Lawrence spat out his tea, shot out of his chair, and pointed an accusing finger at her. He opened and closed his mouth, unable to process where to begin. Then, he saw her lift the fork again. In a single yank of the table cloth, everything fell down.

  Like a beautiful sandcastle, the plates and silverware tumbled to the ground, loudly clattering and smashing. The sound was music to Lina's ears. She heard the pitter-patter of servants rushing into the room.

  SMASH!

  Lawrence threw his cane through the window. He stared at her with hatred in his eyes and venom in his veins. Amidst the chaos, Lina was calmly watching her Grandfather.

  "You'll take it back," Lawrence eventually heaved out, his voice heavy and terrifying. Should she disobey, it would be the last day she experienced the sunlight on her skin.

  "I don't think so, Grandfather," Lina said in a gentle tone.

  Lina remained seated even when Rina clutched her chest in disbelief. Her Grandmother dared to fall back in her chair as if mortally wounded.

  SLAM!

  Lawrence threw his palms onto the table, leaning in. His nostrils flared, his white mustache fluttering with each rough exhale. If looks could kill, she'd be cremated and her ashes flushed into the sewers. That was the kind of death she deserved.

  "You wretched, disobedient—"

  "Disobedient?" Lina repeated, never once raising her voice because she was tired of it all. Tired of this fight. Tired of behaving.

  "All my life, I've been good," Lina said.

  "This is NOT what I've taught you to become, this—"

  "To be exact, this is what not you've groomed me for," Lina gently responded.

  Lawrence's face paled at her horrid words. "You're trying to make me the villain in your story when all along, I've been your mentor. All along, I've taught you to be better than this! It is your dream to become a Chairwoman, the first of Yang Enterprise!"

  "I've sacrificed too much of my life living everyone else's dream, but mine," Lina stated in a relaxed posture as the world around her fell apart.

  "Master, please, your high blood pressure—" a maid whimpered, only to quickly scramble away when her Boss gave her a furious glare.

  "Enough is enough, Grandfather," Lina continued. "You tried to trap me with marriage, knowing a cornered animal will lash out and claw for anything to survive. Power was not what I wanted. It was freedom. And to obtain it, I needed power."

  Lina slowly shifted her eyes from her Grandmother to her Grandfather. She was exhausted from this fight with herself. Once all was done, she'd walk out of those doors and never look back.

  "But that wasn't the case. With power, I'd gain freedom for a moment only to lose it to the pressure of a company," Lina stated. "A Chairwoman is not what I'm meant to be, regardless of who you raised. I am not my predecessor. I am Lina Yang and if that's not enough for you, then leave."

  Lina rose to her feet, despite the horror-stricken expression on her Grandparents' faces.

  "You and your dramatic monologues, I knew I shouldn't have allowed you to become a history major! You're wasting your youth, your time, and your life!" Lawrence roared, pointing an accusing finger in her direction. His face had gone red with madness, and he couldn't control himself any longer.

  "I've raised you and placed my entire backing on you. I even gave my shares to you and—"

  "From this day on," Lina interrupted just as he tossed a bowl at her. She dodged her head and offered a reassuring smile.

  "I will live the life I want."

  Lina didn't wait for their reaction. She turned on her heels and sauntered out of the house. She didn't turn, even when Lawrence let out a frustrated roar, throwing chairs across the room. She didn't stop, even when maids cried out in fear, for Rina most likely fainted again.

  The world was a mess, but it wasn't her responsibility to clean it up.

  The only time Lina looked back was to admire the glass castle she grew up in. Glass was fragile and it tumbled to the ground like a house of cards. Lina only hoped Cedrick would lead Yang Enterprise to a new glory unlike any other.

  There was only one way he could—self-assurance he'd keep his position.

  Lina took the phone from her purse, called a man she knew all too well, and revealed the news to him.

  "Hello?" Cedrick spoke into the phone, dubious of who was calling him before the sun even came up.

  "Congratulations, Cedrick Yang, when the sun rises today, you'll keep your spot in line. I expect great things from you, Cousin. Do not let me down."

  Lina hung up before he could even respond. She'd pay a lot of money to see Cedrick's bewildered face. He'd think it was a dream. Then, he'd pinch himself to see it was reality. Then, he'd flop back to sleep without pressure on his chest.

  "Madam?" the chauffeur commented, standing by the doorway.

  Lina approached her car. Gravel skidded across the pebble. She blinked once and guns were raised. Men in black stepped out from god knows where. They were armed and ready, with wires in their ears and black pistols in their hands.

  "STAND DOWN!" The leader of the bodyguards roared, but not to his men, but towards the senile person waving a gun at the entrance of his house.

  "Grandfather," Lina said with disappointment in her voice, like a parent scolding their child.

  Lina knew what was happening before she even turned around.

  "The life of a housewife is not meant for you. You have the personality of a fierce woman. When the house becomes a cage, you'll yearn for a life outside of it, but by then, it'll be too late! You'll have children weighing you down and a husband you hate and—"

  "I actually prefer staying at home, tending to the garden, cooking for myself, and raising children. I never wanted the busy-bustle life, and there's nothing wrong with women who pursue it. But it's not what I want and it's not what I shall be," Lina responded without glancing over her shoulders.

  "Once you wed that bastard, you will no longer receive the Yang's support, Lina," Lawrence snarled, unlocking the trigger in his gun. If he could not make her the woman he wanted, then he'd have to kidnap her once more and bring her to that institution.

  "If Kaden divorces you, you'll be left penniless. Love never lasts. Once the chase ends, he'll grow bored of you. When that happens, I'll be here, waiting for you, dear girl."

  "I don't need your protection, his, or anyone else's for that matter. I only need me, myself, and I," Lina responded. "And besides, if you can find a cure to obsession, do let me know…… If not, well… my marriage will be much more rational than bridal kidnapping."