---
Lin Xiao's steps were deliberate as she entered the grand hall of the Lin estate. The banquet had already begun, the atmosphere thick with the clinking of glasses and the low murmur of conversation. The Lin family's private events were always held under the pretense of unity, but tonight, the air was charged with an unspoken tension.
Her father, Lin Zhenghua, was at the head of the table, exuding an air of command that even the flickering candlelight seemed to respect. His gaze was sharp as he surveyed the room, ensuring his guests were properly entertained. To his side sat Lin Xue, poised as always, flashing her perfect smile as she charmed the wealthy guests who surrounded her.
But Lin Xiao's attention was immediately drawn to her mother, Mei Hua, who was standing at the far end of the room, looking as if she were holding herself together with sheer force of will. Mei Hua's eyes met hers for a fleeting moment before she quickly looked away, busying herself with smoothing her dress. The same dress she had worn for every event in the last decade. The same dress that, despite its elegance, spoke of years of quiet submission.
Lin Xiao swallowed down a bitter laugh. This was her family. The blood that ran through her veins, but never truly nurtured her.
---
The guests stood in clusters, engaging in polite conversations, sipping on wine and nibbling on expensive hors d'oeuvres. The wealth was as visible as the opulent chandeliers above. But it was all a performance. A game.
Her father's voice broke through the low hum of chatter.
"Lin Xiao," he said, his tone sharp as he caught her approach, "Join us."
Lin Xiao's heart did not quicken at the sound of her father's command. It had stopped expecting warmth or approval years ago. With a subtle tilt of her chin, she walked toward him.
The table quieted as she approached, all eyes falling on her. Lin Xue's smile was polite, but her eyes narrowed slightly. Her father, however, was unbothered, as though Lin Xiao's presence were a mere formality.
"Sit," Lin Zhenghua gestured to the seat across from him. "We have something important to discuss."
---
As Lin Xiao settled into her seat, she felt the weight of her father's gaze on her. He wasn't trying to hide his intentions tonight. Not anymore. He was setting the stage for something more.
The meal proceeded, the atmosphere stiff and strained. At one point, Lin Zhenghua turned his attention back to her, his expression calculating.
"Lin Xiao," he began, his voice low but firm, "I've been thinking about the family's future. You have the share of the inheritance your grandmother left you, correct?"
Lin Xiao nodded, her expression cool and measured. "Yes, Father."
"You know the company's struggles," he continued, his voice taking on a more persuasive tone. "The Lin Group is facing fierce competition. And the debt… well, we need to act quickly."
"I'm aware," she replied, keeping her voice steady.
"You must understand, Lin Xiao," he said, leaning slightly forward, "that in times like these, the family's legacy must be preserved. It's not just about you. It's about the Lin Group's survival. The future of this family." His voice dropped to a near whisper. "That inheritance... it needs to be shared, and I think you understand what I'm implying."
Lin Xiao's fingers clenched slightly around her wine glass, but she did not let her face betray any emotion. "What exactly are you suggesting, Father?"
A sly smile crept across his face. "I believe it would be best for the family if you handed over your grandmother's shares to the Lin Group for the sake of unity." He paused, then added, his tone turning even more persuasive, "You're the rightful heir, but we both know... a woman's place in a patriarchal world isn't always straightforward. We'll manage things for you, of course."
Lin Xiao's pulse quickened, but she kept her gaze fixed firmly on him. She had known this was coming. He had always sought control, always wanted to steer the reins of the Lin Group in his direction. Now, he wanted her to relinquish her rightful claim.
---
The tension in the room thickened, the guests sensing the subtle shift in the conversation. Lin Xue's gaze flickered between Lin Xiao and their father, a calculating glint in her eyes. She didn't speak, but Lin Xiao knew her sister was watching every movement, every word.
"Father," Lin Xiao said slowly, her voice soft but firm, "I respect the family, but the inheritance belongs to me. Not you. Not anyone else."
Lin Zhenghua's eyes darkened, but he maintained his composure. "I think you misunderstand, Lin Xiao," he said, his voice cool and controlled. "What I'm suggesting is for the good of the family. For the good of the company. You will be taken care of. Your share of the business will be safeguarded."
Her grip on the wine glass tightened. "No."
The single word hung in the air, heavy with defiance.
---
A sharp silence descended. The guests around the table exchanged uneasy glances. Lin Xue shifted slightly, her lips tight in barely concealed frustration.
Her father's gaze hardened, and for a moment, Lin Xiao could see the man who had cast her aside for the sake of his own ambitions. A man who had never seen her as more than a tool. And now, he was trying to use her inheritance to cement his own position.
"Lin Xiao," he said, his voice laced with warning, "You will come to understand. This is about family loyalty. This is about doing what is right."
But Lin Xiao's resolve was stronger than ever. "I am doing what's right, Father," she said, standing up from the table, her voice unwavering. "This inheritance belongs to me, and I will decide what to do with it. Not you."
---
With that, Lin Xiao turned on her heel and walked out of the room, leaving her father's cold gaze behind her.
Outside, the cool night air hit her face like a slap. She took a deep breath, her mind racing. The banquet had been her father's attempt at manipulation, but she had not bent to his will. Not this time.
But the battle was far from over. Her father would not relent easily. And now, the stakes were higher than ever.