“An Zhao came here today,” Grandma Li suddenly said, interrupting Mei’s thoughts.
Mei froze.
What had he come to the villa for?
Ever since her mother died, An Zhao had never made any effort to hide his dislike for her, it was as though he secretly despised her from the beginning.
Grandma Li currently owned sixty percent of Zhao Group’s shares and had always refused to transfer them to An Zhao.
She feared that once the shares fell into his hands, he would squander the company her late husband had built under the influence of his wife.
An Zhao lived extravagantly and had pressured Grandma Li countless times to hand over the remaining shares, but she rejected him every single time.
He already managed two companies, yet the second was on the verge of bankruptcy, drowning in debt because of his reckless decisions.
She would rather hold onto those shares herself than watch her husband’s life’s work crumble because of greed.
“He came looking for you,” Grandma Li said.
“What does he want?” Mei asked absentmindedly as she placed the steaming bowl of lamb soup before Grandma Li.
She carefully set the chopsticks beside the bowl before gently urging her to eat.
“He insisted on seeing you but refused to tell me why.” Grandma Li studied Mei’s face, trying to read what was going through her mind.
Earlier that afternoon, An Zhao had arrived at the villa in a terrible temper.
He had demanded that Mei come out immediately, almost raving like a madman.
When Grandma Li asked what had happened, he ignored her question completely.
“Tell Mei to meet me at the Zhao villa tonight,” he had said without even sparing her a glance before turning around and leaving.
An Zhao knew Mei often stayed with Grandma Li at the villa, yet despite knowing exactly where to find his own daughter, he had never once tried to build a relationship with her.
After marrying Odessa, his relationship with Grandma Li had only worsened.
She had repeatedly warned him to leave his mistress and fulfil his responsibilities as a father, but he refused to listen.
Instead, he had gone as far as moving Grandma Li into another villa, hoping to keep her away so she would no longer interfere with his plans.
“It’s alright, Grandma. I’ll go to the Zhao villa later,” Mei said softly as she placed the wrapped pills into Grandma Li’s palm before pouring her a glass of warm water.
After finishing her meal and taking her medicine, Grandma Li gradually drifted to sleep.
Mei quietly cleared the dining table.
She stacked the empty bowls neatly, washed every plate, wiped the table spotless, packed the remaining medicine into its container, covered the unfinished soup, and folded the towel she had used before arranging everything exactly where it belonged.
Only after making sure everything was in order did she prepare to leave for the Zhao villa.
She still could not understand why An Zhao had suddenly appeared after all days, insisting on seeing her.
Before leaving, she sat beside the bed and gently held Grandma Li’s wrist.
Her fingers rested lightly over the old woman’s pulse.
A faint smile appeared on Mei’s face.
The pulse was steady.
The last time she had examined Grandma Li, her heartbeat had been frighteningly slow, showing clear signs of bradycardia, but now the rhythm had returned to normal, she quietly sighed in relief.
“Lisaa… don’t leave…”
Grandma Li suddenly murmured in her sleep.
Mei was about to withdraw her hand after checking her pulse when Grandma Li unexpectedly tightened her grip.
“Lisaa… I’m coming with you…”
Who was Lisa?
Her pupils shrank in surprise.
She gently tried to free her hand, but Grandma Li held on surprisingly tightly.
After struggling for several moments, Mei finally loosened the old woman’s grip without waking her.
Seeing the anxiety on Grandma Li’s sleeping face, Mei immediately took out a few acupuncture needles and inserted them into several calming acupoints.
Only after Grandma Li’s breathing became peaceful again did Mei remove the needles.
Her mind, however, remained occupied by a single name.
Lisa.
Who exactly was she?
Why had Grandma Li called that name so desperately?
There were too many unanswered questions, yet she had no time to dwell on them.
____
As evening arrived, Mei made her way to the Zhao villa.
The moment she stepped through the gates, the elderly butler, who was watering the flowers in the garden, noticed her.
“What are you doing here? You haven’t returned for days,” he asked disrespectfully.
The butler was a man in his early fifties with a straight posture and an expression that had long since forgotten what kindness looked like.
He had served the Zhao family ever since Odessa married An Zhao and had always treated Mei with contempt.
Ignoring him completely, Mei walked past without answering.
The butler’s expression darkened.He was just about to stop her when a pair of cold eyes landed on him.
It was Odessa.
She had stepped out of the villa the moment Mei walked inside.
“Play your part properly,” Odessa said as she walked past him.
The butler immediately lowered his head.
“Yes, Madam.”
From where she stood, Mei caught the brief exchange out of the corner of her eye.
Her eyesight had always been exceptionally sharp, and although she was already several metres away, she clearly saw the butler’s expression change.
The confidence on his face vanished almost instantly, replaced by unease as he lowered his head before Odessa.Mei’s brows knitted together ever so slightly.
Something about that interaction felt off.
Still, she couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it.
Whatever game they were playing had nothing to do with her, and she continued walking into the villa without another glance.
“You finally decided to come back.”
Camille blocked Mei’s path halfway across the living room.
She descended the marble staircase in a bright champagne coloured gown embroidered with delicate silver threads that shimmered beneath the crystal chandelier.
Diamond earrings swayed gently beside her cheeks while her carefully styled hair rested elegantly over one shoulder, making her look every bit like the daughter of a wealthy family.
Her eyes slowly travelled across Mei’s figure, and jealousy quietly surfaced within them.
Mei did not possess the exaggerated figure most women admired, but every curve on her body seemed naturally sculpted to perfection.
Her skin was not porcelain white, yet it was smooth, healthy and carried a soft glow that required no expensive skincare.
The gentle dip of her waist accentuated her figure beautifully, while every movement she made carried an effortless elegance.
Even without jewellery, designer clothes or cosmetics, Mei could easily outshine Camille.
Camille was certain that if Mei appeared at the Imperial Beauty Gala, she would attract countless eyes.
That thought alone filled her with resentment.
“Where’s An Zhao?” Mei asked coldly, unwilling to waste another second speaking with Camille.
“You can call him Father. He’s still your father. At least show him some respect,” Camille mocked.
“I didn’t come here to exchange words with you. Tell An Zhao I’m here,” Mei replied.
She looked directly into Camille’s eyes,her gaze was calm, cold and frighteningly steady and for a brief moment, Camille instinctively took a step backwards.
No matter how many times she faced Mei, that chilling aura always unsettled her.
“You’re here.”
A deep masculine voice echoed from upstairs.
An Zhao slowly descended the staircase.
He wore a perfectly tailored charcoal grey suit from Porsche Design.
The fabric hugged his tall frame flawlessly, while a silver tie clip and polished black leather shoes completed the expensive look.
A luxury watch rested around his wrist, giving him the appearance of a successful businessman preparing to attend an important occasion.
“Why did you insist on seeing me?” Mei asked as she looked at him without warmth.
He had abandoned her after her mother’s death, remarried and built a new family.
What could he possibly want from her now?
“At least acknowledge me. I’m still your father,” An Zhao said with dissatisfaction.
Mei remained silent.
Seeing her expressionless face, he reached into the inner pocket of his suit and withdrew an elegant invitation card.
The card was crafted from black embossed leather with golden lettering across its surface.
It was an exclusive invitation.
Without it, no one could enter tomorrow’s Grand Art Appraisal and Painters’ Gala.
The moment Camille saw it, jealousy flashed across her eyes.
Why would An Zhao invite Mei to such an important event?
“Tomorrow is the Grand Art Appraisal and Painters’ Gala,” An Zhao said as he handed her the invitation.
“You must attend.”
“I don’t want to,” Mei replied without even looking at the card.
“You don’t have a choice,” An Zhao said firmly.
“You will attend the appraisal because your future husband will be there.”