"I've always ranked in the top 50 in school. If you don't believe me, feel free to check." Yang Mo's voice was calm but firm. "I advise you to use your own judgment before blindly believing what others say, lest you be deceived without even realizing it."
His words were pointed, and Lin Cohen's heart pounded. He hadn't expected Yang Mo to expose the truth so directly, making him break out in a cold sweat. The atmosphere at the table shifted, unease settling over the group.
Eldest sister Lin Xia was the first to speak. "Little Cohen, tell us the truth. You told us before that Yang Mo had poor grades and was hanging out with socialites. Did you see it with your own eyes?"
"Big sister, I... I only heard it from a friend. I didn't verify it myself..." Lin Cohen stammered, his eyes instantly turning red as tears welled up.
Yang Mo found it amusing. Lin Cohen could cry faster than a professional actor—his first instinct was always to play the victim and gain sympathy.
Predictably, Lin Shendong intervened, frowning at Lin Xia. "We're having a meal; don't sound like you're reprimanding him. It's not little Cohen's fault. Blame it on the person who misled him."
Yang Mo nearly laughed. Lin Shendong was truly something else—shifting blame with such ease.
Suddenly, Lin Cohen stood up, raising his glass of red wine. "I'm sorry, big sister. My words caused a misunderstanding about Yang Mo. I apologize and hope he can forgive me." With that, he downed the wine in one gulp.
Lin Xia said nothing more. She had no concrete evidence, and a family banquet was not the place to confront matters aggressively.
Lin Cohen proceeded to pour more wine, going to the second and third sisters to apologize one by one. Watching this performance, Lin Andong nodded approvingly. "Look at little Cohen. Even though it wasn't entirely his fault, he still has the decency to admit his mistakes one by one. This is my good son."
Joyi Fong, seated beside him, nodded in agreement. "Little Cohen was raised by us. Of course, he knows how to conduct himself properly."
Yang Mo took a sip of water, shaking his head. He couldn't help but find the whole scene ridiculous. If Joyi Fong believed that everyone she had raised was incapable of wrongdoing, then she was truly delusional.
Finally, Lin Cohen finished his performance and turned to Yang Mo, extending his glass. "Brother Yang Mo, please forgive me. I sincerely hope you can come back. It's the wish of our whole family."
Yang Mo didn't even glance at him. Lin Cohen, unfazed, simply took a sip of his wine and returned to his seat.
"Alright, let's eat," Lin Shendong said, smiling as he sat down.
Lin Cohen, back in his seat, had a barely perceptible smirk on his lips.
Just as the dinner was nearing its end, Lin Ruan suddenly stood up, a look of panic crossing her face. "Where's my bracelet?"
"What's wrong, Ruan?" Joyi Fong asked immediately.
"My bracelet is missing! It's so strange—I just took it off and put it in my pocket while eating, but now I can't find it."
"Check the ground. Maybe you dropped it somewhere nearby," someone suggested.
The whole table stood up and began searching, but after several minutes, there was still no sign of the bracelet. Lin Ruan's face paled.
"That bracelet isn't expensive, but it holds great sentimental value for me. A close friend gave it to me when we were in elementary school… She later passed away in a car accident. I've always kept it as a memento," Lin Ruan said, her voice trembling.
"Second sister… could it have been taken by someone?" Lin Cohen suddenly spoke, his tone suggestive.
Lin Xia's expression darkened. "Cohen, what are you implying? We're all family here. How could anyone steal Ruan's bracelet? Besides, it's not even worth much."
"Big sister, I… I was just thinking out loud…" Lin Cohen mumbled, flustered by her sharp gaze.
Lin Andong, however, turned his gaze toward Yang Mo, his eyes scrutinizing. "Mo, have you seen your second sister's bracelet?"
Yang Mo let out a cold laugh. "What exactly are you implying, Mister Lin? That I took it?"
"I simply find it suspicious that something went missing the moment you arrived."
"And just like before, I have nothing to say to that. Since you suspect me, show me some evidence instead of barking like a mad dog." Yang Mo stood up abruptly, unwilling to waste any more time on this charade.
"Wait! Since you claim you didn't take it, then you wouldn't mind letting us check, right?" Lin Andong's face darkened.
"Dad, forget it! Yang Mo just came back today. It's inappropriate to say such things. That bracelet doesn't matter—I don't want it anymore!" Lin Ruan hurriedly intervened, trying to diffuse the situation.
Yang Mo scoffed. "Why don't you suspect your other precious son instead?"
Lin Cohen paled. "Brother Yang Mo, don't accuse me without proof!"
Yang Mo smirked but said nothing. He had no intention of staying any longer.
The night was still young, but he had long grown tired of playing this game.