Hu Corporation Building
Sergio clutched a document, his knuckles white, veins bulging on his forehead, and his breathing heavy. His secretary, rarely seeing him like this, was too scared to even breathe.
After a long while, Sergio relaxed his grip, a smile creeping across his face, though his eyes glinted with coldness. "Aaron, that old fox, he's quite something."
He had thought that old man who favored sons over daughters couldn't possibly care much for a daughter he'd only recently acknowledged. In the end, that old fox was simply trying to break the partnership.
A perfectly good project, clearly a moneymaker—how could Aaron give it up just like that?
Sergio narrowed his eyes, tapping the pen in his hand lightly against the document on the desk. He looked up, his eyes sharp. "Secretary Zhang, find out what's wrong with that piece of land in the western suburbs."
"Yes, sir." Secretary Zhang couldn't help but ask before leaving, "Mr. Hu, what about our dealings with the Lin Corporation?"
"Stall them. We'll deal with it in a few days."
He needed to get to the bottom of things before making a decision.
Sergio was quick to react, but Aaron wasn't foolish either. He immediately sent evidence of Hu Corporation's substandard practices and forced demolitions to Sergio's email, along with a final deadline.
In his office, waiting for the secretary's findings, Sergio saw Aaron's blatant threat and laughed in anger.
"Fine, fine, fine. I really underestimated that old fox."
If Aaron wanted to break ties, so be it. Sergio noted this debt and vowed to repay it double in the future.
He pressed the intercom, instructing the legal and business departments to resolve the contract termination with the Lin Corporation.
The Hu and Lin families, once close, were now on the brink of estrangement. Before understanding the full situation, neither wanted to give the impression that there was an issue with the land.
The Lin family, in turn, had a similar stance, as if both parties had pre-agreed on a unified front: it was all about standing up for their children.
The city's elite were surprised to see Aaron care so much for a daughter he'd just acknowledged, willing to forfeit a billion-dollar deal. This signaled Zuri's extraordinary status.
Soon, they instructed their children to cultivate good relationships with Zuri and warned them not to cross her.
This news quickly spread through Windsor Academy, making Zuri the center of attention, while Saira was ignored.
Meanwhile, Aaron announced plans to hold a birthday and recognition banquet for his biological daughter Zuri.
"Zuri, what do you like? I'll get you a gift you like," a classmate asked after school, surrounding Zuri.
"Do you like bags, Zuri? Or jewelry?"
"Zuri, how are you so good at everything? You're amazing."
"You must be a genius to already understand calculus."
Saira and her friends, Natalie and others, noticed the commotion as they passed by the door. Natalie sneered.
"Just a bunch of bootlickers."
"They used to hang around Saira, and now they've switched sides. It's disgusting," Samara added.
In reality, Natalie's group had been told by their parents to get close to Zuri, but their pride prevented them from doing so, considering it beneath them.
"I only need you guys. The world is fickle; it's not worth getting upset over," Saira said nonchalantly, her gaze filled with gratitude for her friends.
"Farida seems to be getting close to Zuri lately," Naya noted as Farida and Azura walked in together.
"Farida is just an opportunist."
"Let's not talk about them," Saira said weakly.
Naya, seeing Saira's forlorn look and then Zuri being surrounded, felt a twinge of jealousy. "For the upcoming birthday party, I have a plan to make Zuri really stand out."
The emphasis on the last words piqued the interest of the other three.
"What's your plan?" Natalie asked eagerly.
Naya led them to a corner and whispered. Natalie and Samara grinned maliciously, faces flushed with excitement.
"Naya, you're brilliant. After this, she'll be the biggest joke in high society."
"I can't wait to celebrate her birthday," Samara laughed.
A flicker of excitement flashed in Saira's eyes. She had thought of this plan before but couldn't bring herself to suggest it. Now, with Naya voicing it, it was perfect.
"Isn't this a bit much? I'm afraid Dad will be, well, really mad," Saira said, biting her lip with a show of reluctance.
"They've treated you like this, and you're still worried about them? Haven't you seen how Uncle Lin treats you? Stop considering the Lin family."
"The Lin family doesn't see you as a daughter, so don't bother preserving their face."
Under their persuasion, Saira silently agreed to the plan.
After they left, a shadow fell from above them. Kaden, his eyes cold, watched their departing figures, a playful smile on his lips.
While Saira was secretly plotting, the Hu family also refused to let things rest.
Hector, having been beaten, had no evidence, so legal means were useless against Zuri. Zuri had struck too discreetly.
Some things Sergio couldn't do, but Mrs. Hu could.
At a tea party one day, Mrs. Hu declared that anyone attending Zuri's birthday party would no longer be her friend.
The socialites understood the implication.
The Hu and Lin families were at war. This was a signal for Oceanic City businesses to choose sides: Lin Corporation or Hu Corporation.
You can't please both.
"Honey, I just heard that Mrs. Hu is telling people not to attend our party. This whole thing is blown out of proportion. If we had just had Zuri apologize back then, we wouldn't be in this mess, losing billions," Dalia complained, looking worried. "Should we have Zuri apologize to ease the tension?"
"What do you know? Don't meddle," Aaron scolded.
Dalia, feeling wronged, didn't understand what spell Zuri had cast on her husband to make him ignore billion-dollar projects for her.
"The Hu family may be the wealthiest, but we Lin's aren't far behind."
He refused to believe no one would come to their party. In this situation, whoever bowed first would lose.
"Have you heard? The Hu family has declared that anyone attending Zuri's birthday party will be their enemy."
"The Hu family is the leading powerhouse in Oceanic City. With their statement, Zuri's birthday party is bound to become a joke."
"Is your family going?"
"Probably not. We have business ties with the Hu family."
"What about yours?"
"Not sure."
Walking on the Windsor Academy campus, all the students were discussing this matter. Previously, whenever they saw Zuri, they swarmed around her like bees to a flower, full of enthusiasm. Now, they stopped at a distance, merely observing from afar.
Under the shade of a nearby tree, Rhea was being bullied by a group. After they left, her hair was disheveled, and her clothes were dirty. Ever since Zuri won the competition, Natalie and her group had instructed Lila and others to target her. Rhea's daily life had become unbearable, and she blamed Zuri for all her suffering.
If Zuri hadn't won the competition, if she hadn't humiliated Natalie and the others, they wouldn't have turned on her. In her mind, she was suffering because of Zuri, bearing the pain in her place.
Rhea's eyes, filled with resentment, locked onto Zuri from a distance.
Azura sensed something amiss behind them. She turned her head and immediately spotted Rhea standing on the hill. Rhea, caught off guard, couldn't hide the hatred and malice in her eyes fast enough.
"Zuri, do you know that girl?" Azura asked softly.
Zuri glanced at Rhea. "Yes, a thankless traitor."
"Oh." Azura nodded in understanding. "No wonder she was looking at you like that. Be careful, she seems to harbor ill intentions."
Feeling panicked under their gaze, Rhea fled.
"Saturday is your birthday. What do you want? I'll buy it for you," Azura offered.
"Anything?" Zuri tilted her head, her beautiful eyes sparkling.
Azura patted her chest in assurance. "Of course."
Zuri smiled. "I want a non-mainstream hairstyle and outfit. I want to see a different Azura."
Azura was taken aback, a flicker of sadness passing through her eyes. She forced a smile. "Choose something else."
Zuri shook her head. "I don't want anything else. Don't force yourself; just be true to your heart. I was only casually suggesting."
For the first time, Zuri sensed sadness in Azura. To change her, Zuri realized she needed to understand what Azura had been through. She had thought Azura dressed the way she did because it was cool, a phase everyone went through. But now she knew it was more than that.
Owen had just finished a shoot. His assistant immediately handed him a water bottle and fanned him. Owen entered the van, took his phone from the assistant, and casually browsed social media. Suddenly, a plain and unremarkable post caught his eye.
Zuri: "Looking forward to my birthday this Saturday."
The words were simple, but for some reason, Owen felt her excitement through those few words.
However, when his gaze fell on the accompanying picture, his brows furrowed slightly.
The picture was a black background with a vibrant red rose in the center. Pale hands were breaking the beautiful rose, red sap dripping onto the white skin. The contrast between the white and red was stark.
From an artistic perspective, the image was striking and full of artistic value. But from a normal perspective, it conveyed an indescribable sense of oppression.
Owen studied the picture, recalling her pure and clear piano music, and dismissed any negative thoughts. Little Zuri must have been appreciating its artistic value.
"Do I have any plans this Saturday?" Owen asked Isaac, his head tilted.
"What are you planning?" Isaac had a bad feeling.
"A friend's birthday. I want to surprise her," Owen replied, turning to his assistant. "What do you think girls like?"
"Wait," Isaac interrupted. "Who's this girl you're talking about?"
"Little Zuri."
"Zuri?" Isaac immediately remembered. This guy just wouldn't give up.
"Owen, do you even know her well? Showing up like this might cause inconvenience. There's been a bounty for the Fox Girl online. If people link her to that, it could bring unnecessary trouble."
Owen frowned.
"Sending a gift will convey your feelings," Isaac advised.
"Fine."
Seeing Owen relent, Isaac secretly sighed in relief. "What's the date on Saturday?"
"28th."
"November 28th? That's the same day as the young miss's birthday," Isaac exclaimed.
Owen frowned, his tone cold. "She's not the young miss of the Feng family."
Isaac realized his mistake and immediately shut up.
The Feng family had four siblings, the only girl rarely seen in public. For some reason, Owen despised his only sister. He remembered the birthday of someone unrelated but forgot his sister's birthday.
Saturday arrived, and the birthday party preparations were in full swing. The courtyard was filled with roses flown in from abroad, and the event was organized by the best team and five-star chefs from Oceanic City. All the ingredients were also imported, each item a premium selection.
If not for the Hu family's interference, Aaron wouldn't have spent so extravagantly.
Saira watched from upstairs as the courtyard bustled with activity, witnessing the arrival of countless expensive items. The lavish setup made her seethe with jealousy.
Despite being in the Lin family for so many years, her father had never thrown such a grand event for her. But now, Zuri's first birthday since her return was being celebrated with such grandeur.
How could she not be jealous?
Everyone knew today was Zuri's birthday, but they forgot it was also her birthday.
Saira snorted coldly as she watched the busy scene below. The more grandiose it was now, the more she looked forward to Zuri's humiliation later.
She wanted more people to come, yet at the same time, she hoped no one would show up. Her heart was conflicted and her emotions complex.
When Zuri got up, the designer came to style her. She had no specific requests and let the designer do whatever, obedient like a puppet.
Outside, the maids' low conversations drifted in.
"How many guests do you think will come today?"
"Not sure. But I heard the Hu family is also hosting a party, supposedly for an adopted daughter."
"Adopted daughter? Could it be one of those 'adopted' daughters?"
"Of course. Do you think they'd really treat her as a daughter?"
"Doesn't Mrs. Hu object?"
"Mrs. Hu has no say in front of Sergio. Sergio is quite ruthless, using such a lowly person to compare with the second miss. Isn't that a direct insult and mockery to the second miss?"
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