fish has taken the bait {edited}

"Did you see her?"

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" 

"Who do you think she is?"

"I've never seen her before,"

Vesna ignored the hushed whispers of the maids who were stealing curious glances at her from a distance, her eyes instead were fixed on the email on her phone that she had received a moment ago.

"Dear Blackstar,

We are thrilled to congratulate you on your outstanding performance in the recent science competition. Your innovative approach and dedication have truly set you apart.

At NovaTech, we are always on the lookout for bright minds like yours. In recognition of your outstanding achievement, we would like to offer you a unique opportunity to join NovaTech.

We would love to discuss this opportunity further and..."

Vesna paused for a moment, her eyebrow quirked. The competition they were talking about was the science competition she had participated in out of boredom. Who would have thought the idea she had scribbled while waiting for her food at the restaurant would land her the first prize? Thinking about this, she was thankful she had decided to participate in it anonymously.

She deleted the email and put her phone away. Just then, the double doors opened. She looked up, at the old woman who was walking towards her with a cane in her hand. A young woman around her age was by her, supporting her other hand.

Xiao Rong.

Also known as her half-sister. There was only a half-month difference between the two women yet the difference in treatment towards them was mountains apart. Xiao Rong was the beloved princess of the Xiao family, the precious flower they cherished and protected with all their might. Vesna, on the other hand, was the thorn that was left to fend for herself.

"You are back," Xiao Meifang stated, a look of disappointment flashing in her eyes that she did not even pretend to hide.

Xiao Meifang sat down on the couch right opposite Vesna. Xiao Rong sat beside her, her curious eyes flickering toward Vesna while she started to make tea for her grandmother. 

"I am," Vesna mused. 

"Why?" Xiao Meifang asked without beating around the bush making it clear that she wanted her to disappear. 

Vesna raised an eyebrow, unfazed by her grandmother's blunt question. "Because this is my home too."

Xiao Meifang's gaze narrowed. Xiao Rong's hand trembled slightly as she poured the steaming tea into a delicate cup. She looked at Vesna with a panicked look. A hint of admiration flashed in them but it was gone before anyone could notice. 

 "This is not a place for someone like you," Xiao Meifang snapped, her voice laced with venom.

"Someone like me?" Vesna repeated, a hint of amusement in her voice. "And what exactly do you mean by that, Grandmother? Care to elaborate?"

Xiao Meifang's lips tightened into a thin line. She glared at Vesna with a disdain that seemed almost physical. "You know exactly what I mean."

"I'm afraid I don't," 

The old woman's face flickered with something—perhaps surprise, or discomfort. It was hard to tell. It wasn't just Xiao Fei's striking appearance that had startled her; it was the sheer confidence in her voice, the way she held herself with such poise despite the disdain directed at her. The old woman felt an unexpected shiver, a tremor in her heart that she quickly masked with a scowl.

Xiao Fei leaned back in her chair, the amusement in her eyes never fading. "Does the Xiao blood not run through my veins?" 

A collective gasp escaped the maids who had been unable to tear their eyes away from the scene. Xiao Rong flinched, almost dropping the teacup she was about to hand over to Xiao Meifang, her eyes wide with surprise. She did not expect Xiao Fei to be so bold in front of their grandmother. Her eyes darted between Xiao Fei and their grandmother, wondering how the situation was going to end. 

Xiao Meifang's face contorted in anger, a vein pulsed in her temple.

"That blood," she hissed, her voice trembling with repressed fury, "is tainted."

"Relax, Grandmother," Xiao Fei said with a dismissive wave of her hand. Her smile remained, though her eyes grew colder. "I'm not exactly thrilled to be here either."

Xiao Meifang's face twisted further in anger, her eyes narrowing into slits. "Then why are you here?"

Xiao Fei took out the envelope she had brought with her and threw it on the table between them. "I have been receiving them for a while now," she said, crossing her arms.

Xiao Meifang's gaze snapped towards it, her wrinkled brow furrowing in confusion. "What is it?" 

"See for your yourself," Xiao Fei shrugged. 

Xiao Rong picked up the envelope and handed it to Xiao Meifang. Inside were multiple pictures, some old, others new. One picture showed a blurry picture of a man in a nightclub with a woman sitting on his lap. Another was a picture of the same woman coming out of a hospital with a bulging belly. Then there were a few pictures of Xiao Fei, from the day she was born to now. They all looked like they were taken in secret.

Shock appeared on Xiao Meifang's face as she flipped through each photo. Her wrinkled hands clutched the pictures tightly, her knuckles white. 

"I have been receiving it for a year now," Xiao Fei continued, "I initially wanted to ignore them until I received I received the paternity test results."

Xiao Fei knew she was being followed, she had known it for a year now. The reason she did not take any action was because the stalker, whoever they were, was unknowingly providing her with a vital lifeline – a way back to City S. She needed a reason to stay here, something that the Xiao family would never allow. The only way she could do that was by having some leverage over them. 

Xiao Meifang's hands trembled as she reached the bottom of the stack of photos, where a neatly folded piece of paper lay. She unfolded it slowly, her eyes scanning the contents. It was a paternity test report, confirming a biological relationship between Xiao Fei and Xiao Zhiming. 

 "Grandma," Xiao Rong whispered, worry etched on her face.

Ignoring Xiao Rong, Xiao Meifang locked eyes with Xiao. "Who sent this?

Xiao Fei shrugged, a barely noticeable curve appeared at the corner of her lips. "Who knows? Maybe someone who hates the Xiao family as much as I do."

Xiao Meifang stared at the paper for a moment, her gaze flickering as if she were thinking of different possibilities. A moment later, she let out a sigh of defeat. 

The smile on Xiao Fei's lips turned bigger which she hid underneath her hand. 

The fish has taken the bait.

"I will discuss this with the men of the family and see what can be done." Xiao Meifang said, "Until then, you will stay at the estate."