"You've arrived," an icy voice greeted her.

  Lina set her eyes on her First Uncle, the current Chairman of Yang Enterprise. William Yang. He sat in his large leather chair that was perfectly centered in the office. ??

  William resembled a great king watching over his people with a pondering expression. His brows were forever pulled together like his mood was ruined the second he opened his eyes.

  "Evidently," Lina deadpanned.

  His lips twitched at the disrespectful response. Lina resembled his father and William was used to her behavior. How could grandfather and granddaughter be so similar?

  "You're aware of what you've done?" William asked, sitting rigidly upon his chair, but his hands were loosely arranging chess pieces.

  When Lina remained by the door, William raised a brow. Was she expecting him to invite her to sit down?

  Brat.

  Lina flashed him a smile. He was right on the mark.

  Holding back an irritated sigh, William jutted his chin to the chair.

  "Sit," William said.

  "I thought you'd never ask, Uncle," Lina mused.

  Lina strutted forward, her low heels clicking on the porcelain floor. She plopped down on the chair, crossed her legs, and leaned back, her attention on the chessboard.

  This office, with its minimalistic design and old atmosphere, didn't faze her. When many employees would shake in where she stood, Lina was relaxed. This was her domain. This was the spot she had grown up in. The place she had spent the majority of her childhood.

  And her Uncle knew it, for he was the one who frequently brought her here.

  "I've made a decision for you," William began, his voice lowering as if he was going to drop a truth bomb on her.

  "Thanks for asking for my opinion," Lina dryly responded.

  Lina noticed her Uncle was playing chess by himself, a tactic of his to show his opponents how smart he was. It was difficult to play against yourself, much less, try to not be biased.

  "Your opinion?" William scoffed.

  Sometimes, Lina wished she wasn't born a Yang. That way, her future wouldn't be written in stone. Her future as a collateral piece for some deal made between families. She'd live a normal life where her future was designed by her. A normal life where every decision was made by her, and not an outside party.

  Was it that difficult to consult Lina about her future?

  "When you've caused this much damage, your opinion is difficult to consider," William said. His lips were taunted with a disappointed frown.

  Lina was used to the ever-changing sides of her Uncle. Sometimes, he was warm and cracked jokes. Sometimes he was as cold as a stone. The latter usually occurred in the office.

  Most Yang heirs were raised with one motto: emotions were a luxury that only family could afford. Yang heirs were taught to be aloof to people outside of family, for anything could be turned into a weakness.

  "The blind dates were forced. I assume you've had your fair share of those?" Lina stated.

  "Do not push the blame onto others. It is childish, Lina," William stated. "Regardless, it's too late to take that into account."

  William moved the Queen forward. Just as he was about to make another move, Lina reached out and seized the Queen with a knight, startling him.

  William raised his head to look at her in astonishment and then made his move.

  "You already knew I had no choice," Lina said. "I am not pushing the blame, I'm explaining things to you."

  "Lina—"

  "Mother called you to release those photos of Everett and me. And you listened to her instead of consulting me. Why?" Lina demanded.

  Lina made sure to keep her voice leveled. She was also trying to not get frustrated, though it was quite hard. The angrier she got, the faster she'd shed tears from her high emotions. She wished she could change this trait, but it affected many people.

  "Lina—"

  "I've said it once before and I'll say it again, I don't want anything to do with this company," Lina said, moving the same exact knight piece that captured the Queen on the chessboard.

  "I know what you're doing Uncle. I know your motive."

  Check.

  William paused, staring at the chessboard in disbelief. He had set it up himself with different tactics in his mind, but she was able to see past it all?

  William was the Chairman of Yang Enterprise. He was in his position for over twenty years now. Trained since birth to take over his father's company, he feared nothing. There was no one scarier than Lawrence Yang, whose fiery temper led to obedient sons.

  Even so, William had never been interrupted as much as he did whenever Lina spoke. She commanded the room with her presence, her words always passionate yet calculating enough to demand everyone's attention.

  "And what is my motive?" William asked, just to humor her.

  William shifted a pawn in front of the King. The only pawn remaining on the board.

  This little niece of his. Lina must've thought she was so smart. And she was, William would give her that. Unfortunately, she always overstepped boundaries. One day, it'll be a cliff she oversteps. Once that day came, she'd learn the consequences of her actions.

  "You want the public to get used to seeing me," Lina coldly said. "You have no sons, no daughters, no prospective heirs. You hate Second Uncle and would rather die than give the company to my kind-hearted father."

  William's aloof expression threatened to crack. Alright, so she was not just smart. She was a damn genius. And she knew it.

  "You don't favor any other nephew or niece, for you view it as injustice. But Grandfather supposedly favors me, and that's enough for you to make me the inheritor of Yang Enterprise," Lina deadpanned, finally moving her Queen piece on the chessboard.

  Check. Mate.

  William was at a loss for words. Then, he reminded himself that chess was just a hobby and that Lina had played this game since she was born. She played it on her grandfather's lap, watching him beat his son in every single game.

  "It seems you truly do not want to be the first and only Chairwoman of Yang Enterprise, what a pity," William said, watching her eyes tremble at his words. "Don't worry, I'll give you this freedom you've desperately wanted."

  William reached into his drawer and pulled out a contract, sliding it in Lina's direction. He watched her arrogant expression melt into horror.

  "It'll be the biggest political marriage of the century," William said. "You've been ambushed from every corner. To save yourself, the dropping stock prices, your family's reputation, YOUR reputation, you will get married."

  Lina shakily picked up the contract.

  "To who?" Lina seethed, her voice like icy death.

  "Everett Leclare. The victim."