Yu Jia leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs elegantly as a sly smile curled her lips. "It's been too easy, Mother. Lixue is practically a ghost. No public recognition, no allies, no resources. She's nothing without us."
Her mother, Madam Qin, chuckled softly, her voice cold and smooth. "That's exactly why she's perfect to exploit. No one will question where her work comes from or who created it. We hold all the power."
Jia tilted her head, her gaze sharp. "But we've already gotten so much from her. The songs, the paintings—they've made us millions. What else could she possibly offer?"
Madam Qin's eyes glinted dangerously as she leaned forward, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "There's always more to take. Creativity like hers is rare, Jia. It doesn't run out easily. But we need to ensure she stays compliant."
"And how do we do that?" Jia asked, arching an eyebrow. "Lixue's too stubborn to give in completely. She's tried to resist before."
Madam Qin's smile widened, her cruelty seeping through. "Her weakness is her mother. Lixue would do anything to protect her. We'll make her believe that her precious mother is in danger."
Jia's smile faltered, her brow furrowing slightly. "You mean… use her mother as bait?"
"Precisely." Madam Qin leaned back in her chair, her confidence unshaken. "We'll plant the idea that something might happen to her if Lixue doesn't cooperate. She'll be desperate to keep her mother safe, and in her desperation, she'll do whatever we ask."
Jia's lips curved into a sly smile once more. "And she'll have no choice but to keep producing for us. Songs, paintings—whatever we demand. She won't even think of fighting back."
Madam Qin nodded, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Exactly. And we'll make sure she knows the consequences of defying us. A single slip, and she'll believe her mother's life is at risk."
Jia tapped her manicured nails on the table, her mind already working through the details. "But what if Lixue suspects something? She's not completely naive."
Madam Qin waved a hand dismissively. "Then we'll ensure the threats feel real. A few well-placed accidents, a whispered warning from a 'concerned friend'—it'll be enough to keep her on edge. Fear is a powerful motivator, Jia. Lixue will be too frightened to question us."
The younger woman's eyes sparkled with a dangerous glee. "And when she's completely broken, we'll have everything. No more resistance, no more complaints. She'll exist solely to serve us."
Madam Qin raised her teacup, a cold smile on her lips. "To our continued success."
Jia clinked her cup against her mother's, a dark thrill coursing through her veins. "To Lixue's downfall."
As the clock struck midnight, the two women sat in the study, their laughter low and cruel.
The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of Mo Ran's office, casting long shadows across the sleek, dark wood furniture. His desk was impeccably organized, save for the single file that lay open before him—Yu Lixue's.
Mo Ran leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze scanning the pages. The details of her life were laid out in stark black and white, and what he saw made his jaw tighten. He had known their marriage was arranged, but he hadn't realized just how deeply Lixue had been wronged by her family.
Page after page detailed how her stepmother, Madam Qin, and her half-sister, Yu Jia, had siphoned away her talents and efforts. The songs registered under Yu Jia's name, the paintings sold at auctions for astronomical prices—all stolen from Lixue. There were legal documents that showed her name absent from any recognition or compensation. It was clear: they had systematically erased her identity to bolster their own.
Mo Ran's brows furrowed as he flipped to the final page. There was no mention of any public reputation for Lixue, which explained why her family had gotten away with their crimes for so long. She was invisible, a shadow in her own life.
"How did I not know this?" he muttered to himself, his voice low and dangerous. He closed the file with a snap, a new resolve hardening in his chest.
Reaching for the intercom on his desk, he pressed the button. "Xiao Chen, come in."
A moment later, the door opened, and his assistant, Xiao Chen, stepped inside, his usual professional demeanor firmly in place. "Yes, Master Mo?"
Mo Ran gestured to the file on his desk. "I want you to dig deeper into this matter. Specifically, I need detailed files on Madam Qin and Yu Jia. Everything—business dealings, assets, connections. Leave no stone unturned."
Xiao Chen blinked, his surprise barely noticeable before he nodded. "Of course, sir. Anything else?"
"Yes." Mo Ran's gaze turned colder. "Find me everything you can on Lixue's mother. I want to know about her life before she married into the Yu family and what happened after. If there are medical records, financial transactions, or anything connecting her to Madam Qin's schemes, I want them."
Xiao Chen's brows furrowed slightly, but he nodded again. "Understood, sir. I'll prioritize these files and deliver them to you as soon as possible."
"Good." Mo Ran dismissed him with a wave, his mind already racing ahead. As the door closed behind Xiao Chen, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk and steepling his fingers.
The more he learned about Lixue, the more he realized how much she had suffered in silence. And now, she was under his protection, his name tied to hers. It wasn't just a matter of justice anymore—it was personal. He had no tolerance for betrayal, and what her stepmother and half-sister had done was unforgivable.
Mo Ran's lips curled into a dangerous smile.
"Let's see how they handle it when the tables are turned."
Lixue stood in the expansive ballroom of the Mo family estate, her brows furrowed in concentration. The polished wooden floor gleamed under the soft chandelier light as she tried to keep up with the instructor's instructions.
The etiquette class had started with simple postures—how to stand gracefully, hold her head high, and move fluidly. But now, it had progressed to ballroom dancing, specifically the waltz. Her hands were placed lightly on the shoulders of a professional instructor, who guided her steps with precision.
"Relax your shoulders, Mrs. Mo," the instructor said with a polite smile. "If you appear too stiff, your dance partner will notice."
"I'm trying," Lixue muttered under her breath, frustration bubbling up as she stumbled slightly over the next step. "It's just—"
The instructor chuckled. "You're overthinking it. The waltz is not about rigid perfection but about grace and connection. Follow my lead, let the music guide you, and you'll find your rhythm."
Lixue let out a quiet sigh, closing her eyes for a moment as she tried to imagine herself dancing in front of Mo Ran's grandparents. She hadn't met them yet, but from what she had heard, they were a formidable couple, with refined tastes and a love for British traditions. Ballroom dancing, particularly the waltz, was their favorite pastime, and Lixue was expected to perform flawlessly when she met them.
"One, two, three. One, two, three," the instructor counted aloud as the music played. Gradually, her steps became smoother, her movements more natural.
She caught her reflection in the large mirror on the wall. In her flowy practice dress and with her hair pinned neatly back, she looked almost elegant—almost like someone who belonged in the Mo family.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the ballroom doors opening. She stiffened slightly as Mo Ran stepped in, his sharp black suit accentuating his tall, commanding figure. His presence was like a sudden gust of wind, disrupting her focus.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice sharper than intended.
Mo Ran raised a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Checking on my wife. Shouldn't I see how well you're preparing to meet my grandparents?"
Lixue flushed, unsure if his words were teasing or genuine. She straightened her posture, ignoring the faint flutter in her chest as he walked closer.
"She's doing well," the instructor said with a respectful bow toward Mo Ran. "Mrs. Mo is a fast learner. If she continues practicing, she'll impress your grandparents easily."
"Is that so?" Mo Ran's gaze shifted to Lixue, his lips curving into a slight smirk. "Let's test that."
"Test?" Lixue echoed, her eyes narrowing.
Before she could protest, Mo Ran had dismissed the instructor with a polite wave of his hand. The man stepped back, leaving the two of them alone in the ballroom.
Mo Ran extended his hand to her, his dark eyes gleaming with challenge. "Dance with me."
Lixue hesitated, her heart thudding in her chest. The idea of dancing with Mo Ran, with his unwavering confidence and intense gaze, was far more daunting than practicing with the instructor.
"I'm not ready yet," she mumbled, looking away.