24: The Hard Way

The Hard Way

Lina always wondered why her grandfather despised her mother, Evelyn. It had happened for as long as Lina could remember. Her mother had been the epitome of a filial daughter-in-law, doing everything she could to please the in-laws, but nothing in this world worked.0

When Lina was a child, she had asked her grandfather, and he simply told her it was "adult business." Now, when she was an adult, he'd tell her it was "private business."

Lost in thought, Lina felt a buzz in her pockets. She pulled it out to see another text from Isabelle.

[Isabelle: I'm on my way to the mall, are you coming?]

[Lina: Coming!]

[Isabelle: Hehe, from what?]

Lina rolled her eyes at Isabelle's comments. With the way they spoke to each other, one would think they were in a relationship. 

"Are you going shopping with your friends?" Lawrence asked, shifting his attention from her phone to his granddaughter. 

"Yep," Lina said.

"Good, good. You should enjoy your youth," Lawrence said. "Come this way." He beckoned his secretary forward.

Lina had forgotten his secretary was even in the room. That was how quiet this man was. 

Sometimes, Lina wondered if the secretary had secret powers to hide his presence. He effortlessly blended into the background like wallpaper.

When he was closer to her, Lina was a bit worried, especially when his eyes flashed red at the sight of her, but then he bowed his head respectfully. It was extremely rare to see a Vampire lowering their head for a human. But the Yangs were just that powerful.

"Young Miss," the secretary greeted.

"My card," Lawrence stated, holding out his hand as a master would to their dog.

"As you wish, Patriarch," the secretary said, pulling out a black object from his suit pockets. With two hands, he passed it to Lawrence.

Lawrence turned to Lina and nodded to the limitless black card. One glance at this and no one would dare to insult her.

"Here, take my card and have a fun time. Youngsters should enjoy their youth whilst they still have time," Lawrence commented, taking the card and handing it directly to Lina.

Lina stared at the black card, specifically her grandfather's name imprinted in gold. There was nothing else on the card, except his name, but everyone knew what it was.

"No need, grandfather," Lina politely declined. "I have my own money." 

"Yes yes, I know you get consultation fees from your Uncle and a share of the profit, but there is no harm in getting pocket money from your grandparents. Take it," Lawrence insisted, grabbing her hand directly and pressing the card into her palms. 

Lawrence always found his granddaughter had the best money palm lines, but the worst fate. She was born with an ominous future, and Lawrence had done everything in his power to reverse it, but nothing could damper with destiny. Not even money and power.

"But grandfather—"

"Off you go," Lawrence urged, nudging her aside and refusing to glance her way any longer. Once he had made his decision, there was no reversing it.

"I—"

"Go, go," Lawrence said, shooing her away like a clingy pet. 

Lina softly laughed. She decided to just not use it, but for his sake, she'd accept his card.

"Thank you, Grandfather," Lina said. 

"Where are you going?" Her father, Linden, instantly asked. "I will have the chauffeur ready for you."

Linden was beginning to calculate how many bodyguards he'd need to keep hidden. They were always with Lina, whether she realized it or not. But because Linden respected her privacy, he made sure they were secretive. 

His wife, however, always had different plans. Had he not personally witnessed his wife birthing Lina, he would've thought the daughter was not hers. 

Linden had brushed it off as tough love, for the Yangs always spoiled their daughters. Someone had to be the bad cop, and unfortunately it was Evelyn.

"It's just the mall, Father, nothing else. I'll hail a taxi," Lina responded.

"Go, go," Lawrence said, nudging her to the exit before she could slip the black card into his palm again. Once she was gone, he could have a proper talk with Linden. 

"Will you be staying for dinner?" Lina asked, wondering if she should get ingredients for tonight. 

"No," Lawrence said. "I'd get food poisoning from here."

Lina blinked. Then, she saw her grandfather glance towards Evelyn. Holding back another comment, she slowly nodded.

"Now off you go," Lawrence shooed her away.

Lina didn't need to be told twice. She waved him goodbye, slipped his credit card into her front pocket, and exited the dining room. 

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