Elena's eyes widened. "Dad!"
"You blocked my number, and you still remember I'm your father?" Derek sneered. "Elena, the Song family's influence in South City has been thriving these past years. If I want to go after Sean, it's child's play."
"If you don't want him to suffer an 'accident' and die in that sterile ward, then you'd better listen to your father. Understand?"
Elena's fingers curled into fists, trembling as her chest rose and fell. Through gritted teeth, she spat out, "Dad, you're truly despicable."
"Elena, that's no way to talk to your father."
"Fine. I can come home. I'll even agree to step aside for Sophia. But I have one condition…"
The call ended with Derek hanging up.
At the Song residence, Lynn leaned over carefully, whispering, "Honey, what did Elena say?"
Derek said nothing, still holding the phone. Sophia bit her lip, eyes brimming with tears as she choked out, "Dad, Mom… If Sis doesn't want to, then don't force her. It's fine. The original engagement with the Cheng family was hers anyway. If she marries Felix, it's the same. It doesn't matter if it's me or her. As long as it helps the Song family, I can let go of Felix… really."
Her fragile selflessness, her constant retreat, made Derek ache with pity.
The reason he'd chosen to let his precious Sophia marry into the Cheng family wasn't only because she was obedient and clever—though she was. More importantly, Elena was far too difficult to control.
If Elena entered the Cheng family, gained wings strong enough to protect Sean, she'd never listen to him again. And if she dared to sow discord in front of Mr. Cheng, the Song family's plan to climb through that marriage would collapse completely.
He couldn't allow such things beyond his grasp. The bride had to be Sophia.
"Don't talk nonsense." Derek ruffled his daughter's hair, his face full of indulgence. "Don't worry. With Sean around, your sister won't dare disobey me."
"She owes Sean. For the rest of her life, the only path left for her is to compromise—for him."
A fleeting glint of malice flickered in Sophia's eyes.
Elena, you'll never win against me. You're destined to be trampled under my feet.
"Elena, you're back?"
The moment she stepped through the Song family's doors, Lynn greeted her warmly, reaching for her hand. "Are you hungry? I made so many of your favorite dishes. Come, try some!"
Elena slipped her hand away, her gaze tinged with mocking amusement. "Lynn, you've really worked hard all these years, putting on such a performance as the perfect stepmother in front of everyone."
"Sis, don't say that about Mom. She's really happy you're home." Sophia's face flushed with shy warmth. "I'm happy too, Sister. I missed you while you were away…"
As the saying goes, like mother, like daughter. Sophia and Lynn were both cut from the same mold—two flawless white lotuses.
"Really? I missed you too, little sister."
Elena tilted her head, smiling as she touched her cheek. "Every time I think of you, my face still stings."
Sophia stiffened, caught off guard, unable to respond.
Elena's smile only deepened.
"What are you all doing standing in the doorway? Sit and eat."
The patriarch's voice cut through, and no one dared continue. Everyone obediently sat at the dining table.
At the table, Lynn fussed over Elena, picking food for her. "Here, Elena, your favorite—sweet and sour ribs."
"Lynn, you must be mistaken. Those are my sister's favorite."
As she spoke, Elena dropped the ribs into Sophia's bowl. "Eat more, little sister. You've lost weight lately."
Lynn's face tightened. Sophia forced a gentle smile. "Thank you, Sis."
Elena sighed softly, feigning melancholy. "Kids with mothers are treasures. If my mom were still alive, I'd be a treasure too. She would've remembered what I like to eat."
"Elena!!" Derek's roar split the air. "What nonsense are you spouting at the dinner table?"
Elena blinked innocently. "Why so angry, Dad? After all, she was your wife, my birth mother. Even if she's gone, her name is still in the Song family genealogy. Am I not allowed to mention her?"
Her gaze slid to Lynn. "Isn't that right, Lynn?"
"Yes, Elena is right." Lynn forced a smile, though her face was stiff. "Derek, don't be angry. It's normal for her to miss her mother. I've failed as a stepmother…"
Elena batted her lashes. "See? Even Lynn admits it."
The food Lynn cooked was inedible to her. But if she couldn't stomach it, why should anyone else?
Since Derek had forced her home to eat, then nobody would enjoy this meal. He wouldn't dare go after Sean over something so petty, not when he was holding that trump card.
Sure enough, the table grew tense. Faces soured. Derek barely ate a few bites before setting his chopsticks down, eyes fixed on Elena. "Call Mr. Cheng. Tell him you're visiting tonight."
So impatient already?
Elena's lips curved as she pulled out her phone, dialing a number. "Hello, Grandpa…"
Lynn and Sophia stiffened, their eyes darting toward her. The dining room fell quiet, the only sound Elena's soft, almost playful voice:
"Do you have time tonight? I miss you. I want to come see you."
"…You want me to come for dinner? Perfect. It's been so long since I joined you. I'll keep you company—and we can play chess afterward."
"Mm, it's settled then. See you tonight, Grandpa."
Hanging up, she fluttered her lashes at Derek. "Dad, you watched me call him yourself. Nothing to worry about, right? So… can I go now?"
"Elena." Derek's tone hardened. "Remember what I told you. Don't play tricks with me. You will never marry into the Cheng family."
"Relax, Dad. I wouldn't waste tricks on something so beneath me."
She had no desire to marry into the Cheng family, nor spend her life with Felix. A man Sophia had touched disgusted her with just a glance, let alone marriage.
Besides, she was already married.
Even without Derek's threats, she would've gone to the Cheng estate tonight anyway. Lucian had only given her two days, and she had no intention of testing his temper.
"I'll be going then. Bye!"
Shouldering her chain bag, Elena strode out of the dining room. The moment she turned away, her smile vanished into a cold expression.
Sophia rose from her chair. "Dad, I don't feel well. I'll go rest upstairs."
She dashed to her room, grabbed a pillow, and slammed it against the bed over and over.
Why? Why was it always Elena that Mr. Cheng favored?
What part of her was inferior to Elena? Why was it that Old Master Cheng simply refused to acknowledge her?
Her father had brought her personally to the Cheng family estate several times, yet Mr. Cheng never once agreed to meet her. He even turned away Felix and his parents.
But Elena? With just a single phone call, Mr. Cheng immediately invited her for dinner. Even from afar, Sophia could hear his hearty laughter through the phone.
Jealousy surged, drowning her. Snatching a pair of scissors, she stabbed furiously at the pillow, spitting venomous curses. "Go to hell, Elena, you cheap whore! Just die already!"
Lynn entered the room, quietly closing the door behind her. "Enough. Stop this tantrum."
With no outsiders around, Sophia dropped the facade. She raged, "Mom, Elena did that on purpose! She knows Mr. Cheng despises me, so she deliberately said those things just to provoke me!"
"If you already know she's baiting you, why let yourself get angry? Doesn't that mean you've lost?" Lynn soothed, moving closer. "Don't worry. Even if Mr. Cheng likes Elena, it's useless. The position of Mrs. Cheng can only ever belong to you."
"Sophia, you've always been patient. This time, you must endure again—endure until you're securely seated as Mrs. Cheng. After that, Elena, with no power or status, will be yours to crush however you please."
"You're right, Mom." Sophia finally breathed easier, burying herself in Lynn's arms. "I'll endure."
But her eyes glittered with poison. One day, I'll make that bitch's life a living hell.
At five in the afternoon, Elena was escorted into the Cheng family estate by the butler.
"Miss Sung, the master is waiting for you in the garden."
Stepping once more into the old residence, Elena found it unchanged, though the gardens had grown even more lush and vibrant. Only two months had passed, yet she felt as though years had gone by.
In a pavilion amidst the flowers, an elderly man with white hair sat at a stone table, frowning over a chessboard. Suddenly, a slender hand placed a black piece on the board.
"What about here?"
"Excellent! A brilliant move!" The old man laughed heartily. "I really am getting old. My mind isn't as quick as you young people's. And my strength is failing me too."
"Not at all, Grandpa. You're still as vigorous as ever." Elena smiled, seating herself opposite him. "Playing alone must be boring. Let me accompany you."
He couldn't have been more delighted. "Good, good."
Elena reset the board, and the two began to play in companionable silence.
Though the summer heat was sweltering, a cool breeze drifted through the pavilion, making it a perfect retreat. Midway through the game, Elena finally spoke.
"Grandpa, I actually came today because I want to tell you something."
The old man raised his eyes, the wrinkles on his face deepening. "I know what you want to say. Elena, don't be fooled by my age—I see things clearly. Your father sent you here today, didn't he?"
Knowing nothing escaped Mr. Cheng's perception, Elena abandoned Derek's excuses and shook her head. "Even without him, I would've come."
"You really won't reconsider?" He set down a white piece, his voice weary. "Elena, I can tell Felix still loves you. He's only been misled. I know it sounds selfish of me, but I hope you'll give him another chance. If you do, he'll be devoted to you for the rest of his life."
Elena pressed her lips together. "Grandpa, you're right. The failure between me and Felix isn't entirely his fault. I neglected him too much over the years. But… Grandpa…"
"Our fate is finished. It can't be forced. Please, let him go—and let me go too. Maybe it's time for me to start a new life…"
She dropped a black piece onto the board, smiling brightly. "Grandpa, I win."
"Enough, enough." He waved his hand. "It's our Cheng family that has wronged you. As for Felix… let him regret it himself."
After dinner, Elena stepped out of the Cheng estate. Night had already fallen.
Suddenly, a figure lunged at her, clawed hand swinging toward her face.
"Elena! How dare you come here? Haven't you ruined Felix enough?"
But Elena's reflexes were faster. She caught the woman's wrist and smiled sweetly. "Auntie, what are you doing? How exactly have I ruined Felix?"
Mrs. Cheng's face was twisted with rage. "Don't play dumb! You went running to Father again, didn't you? You've been poisoning his ears with your little reports, that's why Felix has fallen out of favor!"
"You venomous snake! What's wrong with Felix and your sister being in love? But no—you just can't stand to see them happy. You'll stop at nothing to tear them apart!"
Elena had endured years of this woman's scorn, treated like trash for being the unloved daughter of the Song family. But now, with her ties to the Chengs nearly severed, why should she endure another insult?
"Auntie," she said coolly, lips curling, "don't forget—I am Felix's fiancée. From beginning to end, Mr. Cheng has only ever acknowledged me. What do you call Felix and my sister's little romance? An affair without name or legitimacy."
"You—!" Mrs. Cheng trembled with fury. "You're nothing but a worthless tramp. And you think you can marry into the Cheng family? Dream on!"
"Dream or not, I know one thing." Elena reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope, dangling it before her eyes. "Mr. Cheng gave me an invitation."
Her smile turned disarmingly innocent. "Grandpa said that in three days, he'll host a grand banquet here at the estate. He's invited nearly every elite in South City. And at that banquet, he plans to announce something important. I wonder… could it be my engagement to Felix?"
"After all, our engagement back then was handled quietly. Most people in South City don't even know. Isn't it only right for him to make it official now? After all, in the Cheng family, Grandpa's word is law—not yours."
Mrs. Cheng shook with fury, nearly speechless. "You… you—!"
"If you're unhappy, go take it up with Mr. Cheng. What's the point of venting on me? Oh, silly me—I almost forgot. Mr. Cheng doesn't want to see you. He doesn't even see Felix."
"Elena!!"
Watching Mrs. Cheng nearly collapse with rage, Elena finally felt the suffocating pressure in her chest ease.
"Sorry, Auntie, I have other matters to attend to. I'll be going now. Do enjoy your evening."