Love is a mistake that cannot be escaped

Chapter 355 The Ultimate Showdown

The living room was eerily quiet. Everyone's gaze was fixed on Gu Yichen and me like searchlights; I could almost hear my own heart pounding. Du Yue remained seated at the head of the table, a polite smile playing on her lips, as if welcoming triumphant heroes rather than enemies about to expose her crimes. "Yichen, Yan Yan, you're finally here! Come and sit down," she greeted us warmly, as if we were children who hadn't been home in a long time.

I felt Gu Yichen hold my hand tightly; his palm was warm and dry, giving me immense courage. We ignored Du Yue's insincere greeting and walked straight to the center of the living room, our gazes sweeping over everyone present. I saw Gu's father's brow furrowed, his eyes filled with worry and doubt; Gu Yichen's head was lowered, his expression unreadable; the other relatives were whispering amongst themselves.

"Today, we're here to tell you all the truth." Gu Yichen's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly echoed throughout the living room. He pulled a file folder from his pocket. "Here, there's evidence of how Du Yue has schemed and plotted to seize the Gu family's assets all these years!" His words were like a bomb, exploding in the silent living room. Everyone's eyes instantly focused on the file folder, some even gasping in surprise. Du Yue's smile froze. She abruptly stood up, her sharp voice filled with panic, "Yichen, what are you saying? What evidence? You must have misunderstood something!"

Gu Yichen ignored her explanations and calmly opened the file bag, placing the documents one by one on the table. "This is the adoption certificate you forged back then. You are not Uncle Gu's distant relative at all. You fabricated your identity in order to get close to him!" With each sentence he spoke, Du Yue's face paled a little more. Her lips trembled, but she was powerless to refute him.

"And this," Gu Yichen said, taking out another document. "This is a record of how you have secretly transferred assets using the funds of the Gu Group over the years. The amount is staggering!" His voice was cold and devoid of emotion, as if he were stating something that had nothing to do with him. Yet every word was like a sharp knife, piercing Du Yue's heart.

"No, that's not how it is, let me explain..." Du Yue tried to explain in a panic, but faced with overwhelming evidence, all her sophistry seemed pale and powerless.

"What else is there to explain!" Gu's father, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up, pointed at Du Yue's nose, and trembled all over. "I've been completely open and honest with you, but you've treated me like a fool! What face do you have to stand here!"

"I..." Du Yue wanted to say something, but was stopped by Gu Yichen's cold gaze. He showed the documents to everyone present, and the words that recorded Du Yue's crimes were like brands, deeply imprinted in everyone's minds.

For a moment, the living room was filled with shock, anger, disappointment... a mix of emotions that made it hard to breathe. I held Gu Yichen's hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his palm, the strength that kept me going.

He gently pulled me closer to him, giving me a reassuring look. I saw Uncle Gu slump onto the sofa, his hands covering his face, groaning in pain. For so many years, he had treated Du Yue as family, trusting and giving to her without reservation, only to be met with such a heavy betrayal. This was undoubtedly a huge blow to him.

"Dad..." Gu Yichen, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, his voice a little hoarse, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."

He stepped forward and stood beside Gu Yichen, head bowed, as if he had mustered a great deal of courage, and continued, "Brother, I know I've been wrong all along. I shouldn't have been jealous of you, and I shouldn't have been used by Aunt Du to do things that hurt you. You're right. I've been living in my own world, blinded by hatred, unable to see your sacrifices and sincerity. Now I finally understand that everything you've done is for this family, for us."

His words were filled with guilt and remorse. I saw a flicker of emotion in Gu Yichen's eyes. He patted Gu Yichen's shoulder and said softly, "Let bygones be bygones. We are family, and always will be."

Uncle Gu looked up at his two sons, whom he was both proud of and heartbroken for, and tears streamed down his face. He stood up shakily, walked to Gu Yichen, hugged him tightly, and said in a choked voice, "Yichen, it's all my fault for making you suffer."

Then, he turned to Du Yue, his eyes filled with disappointment and heartache, "Du Yue, I ask myself, I've treated you well all these years, why did you do this? Why did you deceive me like this, deceive this family?"

Du Yue's face was pale, her lips trembled, but she couldn't speak. She knew it was all over; her carefully woven lie had been completely exposed, and she would face legal punishment.

A flash of panic crossed Du Yue's eyes. She suddenly screamed, shoved aside the maid beside her, and rushed towards the banquet hall entrance. The crowd immediately stirred. Uncle Gu called out incredulously, "Du Yue!" but she seemed not to hear him, running out without looking back. Gu Yichen reacted quickly; he grabbed my hand and growled, "We'll go after her!"

We followed Du Yue out of the banquet hall. I saw her rushing towards the main entrance, desperately trying to escape like a trapped beast. "Catch her! Don't let her get away!" came Gu Yichen's angry roar from behind, mixed with the gasps of the crowd.

My heart was in my throat as I followed Gu Yichen closely, afraid he would leave me behind. Just as Du Yue was about to rush out the door, several figures suddenly appeared and blocked her way.

"Police! You are under arrest for suspected multiple economic crimes and intentional assault!"

Two uniformed police officers brandished handcuffs and restrained Du Yue.

Du Yue struggled desperately, screaming hysterically, but it was all in vain. I saw her being escorted by the police, passing by me in a disheveled state, her eyes filled with resentment and bitterness, but without any regret.

A sudden chill ran down my spine. What was this woman's heart made of? In the chaos, a warm, large hand gripped mine tightly. I turned and met Gu Yichen's deep gaze. "It's alright now. It's all over."

He spoke softly, his tone gentle yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible weariness.

I know this nightmare is finally over, but what awaits us?