Reclaimed by Fate: Real Daughter’s Revenge

The atmosphere at the Xu estate the next morning was deceptively calm. Qingxue sat at the dining table, sipping her tea while scrolling through emails on her phone. Across from her, Yanran sat in her usual seat, wearing a pastel pink dress that radiated an air of innocence.

"Did you sleep well, Sister?" Yanran asked, her tone sweet but laced with something sharper beneath.

Qingxue glanced up briefly. "I did. Thank you for asking."

Yanran tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with faux curiosity. "I noticed you got home late last night. Father mentioned you've been working hard, but you really shouldn't overexert yourself. It's not good for your health."

"I appreciate the concern, Yanran, but I know how to manage my time," Qingxue replied evenly, refusing to let her words get under her skin.

"Oh, I'm sure," Yanran said with a smile. "Though I suppose Yuhao giving you a ride home helps, doesn't it? He's so considerate."

Qingxue's hand tightened slightly on her teacup, but she maintained her composure. "Yes, he was kind enough to offer me a ride. It was late, and I accepted. Nothing more."

"Of course," Yanran said, her smile never faltering. "I just thought it was interesting. He doesn't usually go out of his way like that. You must have made quite an impression."

Before Qingxue could respond, their father entered the room, bringing an abrupt end to their conversation.

"Good morning," Xu Zhaoyang said, sitting at the head of the table. He barely glanced at the two sisters as he unfolded the newspaper.

"Good morning, Father," they both replied in unison.

Zhaoyang looked up after a moment. "Qingxue, I heard your presentation at the quarterly meeting went well. I'm pleased to see you're taking your role seriously."

"Thank you, Father," Qingxue said, keeping her tone humble.

"However," he added, his voice turning firm, "the business world is not a place for complacency. One success doesn't mean you've proven yourself. Keep that in mind."

"Yes, Father," Qingxue replied, bowing her head slightly.

Yanran's smile widened, though she said nothing.

Later that day, at the Xu Corporation office, Qingxue found herself called into a sudden meeting with the senior executives. As she stepped into the room, she noticed Yanran already seated, looking perfectly at ease.

"Ah, Qingxue," one of the executives said, gesturing for her to take a seat. "We're here to discuss the upcoming partnership proposal with the Zhang family. Since you've been working closely with the team, we'd like your input on the preliminary plans."

Qingxue nodded, taking her seat. "Of course. I'd be happy to contribute."

As the meeting progressed, Qingxue shared her insights and suggestions, drawing on the research she'd done over the past weeks. The executives seemed impressed, nodding along as she spoke.

However, Yanran waited until Qingxue was done before leaning forward with a thoughtful expression.

"I wonder," Yanran began, her voice smooth, "if we might be overlooking some risks with this approach. While Qingxue's ideas are certainly creative, I'm concerned they might lack the practical safeguards needed to ensure long-term success."

Her words were delivered with such careful precision that they sounded like constructive criticism, but Qingxue recognized them for what they were—a calculated attempt to undermine her.

"Could you clarify what risks you're referring to?" Qingxue asked, keeping her tone polite but firm.

Yanran smiled, as though Qingxue's question had proven her point. "Well, for example, the projections rely heavily on market trends that have been volatile recently. I'm simply suggesting we consider a more conservative approach to minimize potential losses."

The executives exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves.

Qingxue took a deep breath, refusing to let Yanran rattle her. "That's a fair concern, but the volatility is accounted for in our risk mitigation strategies. If we follow the conservative approach you're suggesting, we risk missing out on significant opportunities. The data supports calculated risks over stagnation."

One of the executives nodded in agreement. "She has a point. The market rewards bold but informed decisions."

Yanran's smile tightened almost imperceptibly. "Of course. I was merely offering another perspective. Ultimately, it's up to the team to decide."

The meeting continued, and though Yanran's attempt to undermine her had been subtle, Qingxue felt a small sense of victory in holding her ground.

That evening, Qingxue stayed in her office, reviewing documents and preparing for the next stage of the project. She was determined to ensure every detail was flawless, knowing Yanran would likely try again to discredit her.

As she worked, her phone buzzed with a message from Lin Yi.

Lin Yi: "Heads up—rumors are spreading that you've been getting… 'special treatment' from Yuhao. Guess who's behind it?"

Qingxue's chest tightened. She didn't need to guess.

Taking a deep breath, she replied:

Qingxue: "Thanks for letting me know. Let them talk. I'll deal with it when the time comes."

Lin Yi's response was immediate.

Lin Yi: "You're too calm, girl. Don't let Yanran push you around."

Qingxue smiled faintly.

Qingxue: "I'm not. Trust me."

As she put her phone down, Qingxue's resolve hardened. Yanran could play her games, but Qingxue wasn't the same naive girl she had been when she first arrived. If Yanran wanted a fight, Qingxue was ready to meet her head-on.