The news broke out that the hospital's mortuary had caught fire.
"What?!" Xiabo and Lei exclaimed in shock. After hearing the news, Xiabo left the office and drove to the hospital's mortuary.
"How on earth did that happen?"
"We're still investigating the case!" the mortuary attendant said, trying to calm the people causing a commotion at the entrance.
"What's going on here?" Xiabo asked the attendant.
"We have no idea what happened," he replied.
"How could the mortuary catch fire?" she pressed.
"It happened in the middle of the night…"
"This doesn't seem right." She sighed, walking back to the car.
"Drive," she ordered the driver.
****
At the office, Lei Wuije sat anxiously, waiting for Xiabo. He paced around until she finally walked in, throwing her bag onto the seat.
"What happened?!" he asked.
"Like you heard… the mortuary was set ablaze."
"You didn't order that, did you?" he asked.
"Why would I?" she replied coldly. "She's gone. What's the point of going further?"
Lei sighed and sat back down.
"Besides, why are you so concerned?" she added.
"The paparazzi need more answers," he muttered, turning his head away.
"Are you feeling guilty?" she asked, walking toward him.
"Shouldn't you? She was your best friend," he said with a sly smile.
"Of course, she was—until I met you." She placed her hand gently on his jaw and smiled.
****
Ba Lin entered the office with a stack of files and handed them over to his boss.
"These are the recent requests, sir."
"I heard Mei Lien is dead," he added quietly.
Ba Lin sighed. "Yes… she is."
"What on earth caused her death?"
"According to the news, she died in an accident."He responded lowering his head.
"...Boss, Miss Lien was a good person. She was kind and sweet. Unfortunately, she died—"
"Enough!" Mr Lu snapped.
"Boss… are you okay?" Ba Lin asked softly.
"How is Lei Company doing lately?"Mr Lu immediately changed the topic.
"It seems to be running well, even after Miss Lien's death."
"Any meetings today?"
"You adjourned all meetings when you found out Miss Lien was at the hospital." Ba Lin reminded him.
"Reschedule them for tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
"You can go now."
"Okay." Ba Lin left the office.
Mr Lu sighed deeply.
Lu Si chen, CEO of Future Group Company—the best architecture and design firm—was known for running a top-tier business. Lei Company operated under Future Group, a smaller branch managed by Lei Wuije.
****
In a quiet café, the faint smell of roasted coffee hung in the air. A woman sat with her face veiled. A man across from her was giving a report.
"I did all the research you asked for," he said.
"Okay."
"Boss, if you plan on pretending to be someone else, it's going to be hard."
"Just focus on your work. I'll handle my problems."
"Understood. How are my mother and sister?" the woman asked with her concerned expression veiled.
"As instructed, they've been moved to the house."
"Not bad. Make sure nothing happens to them." Her shoulders eased for a moment, though her tone stayed firm.
"The men are watching." The man reassured her.
"Good. And protect yourself too… losing you would be a loss."
He smiled faintly. "Thanks for caring, Boss."
"You may leave."
"Okay." He walked away.
"It's time to unfold a thousand mysteries," she whispered, smirking.
****
In the living room, a woman sat calmly reading a magazine. Despite her serenity, her sharp gaze revealed her true nature.
"Mom!!" A young lady descended the stairs, running towards her with an excited expression.
"Could you show some respect? I'm your mother," she said, turning to her daughter, who jumped on the couch and sat beside her holding her hand.
"I'm sorry, Mom."
"What do you need?" Her mom questioned turning her attention back to the magazine.
"Mom, how did you know I needed something?" her daughter asked with a playful smile.
"The only time my name gets two or more exclamation marks is when you want something."
"You sure know your daughter," she grinned.
"Say it."
"Mom… my friend got a designer bag—it's amazing!" She said with excitement.
"A designer bag?"
"Yes!" she nodded eagerly.
"Don't tell me you want it?" Her mother turned to her already guessing what she wanted.
"Of course, I do! Why does she get all the amazing designers?" Yuayua, the young lady scoffed.
"Then get a different designer, something rare."
"I knew you'd say that—but I'm missing something important." Yuayua looked at her mother, as she made a request.
"What is it?"
"I need… some… money," she said slowly, watching her mother's reaction.
Her mother turned back to her magazine, ignoring her.
"Mom!!" She shouted to get her attention back.
"Yuayua…" Her mother called her in refused to her request.
"But Mom—!"
"No buts, darling. You keep buying designers, but have you thought of earning your grandfather's trust?" Her mother said firmly, turning it into a serious conversation.
"Not this again…" she muttered.
"When you become Grandpa's favorite, everything will be possible." her mother indirectly tried to convince her.
"I'm the granddaughter of a wealthy family, yet I have to beg for money? Unacceptable!" she scoffed, rolling her eyes in discontentment.
"If you don't do what's needed soon, you might end up out of this house." her mother said.
"But Mom, why do I have to do this?"
"Your brother is working hard to gain Grandpa's trust so he can get the biggest share in the company. If you do the same, you won't need to beg me for money."
Yuayua scoffed. "I thought as much."
"You should hurry before the mistress's bastard returns," her mother said with a sly smile.
"Don't worry. I'm ready for anything—as long as she's involved," Yuayua smiled back.
"What are you two gossiping about?" Mr. Ài, an old man in a wheelchair, entered the room with Mrs. Bai, the housekeeper, by his side.
"Grandpa!" Yuayua ran to him and crouched down.
"Yuayua, what were you two talking about?" he asked in a low yet soft tone.
"Grandpa, nothing much—just women's talk," she said with a fake smile.
He chuckled. "Be a good girl."
"Mm!" she nodded.
"Go on, I need to speak with your mother."
"Grandpa, can I ask for something before I go?" she said, mimicking a baby tone.
He smiled, patting her hair. "Go on."
"Grandpa, I need some money."
"Money?"
"Mm!" she nodded cutely.
"Why is my little girl asking for money when I have so much of it?"
"Mom refuses to give me any." She glances at her mother, then back at her grandpa.
"Tell my secretary how much you need. It'll be transferred to you."
"Grandpa!!" she squealed.
"Yes?" he smiled warmly.
"You're the best Grandpa ever!" She hugged him tightly.
"Gently…" he said.
"Ah—sorry!"
"Now go."
"Okay!!" She ran off happily.
He sighed, wheeling himself towards Lun Weishen.
"It's been a long time since we've spoken," he began.
She scoffed. "I'm the least of your concerns."
"That's because I don't have to worry about you. You're the lady of the house."
"You don't have to." The woman, Lun Weishen returned her focus to the magazine.
"I just wanted a father-daughter talk." He said in hopes that he would he given a listening ear.
"Grandpa, I'm not your daughter." she snapped the magazine shut, holding back her cold expression.
"Daughter-in-law, I know," he interrupted.
"You never accepted me, so there's no need to act like you care," she said, standing up.
"After my son died, you should understand I felt the same pain as you."
"You don't need to explain—it's all in the past now." She looked at him coldly and distantly.
"I'm glad you know I never liked you," he said bitterly. "Everything went wrong the moment you walked into this house. Even my son's death."
"Whatever killed your son wasn't my fault! He just couldn't let go of that stupid love he had for his mistress!"
"We both know who's at fault." Mr Ài said, his eyes narrowing as he pressed his fingers against the wheelchair, staring at her.
"I don't know anything!" she shouted, walking away.