Zuri stared at the message, mulling it over. There was a hint of grievance in it.
Grievance?!
The image of Owen at the concert flashed in her mind—a dominant and charismatic presence. If that cold, aloof face showed a hint of grievance, it would be terrifying.
She immediately shook off that "pleasant" thought.
She was definitely overthinking!
Zuri: [A friend.]
A friend, she thought.
Although they had only met once and worked together once, every conversation with him felt easy and natural.
She enjoyed chatting with him, but he was too busy.
She never dared to reach out to him, nor would she disturb his life.
Owen: [Since we're friends, how can I stand by and watch my friend be wronged?]
Owen: [You don't have to be polite with me. I can't stand seeing my friends suffer. This applies not just to you but to all my friends.]
Owen was satisfied with adding that last sentence.
This way, little Zuri wouldn't feel burdened.
In the restaurant, the assistant placed a glass of juice by Owen's hand and caught a glimpse of the message on his phone. His worldview shattered.
What the heck!
Using such lines to deceive a young girl.
He remembered Owen standing by while his childhood friend was getting beaten, only stepping in when the other guy had almost had enough.
Zuri read the message and genuinely felt Owen's warm heart.
She really didn't expect that the outwardly cool Owen was so warm-hearted inside.
When she didn't respond, Owen couldn't help but send another message.
Owen: [My team's PR skills are pretty good. You can use them if needed.]
He was very enthusiastic, but Zuri preferred handling things herself.
Debts from her past and present lives were more meaningful if settled by her own hands.
Zuri: [No need for PR, but a top-notch lawyer would be helpful.]
Owen: [No problem.]
After sending this message, Owen swiftly dialed his brother's best lawyer.
When Zuri finished washing up, a message came in.
Owen: [Brayden, 134XXXXX666. I've informed him.]
Zuri replied with a thank you, but Owen didn't respond.
She didn't mind, knowing he was surely busy.
A quick search online revealed Brayden's impressive background.
Brayden was a legendary figure in the legal field, undefeated since entering the profession. Every case he handled ended in victory.
Arianwen knocked and entered the room, looking worriedly at Zuri.
"Miss, Director Lin and Madam are waiting for you in the dining room."
"Okay."
Arianwen added, "Director Lin isn't in a good mood."
"Thank you, Arianwen."
As she approached the dining room, she could feel the oppressive atmosphere. The maids immediately pulled out a chair for her, their actions cautious.
Dalia spoke first, "Zuri, are you aware of the situation online?"
"I am."
Zuri picked up her bowl and ate slowly.
Dalia and the maids were shocked to see her eating so calmly.
With a bang, Aaron slammed his chopsticks on the table, glaring at her, "How can you still eat? Do you know the trouble you've caused outside?"
Zuri looked up, her expression serene, unafraid of Aaron's anger.
Online attacks on Zuri gradually shifted to targeting the Lin Group.
That was why Aaron was angry.
Anyone causing damage to the company's interests was a sinner.
Zuri put down her chopsticks and calmly faced his furious gaze, "A dog bites you, and it's your fault?"
Dalia spoke gently, "Zuri, while the other party is indeed rude, your approach is a bit inappropriate. She only asked for a hundred thousand yuan, which we can afford."
"There's no need to escalate things over a hundred thousand yuan, embarrassing ourselves and tarnishing the Lin family's reputation. People might think we can't afford such a sum, which severely impacts your father's company. You understand this, so why act so recklessly this time?"
Aaron nodded in agreement. This situation ultimately boiled down to her poor handling. Over a mere hundred thousand yuan, a scandal erupted.
If the Lin Group's stock price was affected, he wouldn't let her off.
"Your mother is right. I thought you were sensible, but this time you've been foolish. Don't you have a hundred thousand yuan?" Aaron was furious, unable to contain his anger.
Zuri looked at the couple and said softly, "Instead of criticizing me, why not think of ways to solve the problem? Time is money, the longer this drags on, the worse it is for the company. You understand this, don't you?"
Dalia glared at her, "You should know, your father contacted the PR team immediately to handle this."
"I'd like to know how they're handling it."
"That's none of your concern. Stay home these days and don't go to school."
Aaron stood up and left.
At the dining room door, he turned and gave Zuri a cold, commanding look, "Contact the Ye and Feng families immediately. Don't let them think you're ungrateful."
No one would associate with an ungrateful person.
Once Aaron left, Dalia sighed and spoke earnestly, "Zuri, the Ye and Feng families are crucial to our Lin family. You can't offend them. Strengthen your relationship with them quickly, or your father will be furious."
"Mother, are you saying my value lies in maintaining relationships with the Ye and Feng families?" Zuri asked quietly.
"How can you think that? Your father is only thinking of you. Go now, don't be stubborn, and explain to them," Dalia urged, seemingly sincere.
Zuri inwardly scoffed. They were eager for her to cause a rift with the Ye and Feng families.
Sometimes she couldn't understand why her mother disliked her so much. She understood her attachment to Saira, but why not be close to her and always target her?
Sometimes she wondered if she was their biological daughter.
But knowing Aaron, if she weren't his daughter, he wouldn't have brought her back. He wasn't a sentimental man.
Upstairs, as she prepared to contact Azura, Azura burst in first.
Azura, carrying a laptop, rushed in energetically.
"Zuri, I found those two people you asked me to look into."