Tianyi said with concern, "Don't be too devastated by those photos. I believe you are the strongest. This is clearly a scheme by someone with ulterior motives. I know you were suffering from amnesia back then."
Susu stopped crying, feeling that Tianyi was right. She tried her best to calm down.
Where did these photos come from? She hadn't even known any such photos were taken when she was with Yang Sijie.
Thinking back, could Yang Sijie have installed a camera in a hidden corner of the house at that time, recording their moments together?
A screenshot from the recorded video could easily become a photo.
The person who deliberately released these photos at this occasion would still possess the complete video. But Yang Sijie and most of his associates were gone. Who else would have the video of her and Yang Sijie?
Seeing that she had stopped crying and her emotions had calmed down, Tianyi said, "I'll take you back to rest first. I'll handle this matter."
"How will you handle it?" Susu guessed, "Someone is using Sophie's personal press conference to deliberately ruin my reputation. This person is too terrifying."
Tianyi started the car and said, "Are you sure it's just someone using Sophie? Is Sophie involved? Don't you think there are too many coincidences in today's events?"
Susu knew it was possible, as Tianyi suggested, but she was unwilling to believe that Sophie was involved. The pain in her heart was even more indescribable.
Tianyi said, "I know you'd rather believe in ghosts than believe Sophie would harm you. But I felt Sophie's actions on stage when those photos appeared on the big screen were like those of an actress performing a play. Regardless, I will investigate and confirm. Until then, let's put on a show. We'll see clearly who is human and who is a ghost."
"We're putting on a show?" Susu didn't quite understand his plan.
Tianyi explained, "Whether Sophie is involved or not, she couldn't have done this alone. These people simply want to sow discord between us as a couple and completely ruin your reputation. Why don't we play along with their intentions? That way, those who are plotting behind the scenes will reveal themselves one by one."
"Alright, I'll cooperate with you. Tell me what to do," Susu agreed.
Tianyi smiled and said, "We've acted before, haven't we? We can do it seamlessly again this time."
Susu remembered when they first got married, he pretended to be foolish, and she often played along with his acts. They had indeed been very coordinated back then.
"Your acting skills are better than mine. Should you be the protagonist, and I'll be the supporting role?"
"My dear wife, please don't be modest," Tianyi said as he drove, explaining his plan.
Susu nodded repeatedly. In terms of strategy and tactics, she was absolutely no match for Tianyi. She felt an indescribable sense of gratitude, moved, and immense admiration for him.
...
After Tianyi and Susu left the exhibition hall, Sophie's personal press conference concluded amidst a buzz of discussion.
All the guests shifted their attention from the fashion theme of the press conference to Susu's personal relationships and the rumors surrounding her and Qin Tianyi's marriage.
Susu had originally intended to help Sophie expand the influence of her press conference and had invited several reporter friends. She never expected that the headline in the Lan Cheng fashion industry tomorrow would not be about Sophie's press conference, but about her photos with Yang Sijie.
When most of the guests had dispersed, Lan Yu remained seated in shock, unable to believe that the scenes in the photos were real.
Xiao Anjing reminded her that it was time to leave.
She had too many questions and looked at Xiao Anjing.
Xiao Anjing understood what she wanted to ask and said, "It's not convenient to say too much here. We'll talk about it when we get back."
Lan Yu then supported her waist and stood up with her pregnant belly. Xiao Anjing carefully followed her out of the venue.
Meanwhile, Xu Shishi had already gone backstage in a fit of anger. Huo Zheng knew she would lose her temper and, fearing she would suffer, hurried after her.
"Sophie, what do you mean by deliberately showing those indecent photos during the slideshow!" Xu Shishi confronted Sophie backstage, grabbing her clothes.
Sophie pushed her away in annoyance and said, "Are you crazy? I've already explained on stage. I don't know what happened. The slideshow I made didn't have these photos. I don't know who tampered with it."
"Then show me the original slideshow document!" Shishi immediately pressed her to produce the slideshow document.
Sophie retorted, "The backstage is in chaos right now. Where am I supposed to find it?"
"You can't find it at all. You planned this long ago!" Shishi exposed her without any regard for her reputation in front of the backstage staff and models. "You're just jealous that Sister Gu is more successful and happier than you, and you want to take everything from her..."
Sophie had long felt that Xu Shishi was a nuisance, always trying to sabotage her plans, and now she was saying this about her in public.
She could no longer tolerate it and raised her hand. Just as she was about to slap Xu Shishi, Huo Zheng appeared in time and blocked her hand, saying with a grin, "Gentlemen use words, not fists. No matter what, whoever throws the first punch is wrong."
Sophie immediately withdrew her hand, becoming very wronged. With tears in her eyes, she said, "She, she's accusing me without any evidence. Young Master Huo, I'm truly wronged. Someone is clearly using me to harm Susu. I don't even know how to explain this to Susu. It's truly impossible to clear my name, even if I jumped into the Yellow River."
After speaking, she began to cry weakly.
Shishi had had enough of her pretense. She walked back in front of Huo Zheng and pointed at Sophie, saying, "You're still acting! You asked Sister Gu to invite most of the guests, and then you embarrassed her in front of her acquaintances and friends. You're not only trying to cause discord in her family but also make her lose all her friends! You sold Sister Gu and made her count the money for you. How detestable..."
"I didn't," Sophie cried, seeking help from Huo Zheng. "Young Master Huo, you know my relationship with Susu best. She's just jealous that my design skills are better than hers. I can hold a personal press conference, but she hasn't yet, so she's making up lies about me."
As she spoke, she choked up and couldn't stop crying.
Huo Zheng patted her shoulder symbolically and said, "I understand. Don't argue with Shishi. She's just unreasonable. Don't worry, go back and explain it to Sister Susu properly. She won't blame you. In her eyes, you're closer than her own sister. Don't be too sad, it'll be alright."
Hearing Huo Zheng's words, Shishi's face turned green with anger. She stomped her foot, turned around, and stormed off backstage.
Huo Zheng made an apologetic gesture to Sophie and then chased after her.
Shishi walked out of the small exhibition hall but was so angry that she didn't notice she was going in the wrong direction, still scolding Huo Zheng, "You understand? Understand what! You're a brainless pig!"
"Where are you going?" Huo Zheng caught up with her, grabbing her to stop her from walking further. "Calm down, the main entrance isn't this way."