"Explain to me, what exactly is going on!"
Old Master Zhan glared at Zhan Mohan and Wei Yumeng, his face contorted with anger.
Wei Yumeng had already anticipated this day the moment the news broke.
All projects involving her had been terminated, and her film was facing an indefinite delay due to public backlash. Given the magnitude of the scandal, it was impossible for Old Master Zhan to be unaware.
Wei Yumeng looked at Old Master Zhan, mustered her courage, and explained, "Grandpa, the video isn't what the news is making it out to be. That night was the wrap-up party for my film, and I accidentally had a bit too much to drink. That's why my colleagues from the crew sent me to the hotel."
However, Old Master Zhan was clearly unconvinced. "Yumeng, it's not that I don't believe you, but how can you expect me to believe you now? Who can vouch for your words?"
"I..." Wei Yumeng was left speechless. Old Master Zhan was right; she had no way to prove her innocence at the moment.
If only Chai Yanyu would clarify the situation publicly, there might have been a chance. But Chai Yanyu was a key figure in the incident, and when facing the Zhan family, he would become a ticking time bomb.
"Grandpa, I believe in Yumeng's character. She's not the kind of person to do such things," Zhan Yangyi unexpectedly stepped forward and stood by Wei Yumeng.
Wei Yumeng looked at him, a grateful expression on her face.
But what she needed now was not the trust of an outsider, but Zhan Mohan's trust.
Yet, Zhan Mohan remained silent, merely listening to Old Master Zhan's reprimand.
"What do you know? You'd better mind your own business," Old Master Zhan retorted, shutting Zhan Yangyi down.
Chen Yutong then stepped in to appease Zhan Yangyi. "Yangyi, I also initially believed that Yumeng wouldn't do such a thing. But now that there's video evidence, it's hard not to believe..."
She trailed off, seemingly unwilling to continue.
Old Master Zhan nodded. "Yutong is right. No explanation will help now. Your clandestine meetings with another man are known throughout Pengcheng. How will Mohan face society, and how will he face our business partners?"
Wei Yumeng bit her lip, her body trembling slightly. She could already imagine the most drastic action Old Master Zhan might take against her.
But she truly had no way to prove her innocence. She felt cornered, driven to the brink.
Old Master Zhan glanced at the butler standing beside him. The butler nodded slightly and approached with a document.
"This is a divorce agreement. Once you've both decided, sign it, and this matter will be settled."
"No, I won't divorce!" Wei Yumeng blurted out.
Whether it was the Feng Corporation incident or the film controversy, she had always considered herself unlucky.
But now, Old Master Zhan was demanding a divorce from Zhan Mohan, something she was determined to hold onto.
Old Master Zhan snorted coldly, "What right do you have to refuse now? Haven't you caused enough embarrassment with your actions?"
Wei Yumeng turned to Zhan Mohan for help. "Mohan, I don't want to leave you. I can't leave you over something like this. Even if you're still angry with me, you can think about our children. They are already so grown up; how can they accept a broken family?"
No matter how Wei Yumeng pleaded, Zhan Mohan remained silent, as if tacitly agreeing with Old Master Zhan's decision.
Seeing Zhan Mohan's demeanor, Wei Yumeng's heart grew colder. She collapsed onto the floor, her head bowed, no longer speaking.
Zhan Yangyi, seeing Zhan Mohan's inaction, couldn't stand it anymore.
He indignantly shouted at Old Master Zhan, "Grandpa, you can't make such a decision so quickly! It's too unfair."
"What do you know? Do you realize the impact this has on our Zhan family?" Old Master Zhan exclaimed, furious. "Unless you can prove there are hidden circumstances, this matter is non-negotiable!"
With that, the old man turned and retreated to his room with the butler, leaving the remaining four in the hall.
Zhan Yangyi watched Old Master Zhan's retreating back, his anger boiling, his fists clenched tightly.
Chen Yutong stepped forward to help Wei Yumeng up, but Wei Yumeng shook off her hand and turned to look at Zhan Mohan.
Her voice trembled as she pleaded, "Mohan, believe me, I really have nothing with Chai Yanyu, I truly don't..."
Zhan Yangyi also approached Zhan Mohan, grabbing his collar, his expression one of disappointment.
"Zhan Mohan, if you still have any spine, look at what's happening! She's your wife. Aren't you the one who knows her best? Who are you putting on this act for?"
Zhan Mohan merely shot Zhan Yangyi a glare, and Zhan Yangyi reluctantly released his grip.
Wei Yumeng looked at Zhan Mohan, her heart shattered. She picked up one of the divorce agreements and, in a daze, walked towards the room.
"Yumeng..." Zhan Yangyi watched her retreating figure with deep concern.
At that moment, no one noticed the triumphant smile that flickered across Chen Yutong's lips.
"Mama..."
Zhan Shiqing's face was streaked with tears. The two children had secretly witnessed everything that had just transpired.
"Mama, I don't want Mama and Papa to separate. I don't want this," Zhan Shiqing sobbed. "Mama, Papa, please don't separate."
Facing her children, Wei Yumeng forced herself to appear strong. She stroked Zhan Shiqing's head. "Mama doesn't want this either, but there's nothing we can do now."
The thought of Zhan Mohan's attitude earlier made something inside her feel irrevocably broken.
"No, Mama, let's go beg Papa together, okay? Let's..." Zhan Shiqing still tugged at Wei Yumeng, unwilling to give up.
But Wei Yumeng's heart felt like dead water. Her eyes were hollow, clearly resigning herself to the reality.
Just then, Zhan Jinzhi spoke, "Mama, I believe this matter isn't over yet. Since another person is involved, why don't we investigate the truth of the matter through them?"
Zhan Jinzhi's words served as a reminder. Wei Yumeng had been so consumed by Zhan Mohan's attitude that she had forgotten that if she could resolve this matter and restore her innocence, she might be able to sort things out with Zhan Mohan.
She looked at the divorce agreement on the table and finally set it aside for the time being.
Then, she went to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, and forced herself to wake up. Regardless of the eventual outcome, she knew she had to find the truth that could turn everything around.