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.
"Zuri, come have breakfast. I'll wait for you so we can go to school together."
Zuri didn't know what Saira was up to, but she had to admit she was impressed. Now, the campus network at Windsor Academy was flooded with photos of Saira cleaning toilets, even with images of her leaning over a toilet bowl, accompanied by captions mocking her.
Anyone else would be like Natalie, pretending to be sick and staying home until the scandal died down. But Saira insisted on going to school the next day. This courage didn't match her outwardly delicate demeanor.
In the car, they sat apart.
"Zuri, I know you hate me and don't want to see me at home. I'm planning to discuss with our parents about moving out after I graduate, so I won't be in your way anymore."
"I know it's my fault that you suffered outside. So no matter how you treat me, I accept it because I deserve it. I just hope you don't resent our parents for it. I also hope you can find happiness."
This heartfelt speech, humble and touching, didn't move Zuri but did move their driver, Xiao Wang.
The eldest young lady used to be so proud and flamboyant. When did she start being so humble and accommodating?
Sigh, it wasn't the young lady's fault, but fate's cruel joke. She was also a pitiful person. However, the second young lady's relentless attitude was indeed a bit too much.
Zuri glanced at Xiao Wang and inwardly sneered. Did she care about her reputation?
Life is too short to worry about others' opinions and wrong oneself.
As soon as they entered the school, people started pointing at Saira.
"Every time I see her, I think of 'Are you eating?' and that face," one girl mocked gleefully.
"Same here. She used to be a goddess, but now... hahaha."
"Let's see how she dares to flirt with Connor or Arthur anymore."
"That shameless woman is completely disgraced now. Finally, my prince charming won't be stolen by her."
"How does she still have the face to come to school? I feel embarrassed for her."
"I really can't believe her skin is so thick. She still has the nerve to come to school."
The increasingly harsh gossip reached Saira's ears. Though her face remained calm, her hands clenched into fists.
"Shut up, all of you," a cold, stern voice silenced the gossip.
Saira turned and looked gratefully and adoringly at Arthur, her eyes brimming with tears.
Arthur wanted to step forward, but the image of the "Are you eating?" meme suddenly popped into his mind. The person in the picture overlapped with the real person, shattering all his romantic notions.
"Take care of yourself. I'm leaving."
Saira watched Arthur walk away, hurt and filled with hatred.
Since Saira's goddess image was utterly destroyed, she started going to and from school with Zuri every day. All the students saw Saira lowering her head, 'humbly' appeasing Zuri.
At first, they laughed and mocked her, but eventually, some began to sympathize with her.
Azura linked arms with Zuri. "Saira clings to you every day. She must have bad intentions. You need to be careful."
"I know," Zuri replied.
She was fully aware of Saira's intentions. It was just a ploy to turn adversity into opportunity.
With her reputation ruined, Saira chose to play the victim to gain everyone's sympathy and gradually erase her past mistakes while tarnishing Zuri's image—a twofold strategy.
Seeing that Zuri understood, Azura didn't say more. After all, she had never met anyone smarter than Zuri.
"Tomorrow is Owen's concert. Don't be late."
"I won't be." Zuri wasn't a fan, but she was a bit curious about Owen, whom everyone adored.
Just a bit curious.
"I'll pick you up at your place tomorrow," Azura offered enthusiastically.
"It's not on your way. Let's meet at the concert venue."
As they exited the school gate, a sweet voice called out.
"Zuri."
Everyone turned to look at Zuri.
Saira jogged up and reached out to take her backpack, but Zuri walked right past her, leaving her empty-handed.
Connor, Farida, and others watched this scene unfold.
"Saira isn't having a good time at the Lin family," Eduardo sighed. "Her sister is a tough one. Saira will have a hard time."
Farida noticed the pity and compassion in Connor's eyes and frowned.
She had worked hard to distance Connor from Saira and couldn't let it be ruined now. "Connor, you're going to Owen's concert tomorrow, right?"
She wanted to tell everyone she was Owen's accompanist, but she couldn't. All she could do was hope Connor would see her on stage.
Connor didn't answer, but Colin spoke up. "Don't worry. Owen is Connor's idol. He attends every concert."
Connor glared at Colin.
Oceanic City
As night fell, the city lit up. Outside the Oceanic Stadium in the southern district, cars lined up for miles.
Police and traffic officers maintained order to prevent accidents. From the stadium plaza to the entrance, flowers, baskets, and posters lined the path, with many fans volunteering to help guide and maintain order.
Whether in her past life or this one, this was Zuri's first concert, and she had no idea she needed to leave at least five hours early.
Otherwise, she would be stuck like she was now, on the road miles away from the venue with traffic at a standstill.
"Zuri, are you here yet?" Azura called, anxious at the entrance.
"Uh, I'm stuck in traffic," Zuri said, feeling guilty.
"Traffic? Where are you?"
"About four miles away."
"What? The concert is about to start."
If she had known Zuri was so unreliable, she would have picked her up herself.
"Don't worry. I'll get there before it starts." Zuri handed money to the driver, got out of the car, and started running.
Meanwhile, backstage at the concert, everything was hectic. Staff were rushing around, preparing for the show. Farida was led backstage to get her makeup done.
A staff member entered and scanned the room. "Who's Farida?"
Farida stood up. "I am."
"Come with me. Owen wants to see you," the staff member said impassively.
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