Chapter 26: Driven Out

"Miss Chen, you certainly carry yourself with great authority!"

"However, if I recall correctly, you’ve already been expelled from the Chen family, haven’t you?"

"Even if this auction is being held by your family, it has nothing to do with you!"

At that moment, a teasing voice rang out from the entrance. A handsome man in a suit walked toward Sun Shiyun.

"Gao Yangwei?"

At the sight of this man, Ye Fei’s face revealed a trace of surprise. How did even this guy end up here? Just how many people have shown up at this auction?

The guests inside the villa straightened their necks in curiosity.

"Look, isn’t that Young Master Gao, Gao Yangwei?"

"It really is him—he’s here too!"

"I heard that the engagement between the Gao and Sun families was called off recently!"

"Is that so? Why was it canceled?"

"Rumor has it, it was because of a marriage contract with a stranger!"

"A marriage contract? Sun Shiyun was already engaged?"

"Yes, but later, the man with the contract personally annulled the engagement with Sun Shiyun."

"I think it’s that man standing next to Miss Chen!"

Amid the lively chatter, a few guests who had attended the recent engagement banquet finally recognized Ye Fei’s identity. The room erupted in astonishment.

Sun Shiyun’s expression grew particularly unsightly. She could never have imagined that Ye Fei would show up at this auction—and, to make matters worse, be recognized in front of so many people. It was utterly humiliating!

Seeing Sun Shiyun’s embarrassment and her inability to handle the situation, Gao Yangwei’s brows lifted with delight—surely, this was a perfect moment to show off his attentiveness.

Feigning a frown, he looked around and declared confidently, "Ladies and gentlemen, the alliance between the Gao and Sun families is still under negotiation. As one of the Four Great Families of Hang City, I assure you it won’t be long before we provide a satisfactory answer to all. Sun Shiyun will certainly become the daughter-in-law of the Gao family. There’s no need for anyone to worry."

With those words, the guests all fell silent. Sun Shiyun simply furrowed her brows at Gao Yangwei’s announcement, neither agreeing nor objecting.

Gao Yangwei’s appearance here had caught her off guard, but she was no fool. Now that he had stepped in to resolve her predicament, her sense of resistance toward him lessened slightly.

Noticing Sun Shiyun’s shift in demeanor, Gao Yangwei’s confidence swelled. He turned and fixed his gaze coldly on Ye Fei. "Ye Fei, this is an auction organized by the Tenglong Chamber of Commerce, not a place for you to cause trouble! Leave at once!"

"And why should I listen to you?" Ye Fei replied with a faint glance.

"Because you’re nothing but a stray dog with no family or background!" Gao Yangwei sneered. "And I am Gao Yangwei of the Gao family, one of Hang City’s Four Great Families. If I say you, a mongrel without an invitation, should get out, then you get out!"

At those words, several of Gao Yangwei’s sycophants began to jeer.

"Young Master Gao is formidable!"

"That’s the temper of Young Master Gao!"

"You heard him, didn’t you? Get out!"

"Better leave now, nobody invited you!"

With the focus of all those strange looks shifting to Ye Fei, Sun Shiyun gave a cold laugh in her heart. Ye Fei, so you can be humiliated too! Without Lin Qiqing’s backing, let’s see how you deal with this!

But unexpectedly, the first to speak was Chen Yu.

Her languid face finally displayed a trace of anger.

"So, you are Gao Yangwei of the Gao family?"

"That’s right," he replied. "I am Gao Yangwei. Miss Chen, you should know the rules, shouldn’t you?"

Sensing a chance to impress Sun Shiyun, Gao Yangwei’s tone grew even more arrogant.

"Oh? And what rules might those be?" Chen Yu asked with a smile. "Why don’t you enlighten me?"

"Then listen well, Miss Chen. This auction is not open to outsiders—only invited guests. No invitation, no entry," Gao Yangwei mocked. "Not even your pretty little boy toy."

A wave of surprise swept through the crowd.

"Boy toy?"

"Is that for real?"

"Miss Chen keeps a boy toy?"

"No wonder she’s so famous! Even after being expelled, she plays just as wildly!"

"I’m disappointed. Who would’ve thought Chen Yu was this kind of person?"

Hearing these words, Chen Yu’s alluring face darkened considerably.

"Now, take my advice and lead your stray dog outside!" Gao Yangwei, sensing the tide was turning in his favor, waved grandly and issued his command with a smile.

"You!" Chen Yu inhaled deeply, quickly regaining her composure. She took Ye Fei’s arm, her gaze icy as she swept the room. "Today, I insist on bringing him into the auction. I’d like to see who dares stop me—stand out if you have the guts!"

Her words rang with force. Most of the onlookers shook their heads, clearly unwilling to intervene. After all, it was just bringing someone in. Even though Chen Yu had been expelled from her family, her reputation still commanded a degree of respect.

But Gao Yangwei had no intention of backing down. He sneered loudly, "Calling you Miss Chen is already giving you face. Do you really think you’re someone important? If you dare bring him in, I’ll have security throw this uninvited mongrel out at once!"

"You really think this is your family’s turf, Gao Yangwei?" Chen Yu retorted, furious.

"Chen Yu, stop shouting at me! You’re no longer the Miss Chen of the past! If I don’t give you face, what can you do to me?" Gao Yangwei shot back, not caring about appearances.

"You—!" Chen Yu stamped her foot in anger.

Ye Fei was about to speak when a middle-aged man in a grey suit, his face stern and imposing, pushed through the crowd and walked over. "What’s going on here? Who dares make such a scene?"

The atmosphere grew lively again.

"Wow, even Vice President Lin has come! Someone’s in trouble now."

"Even he’s been disturbed?"

"This is going to be good."

"I wonder how Miss Chen will get out of this one."

"Vice President Lin, I am Gao Yangwei of the Gao family," Gao Yangwei announced, stepping back to offer the man a place, then glancing at Ye Fei with a half-smile. "I suspect this man lacks an invitation. Chen Yu sneaked him in, clearly intending to leak the auction’s business secrets. What do you suggest we do?"

Vice President Lin’s face darkened. He turned to Chen Yu, then glanced at Ye Fei, frowning. "Miss Chen, is what Young Master Gao said true?"

"Vice President Lin, can’t you judge for yourself?" Chen Yu, already angry, curled her lips into a cold smile. "Or do you suspect me as well?"

Vice President Lin opened his mouth but swallowed his words, as if weighing his options. Instead of answering Chen Yu, he turned to Ye Fei. "Sir, may I ask your name? Which family are you from? Could you please show your invitation?"

"Him? He’s nothing but a stray dog with no background," Gao Yangwei interjected mockingly.