Rumor Has It, That Omega Rocked the Stage Again! - Chapter 10

“Thank you,” Mu Li said sincerely.

“It was nothing. You’re part of the Ji family now, so it’s only right that I don’t let you be bullied.”

“But you’ve already helped me so much. I’m afraid I—”

Ji Yu interrupted her, “You saved my life. If not for you, my Mental Strength might have gone out of control. There’s an Ancient Earth saying, ‘For the kindness of saving a life, one should pledge oneself in return.’ No matter how much I do, it’s not enough.”

Mu Li was taken aback and wanted to say more, but Ji Yu changed the subject, “You’re returning to school tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”

“In your field of study, whether it’s classes or making friends, you’ll mostly be interacting with Alphas.” Ji Yu’s beautiful phoenix eyes gazed at Mu Li with a hint of concern. “I’m not trying to restrict your social life, but Omegas are physiologically at a disadvantage. Make sure you have your Inhibitors with you. If something unexpected happens and I can’t get there in time, if something really were to occur…”

“If something really were to happen, what should I do?” Ji Yu murmured under her breath, so softly only she could hear.

Just thinking about Mu Li’s sudden Heat that time, when she had instinctively thrown herself at Ji Yu, an intruding Alpha, purely driven by biological urges—if Ji Yu hadn’t had such strong self-control, Mu Li would probably be her Omega by now. If it had been someone else, Ji Yu didn’t even dare to imagine.

Mu Li asked, puzzled, “What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

Mu Li replied gently, “I have my Inhibitors ready, and I’ll keep my distance from them. Don’t worry.”

Seeing Mu Li agree so obediently, Ji Yu took a step forward and raised her hand as if to touch Mu Li’s hair. But then she remembered they were only bound together by a marriage contract and awkwardly lowered her hand.

“You should rest early since you’re going back to school tomorrow,” Ji Yu said before turning to leave. The hurried footsteps couldn’t conceal the turmoil in her heart. Maybe Mu Li really was different to her. With the two of them about to be apart again, she could take this time to think carefully about what her occasional surges of protectiveness and possessiveness toward Mu Li truly meant.

The next day, students of the First Military Academy returned to campus en masse, and the Mu family held a press conference.

Xu Li appeared at the press conference looking exhausted, a far cry from her usual image of a refined society lady. Perhaps to match the tone of the event, she wore a plain-colored dress and minimal makeup that didn’t even cover the dark circles under her eyes. Her lips were bare, making her look utterly drained.

By the time Xu Li arrived, the venue was already packed. Journalists had rushed to secure the best spots, eager to create sensational headlines and dominate the day’s news.

“I am Xu Li, or as many call me, Madam Mu. Today’s press conference is to address and apologize for the recent online discussions targeting Mu Li and the Mu family,” Xu Li began.

“Regarding matters from the past, I was young at the time and thought I had found love. Despite knowing Mr. Mu was married, I continued the relationship. That was my mistake.”

Some reporters whispered among themselves: “So she’s publicly admitting to being the other woman who took the wife’s place? It seems the Mu family is truly desperate, even pushing the wife out to compromise.”

“Regarding Mu Li, I believe I have never treated her unfairly. The online statements are untrue. I treat all three of my children equally. Mu Li has been introverted and reticent since childhood, so perhaps to outsiders, it may seem I haven’t provided adequate care, but the truth is, I simply couldn’t reach her heart. For my occasional oversights, I apologize to Mu Li and hope to make it up to her in the future, to be a more responsible mother.”

“As for the defamatory remarks about Mu Li on StarBlog, they originated from the Mu family. As the matriarch of the Mu household, I failed in my duty to properly manage the extended family members. Because Mu Li has always been distant from others since childhood, some relatives took a dislike to her, which led to this farce. I will enforce strict discipline within the Mu family and deal severely with those involved. Please give the Mu family another chance.” With tears glistening in her eyes, Xu Li bowed deeply after speaking.

Those unfamiliar with the full story might already be moved by the innocent image she projected—a woman confined to domestic life, unable to rein in the younger members of her family, now tearfully apologizing on their behalf.

But how could those involved in the StarNet incident easily accept this? Xu Li had completely sidestepped the crux of the apology. She danced around the issue without naming who exactly had slandered Mu Li or used the public as pawns, nor did she specify how the mastermind behind it would be punished. They had nearly ruined the reputation and future of an outstanding Omega!

Moreover, earlier posts on StarBlog had accused Mu Li of promiscuous Alpha-Omega relationships, claiming she only got into the First Military Academy and its Command Department through connections. It was precisely because people yearned for fairness that they scorned and condemned such privilege. Otherwise, every family had its dirty secrets—why single out the Mu family? Now, to brush it all aside so lightly—how could that be acceptable?

“Madam Mu, may I ask if you know who was behind this incident? What actions has the Mu family taken? Surely, slandering the First Military Academy, which has always nurtured talent for the Federation, is too serious a matter to be dismissed with just a few words?”

“Madam Mu, earlier online, someone claiming to be a Mu family servant deliberately steered the conversation toward Mu Li’s alleged promiscuous Alpha-Omega relationships and her absence from home. Were you aware of the preparations Mu Li made to enter the First Military Academy before the semester began? Why didn’t you clarify at the time, instead allowing the rumors to escalate?”

The reporters wouldn’t let Xu Li off the hook. Their relentless questioning finally made her lose her composure. Accustomed to staying home to care for her children, her outings limited to shopping or tea parties where she gossiped with other society ladies about the latest scandals, she had been detached from society for too long. She had assumed the title of Madam Mu and the Mu family’s influence over certain newspapers would ensure a smooth press conference. Now, she found herself speechless.

What could she say? Admit she had tacitly allowed all of this, that her own daughter had orchestrated it—just to vent her anger? No, she couldn’t. Under the protection of her bodyguards, Xu Li hastily retreated, leaving the host and reporters exchanging bewildered glances.

But Xu Li didn’t know that while she floundered under the reporters’ scrutiny, the Mu family had already issued a statement declaring that everything was Xu Li’s doing—motivated by jealousy of Mu Li and fear that she would one day claim the Mu family fortune. Now, her carefully crafted statements at the press conference were reduced to mere excuses. She never imagined that the ones who would ultimately humiliate her would be the very children she had raised like precious jewels.

One hour earlier, at the Mu residence…

“I know this incident was your doing. Since your mother has stepped forward to apologize on your behalf, let’s consider the matter closed. But in the future, you must remember that your actions reflect the dignity of the Mu family. If the Mu family falls, what will become of you?” Mu Ye spoke earnestly.

Mu Anming had already returned to school, leaving only Mu Anlan at the Mu residence. Though the words were harsh, she couldn’t refute them. Without the Mu family, they seemed incapable of anything. Their popularity and ability to act recklessly were entirely dependent on the Mu family’s prestige and influence.

“Beep beep beep—” Mu Ye opened his Personal Terminal, and his assistant’s image appeared before him.

The assistant quickly reported, “President Mu, the reporters at the scene and the online audience watching the livestream are refusing to back down. They find Madam Mu’s apology too perfunctory and are unwilling to accept it.”

“Didn’t we already bribe the reporters from those well-known newspapers? Aren’t they cooperating?” Mu Ye’s anger flared up again upon hearing the news.

The assistant panned the camera to the scene: “President Mu, look—every seat is filled, and even the standing areas are packed with reporters. These journalists have swarmed in, and to preserve the Mu family’s dignity, we can’t afford to clash with them during the livestream.”

Mu Ye quickly grasped the situation. Once the Mu family fell, there would be no shortage of people eager to kick them while they were down, all hoping to take a piece of the pie. These reporters were likely planted by rival factions. And those particularly sharp-tongued journalists must have received orders to ensure the Mu family was humiliated.

Before Mu Ye could respond, the assistant pressed on, “President Mu, we need a decision fast—the situation is spiraling out of control. If we end things like this, public backlash will only grow stronger. By tomorrow morning, our stocks will plummet again, and the company will be finished.”

“Understood. I’ll handle it as soon as possible.” Mu Ye ended the call and turned to Mu Anlan. “You heard everything. The Mu family must give the public an explanation—someone needs to step forward and take full responsibility. Who do you think that person should be?”

“I can’t do it. I’m not married yet, Dad. If people find out it was me, who would dare marry me in the future?” Mu Anlan paused, then added, “I won’t be like Mu Li, cutting ties with the family after marriage. She’s nothing but an ingrate.”

As his own daughter, Mu Ye had anticipated this response and wasn’t surprised. “Contact my secretary immediately. Tell her everything, down to the smallest detail, and have her draft a statement as quickly as possible. Don’t shift the blame—just say your mother was responsible for everything. The Mu family can’t afford any more turmoil. Once it’s ready, release it under the family’s name. The sooner, the better.”

Mu Anlan nodded, took out her Personal Terminal, and called the secretary.

Xu Li, fresh out of the press conference, anxiously asked Mu Ye’s assistant, “Did I mess things up? What will happen to the Mu family now? Why are you still here? Go to the company and figure something out!”

The assistant thought of the statement online and couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Xu Li—she didn’t know her own family had betrayed her. “Madam Mu, the Mu family has issued a statement. The situation should be under control now.”

The assistant handed the Personal Terminal to her, and Xu Li’s smiling face gradually faded as she read, her hands trembling. The Mu family had shifted all the blame onto her!

Now everyone knew about the Mu family’s affairs, and her image as a wicked stepmother had become common knowledge. The noble ladies who heard the news avoided her like the plague, afraid that any association with her would taint them. The way her children from the Mu family acted so self-righteous yet helpless made her utterly disappointed. Of course, all this came later.