"I'm so sorry. We have no idea she was going through that," Mrs. Qin looked saddened.
"Yes, she is. I told her to get earmuffs, but that stubborn bull…" he sighed. "Look after her and try as much as possible to limit the loud noises around her. It causes her severe headache and might worsen her ear problem that would force her to go for surgery. Worst case, she might lose her hearing. You should be careful."
"Thank you, doctor Phil." Mrs. Qin left the office and went in search of Lisa.
She was lucky to see Lisa going down the corridor. She almost yelled her name, but remembering what the doctor said, she increased her pace until she was behind Lisa.
Mrs. Qin yanked Lisa's hand and turned her around to see her ear. There was cotton wool stuck inside.
"Mrs. Yun did this to you?" her voice was half angry and half helpless.
Lisa sighed, "I told him to keep it from the family," she mumbled.
"How could you not tell the family what happened to you?!" The woman's hold on Lisa tightened until Lisa pried her hand away.
"Stay with dad until I return."
"Where are you going?" she asked, almost instantly.
"I have something I need to take care of."
"Hold on, Lisa," Mrs. Qin stopped her and combed Lisa's long golden brown hair to cover her right ear. "You know, we're in a tough situation right now. And you heard what Doctor Phil said. Please, I don't want your father to wake up to what might trigger his heart again. He's the only one who truly loves you. I might be your Aunt, but I can't love you like your real parents would... So, you must put aside anything that might cause him to have another attack..."
"I know," she paused and held the woman's hand. "Aunt Karen… I know I have done too much damage to the family, most of which wasn't my fault. But I promise, I won't let this family fall apart. I'll do everything I must to pull the Qin Cooperation back to the apex– it's rightful place. Dad, you, and Linda mustn't suffer. I'll make things right, I promise."
Mrs. Qin's eyes teared up. "This child…" she pulled Lisa into a tight hug. "You've grown up. My sister must be very proud of you right now."
Lisa's love for this woman didn't come from the fact that she was her Aunt-turned-stepmother, nor did it resurrect from the idea that she was nice to Lisa and treats her like her daughter.
On the contrary, Lisa loves her because she's honest and never tries to take away her mother's spot, both in her life and her father's life.
Every time, the woman reminds her that no matter how much she loves Lisa, she cannot love her more than Linda. And no matter how bad her relationship with her father was, the man would always love her more than Karen ever would.
It's a bitter pill to swallow, but that was the truth that most stepmothers would never tell their stepchildren.
Lisa and her Aunt's relationship was built on honesty and transparency…
After Lisa left the hospital, Mrs. Qin returned to her daughter.
"What did the doctor say? Is dad going to die?" Linda asked frantically.
Mrs. Qin shook her head and took a seat. "He'll be waking up soon. You don't have to worry."
"That's a relief… and that evil creature?"
Mrs. Qin glanced at her, "That's a harsh word to use on your cousin. Keep your anger in check."
"How can I?!" She bolted up and started yelling. "How can I do that?! Look at what she did to Ryan! Was she intending to kill him?!"
"Linda!!" Mrs. Qin took a deep breath to calm herself. "Lisa would never hurt anyone unless she was provoked. You know that too well, so stop all that."
"Really? Are you on her side now?" she chuckled. "Is that why you've been unable to carry out the plan for decades? Is it because you love her more than me?"
"Linda, you know that's not true. I–"
"Enough, mom. I don't want your contribution anymore. From now on, I'll take care of my matters!" She turned and stormed out.
"Linda!" Mrs. Qin sighed heavily and plopped to the chair. She looked worn-out. But no one knows if it was from her daughter's troubles, her husband's condition, or the family's upcoming struggles.
…
After leaving the hospital, Lisa was seen standing in front of a tall glass building that she had no luxury of time to guess how many floors it had. The glaring silver fonts which spelt 'Anchor Law Firm', stood dominant on the body of the gigantic company.
At the entrance, the security let her in after getting her information and reason for her visit. Standing at the front desk, the lady said a few polite words before asking.
"Who are you here to see, Miss?"
"James Chengyi," Lisa replied.
"Alright," the lady got on the phone. After a few rings, she said, "Miss Lisa Qin is here to see Lawyer Chengyi..." After the call, the lady allowed Lisa into the elevator.
Lisa arrived on the fifth floor and went straight to the Lawyer's office. It didn't take her much time to find because, on the doors were name boards with team names.
To her right was a name board with, 'Excellent Lawyers.'
To her left was another, 'They plead: Not guilty.'
Lisa continued forward and finally stopped at the door with a name board that read, 'Play by the rules.'
She knocked once before pushing the door open and walking in. The First office she met was the secretary's office. The lady was polite and took her to Lawyer James Chengyi before leaving.
"Miss Qin, when did you arrive?" the man got up and stretched his hand out for a handshake.
Lisa honoured his gesture with a handshake and replied, "Two nights ago."
The man left his desk and took Lisa to a sofa while saying, "and you've already started causing chaos?" he motioned for her to take the opposite sofa while he sat himself on one. Lisa sat down and in no time, the secretary returned with refreshment.
"You look different from five years ago," Lisa skipped his rhetorical question.
"Likewise… so, to what do I owe the honor to grace your presence?"
Lisa chuckled, "Your humor hasn't changed."
The man smiled and picked up his cup of coffee, waiting for her to speak.
"I'm here in regards to my mother's will." The two made eye contact for a very long time before the man put the cup down.
"Is your father aware of this?"
"He's at the hospital. His company is failing and it's partially my fault."
Mr. James laughed out loud, "You still haven't changed a bit, Lisa. Who are you delegating the blame to this time?"
"Those involved…"
Mr. James sighed and shook his head. "So, you want the legal rights to your inheritance?"
"That's right. It will go a long way in saving my father's company."
Mr. James nodded. "Indeed. You have quite a fortune left in your name. When do you intend for the transfer to take place? The documents need to be typed, so it can't happen today… Today is Thursday. Let's say, Monday. Hope it won't be too inconvenient?"
"I'm sure the company can hold up till then…"
The two discussed a little while longer before Lisa went home to change her clothes. On arrival, she asked the kitchen to make something. Her Aunt and Cousin mustn't have eaten anything since morning.
While the kitchen was preparing something, Lisa went into her room to change. After that, she was about to leave when she saw a maid coming out of Linda's room. When the maid saw Lisa, she flinched and what she was holding fell.
"What are you doing?"
"I– we– she… I was cleaning the room. Yes, cleaning the room." The maid looked utterly frightened and alarmed. Even a child could tell she was lying.
Lisa changed directions and started heading towards her. "What did you drop? Let me see," Lisa stretched out her hand.