Zuri let go of the door and calmly sat down on the specially made sofa, her clear eyes calmly gazing at him.
Christian's face darkened as he saw her sitting on the sofa he had custom-made for Saira. "This is Saira's room. Taking over her room the moment you come back is quite overbearing, don't you think?"
"Overbearing?" Zuri smiled faintly. "Wasn't it overbearing for her to take over my life for over a decade?"
Christian knew she held grievances, but that didn't justify her taking others' belongings.
He didn't want to argue with her. His gaze fell on the sofa beneath her. "Stand up. This sofa was made for Saira, not you. If you want one, I can get you another."
"Yours? Are you sure?"
Christian found her question absurd. "Of course."
"Do you know if your biological parents' surname is Zhao, Qian, Sun, or Li?"
Christian frowned.
"And, have you started working? Do you have an income?"
Christian's eyes darkened as he stared at her, displeased.
Zuri looked him up and down, "Everything you eat, drink, use, and wear comes from my father's money. You're living off the Lin family's money and yet you boss around the Lin family's only daughter. Doesn't your conscience hurt? Or are you just an ungrateful wretch?"
Christian was an orphan adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Lin. In truth, Zuri was the only one in the family with blood ties to them. Yet, in her past life, the outcome was that the four unrelated people lived happily, while she became the sacrificial lamb for their benefit.
Why did it turn out that way? Was it because she didn't obey them enough in her past life? Or because she wasn't good enough? Or was it because there was no emotional bond beyond the pitiful blood relationship, making it easy for them to discard and sacrifice her?
Indeed, the bond built from growing up together was more important than mere blood ties.
"You used the Lin family's money to buy things, so they belong to the Lin family. What's theirs is mine. So, this sofa and this room are mine."
Christian laughed in exasperation at her shameless logic. He couldn't believe that the biological daughter of his adoptive parents would be like this.
"The design of the sofa is my own. Surely, that makes it mine?"
"Are you sure this sofa is your design?" Zuri asked, looking genuinely surprised.
Christian was amused by her expression. "Of course."
"Wow, it's the first time I've seen someone plagiarize so blatantly." Zuri sat up straight, propping her chin on one hand, her eyes narrowing slightly. "This sofa's design is clearly from Master Emil, released last year. If I'm not mistaken, you copied Master Emil's design, and the additional patterns are your handiwork."
"When I first saw this sofa, I wondered why Master Emil's standards had dropped, adding such redundant patterns to the backrest."
"Now I understand. What a pity. This sofa was originally worth millions, but with those extra patterns, it's only worth a few thousand. Such a shame." Zuri's face showed genuine regret.
After being exposed, Christian's face turned red, either from shame or anger.
In her previous life, it was revealed that this sofa's design was plagiarized from Master Emil. The Lin family, wanting to protect Christian's reputation, made Zuri take the fall, claiming she designed it.
High society knew the truth, but the online community didn't. This incident was leaked by Saira, leading to Zuri being violently attacked online. For a time, Zuri faced relentless harassment, even being followed and almost attacked with acid. Fortunately, she was quick to evade, or the consequences would have been dire.
Through all this, the Lin family not only didn't support her but blamed her for causing trouble and bringing shame to the family. Did they ever consider whose fault it truly was? Was it hers? Did she plagiarize? Did she bring shame to the Lin family?
Ultimately, Aaron and Dalia didn't care about Zuri, her feelings, or anything about her, making it easy for them to sacrifice her without any guilt.
"Don't worry, I'll keep your secret. After all, if you disgrace yourself, it reflects poorly on me too. Since you carry the Lin name, I don't want you to tarnish the Lin Group's reputation or damage Father's company." Zuri's gaze shifted from the doorway back to Christian.
Aaron, standing at the doorway, heard everything clearly.
Aaron's face showed relief as he walked into the room. "You've met each other, so I don't need to introduce you. Christian, take good care of Zuri. She's suffered a lot outside, and as her brother, you must protect her and not let anyone bully her."
Christian, seeing that his father only cared about Zuri while ignoring Saira, felt a surge of resentment and more pity for her. During this half month, facing biased parents daily, how hurt and sad must she have been?
Christian sarcastically replied, "With her strength, does she need my protection? I'll go check on Saira."
Aaron was momentarily angered but quickly dismissed it. "Zuri, you're the most sensible. Don't mind his words."
"The bond between Brother and Saira is truly enviable. At first glance, they could be mistaken for a couple," Zuri remarked meaningfully.
"Don't talk nonsense," Aaron scolded, glaring at her.
Whether it was nonsense or not, she would let everyone know in the future.
At dinner, the table was filled with Christian's favorite dishes. Throughout the meal, Christian and Saira joked with Mr. and Mrs. Lin, making them laugh heartily.
The atmosphere was lively, with Zuri the only one isolated and left out.
She watched coldly as the four of them chatted and laughed, eating her meal silently like an outsider.
Arianwen noticed and felt a pang of sympathy for Miss Zuri.
"I have something for you," Christian said, pulling a ticket from his pocket.
Saira, seeing it was a ticket to Owen's concert, was overjoyed. "Brother, where did you get this ticket?"
Aaron asked, "What about Zuri's?"
Christian looked at Zuri. "Sorry, Zuri. I promised Saira first. I'll see if I can get another ticket from a friend."
His tone was completely insincere.
Zuri smiled inwardly. Just moments ago, Azura had messaged her, securing two diamond VIP tickets.
Saira said considerately, "Brother, you must get Zuri a ticket. Then we can all go to the concert together."
Christian felt both comforted and heartbroken as he looked at his thoughtful and considerate sister, Saira, who always thought about Zuri.
"No need to trouble yourself," Zuri said as she put down her chopsticks.
"Zuri, are you upset?" Saira felt a bit hurt by Zuri's rejection.
Saira bit her lip, reluctantly handed over the concert ticket, and said, "Then take this ticket."
Zuri inwardly sneered at Saira's act.
Christian saw everything, and it pained him. When did his Saira become so cautious and eager to please someone who didn't appreciate it? The thought of the grievances and pain Saira had endured while he was away made his heart ache.
Since their parents didn't protect her, he would take it upon himself to guard his sister from now on.
"Saira, if she doesn't appreciate it, you don't have to give it to her," Christian said. He wanted to get along with Zuri, but her behavior was unacceptable. Both were his sisters, yet one was considerate and lovable, while the other lacked any manners. Anyone would choose the former over the latter. As for the latter, he couldn't bring himself to treat her as a sister.
"Zuri," Aaron called out in a displeased tone.
Dalia sighed and said helplessly, "Zuri, I know you're upset, but this has nothing to do with Saira. You are sisters and should love each other."
Zuri looked at the table full of disapproving faces, then at Saira's slightly lowered eyes with a hint of hidden smugness, and found it both amusing and ridiculous.
She hasn't learned her lesson yet!
"I already have a diamond VIP ticket. Keep that VIP ticket for yourselves," Zuri said, standing up.
She took two steps and then turned back, looking at Christian with a slightly pitying expression. "As the future heir of the Lin family, you couldn't even secure a diamond VIP ticket. This is worth reflecting on. The sad part is, you're still so complacent about it."
Christian felt utterly humiliated by her words.
Seeing his embarrassment, Zuri didn't stop there.
"As an important heir, you shouldn't spend all your time on trivial family matters. You should go out and see the world, expand your network. That's what you should be doing."
Aaron, who had thought Zuri was immature just moments ago, now felt a bit disappointed in Christian. Zuri had just returned and could already achieve something Christian couldn't, showing her potential.
Aaron grew fonder of Zuri, and as his gaze touched upon Saira's humiliated and flushed face, and Christian's angry and frustrated expression, his brow furrowed slightly. It seemed he shouldn't let Christian and Saira stay too close anymore to avoid Christian being influenced by such pettiness.
Christian, humiliated by Zuri's reprimand, didn't realize that Aaron was already dissatisfied with him. He also didn't know that in the future, his position as the Lin family's heir would be lost, and the Lin family's business empire would crumble.
The best way to get revenge on someone is not to eliminate them directly but to utterly destroy what they care about. Right now, Zuri was powerless, but as the saying goes, "A dam can collapse from an ant hole."
Bit by bit, she would erode and devour, and the Lin family would eventually fall.
In the study of the Lin family's mansion, Aaron sat on the sofa, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Christian. "Christian, you're not a child anymore. Starting tomorrow, you'll intern at the company. The company is far from home, so you'll stay in the apartment downtown. Spend weekends socializing with friends. Don't worry about the family's affairs."
"Dad! How could you listen to that little girl's words? What does she know?" Christian was furious, more so with anger.
"I had planned this long ago. It's not because of Zuri," Aaron replied. His words did nothing to ease Christian's mind, instead making him feel Aaron was siding with Zuri.
With the return of his biological daughter, it seemed they were ready to abandon him.
A seed of resentment quietly took root between father and son.
"You should spend less time with Saira. You are siblings," Aaron continued.
Christian felt exposed and embarrassed, angrily shouting, "Dad, did Zuri say something to you? Saira and I are siblings; it's not what you think."
"Good, then," Aaron said, a dark look flashing in his eyes. "Now leave."
Aaron's order was final. Christian knew there was no room for negotiation.
As he opened the door, he saw Saira standing there, panic-stricken.
"Saira," Christian called out to her.
Saira stopped, her eyes red with guilt and sadness. "Brother, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I got you into trouble. I'll go beg Zuri to ask Dad to let you stay."
Christian gently wiped away her tears and said, "No need. Begging her will only make her more arrogant. No matter where I am, I will always be your strong support. Don't be afraid, your brother is here."
"Brother," Saira said, moved, as she threw herself into his arms.
Christian felt her warmth and scent. His hand, initially hesitant, finally embraced her tightly.
"What are you doing?" Dalia's voice suddenly came from behind them.
The siblings quickly separated.
Dalia's eyes swept over Christian, then landed on Saira's tear-streaked face.
"What happened?"
"Mom, can you ask Dad to let Brother stay at home?" Saira pleaded.
Dalia originally wanted Christian to stay at home, but seeing her children hugging like that was inappropriate.
"Your brother is an adult now and should be out in the world. The family business needs him," Dalia said tactfully.
Saira's heart sank.
At that moment, both Saira and Christian felt abandoned by their parents. They looked at each other, feeling an even stronger bond, seeing each other as their only support.
In this family, they no longer had a place.
"Mom's right. I should be independent. I'll visit often, so don't cry," Christian said, playfully pinching her nose.
His affectionate gesture was unsettling to Dalia.
"It's late, go to bed."
The next morning, Zuri came downstairs for breakfast as usual, but as she reached the door, she heard a sweet voice.
"Zuri is up, come have breakfast."
Zuri looked at Saira's beaming face. That insincere smile was rather unsettling.
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