Chapter 54: They Pay the Price They Deserve

Watching Chen Shaojie step back step by step with terror written all over his face, Jiang Li smiled slightly.

"Chen Shaojie, it's our turn now. Will you tell everyone the story of our marriage yourself, or should I tell it for you?"

Trembling with fear, Chen Shaojie forced himself to look calm. "Jiang Li, you don't need to scare me. You are now the eldest young lady of the Jiang family, and you have money. But if I refuse to divorce, it will be impossible whether you rekindle your old romance with Qin Mu or start a new relationship with Young Master Ji."

Hearing this, Jiang Li smiled slightly. "It seems you don't want to reveal why we got married in the first place?"

Chen Shaojie pulled out their marriage certificate. "No matter what the reason is, the marriage certificate in my hands is real! That is a fact!"

Instead, Jiang Li produced a copy of a marriage agreement. "Everyone can take a look at this. This is the agreement between Chen Shaojie and me when we got married. It clearly states the reason why we married. Could Lawyer Ding please read it aloud?"

With that, Jiang Li handed the document to the lawyer, and Lawyer Ding began to read.

"Party A: Jiang Li. Party B: Chen Shaojie. Because Party B, Mr. Chen Shaojie, could not afford his tuition fees during his junior year and faced dropping out, Ms. Xie Yun took pity on him, took him in, funded the completion of his undergraduate studies, and sponsored him for two years of studying abroad.

Out of gratitude for Ms. Xie Yun's kindness, Chen Shaojie agreed to put Jiang Li's daughter on his family registry, registering their marriage in name only through a sham marriage.

Meanwhile, the marriage term shall be three years. After three years, the two shall go their separate ways, and the marriage shall automatically dissolve. All property belonging to Ms. Jiang Li shall not be subject to any division, and the right of interpretation belongs exclusively to Ms. Jiang, with no objections permitted from Mr. Chen Shaojie."

As Lawyer Ding finished reading the marriage agreement, Chen Shaojie stepped back in terror.

"No, that's not allowed! You... how can you be so heartless? No matter what, I am still effectively Youyou's nominal father, and since we haven't obtained a divorce certificate, we are not legally divorced."

With a trace of coldness, Jiang Li said, "We got married four years ago. You had half of your junior year, your entire senior year, and two years studying abroad. Strictly speaking, our marriage ceased to exist during your time abroad. But my mother and I were kind-hearted and funded the completion of your education. When you returned, I thought you would be grateful...

Yet, less than two months after returning, you tried to destroy my family. You beat my mother and sent her to a psychiatric hospital, and you even tried to lock me up. You sold my house, and after selling my daughter's kidney for ten million, you almost caused her death. Let everyone here judge for yourselves—did I, Jiang Li, ever wrong Chen Shaojie?

Yes, our marriage was fake, but the kindness we showed him was real, wasn't it?"

Chen Shaojie was left utterly speechless, a look of profound shame washing over him.

"No, it's not like that! I... I only listened to Jiang Xue. Right, Jiang Xue said you were a vicious woman. She manipulated me, she told me to treat you this way—it was all her idea, that's why I did it."

Jiang Li sneered. Lacking any sense of responsibility, she looked down on Chen Shaojie with utter contempt.

The murmurs of discussion were too loud, clearly reaching everyone's ears.

"Oh my god, what has the eldest Miss Jiang been through? She is so pitiful!"

"Indeed, she and Secretary Xie have such kind hearts, what a pity they supported an ingrate."

"The eldest young lady's life has been so bitter. But Youyou and Chenchen are fraternal twins, belonging to the eldest young lady and Mr. Qin Mu. Will they end up together?"

"You must admit, Mr. Qin Mu and the eldest Miss Jiang were very much in love before. A friend of mine works at the Qin Corporation, and back then they used to constantly show off their affection. What a pity it was forcibly torn apart by Jiang Xue."

"Torn apart? If it was true love, how could it be torn apart? Besides, even after President Qin and the eldest young lady got back together, Jiang Xue managed to swap their children. As far as I know, he treated Jiang Xue as his fiancée all these years."

"Even though he always acted like he didn't want to give Jiang Xue the time of day, it's a fact that he hurt Miss Jiang Li."

"I personally favor Young Master Ji. He and the eldest young lady are a match made in heaven."

"But if that happens, their children might end up separated."

Hearing the discussions, Jiang Li smiled slightly and looked back at Chen Shaojie.

"Our marriage ceased to exist long ago. You no longer need to make a fool of yourself by waving that marriage certificate around. After all, when this marriage agreement was written, it was signed by two lawyers, and I even had it notarized at a public notary office.

Therefore, Mr. Chen Shaojie, you will return the money you got from selling my house, and as for that eleven million, you have no objection to donating it to the orphanage, right?!"

Chen Shaojie shook his head. "N-No, I don't! I don't have that much money! Jiang Li, no matter what, we were husband and wife. Even if it was in name only, I am still your ex-husband. It's not too much to give me a share of the money, is it?"

Jiang Li smiled again. "I'll give you one month to scrape the money together and donate it to the orphanage.

As for wanting a share of the money, go ahead and call the police. They will handle it fairly and justly, and we'll see if they can satisfy your demands."

With a wave of Jiang Li's hand, police officers stepped forward and seized Chen Shaojie.

"You...?! No, I don't want to go to prison! I don't want to go to prison, I'm a talented overseas student, I cannot go to prison!"

His voice was trembling, but no one was listening anymore.

Finally, the venue grew quiet.

Accepting the Jiang Corporation's appointment letter, the equity transfer contract, and the property inheritance document signed by her grandfather, Jiang Li felt a complex mix of emotions welling up in her heart.

"Grandfather!" Jiang Li choked out, unable to speak further as the immense responsibility suddenly fell upon her shoulders, making her feel the crushing weight of the burden.

Elder Jiang spoke up, "Now, I have handed everything in the Jiang Corporation over to you. Xiao Li, Grandfather believes in you; you must carry the Jiang Corporation forward to new heights."

Jiang Li nodded. "Grandfather, I will definitely work hard!"

Elder Jiang nodded. "Good. Starting today, my Xiao Li officially takes over the Jiang Corporation. All our partners must give my granddaughter your utmost support."

Thunderous applause erupted through the venue as everyone used their applause to support Elder Jiang's decision.

Looking pale, Elder Jiang forced himself to stand firm. "And Ji Han, Qin Mu—you two are my proudest disciples, you must offer Jiang Li plenty of help.

I am getting old and my health is failing, so I must head to the hospital now. You two take good care of our guests."

The two men exchanged glances and nodded quickly, speaking in unison, "Understood, Grandfather."

Elder Jiang was escorted away by a doctor, while Jiang Li, accompanied by Ji Han, Qin Mu, and Special Assistant Lin, went around to greet the prominent guests.

Working together, the group handled things smoothly; after all, some matters were best resolved behind closed doors.

And so... once the guests had departed, Ji Han and Qin Mu sat down together.

Special Assistant Lin glanced at Jiang Li...

"I'll go check on Grandfather." Jiang Li chose to excuse herself.

Ji Han poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Qin Mu, a faint, elusive smile playing across his handsome face.

"President Qin, have some tea!"

Qin Mu smiled faintly, an awkward expression on his face. "Ji Han, you must be feeling quite triumphant inside right now. At the very least, you must be very happy?!"

Ji Han gave a bitter smile. "There's more heartache than anything else. After all, the pain, torment, heartbreak, and grievances Jiang Li has suffered are not something the two of us can fully comprehend."