Mo Corporation.
"Boss, I have scheduled the meeting with Mr. Xi for brunch," Fu Lei said, handing over a file.
"This is the complete information you requested," Fu Lei continued. The entire Alpha team had endured considerable effort to gather this data.
Mo Hui took the report and carefully scanned each page for fifteen minutes before shifting his blue eyes toward Fu Lei.
"Who else is aware of this information?" Mo Hui asked.
"This report was compiled from various sources after considerable effort. I don't think anyone other than the Alpha team could put these all together so Alpha team, you, and me aware of this information. This is the only copy.," Fu Lei replied.
"Hmm. Inform the Alpha team to erase all sources other than the Premier League. Ensure no one learns about Sera unless she wants the world to know," Mo Hui instructed.
"Understood, boss. We'll be leaving for Xi Corporation in ten minutes," Fu Lei said before excusing himself.
Xi Residence.
Su Mei woke up to the loud banging on the door. It wasn't enough that she hadn't been fed the entire day yesterday or that she'd been locked in a dark room all night... now she was being violently awakened by the noise.
Su Mei's eyes opened without any emotion as she glanced at the maid, who was looking at her with disgust. Su Mei stood up, intending to walk out of the room to take a shower.
But before she could take a step, the maid placed her foot in her path, causing Su Mei to trip. Instinctively, Su Mei put her hand out to catch herself, narrowly avoiding hitting her head.
"Oh, Young Miss, are you hurt?" Ah Po, the maid, asked, her mocking smile evident despite Su Mei's silence.
Su Mei ignored the comment and made her way to a corner room that looked almost as pathetic as the storage room she had been locked in the previous night.
"Ah Po, are you crazy? No matter what, she is the real heiress. Are you sure you want to offend her?" Butler Zheng asked, his voice tinged with frustration but still maintaining a level of decorum.
"Butler Zheng... I've seen her for seven years. I'm just irritated that she acts like she isn't bothered by anything around her. I just hate the sight of her," Ah Po replied, glaring at the woman walking away.
"How can you be so cruel? It was the young miss who took you in nine years ago when you were homeless," Butler Zheng said, still fuming.
"Butler Zheng, your loyalty will get you nowhere," Ah Po retorted.
"Look at me—I was once insignificant, but I chose to side with the right people and now have equal power in the Xi Residence. It's been seven years since the owner of the house and the young miss were changed. You'd better choose whom to support wisely. Just because your contract with the Xi's is for life, don't think you can act as you please and still be spared." Ah Po scoffed as she walked away. Butler Zheng tightened his wrist and reluctantly retreated.
Su Mei walked downstairs in a plain yellow flowered skirt. Despite the names people called her, there was something about her presence that made heads turn. As history has shown, wars have been fought over women, and seeing Su Mei, one could understand why such thoughts are far from foolish.
Her brown eyes sparkled as a hint of sunlight cast a gentle glow on her face, and she descended the stairs with grace. The staff at the Xi Residence couldn't help but gasp at her beauty.
"Huh... sigh, no matter how dumb and lifeless they call her, she is undeniably a goddess. Her looks are unmatched," one of the maids remarked.
"Hush... don't say that out loud. If the ladies of the house hear you, you might be severely punished," another warned.
Su Mei walked downstairs and silently took her seat at the end of the dining table. She reached out to remove the lid from the dish in front of her, revealing the only food she was permitted to eat—congee. She elegantly took a spoon from the table and began to eat.
"Dear Su Mei, you understand, don't you? It's because you did something wrong that you're being punished," a woman's voice came from the entrance as she walked in with her daughter, Xi Yuan, and her son, Xi Hao.
Su Mei gave a slight nod but remained silent, her demeanour like that of the people who admired her—an empty, beautiful can devoid of emotions.
Xi Yuan couldn't fathom how her cousin could remain so serenely composed as if nothing had happened.
Similarly, Qu Rui harboured a deep resentment toward this niece of hers, who seemed indifferent and did whatever she pleased.
Seeing Su Mei walk away...
"Su Mei, I have something for you. Do me a favor and take this file to your uncle. He said he needed it urgently. You'll do that, won't you?" Qu Rui said, handing Su Mei the file.
"Ma'am, aren't Ms. Xi Yuan and Mr. Xi Hao heading to the company? Couldn't they deliver it?" Butler Zheng interjected. "Young Miss didn't eat anything yesterday and only had congee today."
"Butler Zheng, my children still need to have their breakfast. I'm just asking for a small favor. Must you point out that I'm bullying Su Mei?" Qu Rui replied, mocking him.
"But... Young Miss, she..." Butler Zheng tried to protest, but Su Mei stepped in front of him.
"He's just worried about me. Aunt Rui, pass me the file—I'll take it," she said, defending Butler Zheng.
"Huh... will you? Fine, here." Qu Rui gave a mocking smile to Butler Zheng as she passed the file to Su Mei.
Su Mei took the file and walked upstairs to get her coat before hurrying to Xi Corporation.
10 minutes later.
"Young Miss, I'll take you to Xi Corporation," Butler Zheng said as he approached the car.
"Sorry, Butler Zheng, but this car is on standby for Young Miss and Young Master," one of the drivers replied.
"I'm taking the Young Miss only. Move aside," Butler Zheng insisted.
"Young Miss? Ms. Ah Po said she's still eating inside," the driver frowned.
"Who said anything about Ms. Xi Yuan? I'm talking about the house Young Miss—the real heiress," Butler Zheng said, his voice rising.
"Haha... Butler Zheng, seven years, is it? I've told you countless times to make the right choice. The Young Miss of this house is not the one you think," Ah Po's voice rang out as she approached the car.
"You... You... how can you?" Butler Zheng's eyes widened as he saw Su Mei witnessing everything.
"Oh, I didn't realize Ms. Su Mei was here. Not that I said anything wrong, but I didn't mean to say it out loud," Ah Po giggled, followed by laughter from the staff behind her.
Butler Zheng felt his anger boiling, but he restrained himself to avoid causing a scene.
"Okay, please hand over the keys to the other car. I'll take the Young Miss to Xi Corporation," he said.
"Sorry, Butler Zheng, all other cars are out for servicing," Ah Po shamelessly replied.
"I see two cars over there," Butler Zheng roared in frustration.
"They don't have enough fuel," she retorted with equal shamelessness.
"You..." Before Butler Zheng could respond, Su Mei stepped in front of him.
"Butler Zheng wanted me not to be late for Xi Corporation so I can deliver the document," she said to Ah Po with a blank expression.
Then she turned to Butler Zheng and bowed.
"Uncle Zheng, I'll take a cab," she said, and without waiting for a response, she walked toward the gate.
Butler Zheng's blood was boiling, but he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Everyone will get their retribution. I'll wait for everyone's downfall," he said to Ah Po and the others before retreating to the staff quarters.
"Ms. Ah Po, is it wise to go against the Young Miss... I mean, Ms. Su Mei?" the driver asked. Despite his actions against Su Mei, he knew that the Xi Empire was built by her parents, and she was the true heiress.
"What can that empty can do? Blind me with her beauty? Go away and focus on your work," Ah Po scoffed as she walked into the Xi residence.