Chapter 322 - Say No
[Second lifetime continues.]
Lina always hated their annual morning breakfast. Everyone in the goddamn family had to show up. She was growing irritated by this tradition.
Gritting her teeth, she peered over the hallway balcony railing that wrapped around their rectangular mansion. The place reminded her of a priceless hotel, with so many floors, it was no wonder people always awed at the Yang fortune.
"Is she prepared?" Clyde said to her Papa, who frowned at the question.
"She is my daughter. She is always prepared."
"I just think she is a little bit too young for him, don't you think? A pure, delicate lily like her getting deflowered just like that?" Clyde let out a loud sigh. "Pity."
"She is your niece," her Papa hissed in disbelief.
"Right."
Lina could feel her stomach churn. She hadn't had breakfast yet, but was already getting indigestion. Holding back a scowl, she loudly stepped on the staircase, reminding everyone of who was coming down.
Lina glided her hand along the balcony rail and walked down three flights of stairs. Her head was ringing with their words. What did they mean prepared? For what? Deflowered? By who? Was her older sister Mila getting married?
On the last staircase, Lina could feel all her worries melt away. Altan was at the bottom of the steps, fixing his tie. At the sound of her heels, he slowly turned. His dark glower immediately brightened.
Resembling a dog seeing his master return home, Altan perked up.
"Lina," Altan breathed out, gazing up at her with adoration.
"What are you wearing?" Lina immediately teased him, her lips curled into a large grin. "Is that velvet?"
"Didn't your maid warn you not to judge?" Altan chuckled, offering her a hand. He was mesmerized by her graceful appearance, her hand lingering on the railing.
"She did," Lina agreed.
"And you didn't listen," Altan mused.
"Evidently," Lina deadpanned.
"Quite a naughty thing you are," Altan whispered, curling his hand around hers when she accepted his guidance. In a swift tug, he pulled her towards him.
Lina was surprised, tripping over her footing. He effortlessly caught her. She was breathless by his stunt, her hands on his chest. Even so, she was grateful for his help, his body as stern as how she'd imagine an older brother would be.
"I've always been good," Lina said to him with an innocent blink.
"Lies."
"I'm glad you know," Lina told him with a teasing smile.
Lina still remembered the days they would pull pranks as children. He'd guide her through the corridor and tell her when the right moment to strike was. She used to think of him as a younger brother, for he was much shorter than her as a child. Now, he was much taller than her, and she had to lean back to look at him.
"Lina."
At the sound, Lina turned, letting out a soft gasp. Immediately, she rushed forward and threw herself at him, despite his aging form.
"Heavy as always," her grandfather, Lawrence chided in his usual stern voice. "But adoring, still."
"Grandpa!" Lina greeted him with an energetic smile. "You're finally here. Oh, tell me how the mission went? Did the merchants sell? Did you bring back Mila's favorite snacks?"
"One question at a time, my chatterbox," Lawrence haughtily said with a loud laugh that bounced off the walls. He waved his hand and pinched his granddaughter's cheeks.
"But yes to all of your questions. You're such a loyal thing, chatterbox. Aren't you going to ask about your presents?" Lawrence asked in bewilderment.
"Oh, I don't need anything. Mila has been persistent with the snacks," Lina said.
"Hmmm…" Lawrence said nothing of her comment.
"Patriarch Yang," Altan greeted, placing a hand on his chest and bowing his head as a sign of respect.
Altan knew better than anyone else just how frightening the old man was. As kind as he was to Lina, Lawrence Yang was one of the most terrifying men in the entirety of Ritan. He controlled the eastern part of the city, ruling over it with iron fists and illegal guns from the militia. The streets belonged to this heartless old man who only had a soft spot for his two granddaughters. In particular, Lina, who grew up by his side.
A sacrifice, Altan's mother used to tell him, for Lina was born an illegitimate daughter and the only way for her to be accepted by the family was through Lawrence's love.
"Hmph," Lawrence scowled, already knowing the truth before it was even uttered tonight. He narrowed his eyes on the man's well-tailored suit. He turned to his granddaughter, who was glancing at Altan with a grin
At this, Lawrence patted her on the upperback.
"Take the presents to Mila, I will have a word with Altan," Lawrence commanded her.
Lina slowly blinked. "Be nice, Grandpa, Altan is already in his finest suit."
At this, Lawrence realized why Lina was happy. It wasn't from seeing Altan, it was the amusement of seeing the boy, who she would fight to the ground with, in a different attire than usual.
"I always wear suits, you're just never there to see," Altan retorted with the roll of his eyes.
"I only see you in button-ups, you never keep your actual suit jacket on," Lina returned.
"You—"
"To Mila," Lawrence insisted, pressing the gifts into her hands.
Lina obediently nodded and took the bags. As she did so, she noticed her sister in the distance. Quickly walking forward, Lina was surprised to see Mila glancing over her shoulder and disappearing into a back room. Out of realization of who was in there, Lina stopped dead in her tracks.
Not again.
Lina took in her surroundings. Uncle Clyde was discussing a horse race with her Papa. Altan's face paled at something Lawrence threatened him with. Her mother was nowhere to be found. Everyone was occupied.
"Estella," Lina greeted the second she saw her personal maid.
"Young Miss?"
"Please take this to Mila's room. Presents from Grandpa," Lina said.
Estella arched a brow, her gaze sweeping over the enormous gathering room. Then, she shifted her attention to the tiny room where the gardener always kept his tools before heading outside. Holding back a knowing smile, she nodded.
"I know, Estella," Lina let out a small sigh. "But would you be able to change your older sister's mind?"
"I'm the oldest."
"Precisely," Lina said. "Would you listen to your younger sibling"
"No."
"See," Lina returned with a shrug.
Then, Lina saw Lawrence begin to search the room. She ushered Estella off with the presents and bounced back to her grandfather before he could catch on.
"The boy has grown up," Lawrence muttered in disapproval, his lips curled into a deep scowl. He clapped Altan on the back, sending the man jolting with disbelief.
"Something about a performance," Lawrence told Lina.
Lina instantly understood what Altan meant. Belle's new club opening! Her eyes brightened at the idea, but then she slowly frowned. Belle was never the biggest fan of Altan. Why would he suddenly want to go to enemy territory with her?
"But the traditional morning breakfast…" Lina trailed off, finally understanding where her mother was once guests began to enter the busy foyer.
"One less chair is fine," Lawrence dismissed her with the wave of his hand. "Here, take this and go have some fun. You like theatrical performances more than the morning dispute over breakfast."
Lina gazed at what he offered her. A large wad of cash. Her eyes widened in shock and she tried to refute it. But he shoved the deposit into her hand with a new leather purse.
"Alligator skin…?" Lina gasped in disbelief. "But Grandpa, this—"
"You never ask for anything whenever I make my trips. Take this and remind the people you are a Yang."
Lawrence then added, "Remind them you are the wealthiest heiress in all of Ritan."
Lina's complaint died in her throat, for it was a command. Lately, people were beginning to doubt the triads' influences due to the military presence spreading across the city.
It was no wonder Estella dressed Lina in the finest silk and pearls today. In an era like this, to possess alligator skin items was a symbol of wealth and power. Lina tightened her grip on the purse and reluctantly nodded her head.
"Alright, I will enjoy the performance, grandfather," Lina mumbled.
"But be sure to return for dinner tonight. There is an important announcement," Lawrence stated, his attention shifting to Altan in disdain.
"Of course," Lina responded with a bright smile.
Then, Lina hooked her hand through Altan's elbow and began to drag him out of the door.
"Let's go!" Lina chirped, happily skipping with him through the entrance, for she had just been pardoned from a stifling meal.
"You're happy today," Altan mused, gazing down at her with so much fondness, she nearly stopped in her tracks.
"You're extra friendly," Lina declared. "What happened? Usually, you're sour-faced whenever you speak to Grandpa."
"Is anyone ever happy speaking to him?"
"Only when Grandpa says he won't shoot them and their family dead," Lina innocently responded.
Altan could only tightly nod his head and frown to the side. He never liked meddling with triad business. It was why he enrolled himself in the most prestigious school this country had to offer.
"Why the glum face?" Lina asked, giving him a slight shake. "You've finally returned from your education, aren't you happy to see me?"
Altan opened his mouth, but the wind was knocked from his stomach. She was peering up at him like a lost puppy, her eyes wide and her lips pouted. He could feel her supple breast brush tenderly against his elbow. It was unintentional, given her slight head tilt.
Was there anyone in the world who wasn't happy to see Lina Yang?
"I'm always elated to see you," Altan finally said to her, for how could he dare to seem upset by her presence?
Would anyone dare to tell Lina they didn't approve of her Grandfather's actions? The Yang family was the most powerful and wealthy in the entire city, controlling the east. Lately, there were talks of a small resurfacing of an ancient triad family with both Western and Eastern hemisphere influence.
"I'm sorry," Lina sighed. "I know you're studying law now and do not like to hear of my family's issues—"
"No."
"Altan—"
"My family is just as horrible," Altan reassured her.
Altan stopped her in the street and affectionately brushed her hair behind her ears. She smiled at the gesture, probably thinking of it much differently than how he viewed it. The entire street was watching her. He saw a man fall over his bike admiring her. Everyone viewed them as the most dashing couple. Lina probably thought they'd make great siblings.
"Studying to become a lawyer doesn't make me any better than our triad life," Altan firmly said. "It's why I am the black sheep of your family."
Lina slowly blinked. "Altan, you speak too badly of yourself."
"How can I not? You are the pearl of the Yang family, people tell me I do not deserve to be by your side. Perhaps they are right and that is why tonight, you must say no."
Lina was confused. Say no to what?