Rhea was overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, paralyzed with fear and uncertainty.
"All the money at home has gone to your father's treatment," Mrs. Liu said, wiping her tears. Although she was in her forties, her hands looked like those of a sixty-year-old woman.
"Mom, don't cry. I'll find a way," Rhea comforted her, though she herself was unsure of what to do.
None of their relatives were well-off, and their neighbors were all struggling financially. Who would lend them money?
Suddenly, Mrs. Liu spoke up, "Rhea, I heard Zuri is from a wealthy family. She must have money. You used to be close friends. Ask her for help. Even a little bit from her could support our family."
Zuri?!
Would someone like her, who despises the poor and fawns over the rich, even bother to help? Would she lend money?
Rhea was uncertain, but at the moment, Zuri was their only hope.
Faced with her mother and brother's hopeful gazes, Rhea nodded, "I'll go find her."
"Hurry up," Mrs. Liu urged.
"I'll go tomorrow," Rhea said, wanting to check on her father first.
Mrs. Liu pinched her arm harshly. "Are you stupid? The money we have is only enough for the deposit, not the treatment. Staying here won't help. Go and get the money from Zuri."
Under her mother's urging, Rhea left the hospital.
Lin Household
Zuri walked out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe, her pale cheeks flushed. She went to the vanity, opened the bottom drawer, took out a wooden box, and placed a blood-stained mouse tail into a glass jar, which was already one-third full.
She gently stroked the jar, her eyes fixed on the tails, whispering, "Someone will join you soon. Don't worry, she'll be here soon."
Knock, knock, knock...
Someone knocked on the door. Zuri calmly put everything back in the drawer.
"Come in."
Arianwen entered the bedroom. "Second Miss, there's a call from the gate. Someone claiming to be your good friend needs to see you urgently. Should I let them in?"
"Really?" Zuri slowly dried her hair. "My only friend is Azura."
Arianwen understood. "Rest well, Second Miss."
Outside the villa gate, Rhea was anxiously waiting. After taking the call, the security guard said to Rhea impatiently, "She doesn't know you. Leave."
"How can she not know me? We grew up together. We were best friends."
The guard was exasperated. "If you're such good friends, call her."
Rhea looked embarrassed.
She didn't know when, but she had been blocked by Zuri.
"Please, ask again. Just one more time, please? Tell her it's Rhea. I really need to see her."
The guard ignored her. "Go away."
This wasn't an ordinary neighborhood where one could bother the residents repeatedly.
"Leave now."
Rhea was ruthlessly chased away.
Feeling helpless, Rhea stared at the gate behind her, her eyes filled with deep hatred.
Zuri, you'll get what's coming to you!
Rhea crouched down and cried. The pressure from her family's situation and her mother's expectations was suffocating.
The only person she could turn to was so heartless. How could she not hate her?
If anything happened to her father, she would make Zuri pay.
FX Venture Capital Headquarters
The secretary opened the door to the CEO's office, placed a thick stack of documents on the desk, and stepped back a few paces to report the schedule.
"Meeting with Mr. Wang in the afternoon, and a business reception in the evening."
"Mr. Feng, we have the information on the girl you asked me to investigate. All her details and the surveillance video from that day have been sent to your email."
"Also, it turns out that the girl knows Third Young Master. He attended her birthday party under the Feng family's name to show support."
The man, who had been staring at stock charts, lifted his head and looked at his chief assistant, muttering, "This is interesting."
Nolan opened his email and quickly scanned the documents, reading at lightning speed.
Grayson continued, "The surveillance video from that day shows that Miss Lin likely stumbled upon the situation and helped him out of convenience."
Nolan opened the cafe surveillance video, immediately locking onto the figure on the screen, his sharp eyes tracking her every move, even a slight glance.
Suddenly, Nolan paused the video, zooming in repeatedly, a playful smile on his lips.
"Coincidence? Not likely," Nolan's deep voice was calm and indifferent.
Grayson was taken aback by this remark.
Not a coincidence? Then she must have been waiting for Evan on purpose.
A girl so young, with such capability.
The thought made him glance at his boss.
He almost forgot, his boss was the most brilliant prodigy. If his boss could do it, perhaps this girl could too.
In the evening, a Maybach drove slowly down the road.
During rush hour, the car moved like a snail.
Nolan checked his limited edition Rolex watch, glanced up, and looked at the endless traffic jam ahead.
"Stop up ahead," Nolan instructed.
The driver moved a few paces and parked by the roadside.
Grayson got out, checking the time and calculating the walking distance. From here to the hotel, it would take twenty minutes on foot, just in time for the meeting.
"From here, it's about a fifteen-minute walk to Windsor School," Grayson reported dutifully.
Meanwhile, two hundred meters away at the school gate, a scene was unfolding.
Rhea had been waiting at the gate early. Seeing Zuri, Azura, and Farida approaching, she took a deep breath, psyching herself up.
"Rhea, pride doesn't matter now. As long as you get the money, everything will be fine."
She kept repeating this to herself.
As Zuri and her friends approached, Rhea rushed over, blocking their path.
"Zuri, please, save my father. Only you can help him now. I'll do anything you ask," Rhea's voice was loud.
Immediately, she drew the attention of all the passing students. Those who were about to get in their cars stopped and gathered around.
The more people gathered, the more pitiful Rhea's expression became. With tears in her eyes, she cried out, "Zuri, my dad once helped you. Please help him just this once. I'm begging you."