Uncle Wang looked on in surprise as Zuri dismounted from the motorcycle. "Second Miss, why are you riding this? It's too dangerous."
Zuri had no time for small talk. She nodded curtly at Uncle Wang and hurried inside. There was only one thought in her mind: uncovering the truth. She needed to know if she was really their daughter.
In the living room, Dalia was leisurely arranging flowers, the soothing music creating a serene and comfortable atmosphere. Zuri's sudden entrance shattered the calm elegance of the scene.
Dalia frowned slightly as she placed a small daisy into a vase and looked up. "Zuri, bursting in like this is quite improper. You might do this at home, but remember to behave properly outside to avoid making a spectacle of yourself."
Zuri stepped forward and replied softly, "Okay."
Dalia was taken aback, seemingly surprised by Zuri's unexpected compliance. "Mother, teach me how to arrange flowers," Zuri said, picking up a thorny rose.
Dalia was even more astonished. Ever since Zuri had come through the door, she had always felt a sense of distance from her, a cold and aloof demeanor that was hard to describe. This sudden closeness made her uncomfortable.
"Alright," Dalia said with a smile. "I'll teach you. Flower arranging is a skill that can cultivate your temperament. It will help with your impulsive nature."
Arianwen came in with a tray of fruits and was pleased to see the mother and daughter chatting happily.
"In a few days, there's a charity event. I plan to donate blood with Azura. Mother, my blood type is O, right?" Zuri asked casually.
Dalia tensed up and disagreed. "I think it's O. While it's great that you want to help, there are safer ways to do it. Donating blood isn't always safe; you could catch diseases. Let's avoid it."
Zuri smiled. "Those concerns are outdated. Blood donation is very safe now, no need to worry."
"No, what if something does happen? It took so long to find you, I don't want anything to happen to you. Be a good girl and listen to me."
Dalia was adamant.
"Alright, I'll listen to you," Zuri agreed, then suddenly asked, "Mom, what's your blood type?"
Dalia, relieved that Zuri had dropped the idea of blood donation, answered naturally, "I'm type B."
"Oh, then I must have inherited my blood type from Father," Zuri said with a smile.
Dalia nodded. "That's right."
She didn't want to continue the topic and shifted the conversation. "Your father plans to have you married once you turn twenty. If you really like Leo, I won't object."
"Do you not want me to be with Leo?" Zuri asked, puzzled.
Dalia saw a rare opportunity to speak her mind. "Leo is excellent, but his family is complicated. I want you to be happy and not have to deal with those complexities. If you two have issues, we might not be able to help."
Zuri, rather than feeling touched by Dalia's concern, felt a chill in her heart.
Zuri wasn't someone who lived a sheltered life. She had seen the worst of human nature through her harsh experiences. She could clearly sense Dalia's intentions behind her words, especially after hearing from Azura that Saira often tried to visit the lakeside island.
It wasn't hard to guess Saira's motives. Dalia certainly knew and had given instructions several times. If the Leo family was so dangerous, why would she send her beloved daughter into such a situation?
In her previous life, Zuri had envied the affection Dalia showed Saira. In this life, nothing had changed. Suddenly, a shocking thought crossed her mind.
Zuri leaned closer to Dalia for the first time, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I understand. I'll keep my distance from him. We're just friends, not what you think."
Dalia, seeing Zuri's compliance, was pleased. "Mother, I'm back," Saira's sweet voice echoed as she entered the living room, her smile fading upon seeing Zuri and Dalia together.
Zuri smiled at Saira, a smile that seemed to say, "See, Mother is mine."
"I'm a bit tired, I'll go upstairs," Saira said, her heart aching. Despite being prepared for this, it still hurt when the moment came. She hurried upstairs, not wanting to see their closeness.
Zuri observed Dalia's pained expression, which was clear to see. Dalia wanted to say something but ultimately stayed silent, her expression normal as she looked at Zuri. "I'll teach you more another day. Your arrangement today is quite nice."
Zuri nodded. "I'll go upstairs."
"Go ahead."
After she left, Dalia's smile faded. She looked at the two flower arrangements in front of her and called a maid. "Place them in the entryway."
The maid carried the flowers away. "Where are you putting those?" Arianwen asked.
"Madam wants them in the entryway."
"They're so beautiful. Why put them there?" Arianwen looked at the flowers, recognizing one as Zuri's work.
"I don't know."
Upstairs, Zuri closed her door and opened her hand to reveal a long strand of hair. She had plucked it from Dalia without her noticing. Zuri placed the hair in a sealed plastic bag.
Later that evening, Zuri knocked on the study door, carrying a tray with tea and snacks. "Father."
Aaron looked up. "What's the matter?"
Aaron had been troubled lately. The Hu family had somehow managed to change the plans for the West Suburb project, turning it into a profitable venture. Now the Hu family's crisis was over, making Aaron, who had abandoned them, a laughingstock.
Because of that piece of land, the Hu family was now poised to make billions, and everyone who had praised Aaron was now admiring Sergio's boldness and skill.
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The Hu family's gain was the Lin family's loss.
"Father, are you worried about the Hu family situation?" Zuri placed the tray on the coffee table and sat on the sofa.
Just mentioning this made Aaron resentful towards Zuri. If it weren't for her, he could have been profiting alongside the Hu family instead of becoming a laughingstock. Everyone who had mocked the Hu family was now ridiculing him for his lack of foresight.
"Yes. Your father has become a joke."
Zuri could hear the blame in his voice but pretended not to notice. She calmly said, "The Hu family's comeback wasn't easy. They must have paid a huge price. That piece of land might bring in three billion, but at least seventy to eighty percent of that profit will go to others. The Hu family is just earning a pittance for their efforts. It's not worth your concern."
Among all the things he had heard in the past few days, this was the only statement that pleased Aaron.
He laughed heartily, "You see things more clearly than anyone else."
"It's not my insight; I'm just repeating what Leo said."
Upon hearing that this information came from Leo, Aaron took it as the absolute truth. The Hu family was indeed working hard for someone else's benefit. This realization cheered Aaron up.
"What do you need from me?" Aaron asked warmly.
"I heard some news about the Harbor area. It's about to be developed. If you can secure that land, the Lin family could become the wealthiest in Oceanic City, making the Hu family irrelevant."
"The Harbor area?" Aaron's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Very likely," Zuri confirmed.
Aaron assumed this tip came from Leo. Otherwise, how could his daughter know about it when no one else did? Only someone with Leo's connections could get such information so quickly.
Far away in another part of the city, Leo was completely unaware that he was being used as a scapegoat once again.
Aaron's worries vanished, and he focused entirely on the Harbor area, a prime spot for hotels, theme parks, or luxury villas.
"Zuri, you really are your father's lucky star," Aaron said, smiling. He couldn't help but think of his disappointing son. "If your brother had your skills, I could hand the company over to him."
A glint flashed in Zuri's eyes. She played along, "If you want to train him, why not involve him in this project? We have the advantage now, and there's plenty of room to maneuver. You can guide him and build his experience for when he joins the company."
Aaron laughed, feeling gratified. "Zuri, would you like to join in?"
"I'm still young. My studies come first."
Zuri placed the coffee on the table. "Try my coffee."
Aaron took a sip, pleased. "Not bad."
"Wait, you have a white hair. Let me get it for you."
"Alright."
Zuri stepped forward and plucked a hair from his head, discreetly hiding it in her hand.
She stepped back and smiled. "I won't disturb your work any longer."
"Alright, go rest. Feel free to go out if you want."
"Okay."
Zuri left the study and returned to her room, placing the two hairs in a sealed plastic bag. She looked at the bags thoughtfully.
Meanwhile, the internet was abuzz with news of Owen and Xiao Yun being attacked by a criminal and hospitalized, with the hospital surrounded by media.
Owen was stuck in the hotel, unable to leave.
Isaac, sitting on the sofa, glanced at his hand. "Post an update tonight to reassure your fans."
"You decide."
Owen fiddled with his phone, repeatedly tapping it. He had sent Zuri over a dozen messages with no response. Her expression when she left told him something significant had happened, and he was worried.
Isaac noticed Owen's relentless tapping and his forehead veins pulsed with irritation. "Owen, what are you doing?"
"Private time. None of your business!"
Isaac was nearly driven to rage. This kid was really testing his patience.
Lying in bed, Zuri picked up her phone, which had died and automatically shut off. As it charged, countless messages flooded in, most from Owen. She first reassured Farida and Azura, briefly explaining Owen's situation before reading Owen's messages.
Owen: [Zuri, you left in a hurry earlier. I didn't get a chance to thank you. You saved my hand today.]
Owen: [You're my lifesaver. If you have any wishes, I can help make them come true.]
Owen: [You don't have to tell me now. Take your time.]
Owen: [Remember, we're friends. If you need help, let me know. I might not solve everything, but it's good to have an extra person. I promise to keep your secrets.]
Reading through Owen's messages and seeing his concern warmed Zuri's heart. He expected nothing in return, yet his warmth was something she had never experienced before. Whether it was Azura, Leo, or Owen, they were her most precious gains in this life.
She cherished this bond and didn't want it to fade away. Zuri sent a simple message.
Zuri: [I'm fine. I'll let you know if I need anything. Rest well. It's not good for your recovery to stay up late. Goodnight.]
Owen read her message repeatedly, frowning. This girl had many thoughts for her age. Sometimes, her gaze felt strangely familiar, almost like... his second brother. Yes, that's it. When she stared at him coldly, her eyes were very much like his second brother's.
The next day, Zuri left home with her bag, took a taxi to the city center, and then another to the paternity testing center. She handed over the bags containing her hair and that of the Lin couple to the nurse.
"How long will it take for the results?"
The nurse handed her a form, glanced at her, and then continued writing. "It usually takes three to seven business days. If you're in a hurry, you can expedite it and get the results in eight hours for an additional fee."
"Expedite it."
The nurse amended the form, printed a new one, and handed it to her. "Confirm it and then pay the fee. We don't accept credit cards."
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