[Saeki: "The internet isn't a lawless place where you can say whatever you want without consequences.
How can people be so malicious and cruel, saying such inhumane and vicious things while claiming they're merely worried about my friend's whereabouts?
Yeri Zhi isn't the person you've decided to portray her as. And on behalf of my big bro, who loves her, I'll protect her to the best of my ability." ]
The post quickly spread across social media.
Unfortunately, with the 'Keir brothers' missing, two of the nation's paragons and every woman's ideal men, their fans could hardly be expected to remain calm.
They needed an outlet for their grief and frustration, someone to blame for this tragedy and that someone happened to be Yeri.
Yeri scrolled through her phone, only to find that almost every trending topic was related to the plane crash, Shin, or Tristan.
She knew SJ Entertainment was doing its best to control the situation, even arranging for other celebrity scandals to surface in an attempt to divert public attention.
However, with Shin Keir's immense fame, it was like throwing pebbles into an ocean. The ripples barely made a difference.
Unfortunately, she still couldn't get in touch with either Shin or Tristan. To make matters worse, Xati had informed her that those beings from the Light Realm were deliberately pretending to be deaf to his calls.
There was a knock on the door. Madam Zhi walked in, followed by Xati and Carpet.
"Big Sis, look! Grandma bought Carpet and me matching shirts. What do you think?" Xati asked excitedly.
Yeri couldn't help laughing softly. "The two of you look absolutely adorable!"
After the wedding rehearsal, her parents had insisted that she stay at home for the time being. Meanwhile, with Elder Madam Keir hospitalized, Xati had seized the opportunity to stay with her as well.
Carpet immediately jumped onto the bed and began stretching her fluffy limbs, while Xati settled beside Yeri.
"It's almost tea time. Don't stay cooped up in here. Let's go down to the garden," Madam Zhi suggested.
Yeri nodded and held out her hand for Xati to take.
Yet even as she smiled, a heavy lump remained in her heart, as though a stone had settled deep inside her chest.
She had no idea when she would hear from Shin again. Or whether she would ever get to see him return.
--
Later that day, just as they were about to have dinner, a black Maybach pulled up outside the Zhi residence.
Three people stepped out and entered the house.
From their demeanor and imposing presence, it was immediately apparent that they hadn't come for a friendly visit.
Sure enough, the three introduced themselves as members of the Keir clan's legal team.
Master Zhi frowned but nevertheless invited them inside.
After exchanging the usual formal greetings, the visitors wasted no time in stating that they wished to speak with Yeri.
"Is there any news about Brother Shin?" Yeri asked first.
"I'm afraid not," the oldest lawyer replied. "We've increased the search teams and deployed the latest available technology, but unfortunately, there have been no positive developments."
Yeri fell silent.
Madam Zhi gently patted her hand, her own expression grim.
"Given this sudden incident, I believe we can all agree that everyone was caught off guard, especially the Keir clan," the bespectacled lawyer began. "KGG's stock has been falling, and numerous clients and investors are demanding assurances about the company's future."
He paused before continuing.
"Miss Zhi, we understand that you are among those most devastated by the situation. However, for a family like the Keirs, they cannot afford to leave matters uncertain, even for a moment. Naturally, everyone hopes the two young masters will survive and return safely, but no one can say how long the search might take."
"What exactly does the Keir clan want?" Master Zhi interrupted. "If this is a legal matter, you can discuss it with me. My daughter has nothing to do with your business affairs."
The three lawyers exchanged meaningful glances.
After a moment, the oldest man cleared his throat.
"Tomorrow is supposed to be a joyous occasion, Miss Zhi's wedding to Young Master Keir. However, if there is still no news regarding their whereabouts by tomorrow, we hope you will nevertheless attend the wedding venue as planned."
Master Zhi stared at him.
For a moment, he genuinely wondered whether he had misheard before fury rushed to his head.
"What do you mean by that? You want my daughter to humiliate herself by standing there and waiting for Shin Keir, when no one even knows whether he's alive or dead? If the wedding must be canceled, then it's canceled!"
The bespectacled lawyer immediately tried to explain.
"Almost all the country's prominent families and influential figures have been invited to this wedding. We would like to take this opportunity to provide them with a proper explanation. I'm sure you're already aware that the public speculation surrounding Miss Zhi and Young Master Keir's assets has been growing increasingly severe. We hope Miss Zhi can clarify that the rumors are unfounded. Since she has not yet officially entered the Keir family, she has no claim to Young Master Keir's assets under the circumstances-"
"So you want to use my daughter to pacify everyone and stabilize KGG?" Master Zhi snapped.
His hand struck the table so forcefully that one of the glasses toppled over and shattered against the floor.
He stood up in anger, his expression thunderous. "If that's all you want, we can issue an official legal statement. There's absolutely no need for my daughter to appear at that venue and become the laughingstock of the entire nation!"
"Dad, calm down. Let's hear them out first," Yeri said quietly.
Madam Zhi also urged her husband to sit down, though her eyes had already reddened.
She had endured seeing her daughter suffer through these past few days. Now, these people had the audacity to come into their home and ask her to put on a public performance for the sake of the Keir family?
What kind of people were they?
"If you consider the matter carefully, this arrangement is also for Miss Zhi's own benefit," the oldest lawyer continued, seemingly unperturbed by Master Zhi's outburst. "The rumors surrounding her have already spiraled out of control. A clear and public declaration would help put an end to the speculation."
"Is this what the Keir clan wants?" Yeri asked.
The lawyer nodded. "It's the decision made by the clan elders."
Yeri wasn't particularly surprised.
After all, the only reason the Keir clan had ever acknowledged her was because of Shin. Without him, that connection might as well have never existed.
She lowered her gaze briefly before looking at the three lawyers again.
"So, to be clear, you want me to play the role of a tragic bride, standing at the wedding venue with a broken heart while pretending to hold on to the hope that Brother Shin will return. Then, once everyone has witnessed the spectacle, I'll announce that I have no claim to any of his assets and formally sever all ties with the Keir family."
The lawyers exchanged glances.
The oldest man eventually nodded. "That is essentially the arrangement."
"And what if I refuse?"
For the first time, the lawyer appeared genuinely taken aback, his expression soon hardened, and a trace of contempt crept into his eyes.
"Miss Zhi, there's no need to make this more complicated than it has to be. If you insist on remaining entangled with the Keir family, you should remember that they have numerous rivals and enemies. A clean, public declaration severing your ties with them would protect you from becoming a target."
His words sounded reasonable enough on the surface, but the meaning beneath them was unmistakable.
If Yeri refused to cooperate, the Keir clan would not be responsible for what happened to her afterward.
Yeri nodded.
"Fine. But I want written assurance that the Keir clan will never target my family or hold us responsible for any losses, regardless of what happens."
Just as she finished speaking, Xati rushed into the room and pointed accusingly at the lawyers.
"Why can't she have anything to do with my family? She's my big sister! If she can't marry that mad man, then I want her to become my legal guardian!"
"Little Young Master, what are you doing here?" The bespectacled lawyer stared at him in astonishment.
"Little Young Master, these are adult matters. Your great-grandmother would be disappointed to see you behaving this way. It's disrespectful and completely lacking in etiquette."
The other lawyer spoke sternly before casting a disapproving glance at Yeri.
Clearly, they suspected she was using the child to secure her position in the Keir family now that her marriage to Shin Keir was no longer certain.
Xati rolled his eyes, planting his hands on his hips. "I'm not as ignorant as you think I am! What do you mean by saying my big sister has no claim to that mad man's assets? The moment he made their relationship public, he had already made her part of the Keir family! Do you really think people will leave Big Sis alone just because she hasn't married him yet? How naive!"
The lawyers "..."
"Legally speaking, she might not be entitled to his entire estate, but all the assets and properties already transferred into her name are legally hers. The business contracts between the Keirs and the Zhis are binding, too!" Xati raised his chin. "If the Keir clan dares to take any of those things away from her, I'll make sure the entire world knows just how heartless and hypocritical they are!"
The room fell silent.
The lawyers were so stunned that their jaws nearly dropped to the floor.
There were several things they hadn't anticipated about this visit, and having a child dismantle their arguments with such confidence was certainly one of them.
But more importantly...
What did he mean by calling Shin Keir a mad man? He actually dared to refer to Shin Keir that way?
"That... In case you've forgotten, you're also a Keir," the oldest lawyer finally managed to say, still bewildered.
Xati scoffed. "Who wants to be a Keir? This little prince can be whoever he wants and go wherever he wants! Now that you've bullied my big sister, you'd better watch your backs. I've memorized every single one of your faces!"
The lawyers "..."
Yeri, meanwhile, wasn't particularly worried.
Even if she severed all ties with the Keir family, Xati was a demon. He was more than capable of taking care of himself.