Chapter 3

The next morning, I closed the shop early.

On the way to the airport, the taxi driver had the radio on loud.

"Today's financial news: Lynn Corporation heiress Lily Lynn will be engaged to capital elite Zachary Chow. Following this news, Lynn Corporation's stock opened higher..."

The driver clicked his tongue.

"Elite family marriages are something else."

I leaned against the car window, watching the elevated highway outside.

Lily was getting engaged.

Seven years ago, she used a fake miscarriage to nail me to the position of vicious older sister.

Seven years later, she stood in front of cameras in a gown, still the envied Lynn family heiress.

This world can be pretty disgusting sometimes.

My phone rang.

Unknown number.

I glanced at it, initially not wanting to answer.

The caller tried a second time.

I answered and put it on speaker.

Mrs. Lynn's voice immediately pierced through the car.

"Lynn Nina, you finally answered?"

The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror.

My tone was flat.

"Who is this?"

The other end went silent for half a second.

Mrs. Lynn exploded.

"I'm your mother!"

"Sorry, my mother is on a plane overseas."

The driver almost laughed out loud.

Mrs. Lynn's voice became shrill with anger.

"Seven years gone and you're still so ill-mannered."

"Lily is getting engaged next week. She's generous enough not to hold grudges about what happened back then."

"Come back to the Lynn mansion immediately and be her bridesmaid."

I thought I'd misheard.

"You want me to be Lily's bridesmaid?"

Mrs. Lynn said it like it was perfectly reasonable.

"And apologize while you're at it."

"What happened back then -- you caused her so much grief."

"Now she's willing to let you appear at the engagement party. That's giving you face."

Lincoln must have gone back and had them dig up my information overnight.

It wasn't that they couldn't find me.

When I had no value, they just couldn't be bothered to look.

Now that Lily was getting engaged, they needed a disgraced biological daughter as a background prop.

"Mrs. Lynn."

"Seven years ago, you threw me out."

"You published the announcement severing ties."

"Now you're calling me back to serve your adopted daughter -- did you get that shamelessness as a bonus with your Lynn Corporation shares?"

The driver couldn't hold it in and snorted.

Mrs. Lynn exploded.

"Shaw Nina!"

"Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."

"You're just a flower seller. You're lucky to still be alive."

"One word from the Lynn family and you won't be able to stay in this city."

I looked at the airport terminal in the distance.

My mood suddenly improved.

"Then try it."

"You..."

"Also, the Lynn family isn't even qualified to deliver fertilizer to my flower shop anymore."

I hung up.

And blocked the number.

Within seconds, another unknown number called.

I continued blocking.

The Lynn family was panicking.

They always assumed a phone call could get through, a door could be kicked open, a person could be forced back.

Seven years ago, maybe.

Not anymore.

The driver held it in the whole ride, but finally, near the airport, he asked quietly.

"Miss, was that really your mom?"

I smiled.

"Legally speaking, not for a long time."

He parked at the VIP arrival area and turned to give me a thumbs up.

"Well done."

I got out and had just taken out my phone to check the flight information Frederick sent when someone suddenly shoved me hard.

I looked up.

Mrs. Lynn was supporting Lily, with Mr. Lynn standing beside them.

Lincoln followed at the back.

All four stared at me.

What a coincidence.

Such an unlucky coincidence.

Lily froze first, then quickly hid behind Mrs. Lynn.

The movement was so practiced it seemed rehearsed.

"Mrs. Lynn, I'm scared."

Mrs. Lynn immediately glared at me.

"Lynn Nina, you dare follow us?"