Sarah was descending the stairs when she overheard her aunt's voice, engaged in a conversation with her cousin. There was a hint of annoyance in her aunt's tone. Her cousin's bedroom door was slightly ajar, not properly closed by her aunt Huifen. Perhaps she thought that since it was a Saturday, everyone would be busy downstairs and no one would have the courage to listen to their conversation, as all the household staff were afraid of Huifen's wrath.
She recalled what happened the previous night, and it made her cringe. She didn't want to dwell on those thoughts because she couldn't accept that her cousin was capable of such promiscuity. She flinched when someone tapped her shoulder. It was Mira, who, like her, had been eavesdropping. In a hushed tone, Mira asked, "Sarah, I heard some gossip among the maids last night. They said your cousin is involved in a scandal. Is it true?"
"Shhh... Keep your voice down, Mira. Aunt Huifen might hear us. We should stop eavesdropping," Sarah replied. They began to descend the stairs slowly.
"I'm going to church, dear Mira. My conscience won't allow me to discuss that scandal, especially since I'm a woman myself," Sarah said.
"Oh, you're such a saint even when you're hurting. Alright, take care, dear, and pray for me and your inexperienced and covetous relatives," Mira responded.
Sarah smiled brightly. "Alright, dear Mira, I'll bid you farewell. I didn't see Uncle Alfred, so I'll say goodbye to you instead."
Mira waved goodbye, so glad that the little girl she cared for six years turned into a beautiful and kind-hearted young lady, but at the same time feels pity for the situation she is embroiled into. "My God, please watch over Sarah," those were the only words Sarah's former nanny could mutter, now demoted as Lui family's assistant cook.
Back at Adelle's room...
"Get up, my princess," Huifen said, trying to hide her underlying emotions with a loving smile towards her disgraced daughter..
She drew the curtains of her daughter's Victorian room with care, creating an illusion of safety and seclusion. The morning light gently streamed in, casting a soft glow on the girl's face as she woke from her slumber.
Adelle buried her face in her soft pillow. She was so ashamed to make an eye contact with her mother. Even with her face hidden, her words and sobs were still audible. "Last night, I thought I was going to die in shame. Even in my dreams, that orphink Sarah was teasing me! Do something about her, mom."
Huifen lifted her child and tidied her hair. "Don't be foolish. Everything should be planned. What you did was incredibly reckless, and if you weren't my only child, I might have thought about disowning you because of the tremendous embarrassment you have caused!"
Adelle, still feeling the weight of her emotions, blinked and yawned, trying to wipe away the traces of tears from her eyes. "Mom, do we really have to continue the ball?" she asked, her voice revealing both uncertainty and lack of self-confidence.
Huifen's reassurance was laced with a hint of manipulation. "Yes, my dear, tonight is your chance to reclaim control. Remember, I'll be by your side every step of the way."
Her daughter's vulnerability was met with a response that bordered on the encounter that took place last night, as Huifen dismissed her concerns. "Don't worry, my darling. Tonight, all they'll see is your radiance, not your tears."
"I would be like a jilted princess without a prince, if he won't come," referring to Martin.
"If you didn't over react about Sarah and Martin, things would be a lot brighter." Her mother emphasizes with a bit grouchiness in her voice.
The mention of Sarah evoked anxiety in her daughter. "I hate her so much, mom!"
"Just hate and wait my dear." she advices her daughter as she combs her hair.
"But, Mom, I look terrible, my eyes are so puffy from crying," her daughter replied, vulnerability evident in her voice.
"We will do something about it. You will spend the rest of your day in the spa and you'll have the finest facial relaxing treatment. Your eyes will mesmerize Martin and the rest of the men tonight."
"But what about Dad and Mr. Wane? I feel so embarrassed with my nakedness seen in such humiliation. How can I face them after what happened?!" Her daughter's voice wavered with anxiety once more.
Huifen leaned in, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, my sweet child, you'll be surprised by what's in store for them. Trust me, they won't know what hit them."
Her daughter looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and hope. "Really, Mom?"
"Absolutely. Tonight is your moment to shine. Act as if nothing happened, and watch them wonder," Huifen said, winking playfully.
Her daughter's honest admission about struggling to face Sarah brought out a more bitter side of Huifen.
"I understand how you feel, my dear, but we won't let her presence destroy your preparation for you great night," she replied with a hard expression, clearly holding onto past grudges.
Despite the daughter's concerns, Huifen remains determined to follow through with her plan, she protect herself and her daughter's interests.
Adelle expressed gratitude for her mother's support and acceptance of her sexual inadequacies and stupidities "Thank you, Mom. I don't know what I would do without you," she said, her heart a mix of emotions.
The air between them was charged with a mix of excitement as they plotted to make Sarah uncomfortable during the event.
"Get up now, and you will marvel on how beautiful the venue of the groundball and the gardens."
And after almost an hour of chatting and preparing herself on her way to the spa, she saw the magnificence of the venue, and that beauty is meant for her alone, tonight. All girls will envy her and men would love to possess her.
"Mom, are you sure we will have media coverage tonight?"
"Of course my dear, I paid a handsome amount for that! You wouldn't miss it for the world." Huifen has more in her mind aside from that, so she feels very much confident to tell Adelle.
As the mother and daughter supervised the design team that she hired working in grand ballroom of the mansion, they found themselves surrounded by a whirlwind of excitement and elegance.
"Oh, Mom, look at this beautiful place!" her daughter exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.
Huifen beamed with pride. "Isn't it breathtaking? Everything here is all yours, my dear, and you will shine brighter than anyone else here."
Her daughter blushed, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation. "But what if things don't go as planned? What if Sarah causes trouble?"
Huifen squeezed her daughter's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, my love. I've taken care of everything. Tonight, we'll see a different side of Sarah, and it will be on a very ugly display."
A hint of curiosity sparkled in her daughter's eyes. "You've got something up your sleeve, don't you?"
Huifen winked playfully. "Maybe I do" She laughs. "Just remember, no matter what happens, I'm right here by your side."
"By the way mom, why don't I see that Sarah here? She is supposed to be helping out, right? What a lazy bitch" her daughter curses with rage.
"Never mind about her, she's at the kitchen. Her heart would break if she saw this beautiful garden and the ballroom," Huifen replied, dismissing any concerns.
"But dad said we are going to live somewhere else after this," her daughter stated, a touch of uncertainty in her voice.
"Don't worry about that, my love. You will be the sole heiress of everything," Huifen assured her daughter, trying to ease any worries.
"Really, mom?!" her daughter exclaimed, disbelief mixed with excitement.
"Yes, my dear. You deserve it all," Huifen replied, pride and love evident in her eyes.
"And don't worry about that tiny thing inside you. It doesn't have a pulse yet, right?" Huifen gently touched her daughter's stomach, speaking softly.
"I think it's about six weeks," her daughter replied, a smile forming on her face while squeezing her abdomen.
"Well, we'll take care of it, honey. You'll get rid of it!" Huifen said, her voice warm and comforting.
Adelle, hugs her mother so tight, " Mom, I never planned this and I never wanted this thing. "Thank you for understanding."
"From now on, be very careful and take birth control pills every day. And, of course, always carry condoms in your pocket." Huifen smiled slyly at her daughter.
They share a moment of laughter, a bond of naughtiness and promiscuity. Which is unbelievable and rare in a decent mother and daughter conversation.
Sarah couldn't shake the feeling of being watched by the bulky men at the back. She tried to remain composed, focusing on her prayers and trying not to mind their lingering gazes. Her thoughts kept drifting to her bandaged palm, a reminder of the previous day's accident, but she tried to push the pain aside and concentrate on the service. "Am I in a serious trouble?" she asks herself. She looks at her palm with bandage. It still hurts but not so much as compared to yesterday. Glancing sideways, she noticed that the men were still staring at her, observing her every move. Their intense gaze made her uncomfortable, and she couldn't help but wonder why they were so fixated on her. As the church service progresses, the woman and the little girl beside Sarah moved to the front row, leaving her alone with the mysterious man in the dark suit and tinted glasses. Her heart raced as she noticed a ring on his left ring finger that bore a striking resemblance to her Mama Daisy's precious heir
Everyone is busy. And that includes the one who brought pandemonium to her room. Sarah glanced once more at her room. Her meager clothes were all scattered on the floor. Her laptop smashed and her books wrinkled and some were torn into pieces. "My goodness! What happened here?!" The first thing her eyes searched is her photo with her Mama Daisy. She cried, with her hands covering her mouth to stop herself from producing sound for she might cry really loud. Who wouldn't be?! Her hands tremble as she picks the photo with the frame badly destroyed. Her room was totally obliterated. Who could have done such injustice to her? This is supposed to be her home, where she would feel safe and cared for. But now, it was a total opposite. The one who came in her room, is evidently looking for something, which she has no idea. It was really a wise decision she made when she was barely 12 years old to let Mira keep all the photo albums, jewelries and memorabilia her Mama Daisy left her. Add
While still perched on the thick branch at the top of the century-old oak tree, Sarah could only hope for a turn of events in her favor.Trust was scarce within her so-called family, leaving her uncertain even about her uncle's actions. With a mansion full of potential dangers, she clung to the hope that something positive would come her way.A lightbulb of an idea sparked in her mind—she should call her best friend, Emily.Speaking softly to avoid attracting attention from the men in her room just meters away from her hiding spot, Sarah dialed Emily's number."Em... Hello," she whispered, "I'm on a branch of an oak tree, overlooking my room.""Hey! Lovely head, what's up?" Emily mimicked a commercial, not fully grasping the seriousness of the situation."This is serious, Em. Masked men came to my room, ransacked everything, and this morning, I was chased by men who look like mercenaries," Sarah explained, trying to catch her breath amid her nervousness."OMG! Should I call the police
"Oh, my baby!" cried Mira in distress."Quick, Peter, we have to carry her. Let's take her to the downstairs garage. We need to be very careful. I'll gather some of her things and pack mine as well. We're leaving tonight." she kneels and hugs Sarah.Peter gently picks up Sarah, being cautious not to attract attention. "We mustn't draw any suspicion. Let's check if there are people outside and use the fire escape."Mira nods in agreement, giving her OK sign. They stealthily move through the hall, hiding behind the large plants and furniture whenever someone passed by."Hey, Jane, have you seen Mira?" asked another maid who was dressed modestly for the party."No, besides Madame Huifen hired a lot of people to work tonight because she wants first-class service," Jane replied while dabbing her makeup."At least we get to take part in the back. Perhaps Mira has her own date," the other maid mocked, and they all laughed.Mira fumed with frustration. "Oh, those creeps. Wait till I get my ha
At the debutante's party, anticipation built as the Toast Master's voice resonated through the hall, announcing the moment everyone had been eagerly waiting for.Martin flashes a celebrity smile to everyone including to Adelle, "Sweetie, you have to enjoy my arms, while your debut ball lasts." He approaches her and angles out his right left arm to his princess.Adelle, didn't get his exact point but she smiles at him anyway. She thoughts, what matters, one of the most sought after rich bachelors in Shanghai is here with him. "I'm glad you came for me, thank you."Martin replies while waving at the guests, "Don't imagine things my dear.""Really? Obviously, you are enjoying every moment with me, as you did that night before." She flashes her sweetest smile, too, and leans on his shoulders for a perfect shot."Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests of the marvelous village, please gather around as we proudly present the debutante of the year, the radiant Ms. Adelle Wei Lui. She is wearin
Peter all tied up turns to Mira, and both of them wonder. Then they saw two guys helping them out… Then another two came. A man in full-combat flashes his light, "You're safe now. We'll get you the medical attention you need." Mira relieve and let out a sigh, "Thank you, thank you so much! Peter grateful, "You arrived just in time." "Help, my baby, Please, help Sarah." Mira cries incessantly to the two men in full battle gear. Peter tells them, "Please, save her, They took here at the cabin." The two looks at each other and the other one calls someone to direct them at the cabin. Inside the dusty old cabin… "Well, what do we have here?" She sneers at Sarah all tied up in a chair. "For starters, this won't take us long, Let's do something about your face, shall we?!" Huifen laughs at the poor girl the removes the cloth inside her mouth. She wears on iron knuckles and delivers menacing punches on Sarah, each on her eyes twice, then two punches again that cut through her slend
"This is a private property, you are causing distress! I own this place!" Huifen shouts at them. A uniformed man seizes her hands and pinned her down, "Lady, stop what you are doing. Our boss is going to punish you terribly," "I am the boss here, dumb-ass! Ouch! My gown you will rip it off. This costs millions!" Then the lights were on at the cabin. Huifen saw the badly beaten Sarah being helped by uniformed men. "That girl is an outlaw, she stole from me so she is beaten, so badly. Don't help her, instead punish her more!" she tells them like a mad woman. Sarah's feet were untied from the chair by the uniformed men. "Thank you, she said as she is bleeding. In a very soft almost whispering voice she asked, "Did you my friends in the woods? Please, help them." "Young Lady Master, they are safe now." "Chairman Feng, we're approaching the location," the pilot informed him. The sight of the sprawling estate that belongs to Ms. Daisy Zang Lui filled Chairman Feng with a mix of anxie
Martin was enveloped with an overwhelming sense of fear, the likes of which he had never experienced before. Witnessing such inhumane torture at the hands of Chairman Feng, he now knew better than to ever cross paths with them. The scenes of brutality and mutilation, especially towards Huifen, and her lover, were etched in his mind, haunting him even as he tried to compose himself. He looks on Alfred Lui as he goes on crawling to the Chairman, and kissed his bloodied shoes. "Master, please, forgive me. I was greedy and weak. I never even did something to solve the mystery of my sister's death. I take the blame for my weakness. Please, Chairman, spare Adelle. She may not be my daughter, and has done meanness to Sarah, she is still young to suffer and die." "So, tell me, Alfred. All these years, you haven't learned what family means? He looks down at Alfred with disgust. "Your sister sacrificed so much for you. She was enslaved, sold and tortured by Lao clan just to earn money for