William had always seen potential in Lina as the first female Chairwoman of Yang Enterprise. Her arrogance, her intellect, her righteousness. The potential was always there, but hidden under layers of insecurities and self-hatred.

For the first time in a while, William had seen the dirtied diamond shine again. How disappointing that it was under pressure and she wouldn’t pull this off anywhere else. ​​

“Impressive speech,” William finally managed to say. He stuck his hand out, watching her pretend she didn’t flinch from his touch.

William said nothing. He only hoped his youngest brother, Linden did not see that.

“Now, where is the promised item from yesterday?” William demanded, finally giving up the fight. If he couldn’t have passive income from the Leclare Law Firm shares, he could just earn more money once Lina’s wedding would be announced.

To whom? He couldn’t care less. As long as it was with one of the men whose heartstrings she was playing around with.

“You will get it when I am presentable and ready to see you,” Lina stated. “Now get out.”

William let out a small laugh, his eyes twinkling. He didn’t know if he should be proud or provoked by her behavior. He chose the former. It had been years since she had last made him proud to be one of the Uncles that treated her like his own daughter.

“Very well then,” William agreed, nodding his head and dropping his hand.

William turned and exited her room, followed closely by his youngest brother. William wasn’t surprised by Lina’s outburst, but he was astonished by his youngest brother’s disobedience. Usually, Linden was the more passive of the three siblings and the one who’d never dare to speak against the eldest.

“You can’t speak to Lina like that,” Linden warned, grabbing his brother by the wrist, forcing William to stop. “She is not your daughter, she is mine.”

William let out a sigh. To be petty, or to be virtuous… He turned and cast a glance at Evelyn, who averted her gaze. So this was how it was going to be.

“I raised her like mine after she refused to go home from that incident in the past. Did you forget?” William asked in an easygoing voice.

William watched as his brother’s demeanor crumbled. So he was an asshole. So what?

Linden’s entire face fell. He staggered backward, still haunted by the mistakes of his past. Even Evelyn had the nerve to look apologetic for what happened. She lowered her eyes and looked towards the ground.

“Need I remind you your little stunt has transferred guardianship of Lina over to me?” William stated. “You should be grateful I allowed her to return home, especially after the trauma you and Grandfather have inflicted onto her.”

William stuck his hands into his front pockets and peered down at the sorry excuse of a father. If William had been blessed with the genes to have kids, he wouldn’t have let Lina undergo the past she did in the past. He’d never do that to her.

It was unfortunate Lina wasn’t his daughter.

“Don’t use the past as a weapon against my father,” Milo argued. “Father and Grandfather’s actions put Lina in harm’s way for her sake. Whereas, you, Uncle, put her in harm’s way for your own sake.”

William raised a brow. So the pitiful Linden had not just one fox cub, but two. How amusing. He simply shot Milo a smile, rather than respond to the boy. He was just a teenager. He didn’t feel like wasting his time.

“Irritating,” Milo muttered under his breath, ignoring William’s warning stare. His sister might’ve respected William, but Milo didn’t.

Milo saw right through this wolf in sheep’s disguise. Whereas their Father and Grandfather had the least to gain from Lina’s unfortunate past, the two Uncles with no daughters of their own had everything to gain.

– – – – –

Once everyone had left her room, Lina laid in her bed for another five minutes staring at the ceiling. She had to calm her racing heart and trembling hands. It had been a while since she had raised her voice like that to her Uncle.

Lina was a people pleaser at heart. Just the thought of disappointment terrified her. She had been an honor student all her life, excelling at her academics and receiving everyone’s praises. She had become addicted to it.

“You are a burned-out gifted student,” Lina whispered the words her grandfather once told her.

Lawrence had said it after he witnessed her work to exhaustion over her Uncle’s files. She’d double check, triple check, and quadruple check every single thing to ensure perfection at the expense of her youth.

“I just want to leave.” Lina tiredly rubbed her forehead, wishing she could just pack up her bags and go.

Lina was tired of being a people pleaser, chasing her high through praises and not drugs. Maybe then, she wouldn’t have been stretching herself thin for simple words and air.

Holding back a sigh, Lina shot out of the bed, used the bathroom, took a shower, and then got dressed. She dried her hair, got ready for the day, and took the contract from her tableside.

When Lina deemed herself presentable, she went downstairs where breakfast was set out for her.

“Come sit, I saved you a spot!” Milo chirped, patting the seat next to him.

Lina’s eyes met her Uncle’s. He was sitting at the head of the table, where her father sat, despite being a guest in the house. Well, it was within their culture to treat the guest to the highest esteem. But the guest also had to show respect by not taking the head of the table’s position.

“I have what you want,” Lina stated, showing her uncle the manilla folder.

“Ah, my favorite color,” William mused, always enjoying seeing those colored folders in her hand. She always knew what to do with all the problems he had with his reports.

Lina said nothing. She didn’t even flash him a smile or glare. She was just… blank.

William frowned. Did he push her too much? Or was she just tired of everyone’s crap?

“Alright, alright, let’s discuss it. I have a meeting in an hour,” William stated, just as the plates clinked behind him.

William saw Evelyn was setting the dining table. She must’ve only done that in front of guests, for the maids were flustered.

“Good, now my appetite won’t be ruined,” Milo mumbled under his breath, earning a lengthy glare from William.

Milo pretended to not see it. He sipped his green tea.

“There’s nothing to discuss. This is my decision. This is my life.” Lina walked out of the door, confident her Uncle would follow. And he reluctantly did.

“You’re not going to eat breakfast?” Milo called out, disappointed. He had baked scones for her, with the dough he had prepared yesterday night from staying up waiting for her to return home.

“I’m fine.” Lina closed the door on her family, then led her Uncle to the waiting room in the house. It was where most guests waited for someone in the family to show up, be it, friends or family.

Once they reached the waiting room, Lina didn’t even allow him to sit.

“The contract,” Lina stated, showing it to him.

William reached for it, but she redacted her hand.

“You may not keep it. You can only look at it,” Lina said.

William scoffed. “Stingy.”

Seeing her distant expression, William raised a brow. “You know I just did that to get a rise out of you right? I had to make sure you still had your potential—”

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Lina seethed. “I will not take over your position. Not today. Not tomorrow. And certainly not soon.”

“That’s what you think,” William dryly said, snatching the contract from her hands. To her satisfaction and his setback, there truly was a marriage certificate.

The name of her husband? Certainly not Everett Leclare. Instead, it was Kaden DeHaven.