Chapter 1: Catching the Eye

Jinzhou City.

At 9:45 in the morning, a long, golden Phantom car came to a steady halt at the entrance to the mourning hall outside the Shen residence.

Oblivious to the onlookers outside, a respectful voice soon sounded inside the car, “Miss Song, we’ve arrived.”

Seated in the back was a woman wearing a black hat, black sunglasses, and a black dress. When the driver circled around to open the door, her cool, matte red lips curled slightly as she raised the urn from beside her with both hands.

She stepped out of the car.

Given the solemnity of the occasion, even though journalists from various magazines loitered openly and covertly all around, the scene remained under control.

“Miss Song, will you be making Old Master Shen’s will public today?”
“Miss Song, what is your relationship with Old Master Shen?”
“Miss Song, the stock price of Sihai Group has been falling for several days…”

A bodyguard cleared the way ahead, “Please make way.”
“Excuse us, please let us through.”

Her ten-centimeter black stilettos struck the ground with authority as she walked, composed and dignified in her mourning black, all eyes fixed on her in astonishment as she strode straight toward the black-and-white portrait in the inner hall.

The Shen family had long been informed.

No matter how bitterly resentful they felt, all they could do was wait, eyes glued, for this woman they had never met.

The old man had always been a romantic; otherwise, how could he have fathered twelve children? Yet, the greatest irony was that, for all their number, they were apparently no match for an illegitimate girl of unknown origin.

Not only had the old man entrusted his ashes to her, but the will would be announced only after her arrival! Who could believe he hadn’t lost his wits over this woman?

In an instant, the infighting Shen clan found themselves united in common grievance.

“Uncle Zhou, is this the one you mentioned?” Second Master Shen was the first to speak up. “Well, well, the old man really kept up with the times, right to the end…”

“Miss Song.” Cutting him off in time was the very “Uncle Zhou” he’d addressed—Butler Zhou, now the most influential voice in the Shen household. “You’ve arrived.”

Song Mi nodded slightly in response.

“The lawyer should be here any moment,” Butler Zhou continued, his words laden with implication. He then personally led her forward and set the urn beneath the portrait.

Once everything was arranged, she bowed deeply three times before the old man’s portrait.

Song Mi had no interest in the Shen family’s petty schemes. She owed the old man a debt of rebirth; she would never break her promise, no matter the circumstances.

When her tribute was done and she stepped aside to sit, a voice called out from afar, “Wen Yuan Law Firm, Attorney Wen has arrived.”

As the man approached, Song Mi cast him a single glance, her eyes darkening.

Had the world truly grown so small that even people who had once shared a bed could not avoid each other? She’d crossed half the globe, only to meet him here?

He was impossible to miss; wherever he stood, he stood out from the crowd. The suit he wore only emphasized his noble bearing.

When the condolences were completed, it was time to read the will.

Old Master Shen’s testament was clear: from the moment of his passing, Song Mi was to succeed as Executive Chairman and CEO of Sihai Group.

As for the division of the inheritance, a separate will was to be made public three years later. “...That is the entirety of this will.”

The announcement was like a stone tossed into a lake, sending ripples everywhere. Not a single member of the Shen family was satisfied; several immediately voiced their objections.

The man, however, remained unaffected, responding as a matter of routine, “If anyone has questions, you are welcome to review all relevant documents and video records at Wen Yuan Law Firm.”

With that, he lifted his gaze and looked calmly at Butler Zhou.

Butler Zhou nodded in reply.

After taking his leave, the man strode over to Song Mi, handed her a black business card stamped in gold, and said, “Miss Song, if you need anything, call me immediately.”