Chapter 3

* * * * * * * THE VINCE MANSION* * * * * * 

“What if our plans failed?“ Mrs Vince asked her husband.

“Woman you have been disturbing with questions like I'm doing an oral examination   

 Please let me sleep.“ Mr Vince said in an angry tone.

“I'm just worried, you can blame me.“ She said she received no reply, she decided to sleep but silently praying their plan never fails.

*************************************

The next morning, Lian woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. He stretched his arms and yawned, feeling a sense of disorientation.

As he sat up in bed, he saw Cheng standing by the window, sipping a glass of tequila. How can someone be having tequila this morning? Cheng's eyes met Lian's, and he smiled.

"Good morning, Mei," Cheng said, his voice low and husky. "Did you sleep well?"

Lian stared at him, still feeling a bit dazed. He looked around the room, trying to remember where he was and how he got there.

Cheng walked over to the bed and sat down beside Lian. "I have to go out for a bit today," he said, his eyes locked on Lian's. "But don't worry, I'll be back soon. And when I am, we'll continue where we left off last night."

Lian's heart skipped a beat as he remembered the events of the previous night. He felt a wave of fear wash over him, but he tried to push it aside.

Cheng leaned in and kissed Lian's forehead. "Be good while I'm away, Mei," he whispered. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

With that, Cheng stood up and walked out of the room, leaving Lian feeling anxious.

As soon as Cheng left the room, Lian let out a sigh of relief. He was glad to be alone for a while, and he hoped that he could gather his thoughts and figure out what to do next.

He got out of bed and walked over to the window, looking out at the beautifully manicured gardens below. He felt a pang of sadness as he thought about how he had ended up here the death of his sister and all that had occurred within a few days, How the maid was killed in front of him, how his identity was almost revealed last night. Lian's mind flashed back to the event of last night. After the maid was killed, Cheng took him back to the room and began kiss and assaulting his lips. Cheng almost pulled down his dress but he was interrupted by a call which made him sighed in relief. 

Lian was interrupted from his thoughts, when he heard a knock at the door. He turned to see a maid standing in the doorway, holding a tray of food.

"Breakfast, miss," the maid said, bowing her head.

This made Lian remember the maid of last night. He suddenly felt horrified thinking about it.

“Miss, you have breakfast.” the maid said again she began setting down the food on a table.

 

Lian nodded, feeling a little hungry. He walked over to the table and sat down, looking at the food on the tray. The maid walked out after she was done.

Lian was finishing up his breakfast, he heard the sound of footsteps outside the room. 

The door opened, and a tall, imposing figure walked in. 

*************************************

* * * * * * * * * *The Fu's Villa* * * * * * * * 

Cheng stepped out of the car, the morning sunlight casting a golden glow on the majestic mansion. A security guard, impeccably dressed, greeted him with a bowed head.

"Welcome, Master."

Cheng dismissed the guard with a raised hand, his eyes scanning the villa's facade. The sound of softly chirping birds and rustling leaves filled the air as he proceeded towards the entrance.

Inside, the chief maid, Mrs. Julia, awaited him. "Good morning, Master. Madam is waiting for you," she said, her voice low and respectful, as she led Cheng to the dining room.

The aroma of roasted meat and freshly baked bread wafted through the hallway. Despite not residing at the Fu's Villa, Cheng commanded fear and respect from the staff. His presence sent shivers down their spines.

Upon entering the dining room, Cheng found his mother, Isabella Fu, already seated at the table. Her piercing green eyes sparkled with warmth as she smiled.

"Cheng, darling," she said, extending her hand.

Cheng took her hand, his expression softening. "Mother."

Cheng's mother released his hand, her eyes never leaving his face. "I'm glad you could make it, Cheng. I've missed you."

Cheng smiled softly, taking his seat beside her. "I've been busy, Mother."

The dining room door swung open, and Ryder Cheng's brother sauntered in.

Ryder's piercing blue eyes scanned the room before settling on his brother. A smirk twisted his lips.

"Cheng. Mother. How lovely to see you both," Ryder said, his voice filled with sarcasm.

Cheng's expression turned icy, his jaw clenched by the sight of his brother.

Isabella's smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "Ryder, darling. Join us, please."

Ryder took the seat opposite Cheng, his eyes never leaving his brother's face.

Just then, Cheng's father, Reginald Fu, walked into the room, a stern expression on his face.

"Good morning, everyone," he said, his voice commanding attention.

Cheng's eyes met his father's, a spark of tension flying between them.

"Father," Cheng said, his voice neutral.

Reginald took his seat at the head of the table, his eyes scanning the room before settling on Cheng.

"Let's go straight to the point, I've called this meeting to discuss a matter of great importance," Reginald said, his voice firm. 

“Firstly, Cheng, you had an engagement behind our back without letting us know?“ “That's not a problem, You will call off the engagement, I've arranged for you to marry the daughter of the Li family."

Cheng's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched, his fist hardened but he never said a word, he just ate and pretended he wasn't listening, not alone the one his father was speaking to.

Reginald's expression turned cold, his eyes flashing with anger because he knew Cheng could hear him but refused to reply. "You'll do as you're told, Cheng. This marriage will secure our family's business interests and strengthen our position."

Isabella placed a hand on Cheng's arm, her eyes warning him to remain calm.

"Cheng, darling, please listen to your father," she said, her voice soft but firm.

Cheng shook off his mother's hand, his eyes blazing with defiance.

"I won't marry some woman I've no interest in," Cheng said, his voice cold and detached. "I've already chosen my partner."

Reginald's face darkened, his anger.

"Who is this person?" Reginald demanded, his voice filled with disdain.

Cheng's eyes locked onto his father's, a challenge sparking between them.

"Who she is, doesn't have any business with you.“ Cheng replied flatly.

The room fell silent, the tension between Cheng and his father palpable. Ryder watched the exchange with interest, a smirk twisting his lips.

"This should be good," Ryder muttered, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Isabella's eyes flashed with warning, but Cheng stood his ground, refusing to back down.

Reginald's face turned red with rage, his fists clenched on the table. "You're throwing away our family's future for some... some bitch?" he spat.

Cheng's eyes blazed with fury, his voice low but filled with rage that hinted at warning. "Don't you ever call her bitch and how dare you to question my choices, Father?"

Reginald's expression faltered, his eyes darting nervously to Isabella and Ryder. But Cheng's gaze remained fixed on him, his intensity unnerving.

Reginald's face paled, his eyes wide with fear. He had never seen Cheng like this before, so fierce and unyielding. For a moment, he wondered if he had underestimated his son.

Isabella's eyes were filled with worry, but Ryder's gaze was fixed on Cheng, a mixture of fascination, shock and fear on his face.

Reginald's voice trembled as he spoke. "Cheng, please... reconsider. Think of the family's reputation, our business interests..."

Cheng's laughter was cold and mirthless. "You think I care about any of that? You've used me and manipulated me for the last time, Father. I'm taking control of my life, and no one will stop me."

Cheng's words hung in the air like a challenge, his eyes blazing with defiance. Reginald's face turned white with rage, his hands shaking as he slammed his fist on the table.

"You ungrateful, insolent son!" Reginald bellowed, his voice echoing through the dining room. "I'll disown you! I'll cut you out of the family business!"

Cheng's smile was cold and calculating. " You can try it, Father," he said, his voice in a mockery tone "But you'll find that I'm not as powerless as you think soon enough.“But don't touch what is mine because you wouldn't see when I strike back.

Reginald's face turned purple with rage, his eyes bulging from their sockets. "You dare to threaten me?" he spat, his voice trembling with fury.

Cheng's laughter was cold and ruthless. "I'm not threatening you, Father," he said. "I'm promising you. You'll regret the day you ever tried to control me."

The room fell silent, the tension between Cheng and Reginald palpable. Isabella's eyes darted nervously between her son and her husband, her face pale with worry.

The silence stretched out, the air thick with unspoken threats. Finally, Reginald spoke, his voice trembling with rage.

"Get out," he spat, his eyes blazing with fury. "Get out of my house, and never come back."

Cheng's smile was coldly "With pleasure, Father," he said, his voice in a ruthless but sarcastic way. "But this isn't the end. This is just the beginning."

Cheng stood up, his eyes never leaving his father's face. He pushed his chair back, the sound echoing through the silent room.

Reginald's face turned red with rage, his fists clenched on the table. "You'll never have her!" he spat, his voice trembling with fury. "I'll make sure of it!"

Cheng's smile was cold and mischievous. "We'll see about that, Father," he said. "We'll see about that."

With that, Cheng turned and walked out of the dining room, leaving his family staring after him in shock and awe.

Isabella's eyes were wide with worry, her face pale with fear. Ryder's gaze was fixed on the door, his eyes shining with a mixture of happiness that Cheng is finally out of his way but also fear, he had never seen this ruthless side of him.

Reginald's face was so red as if he ate a food filled with hot chili sauce, his fists clenched on the table. "He'll pay for this," he spat, his voice trembling with fury. "He'll pay for defying me!"

Isabella spoke up, her voice soft and tentative. "Reginald, maybe we should..."

Reginald's gaze snapped to her, his eyes blazing with fury. "No," he spat, his voice loud. "We'll do nothing. Cheng will come crawling back when he realizes he can't survive without us."

Ryder's gaze was fixed on his father, his eyes shining with a glint of happiness. 

* * * * * * * *The Li's mansion* * * * * * * *

"My lady," a maid said, kneeling down in front of Vivian Li. A beautiful young petite woman with blonde hair and brown eyes.

Vivian looked up from her phone, her expression expectant. "What is it?" she asked, her tone dismissive.

The maid hesitated before speaking. "Young miss, I was approached by a stranger who handed me this file. They instructed me to give it to you personally."

Vivian's interest was piqued. She set her phone aside and took the file from the maid. "You may leave," she said, her voice firm but polite.

The maid quickly stood up and bowed before hurrying out of the room. Vivian watched her go before turning her attention to the file.

She opened it, her eyes scanning the contents. As she read, her expression changed from curiosity to shock and anger.

Inside the file was a picture of a beautiful young woman with piercing green eyes.

Vivian's eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched. "So, this is who Cheng wants, a low class bitch that can even compare to me," she muttered to herself, her voice filled with a mixture of mockery and anger.

A sinister smile spread across Vivian's face as she thought of ways to eliminate her and claim Cheng for herself.

"I'll make sure you pay for stealing Cheng's attention," Vivian whispered, her eyes gleaming with malice. "You'll regret ever crossing mei, so better watch out and be prepared." She said with an evil smirk displaying on her lipsas she picked up her phone to make a call.

“Hello, I want you to do something for me.“