Chapter 241

Chapter 241
Arabelle Weng sat in the back of her luxury car, legs crossed, her expression carved into cold marble. The city blurred past outside the tinted windows, but her mind wasn’t on the skyline.

It was on Serena Lin.

The perfect little phoenix everyone suddenly admired.

The girl who had risen higher than anyone expected.

The girl who had taken the Zhao Group without lifting a finger.

The girl Lucien Feng adored to the point of lunacy.

Arabelle had watched Serena’s rise with growing disgust.

Lucien's men were moving silently. Meilin was alive, and under his protection.

So Arabelle changed direction.

She stopped thinking about Meilin.

She stopped thinking about Lucien.

She started thinking about Serena.

Who does Serena Lin love most in this world?

Not Lucien, despite the romance.

Not Meilin, despite the history.

Her mother.

Mrs. Lin, elegant and gentle, the one constant in Serena’s life.

The one who visited charities quietly, who never sought attention, who protected Serena through every humiliation.

The one Serena always called, always checked on, always requested updates about.

The only family Serena had left who wasn’t tainted by betrayal or greed.

Arabelle smiled to herself, slowly, chillingly.

Perfect.

She pulled out her iPad and opened a file she hadn't touched in months.

A dossier.

Mrs. Lin’s schedule.

Her habits.

Her favorite café.

Her health records.

Her private driver’s name.

Even the clinic she visited for her blood pressure checkups.

Arabelle had collected it long ago, during the earliest days of her rivalry with Serena. Back when she was planning the long game. Back when she didn’t know Serena would rise this fast.

Now it was priceless.

A weapon ready to be used.

She swiped through the files with a manic sort of precision, her pulse steadying, her mind growing sharper as the plan took shape.

Her driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Miss Weng? Shall we head to Weng headquarters?”

Arabelle tilted her chin up slightly.

“No. Change course.”

“To where, Miss?”

“To Golden Harmony Clinic.”

The driver blinked. “The private family clinic?”

“Yes,” Arabelle replied, voice soft but laced with ice. “Mrs. Lin has her weekly appointment today. I think it’s time I paid her a visit.”

The driver nodded, suddenly nervous.

Arabelle leaned back in her seat, a cruel, victorious calm washing over her.

If she couldn’t reach Serena directly…

If Lucien was guarding Serena too heavily…

If Meilin was protected and watched…

Then she’d attack from the blind spot.

The heart.

Serena Lin’s mother.

At the Clinic....

The nurse at the reception desk nearly dropped her clipboard when she saw Arabelle stroll in, dressed in silk, with diamonds glittering along her collarbone like frost.

“M... Miss Weng? Do you have an appointment?”

Arabelle smiled warmly, the kind of smile that made strangers step closer instead of backing away.

“No, sweetheart. I’m visiting a family friend.”

Her eyes flicked subtly over the sign in sheet.

Mrs. Lin’s name was right there.

10:00 AM.

Room 4C.

Perfect timing.

“Should I page the doctor...?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Arabelle said smoothly. She brushed a loose wave of hair behind her shoulder and glided past the desk. “I know the way.”

The nurse opened her mouth but no sound came out. Arabelle’s aura always had that effect.

She moved down the hallway, heels tapping softly, but her mind was razor sharp.

Not to kill.

Not to injure permanently.

No.

She wanted something far more powerful... Fear.

The kind that shakes a mother to her core.

The kind that forces Serena to look over her shoulder every second.

The kind that makes Serena wonder, how did Arabelle get this close?

What else does she know?

What will she take next?

Arabelle paused outside Room 4C. The door was slightly ajar.

She could hear Mrs. Lin humming softly to herself while the doctor stepped out to retrieve her test results.

Alone.

Vulnerable.

Arabelle touched the necklace around her throat, a small, familiar gesture she did whenever she prepared to lie, manipulate, or attack.

Her smile was serene.

Angelic.

She pushed the door open.

“Mrs. Lin?” she said sweetly.

Mrs. Lin turned with gentle surprise.

“Oh! You’re.. Arabelle, isn’t it? Lucien's… friend?”

Arabelle’s smile sharpened imperceptibly.

“Yes,” she whispered as she stepped inside.

Mrs. Lin blinked in surprise, adjusting her glasses slightly as Arabelle walked into the room with the grace of a velvet wrapped blade.

“Oh my,” Mrs. Lin said with her usual gentle warmth, “I haven’t seen you in a minute. How are you, dear?”

Arabelle smiled, soft, polite, predatory.

“I’ve been well. Very well. I heard you come here often… I was in the area and thought it would be nice to say hello.”

Mrs. Lin motioned to the chair beside her.

“That’s kind. Please, sit.”

And Arabelle did. Crossed her legs. Folded her hands on her lap.

Her eyes glinted, sweet poison.

“You must be proud,” Arabelle murmured. “Serena… taking over the Zhao Group. It’s quite the accomplishment.”

Mrs. Lin’s face brightened with motherly pride. “Yes. She’s been through so much. I’m glad she’s finally...”

“...winning?” Arabelle finished for her, her tone feather light.

Mrs. Lin paused. Something in Arabelle’s voice felt wrong, like a calm before a storm.

Arabelle leaned forward.

“Tell me, Mrs. Lin… do you ever worry?”

“Worry about what?” Mrs. Lin asked softly.

“Oh… about the dangers of being so close to power.” Arabelle’s eyelashes fluttered. “Enemies… jealous people… sudden misfortunes…”

Mrs. Lin stiffened, barely, but Arabelle saw it.

She continued gently, almost affectionately: “You’re such a delicate woman, after all. Easily affected by stress. High blood pressure. Dizziness. A little fall could be…” Arabelle smiled tenderly. “…catastrophic.”

Mrs. Lin’s breath hitched.