Nan Jiaojiao. “I’ve said before, the way you’re forcefully propping Nan Jiaojiao up will never convince everyone. While you’re not too deep into this yet, pull out in time. I’ll take care of the follow-up.”

The implied meaning was that he should completely abandon Nan Jiaojiao.

Dump all the shit on her.

Pei Dongshi gave her a meaningful look. “I said, no need.”

“But…”

“Yo, so the girl’s actually got herself a boyfriend!”

The rich second generation deliberately raised his voice, steering everyone to refresh their feeds—another new trending topic had shot to the top.