Old Madam Qiao treated Joanna and the other descendants of the Qiao Family as differently as heaven and earth.
The reason was simple.
The ones she had always favored most were the two brothers from the main branch, Qiao Tian and Qiao Shan.
She had never cared much for juniors from collateral branches like Joanna.
Especially since Joanna was highly capable and held considerable prestige within the group, with signs that she might even surpass her precious grandson Qiao Tian.
Old Madam Qiao had always intended to pass the position of family head to Qiao Tian's branch, so naturally she had no kind words for Joanna's branch.
Joanna had clearly grown used to such differential treatment.
She said nothing more. She merely set the jade Buddha worth three million aside, then withdrew with her parents and returned to the marginal seats reserved for their family of three.
As they watched Joanna's retreating figure, the surrounding Qiao Family members began whispering among themselves.
"Hey! Isn't that Joanna from the collateral branch? I heard that two years ago, before the old master died, he arranged a marriage for her and had that useless Ye Chen marry into our Qiao Family?"
"Exactly! That useless live-in son-in-law hasn't done a thing for over two years. He's been living off Joanna the whole time. What a pathetic freeloader!"
"Pathetic? Brother, you've got that wrong! Ye Chen is a huge internet celebrity now!"
Someone sneered sarcastically, "If he started livestreaming on Yin Yue, he might gain millions of followers in a single day! After all, not just anyone can claim the titles of 'Jiangnan's Second Talented Scholar' and 'Holy Knight Brother'!"
"Hahaha! Now that you mention it, I remember! I saw that trending topic yesterday too. That man who got sprayed all over with gold was