A tiny spark flickered in Lin Yue's tear-filled eyes - a fragile glimmer of gratitude, barely visible yet undeniably there. She was grateful that Meilin didn't judge her, not like that police officer. Suddenly, her walls crumbled. Gut-wrenching sobs tore from her throat as she collapsed into Meilin's arms, clinging desperately to a friendly embrace.
Rage exploded in Meilin's chest, her heart pounding with fury. Lin Yue's anguish cut deep, reminding her how privileged she'd been to grow up in a family that taught her to fight back. Her voice shook with barely controlled anger as she growled, "This is an outrage! We can't let him get away with this. What about the law? Surely we can drag him to court!"
Lin Yue flinched at the suggestion, fresh terror etching itself across her face. Her voice quavered as she whispered, "I... I tried. My lawyer... he abandoned me." Tears streamed down her cheeks as she continued, each word laced with despair. "He said I should give up. The man who... who violated me... he's untouchable. Powerful family, and endless resources. My lawyer warned me - if I fight this, I'll lose everything. My scholarship, my job... my entire future. And there's no proof, just my word against his." Her voice broke as she choked out, "My brother... he depends on me. I can't... I just can't..."
The injustice of it all hit Meilin like a physical blow. Here was everything she despised about the wealthy elite – the assumption that money and power put them above the law, that they could destroy lives with impunity.
"Listen to me, Lin Yue," Meilin said, her voice low and intense. "What happened to you is not your fault. You do not have to suffer in silence."
Lin Yue looked at her, gratitude filling her eyes. She was glad that Meilin did not judge or blame her like everyone else who knew about this. "But it doesn't matter now, does it? I'm nobody. There is no way I can get him to agree to what he did. I can't afford a better lawyer, and even if I could, who would believe me over him?"
Meilin inhaled deeply, her chest tightening with an all-too-familiar ache. For a fleeting moment, the ghost of a memory threatened to surface - a face she'd tried so hard to forget. She pushed it away, steeling herself as she made a decision she knew would change everything.
Little did she realize, this choice was silently chipping away at the walls she'd built around her heart. Like a key turning in a long-rusted lock, something shifted deep within her - a subtle but profound change, unnoticed for now, but destined to reshape her world. "I believe you. And I promise you, Lin Yue, you will get justice. You're not alone in this fight anymore." She inhaled deeply and continued "I'll help you."
"No, Meilin! Stay out of this!" Lin Yue's eyes widened in terror. "If you get involved, they'll come after you too. Please, just... just leave it alone."
A dangerous glint flashed in Meilin's eyes, her lips curving into a smile that was equal parts beautiful and lethal. "Oh Lin Yue," she purred, her voice dripping with anticipation, "you have no idea how much I've been craving a challenge."
Lin Yue gripped Meilin's shoulders, desperation etched across her face. "You don't understand! Young Master Jun is ruthless. He's done this to so many girls and always gets away with it. I can't bear the thought of you becoming his next victim because of me."
Meilin deftly removed Lin Yue's hands, her posture radiating confidence. "Ruthless?" she scoffed, a hint of excitement in her tone. "Please. I've been cooped up in my mind for as long as I can remember, you have no idea what you have just done for me. This 'Young Master Jun' sounds exactly like the type I love to put in their place." Her smile sharpened to a predatory grin. "He is exactly how I like my bullies. Arrogant, rich, and with a side of foolishness."
As she spoke, Meilin's mind was already racing, formulating plans. She had resources and connections that Lin Yue couldn't imagine. It was time to start using them again, to make a real difference. She noticed Lin Yue staring at her with mouth agape and fear evident on her face; she looked kind of comical.
"Let's say it's fate that we met. Now tell me everything you know about this Young Master Jun," she said gently. "Every detail you can remember. We're going to make sure this man never hurts anyone else again."
As Lin Yue began to speak, pouring out the painful details of her ordeal, Meilin listened intently. She knew that by involving herself, she was potentially exposing her own secrets. But looking at the broken yet resilient young woman beside her, Meilin knew it was a risk she had to take. Besides, she had plans for Lin Yue.
She gave Lin Yue her phone number and collected hers, telling her she would hear from her in two days and not to worry about anything until then. She also made her promise not to say anything to anyone.
As Jiang Meilin strode through the pristine corridors of the hospital's VIP wing, a jaunty whistle escaped her lips. The sterile white walls and antiseptic smell that had oppressed her for days now seemed inconsequential. A genuine smile, rare and radiant, graced her features. For the first time since she came to Xia City, she felt truly alive, invigorated by the prospect of action beyond the monotonous cycle of painting and playing the role of the demure Jiang Meilin.
Her steps, previously languid and bored, now carried a hint of purpose and excitement. The weight of idleness that had settled on her shoulders during her recovery seemed to lift with each step. As she rounded a corner, her keen senses picked up on the subtle shifts in the air around her - the almost imperceptible presence of her shadow guards.
"Seven," she called out, her voice carrying a mix of authority and familiarity. She knew without a doubt that her protectors had been silently trailing her from the moment she had set foot outside her room. She had made Zhao Jingshen promise to keep his guards for now until she was discharged.
Meilin's eyes glinted with ferocity as she issued her command. "Seven, I want every scrap of information you can dig up on this 'Young Master Jun'. In two days, after my discharge, we'll be paying him a very special visit."
"Yes, Boss," Seven replied, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. The familiar fire in Meilin's voice sent a thrill of anticipation through him. His boss was finally shedding the guise of the demure artist, ready to embrace her true nature - the one that struck fear into the hearts of those foolish enough to cross her path.
However, a flicker of doubt made him pause. He needed to be certain that this was not just temporary. "Boss," he ventured cautiously, "I need to clarify. Are you asking this as Jiang Meilin... or as the Boss?"
Seven held his breath, waiting for her response. The answer would determine whether he'd inform the entire family that the Blackwood heiress was finally emerging from her self-imposed exile, ready to unleash terror into the hearts of their enemies.
Meilin turned slightly, fixing Seven with a look that sent a shiver down his spine. Her lips curled into a predatory smirk, eyes gleaming with a dangerous mixture of anticipation and cunning. When she spoke, her voice was low and laced with promise.
"What do you think, Seven?"
In those four simple words, Seven heard everything he needed to know. The Boss was back, and Young Master Jun's days of impunity were numbered. As Meilin continued down the corridor, Seven couldn't suppress his grin. The coming days promised to be very interesting indeed.