Chapter 710: 710: Turning Over

It’s not just about having a connection with The Big Eight families, even attending the same dinner party with them is bragging-worthy.

In the future, when I chat with others at cocktail parties or discuss business deals, it would impress people if I mentioned that I’d seen Adrian Zhekova, had a conversation with Zane Hamilton, or attended the same dinner as these elites.

After all, who else would be invited to the same dinner with Adrian Zhekova and the likes?

Naturally, only those with high social status and standing would be eligible.

And to be invited is a validation of your status and position in society.

It’s only natural for people to look up to you.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Edward said to Wendy, “Anyone who can join this party must have some skill and connections. They have outcompeted other families and made their way here, so you can’t underestimate them.”

“Revealing Cindy’s dirty laundry at a dinner party full of wealthy and important figures from prominent families will cause great humiliation to the Zhekova Family, as well as to Cindy herself. That’s where the real damage lies.”

“Ordinary netizens may not know the truth and believe in the rumors easily. However, these members of prominent families all have influential positions, making the Zhekova Family lose face in such a gathering is far more upsetting for them than losing face online.”

“After all, the Zhekova Family is far removed from ordinary people, and their situation is unknown to most. Yet, they are quite close to these powerful families. How would they manage their position and save face after suffering such humiliation in front of their peers?”

“Won’t they become the laughingstock of those families who used to be beneath them? For the Zhekova Family, that’s the most damaging aspect.”

“By then, the Zhekova Family will not want to lose face in their circle and will have to abandon Cindy, no longer trying to cover up for her. Only then will your plan truly succeed.”

Wendy mulled it over several times before saying, “Given the exclusivity of this dinner party, how can you get me in?”

Edward chuckled, “It’s quite a coincidence actually. The Lopez Family partnered with the government on a project recently, and since our collaboration went smoothly, we naturally got an invitation.”

After all, the invitations were issued by the government, not The Big Eight families. Naturally, the closer the relationship with the government, the higher the likelihood of obtaining an invitation.

Getting an invitation this way is much simpler than getting one through The Big Eight families.

“I can take you in,” said Edward.

Wendy was overjoyed, but she immediately had doubts.

She cautiously asked, “If I expose Cindy in public and cause the Zhekova Family to lose face in front of everyone, wouldn’t they hate me even more? If they retaliate and cause other families to avoid working with me due to their relationship with the Zhekova Family, what should I do?”

Edward thought to himself that Wendy was quite smart and not foolish.

Edward then smiled and said, “You’re overthinking and looking too far ahead. Firstly, you know the Zhekova Family cares about face. If they were to take out their anger on you and retaliate after you expose Cindy’s secrets, it would mean they were too petty. Even if you were slandering Cindy, the Zhekova Family wouldn’t let you off the hook just because you’re a nobody.”

“If they showed indifference to your baseless accusations and slander, they would lose face, and instead, they would retaliate all the more viciously, making an example of you to deter others from spreading such nonsense in the future.”

“However, since what you’re saying is the truth and you’re not slandering them, if the Zhekova Family still targets you for speaking the truth, it shows that they don’t care about their reputation. Being such a large family, their image matters the most. They can’t lower themselves to squabble with a nobody like you.”

“Besides, to be honest, your restaurant isn’t even open yet and you haven’t had any contact with those families, so you don’t need to fear that they won’t cooperate with you.”

“Currently, there’s no chance of them collaborating with you, and the companies you can partner with are small-scale. These smaller companies have no stake in the Zhekova Family and wouldn’t avoid working with you for fear of offending the Zhekova Family.”

“Simply because they don’t have the opportunity to intersect with the Zhekova Family. As I said, the Zhekova Family belongs to our circle, and you belong to the circle of smaller companies. These two circles don’t intersect, so your worries are unnecessary.”

What he should be worried about was the Lopez Family.

Edward had personally experienced this just recently.

Some families were afraid to have any involvement with the Lopez Family for fear of offending the Zhekova Family.

Edward didn’t know whether to feel proud or to cry.

After all, at least they were in the same circle as The Big Eight families now.

Though Wendy was relieved not to have to worry about those families avoiding working with her out of fear of the Zhekova Family, she was still unhappy about Edward’s condescending tone.

“So, what do you say? If you agree, I can help you. If not, I won’t force you. You can stick to your original plan and expose Cindy during the recording of the show.” Edward said.

Regardless, this matter wouldn’t affect Edward directly in the end.

Edward already had a plan – he would simply bring Wendy in.

Wendy would be the one actually speaking out.

If the Zhekova Family decided to settle the score, he’d distance himself from Wendy and push her in front.

Considering her options, Wendy didn’t want to give up this opportunity.

This was the chance she had been waiting for, and now that Edward was offering it to her, why would she refuse?

Despite being at the dinner party or during the show’s recording, she would still offend the Zhekova Family one way or another.

Having weighed the pros and cons, Wendy nodded at Edward, “Alright, let’s go with your plan, during the dinner party.”

Edward was satisfied, “Great, wait for my message.”

Then he reminded her, “Prepare a proper dress for the occasion.”

“Don’t worry,” Wendy felt underestimated and couldn’t help but speak sarcastically, “I may be from a small place and haven’t attended any prominent families’ dinner parties, but I am aware of at least the basics.”

After saying this, Wendy left first.

After seeing Wendy leave the tea house, Edward went to join Richard and Mrs. Lopez.

“Dad, it’s settled,” Edward said.

Naturally, Richard had heard everything.

Mrs. Lopez asked, “So what do we do next?”

“Drive Cindy out of the Zhekova Family and make her break with them. That way, Adrian Zhekova won’t have a reason to make things difficult for us because of Cindy. I understand that,” Mrs. Lopez said.