The moment these words fell, the entire art studio fell into a terrifying silence.
No one made a sound, not even breathing could be heard.
Thanks to Young Master Huo Jinchen attending S University, everyone had some understanding of this top-tier wealthy family in S City.
As for Huo Linyuan, the current head of the Huo family, they were even more familiar with his reputation.
The Huo family had been entrenched in S City for nearly two centuries, to the extent that they could almost be described as having overwhelming influence.
Huo Linyuan was the standout among the younger generation of the Huo family and a figure many spoke of with caution. After all, there were quite a few young ladies and gentlemen from elite circles at S University who, compared to ordinary students, understood far better what the name Huo Linyuan represented.
Multimillion-dollar international contracts could be finalized with just a word from him. When a newly wealthy family tried to challenge the Huo family, Huo Linyuan merely lifted an eyelid, and that surname never appeared in S City again.
Let alone something as trivial as a squabble between classmates.
If Huo Linyuan said Mu Jia’en had deliberately provoked and framed someone, then as long as Mu Jia’en remained in S City, that accusation would forever cling to her.
The group of followers around Song Yanshi gaped in shock. They remembered their families’ teachings: curry favor with Miss Song, curry favor with the Eldest Young Master of the Huo Family. Though they weren’t part of the innermost circle, thanks to these two, they had heard some rumors about Mr. Huo.
He always seemed aloof, never one to mince words.
At such a young age, while his peers were still partying, flirting, gaming, and socializing, he had already moved effortlessly among the circles of his uncles’ generation, standing at the very pinnacle of the pyramid.
Since taking over the Huo family, whether at meetings or business banquets, he was always the one seated at the head of the table, the most honored speaker.
No one dared to pick up their chopsticks until he spoke.
If he showed even a hint of displeasure, countless people would feel anxious, fearing they had offended him.
He was also fair—fair and indifferent to everyone.
Except for this one—
The notorious Jiang Youwan, the future niece-in-law who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
No one had high hopes for Jiang Youwan, and no one believed Huo Eldest Young Master would actually marry her.
But at this moment, with just a few simple words from Mr. Huo, they completely overturned their previous assumptions.
Perhaps they should call home later and proactively tell their parents about everything that had happened today.
After all, it was entirely possible that Jiang Youwan was about to rise from obscurity and become a phoenix.
The moment Huo Linyuan’s voice fell, the girl whose wrist he held suddenly lifted her eyes.
Her thick lashes traced an arc in the air, her beautiful and clear eyes misted with a layer of tears, and even her petal-like lips were pressed tightly together.
Like a newly bloomed lotus battered by a sudden storm, drenched and soaked through, yet still struggling to straighten its delicate stem, her soft voice tinged with pitifulness,
“I didn’t hit her just now.”
Jiang Youwan mustered her courage.
Like a little kitten abandoned by the roadside, raising its dirty paw.
Driven by some strange impulse in her heart, she wasn’t even aware of what she was hoping for from Huo Linyuan, only trying her best to defend herself,
“I didn’t hit her. I just wanted to push her away. It was her own face that bumped into me…”
A soft, gentle tone drifted through the air, reaching everyone’s ears.
The moment she finished speaking, Jiang Youwan herself felt a touch of absurdity.
Who would believe such an outrageous claim?
Even if Mr. Huo really did favor her…
The moment the word “favor” surfaced in her mind, Jiang Youwan’s eyelashes fluttered, and her fair, delicate face began to flush with heat.
In the next instant, the fingers gripping her wrist tightened slightly, the slightly rough pads of his thumb brushing against the smooth skin of her hand, sending a tingling sensation through her.
Jiang Youwan froze as if scalded, standing rigidly in place, unsure what to do.
The man’s voice rang out at just the right moment, low and cool, carrying the very favoritism she had just acknowledged herself.
“I know.”
He spoke unhurriedly, “I know everything Wanwan said is true.”
The little pitiful one, whose wrist he held, gazed at him with wide, pleading eyes, gratitude nearly overflowing from her gaze.
Yet Huo Linyuan only felt a pang of sorrow.
Even the tiniest, most insignificant bit of trust could move Wanwan so deeply.
His Wanwan… just what had she faced alone all these years?
Suppressing the tightness in his throat, the man with sharp, handsome features lifted his thin eyelids, his dark, profound gaze sweeping over each person in the art room like a tangible force.
His voice was low, calm and composed, yet it carried an overwhelming pressure.
“Not only do I believe Wanwan.”
“The classmates in the classroom should have seen it too. They will all testify for Wanwan.”
When his gaze fell upon the Principal, the plump middle-aged man’s smile had nearly frozen on his face.
To be honest, conflicts between students could be handled lightly or seriously. At any other time, he could have easily resolved it by assigning equal blame to both sides.
But this time was different. The student lying on the floor had picked the worst possible person to provoke—Mr. Huo’s precious darling.
Now, things had escalated.
If this wasn’t handled properly, not only would the school’s reputation suffer, but he, as Principal, would face consequences, and even the higher education authorities might hold him accountable.
Sweat beaded on the Principal’s forehead. He had just gathered his words but hadn’t yet spoken when the sound of high heels echoed from the doorway, followed by a bright, hurried voice.
“Who’s fighting—”
The words cut off abruptly. Song Yanshi, who had been full of confidence just moments before, immediately fell silent, shrinking back at the doorway like a timid quail.
One moment, her voice had been booming; the next, it was barely a whisper.
“Uncle… why are you here…”
The Huo and Song families had years of business collaboration, and by seniority, Song Yanshi was indeed supposed to address Huo Linyuan as “Uncle.”
The man restraining Jiang Youwan in the room stared coldly at her, his expression growing even darker.
“Did you bring her here?”
Song Yanshi didn’t understand at first.
Her gaze couldn’t help but drift to the slender wrist Huo Linyuan held.
Jiang Youwan was too thin—her wrist was so delicate, even thinner than her own. Huo Linyuan stood there like a god of war, his face dark and forbidding, looking as though he could snap Jiang Youwan’s arm with the slightest effort.
Jiang Youwan was truly a troublemaker.
Why did she have to provoke someone like this? Even if she had crossed Mu Jia’en, Song Yanshi could have handled it herself.
But how could she be so bold as to challenge Mr. Huo?
With Mr. Huo’s build and strength, he would surely break Jiang Youwan!
Under Huo Linyuan’s icy gaze, Song Yanshi steeled herself and walked over in her high heels, stepping between the two of them. With all her might, she pushed them apart.
She shielded the oblivious troublemaker Jiang Youwan behind her, her voice trembling with fear as she spoke.
“U-uncle…”
“I… I brought Wanwan here. If she did anything wrong, I’ll apologize on her behalf.”
“Please, let her go!”