Han Yue had decided it was pointless to continue playing the part of the quietly imprisoned daughter. After the livestream, after the fall of Han Jiaojiao, and after her share transfer was completed and the money secured safely within her jade amulet… what reason was there to stay confined?
She yawned lazily, got dressed, and left her room without informing anyone.
Her steps echoed through the second-floor corridor as she descended toward the dining area. The marble beneath her bare feet was cold, but she didn't flinch. Each step was steady and unhurried. Her presence, once unnoticed or dismissed, now turned heads—but not with respect.
The maids and servants standing nearby shifted awkwardly, their eyes glued to the floor. Some flinched. Others quickly stepped aside like shadows hoping to vanish. No one dared speak.
When she reached the dining room and sat down at the massive, ornate table, the maids quickly rushed forward. One after another, dishes were placed before her—steamed seabass, sauteed greens, a bowl of black chicken soup, rice, even warm desserts. Not one word was spoken.
They'd realized it.
Finally.
Realized who the true master of this house was.
Han Yue didn't thank them. She didn't even acknowledge them. She simply picked up her spoon and began to eat, her posture graceful, her expression serene.
The tension in the room was suffocating. And then—
Footsteps.
From the main hallway, two familiar figures emerged: Han Jun, her older brother, and Madam Lin, her mother.
The room went even more still.
Han Yue didn't lift her head. She tasted a spoonful of soup, then reached for the side dish with practiced elegance. It was as if they weren't there.
Han Jun couldn't take it. His voice cracked the silence like a whip.
"You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
Han Yue blinked, finally glancing up with a faint smile—more like amusement than confusion.
Han Jun stepped closer, his tone sharp with accusation.
"You knew Jiaojiao's plan. You knew she'd try something reckless, and yet you said nothing. You played dumb. You let this escalate… Are you happy now? Are you proud that everything is falling apart?!"
His voice rose with each word, filled with indignation—but not righteousness. There was no dignity in it. No concern. Just blame.
Next to him, Madam Lin stared at Han Yue with a dazed expression, as if struggling to understand what she was looking at. Her lips were parted, but no sound came out. The real daughter she once rejected now sat before her, poised, silent, terrifying.
And Han Yue?
She simply smiled and continued eating.
The silent maids bowed their heads even lower, wishing they could sink through the floor. No one dared intervene.
Han Jun's hands trembled. His fury boiled over. With a loud BANG, he slammed his fist on the table, rattling plates and spoons.
"You really have no manners! I'm asking you a question!"
Before Han Yue could respond—
The doors opened.
In walked Secretary Wen, calm and composed as always. Beside him were two sharply dressed lawyers, briefcases in hand, each bearing the insignia of Wenhe & Rao LLP, a notorious high-profile law firm known for winning impossible cases.
One of the lawyers, a woman in her forties with piercing eyes and a calm, lethal air, stepped forward.
"Our client, Miss Han Yue, has the right to remain silent. We will not allow any further interrogation."
"Starting today," she added coolly, "we will be representing her in all legal and personal matters. If any member of the Han family wishes to speak to Miss Han Yue, please direct all communication through your family lawyers. Thank you."
Dead silence.
Everyone in the dining hall—and even the nearby staff listening from the kitchen—stood frozen.
Han Jun's mouth opened in shock.
Madam Lin stared blankly.
And then—thunderous footsteps came from the front door.
Han Jifu had just returned from an emergency meeting with shareholders caught the tail end of the conversation. He burst into the room, his voice raised in disbelief.
"What's the meaning of this?! Who are you people?!" He looked straight at Han Yue. "Yue'er, do you know these people? Why are they speaking for you?"
Han Yue calmly placed her spoon down, picked up a napkin, and wiped her mouth as if ending a pleasant lunch.
Then she looked up, her eyes calm, her voice soft.
"Didn't you hear them? They're my lawyers."
The words, though light, fell like a hammer.
The family of three—Han Jun, Madam Lin, and Han Jifu—froze in place. Panic began to seep into their expressions. Questions flooded their minds.
Why lawyers now? Why so suddenly? What does she intend to do?
Before they could ask, Han Yue slowly turned to look at them fully.
"Why are you still here? Haven't you heard?"
"Your precious daughter Jiaojiao was taken away in handcuffs this morning."
"Or… have you realized she's no longer useful to you?"
Their faces twisted. Ugly, unreadable. Guilt? Shock? Shame?
No one could tell.
No one spoke.
The tension hung like a storm cloud, ready to break.
Han Yue rose from her seat without further word and turned to Secretary Wen.
"Let's go upstairs."
He nodded. The two lawyers followed silently. As they exited the dining hall, the maids parted like the Red Sea, bowing low with newfound deference.
[Inside Han Yue's Room]
Once inside, Secretary Wen placed a folder on her desk and gestured for the lawyers to sit.
"Young Master Long instructed me to retrieve you today—formally and legally."
He turned slightly and gestured at the two lawyers.
"This is Lawyer Qiu Min, specialist in civil defamation and victim defense… and Lawyer Ren Daoming, our firm's top expert in inheritance disputes, child protection, and complex family law."
Han Yue nodded politely at them both.
Lawyer Qiu's smile was razor-thin.
Lawyer Ren looked at her with calm intensity.
"We've reviewed the situation," said Ren. "And we agree with Secretary Wen's assessment—this environment is neither safe nor sustainable for you. However… as a minor, walking away entirely requires some delicacy."
Han Yue didn't hesitate.
"Then we do it the delicate way. I want to cut ties. All of them."
The room went still.
"If they cooperate," she added coldly, "I won't press charges for everything else they've done to me."
Silence.
Then Qiu Min spoke with a smirk:
"Understood, Miss Han Yue. Let's begin the preparations."
After laying out her intent to cut ties, the atmosphere in the room shifted slightly. Secretary Wen relaxed a fraction, leaning back with a faint sigh of relief. Lawyer Ren began drafting preliminary legal notes in his folder, while Lawyer Qiu crossed her legs and smiled faintly, clearly amused by Han Yue's decisive temperament.
They chatted for a few more minutes—details about the family's current public stance, estimated legal timelines, and the current online speculation. Han Yue nodded occasionally, but her thoughts were already drifting toward what came next.
Finally, she looked up, her tone still calm, but pointed.
"Will the police be making an official announcement soon?"
"On their Weibo account, I mean. Will they clear up the part about me being under house arrest… or treated like a suspect?"
A pause.
Secretary Wen exchanged glances with the two lawyers. Then he straightened his tie and spoke carefully.
"Actually… that's part of the reason I came here today with the legal team."
He pulled out another folder, this one marked with the logo of the city's law enforcement bureau.
"The police want to formally invite you to give a detailed witness statement. Not an interrogation—just your version of what happened the morning before you went to the library."
He continued, flipping the folder open.
"They're especially curious about how the camera ended up in your room, the events before the livestream started, and your knowledge of Han Jiaojiao's intentions."
"They emphasized it's just to complete the case file—they already recognize you as a key witness, not a suspect. That internal classification was changed this morning."
Lawyer Qiu chimed in smoothly.
"Once the statement is submitted and cross-verified with the existing evidence, they've promised to move fast. As early as tomorrow morning, they'll post an official Weibo statement, and hold a press conference at the precinct to formally clear your name."
"They're coordinating with media outlets to control the narrative—especially now that the story is trending."
Han Yue tapped the edge of her teacup with her index finger, thinking.
Then she nodded.
"Good. I'll give my statement."
Her voice was even. But her next words were sharp as a blade.
"And while I'm doing that… make the necessary arrangements."
Lawyer Ren looked up.
"You mean…?"
"I want to negotiate with the Han family directly. Make the offer: I cut all ties peacefully, they don't obstruct it, and I'll consider not filing charges for child endangerment, coercion, abuse, or inheritance manipulation."
"If they resist," she added coolly, "then I'll go through with everything."
Silence.
Then Lawyer Qiu gave a small smile, eyes glinting.
"Understood, Miss Han Yue."
Secretary Wen nodded, already dialing a number on his phone.
Han Yue leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling.
One step at a time.
She had no intention of staying in this cage any longer.
And with the press conference looming, the public watching, and the truth unraveling piece by piece… the Han family was about to learn exactly what it meant to lose control.