Reclaimed by Fate: Real Daughter’s Revenge

Qingxue's success with the report marked a turning point in her early days at the Xu Corporation. Word of her achievement spread quickly among the staff, and while some regarded her with newfound respect, others were more skeptical, believing it to be beginner's luck or favoritism from the higher-ups.

For Qingxue, however, it was a small but meaningful victory. It proved to her that she wasn't completely out of her depth. More importantly, it signaled to others—particularly Yanran—that she wasn't as easy to dismiss as they might have thought.

That evening, as Qingxue returned home, she found herself greeted by an unfamiliar scene. Yanran was sitting in the living room with a group of young women from the city's elite social circle. The air was filled with polite laughter and delicate sips of tea, their perfectly manicured hands holding porcelain cups.

"Qingxue," Yanran called out warmly, though her smile held a sharp edge. "You're back just in time. Come join us."

Qingxue hesitated but nodded, walking over to the group. Yanran introduced the women one by one, emphasizing their prestigious family names and accomplishments.

"This is Zhao Liling," Yanran said, gesturing toward a poised young woman with flawless makeup. "Her family owns the Zhao luxury retail chain."

"And this is Luo Mei, who just graduated top of her class in international business," Yanran added, as another woman gave Qingxue a polite but distant nod.

As Qingxue sat down, she could feel the scrutiny of the group. Their smiles were polite, but their eyes were assessing, quietly comparing her to Yanran.

"You've been working at Xu Corporation, haven't you?" Zhao Liling asked, her tone light but probing.

"Yes," Qingxue replied, maintaining her composure.

"That's quite ambitious," Luo Mei said, her voice tinged with condescension. "It must be challenging, considering how new all of this is for you."

"It is," Qingxue admitted, refusing to take the bait. "But I see it as an opportunity to learn and grow."

Yanran chimed in, her voice sweet. "Qingxue has been doing her best, though it's a lot to take on. I'm sure she'll adjust eventually."

The subtle dig wasn't lost on Qingxue, but she chose to rise above it. "I believe challenges are what help us grow. Besides, I'm fortunate to have such a strong family legacy to look up to."

The room fell silent for a moment, and Qingxue could see the flicker of surprise in Yanran's eyes.

After the guests left, Yanran lingered in the living room, her smile fading as soon as the door closed. Qingxue had outmaneuvered her in front of the group, and it didn't sit well.

"You're getting better at this," Yanran said, her voice calm but icy.

Qingxue met her gaze, unflinching. "I'm just learning from the best, sister."

Yanran's lips curved into a sharp smile. "Careful, Qingxue. You might find that the higher you climb, the harder the fall."

Qingxue didn't respond, but her silence spoke volumes. She wasn't going to back down.

The next day at work, Qingxue was handed another significant task—a small presentation for a team meeting. It wasn't as demanding as her previous report, but it was still a chance to prove herself further.

As she prepared, she noticed a subtle shift in her interactions with colleagues. Some were starting to treat her with cautious respect, while others, like a senior assistant named Chen An, seemed eager to test her.

"Miss Xu," Chen An said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "

"Miss Xu," Chen An said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "I noticed you're working on the team presentation. It's an important one. Do you need any help? I'd hate for someone new to feel overwhelmed and… stumble."

Qingxue paused, recognizing the condescension in his tone. Chen An was clearly testing her, perhaps hoping she'd admit she wasn't up to the task.

"I appreciate your concern," she said evenly, "but I'm confident I can handle it. If I run into any issues, I'll be sure to ask for assistance."

Chen An's smile faltered slightly. "Of course. Just let me know. After all, we wouldn't want anything less than perfect, considering your family's reputation."

Qingxue smiled back, her voice calm but firm. "I agree. That's why I'm making sure it will be."

That afternoon, Qingxue reviewed her presentation again and again, determined to deliver it flawlessly. Her topic revolved around improving efficiency in one of the subsidiary's supply chains, and while she was new to the details, she'd spent hours researching and consulting materials to make sure she understood the key points.

When the meeting began, she walked to the front of the room, her heart pounding but her expression steady.

"Good afternoon," Qingxue began, her voice clear. "Today, I'll be discussing some strategies to address inefficiencies in our supply chain and how we can streamline operations to improve output."

As she spoke, she noticed the subtle shift in the room. While some of the senior team members started the meeting with skeptical expressions, their attention sharpened as she continued. She presented her findings clearly and concisely, using visuals and data to back up her points.

When she concluded, there was a moment of silence before Mr. Zhang, the department head, nodded approvingly.

"Thank you, Miss Xu. That was well-organized and insightful," he said, his voice carrying an air of genuine approval.

The other team members murmured in agreement, though Chen An's expression was carefully neutral.

Back at her desk, Qingxue let out a quiet sigh of relief. It wasn't perfect, but she'd made it through without faltering.

Lin Yi approached, grinning. "You nailed it! Everyone was impressed, even the ones who didn't want to be."

"Thanks," Qingxue said, smiling. "It's just one step, but I'm glad it went well."

"You're proving them wrong," Lin Yi added. "Keep this up, and they'll have no choice but to take you seriously."

That evening, at the Xu estate, Qingxue returned home to find Yanran waiting for her in the living room. She was seated elegantly, her posture perfect, a thin book open in her lap.

"I heard you gave a presentation today," Yanran said without looking up. "How did it go?"

"It went well," Qingxue replied simply, setting her bag down.

Yanran closed her book and looked at her, her expression unreadable. "I suppose I should congratulate you. But remember, Qingxue, one good performance doesn't mean anything. The real challenge is consistency."

Qingxue met Yanran's gaze evenly. "I know. That's why I'm not stopping here."

Yanran's smile returned, but it was laced with malice. "Good. I'd hate to see you fail before you've even had the chance to succeed."

As Qingxue lay in bed that night, her mind replayed the events of the day. For every small step forward she took, she could feel Yanran pushing back, trying to keep her in her place.

But Qingxue wasn't afraid of the challenges ahead. If anything, they fueled her determination.

"Let her try," Qingxue thought, clutching the jade pendant in her hand. "I'll prove to her—and everyone else—that I belong here."