Twisting the truth

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The people who were gathered around them all froze after hearing what Roseanne said. Some women even covered their mouths in shock. How could Roseanne be so blunt? Compared to Roseanne, these women, comprising actresses and models were all soft inside and lack the strong and tough spirit that Roseanne possessed.

Even though most of these women didn't have an average background, they still wouldn't have the guts to be as fearless as Roseanne. They would avoid public confrontations and choose to scheme in the dark instead.

But who did they think Roseanne was? She was not like them. Roseanne was someone from the business world; someone who ruled an empire with an iron fist. While these women expressed a mixture of shock and surprise, most men admired Roseanne for her boldness.

Being businessmen, these men knew that one requires a heart of steel to thrive in the tough business world. This was a trait that was usually lacking in women. However, Roseanne was different. Her name and reputation already attested to her brilliance.

Many of the businessmen present had heard rumors about the iron-fist businesswoman named Roseanne but to witness her display her authority first-hand simply blew them away. While some businessmen had begun to show interest in forming a business collaboration with Roseanne, there were also those who were afraid that Roseanne would use her brains and wits against them. Either way, they have one common conclusion: Roseanne Anne Lilian should not be provoked.

Murmurs and gasps continued to be heard after Roseanne's insults flew. Jihyo, Daniel and Tang Ling never expected things to turn out like this. However, Roseanne's words only fueled Jihyo's rage.

"Do you think that you can just look down on us just because you are now on top in the business world?" Jihyo's eyes reddened as she stared at Roseanne before shifting her gaze to the paper in Roseanne's hands. "This is not about the bracelet anymore. This is about you being ungrateful to my mother and the Li family."

Jihyo's words actually sounded righteous. How could Roseanne insult them like this? Did she think that by being on top, it gave her the right to insult anyone? To even insult her own family?

"Hmmm..." Roseanne nodded. "So were you expecting me to give you the bracelet as a gift just because you are a Li?" Roseanne murmured, causing Jihyo and even Daniel to lean forward a little to catch what Roseanne said.

"That is not what I meant..."

"Then what's wrong with saying that you cannot afford it? Why make such a big deal over this when we all know that it is the truth?" Roseanne interrupted Jihyo. "Do you see speaking the truth as an insult Mrs. Kang?"

"What makes you think that we cannot afford it?" Jihyo asked, only to receive a knowing smile from Roseanne.

"How do you know that you can?"

"You-"

"You don't even know its price and yet you claim that you can afford it. On the other hand, I know the current value of your father's company in the market. Now, unless proven otherwise, I will continue to hold on to what I said as the truth and not an insult." Roseanne said firmly. Did they think that they could defeat her with words? Twisting the truth and manipulating the facts were Roseanne's forte.

"Give me that piece of paper," Jihyo said, as she shook off her mother's grip on her arm. Would she allow Roseanne to continue looking down on her and Tang Ling? Jihyo's ego would not allow her to accept Roseanne's insults without a fight. After all, she used to look down on Roseanne before. Now that Roseanne is now someone more prominent than them was a big blow to Jihyo's pride.

Roseanne held out the piece of paper towards Jihyo but quickly withdrew her hand before Jihyo could get it. With a smirk on her face, Roseanne said, "Oops. I change my mind. I have decided to donate this to someone else instead."

Seeing Jihyo angry lifted Roseanne's mood. However, Roseanne knew that she could not go overboard in provoking Jihyo as it might affect the baby. Moreover, this was still not the right time to destroy them. "Well... It seems that we don't have anything else to discuss anymore right?" she raised an eyebrow at them, her tone full of condescension.

"I better go. I have more important and interesting things to attend to," she said before she turned around to walk away from Jihyo, heading towards the edge of the pool. She still hasn't come up with a solution regarding that text message to Park Jimin ah.

However, Roseanne had only taken a few steps when Jihyo quickly followed after Roseanne. "Hey! We are not done yet!" Jihyo reached out her hands to try and grab Roseanne but the latter sidestepped and turned to face her instead. This sudden action surprised Jihyo and made her lose her balance. The world seemed to spin around her and all Jihyo's mind could register was hearing a big splash and feeling the cold all over her body. Panic immediately surged her entire being as she realized that she had fallen into the pool. "Help!" she managed to shout in fear. "Help!"

Then she heard another splash. It sounded like someone else had jumped into the pool. Jihyo felt relief washing over her when she felt someone lifting her up in a hug while supporting her chin up, so that water doesn't get into her mouth and nose.

For some reason, Jihyo knew that it was her husband who had jumped into the pool to save her. Tears started to stream down her cheeks. When she lifted her head and saw that many people were looking at her with shock on their faces, she felt her cheeks burning from embarrassment and anger. Of course, she didn't miss that look of amusement on Roseanne's face.

"Jihyo are you alright?" Roseanne asked, her tone full of mockery as she looked down at Jihyo in the pool.

"Miss Lilian, you should know better. You were the one who pushed me in after all. Did you want to see me drown or something?" Jihyo said in spite. She couldn't control herself from being sarcastic but she also had no regrets, not when she was in this predicament. After all, it is only natural for her to get angry at the person who had pushed her into the pool.

However, Roseanne didn't seem to feel guilty or even try to defend herself. Instead, she sneered at her, "If I wanted to drown you, I would have done it over there which is more than six feet deep." Roseanne pointed at the other side of the pool. "Not on the side of the pool which is only three feet. Don't you think so too?"

And that was when Jihyo realized that her feet could actually touch the bottom of the pool and when she stood up, the water did not even reach her chest. She looked at Roseanne, horrified at the current situation she was in. Her hands subconsciously clutched her clothing when she felt her body shiver involuntarily from the cold.

Even when Jihyo felt herself being carried up from the pool in a princess carry, her mind was a blank and all she could do was let her tears flow. What else could she say?

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