Author's POV:
The Song family villa was a flurry of chaotic activity as the family prepared to depart for Beijing. Servants scurried about, hastily packing luggage and loading it into the idling town cars awaiting outside.
In the main receiving room, tensions simmered just beneath the surface of the forced family gathering. Chen Xinyi sat rigidly on an opulent sofa, lips pursed in a thin line of displeasure as she watched her husband Song Bo instruct the staff.
Nearby, Song Yangyao rolled her eyes openly, making no effort to hide her sullen disdain at having to make this impromptu trip to the capital.
"I can't believe Father is dragging us all the way to Beijing just for that abandoned brat Huang Yanyan," she groused loud enough for her mother to hear. "As if we should care what happens to that fat bitch."
Chen Xinyi's eyes flashed in warning at her daughter, but before she could respond, another voice cut through the tension.