" u are a woman you don't understand bussiness well you use your emotions when doing bussiness so u don't look at the picture which is pathetic a woman should indeed not do a man job" the fat man said rubbing his belly
"Oh, then go to hell," Ava said.
She took the gun from her bodyguard and, without hesitation, fired. The man's body dropped to the floor.
"Anyone else?" Ava asked with a sweet smile.
The remaining men froze.
Their bodyguards immediately stepped forward, surrounding them as they pointed their guns at Ava and Emily.
The dead man's bodyguard pulled the trigger first.
Click.
Nothing.
The others hurriedly fired as well.
Click. Click. Click.
Every gun was empty.
"Oh, did I forget to mention something?" Ava tilted her head innocently. "The moment you decided to double-cross us, we had already infiltrated your families and businesses. It seems that little detail slipped my mind."
She casually sat on the edge of the table, swinging one leg.
"Killing people is illegal!" Mr. Chi shouted, his face pale.
Ava shrugged.
"Come on. Everything we do is enough to put our heads on the chopping block. Yet here we are."
"Why don't you all sit down?" Emily said calmly.
Ava finally lowered her gun while one of her bodyguards silently dragged the body away.
The mustached man swallowed hard.
"W-What do you want?"
"Nothing much," Emily replied with a faint smile. "Business as usual."
She picked up another pistol and tossed it onto the table.
"But first We deal with those who crossed the line."
The gun slid across the polished table before stopping in the center.
Emily rested her chin on one hand.
"Prove your loyalty."
The atmosphere instantly exploded.
The five men lunged at one another while their bodyguards joined the fight.
The burly man reached the gun first.
Without hesitation, he turned and shot the fourth man.
Then he spun around, pointed the gun at Emily, and pulled the trigger.
Click.
The chamber was empty.
Emily let out a soft chuckle.
"My mistake I forgot to mention There was only one bullet."
The fifth man's leg finally gave out. He stumbled to his knees, trembling, before slowly turning around. Ava pistol was already raised.
Bang!
"Now," Ava said calmly as she sat back down and crossed one leg over the other, "let business continue as usual."
Mr. Chi, the mustached man, and the third boss had gone deathly pale. Their men lay groaning on the floor, while those still standing didn't dare move.
"I control the port!" Mr. Chi roared, slamming his hand on the table. "Kill me, and you'll only hurt yourselves. Do you understand?"
"True, you do," Ava admitted with a pleasant smile. "But... aren't you getting old?" She tilted her head. "Have you found an heir yet?"
"It isn't your fucking business!" Mr. Chi snapped. "Let me tell you this—kill me, and you're doomed!"
Emily rested her chin on one hand.
"After helping you choose such a capable heir, don't you think you're being a little rude?"
Mr. Chi frowned, confusion flashing across his face.
"What are you—"
The private room doors burst open.
A group of armed men stormed inside, rifles raised. At their head was Mr. Chi's illegitimate son.
Without hesitation, they opened fire.
Gunshots exploded through the room as Mr. Chi's loyal guards dropped one after
another.
The other two bosses immediately ducked behind their bodyguards, terrified of getting caught in the crossfire.
"Y-You... traitor!" Mr. Chi shouted, staring at his son in disbelief.
His son walked forward, gun still smoking.
"You're getting old." His expression was cold. "Let me send you to hell."
Bang!
Mr. Chi's body slumped to the floor.
Silence.
A few seconds later, the doors opened once more.
Workers in neat uniforms entered without a word. As if this were just another day's job, some carried away Mr. Chi's body while others calmly mopped up the bloodstains.
Within minutes, the floor looked spotless, as though nothing had happened.
Emily smiled faintly.
"Congratulations."
The illegitimate son turned toward the two women.
"As of today..." Ava said, her voice gentle but carrying unmistakable authority, "...the Chi family has a new head."
"The rules are changing."
Emily pushed two contracts across the table.
"From today onward, you'll each surrender another forty percent of your shares. Added to the fifteen percent from before, that makes fifty-five."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"After all, as you said... this is business. One person shouldn't be the only one benefiting. Everyone deserves a share, right?"
The two men turned pale.
Emily continued calmly.
"My people will be stationed inside your companies from today onward. Every financial report will be sent directly to me."
Ava glanced toward the spot where the floor had already been cleaned spotless.
"If even one cent goes missing..."
She smiled sweetly.
"...you already know how this meeting ends."
She tilted her head.
"And don't worry. We won't do it here Maybe your office Maybe your housePerhaps one of your family members will get to witness it too."Her tone sounded as if she were gently educating naughty children.
The first to sign was Mr. Chi's illegitimate son.
Seeing that, the remaining two men immediately grabbed the contracts.
"We'll sign!"
"We'll sign right now!"
Their hands trembled so violently they almost dropped their pens.
Within seconds, both contracts had been signed.
Emily glanced at the signatures before nodding in satisfaction.
"Good boys."
She stood gracefully.
"Enjoy the rest of your discussion."
"My assistant will continue the meeting with you."
Without another glance, Emily turned and walked out.
Ava flashed the room one last sweet smile before following behind her, leaving the remaining men sitting in complete silence.
Emily and Ava entered the limousine as the convoy slowly left the building and headed back toward the Quinn Mansion.
Inside the luxurious car, Emily continued lazily scrolling through short videos on her phone while Ava unlocked hers.
She immediately opened the social media page of her online childhood friend.
The newest post had been uploaded only a few minutes ago.
It was a photo of a steaming porcelain bowl of homemade Taiwanese Braised Beef Noodle Soup.
Tender chunks of slow-cooked braised beef shank glistened beneath a dark soy glaze, looking so soft they seemed ready to fall apart with the slightest touch of a chopstick.
On the opposite side of the bowl, a mountain of wide, hand-torn ribbon noodles rested beautifully in the rich, aromatic broth.
Nestled in the center were three marinated soy eggs, one sliced open to reveal its rich, jammy golden yolk.
Bright green blanched bok choy, stewed pickled mustard greens, fresh cilantro, and a single red chili floated gently in the soup.
Beside the bowl sat a chilled glass of iced spirit.
The meal rested on a glass coffee table.
Below the table, the man's legs were casually spread apart in a relaxed man-spread, framing the photo.
If someone looked closely enough, the reflection of a television screen could be seen faintly on the glass surface.
Ava smiled.
She pressed the Like button before opening their private chat.
Ava: Back online?
Online friend: yes
The reply arrived almost instantly.
Ava blinked.
He's still online?
She had expected him to reply hours later after finally seeing the message.
It seemed he was actually free today.
Resting her chin on her left hand, whose elbow leaned against the window, Ava smiled faintly.
Ava: Sigh... I thought you had already moved on from me after blocking me.
The typing bubble appeared almost immediately.
Online Friend: My bad. I was busy dealing with some personal stuff.So... if I remember correctly, you said you had a crush.
How's that going? Or have you already found a new one?
Ava snorted.
Ava: Do I look like someone who puts on her pants and runs away after having fun?
A few seconds later...
Online Friend: Well... aren't you?
Ava immediately sent a crying cat emoji with a puffed-up face.
Ava: I'm not like that anyway... this one is a tough nut to crack.Sigh... thinking about it, we're already in October thinking about that it's been one whole month since my handsome crush and I got to know each other.Sigh... doesn't that make today our one-month anniversary?
The other side went completely silent.
Her phone exploded with laughing emojis.
Online Friend: You're still as delusional and childish as ever.
Ava pouted.
Ava: A girl can dream, okay?
After another short pause, another message arrived.
Online Friend: Anyway... Happy Unity Day.
Ava rolled her eyes so hard she almost laughed.
Ava: Unity Day was last Sunday.
You waited an entire week to wish me?
Wow... you're such a wonderful friend.
She crossed one leg over the other and waited to see what ridiculous excuse he would come up with this time.
[ Incase you guys are surprised the online friend is actually the one from chapter four]
"You're going to be handling this month's project," Emily said as she calmly poured herself a glass of wine.
Ava looked up from her phone.
"Sure."
She shrugged.
"I need something to clear my mind from wanting to kidnap someone's son and keep him by my side anyway."
Emily glanced at her daughter over the rim of her wine glass.
"You'll get bored too easily."
She took a slow sip before continuing.
"Slow and steady always wins the race And by then..."
"You'll know whether you want to end things early with no strings attached...or continue exploring and take things extreme....."
Emily left the rest unsaid as she leisurely sipped her wine.
Ava chuckled before lowering her head and returning to her phone.
Her online childhood friend had already replied.
Online Friend: I blocked you, remember? How was I supposed to wish you?Besides, better late than never.As long as we're still in October, it's still Unity Month.So shhh.
Ava couldn't help smiling.
Ava: The attitude is back.Definitely didn't miss that.
The reply came almost immediately.
Online Friend: Deal with it Anyway, I'm eating.I know your crush doesn't have time for you.isn't that why you're messaging me? And instead of eating I'm replying so I'm kind
Ava rolled her eyes.
Ava: Fuck off. I'm tired.
She turned off her phone just as the limousine passed through the towering iron gates of the Quinn Mansion.
The majestic estate slowly came into view once again.
The entire Quinn estate stretched across the mountainside like an independent kingdom hidden away from the modern world.
A pair of enormous black-and-gold gates stood proudly at the entrance, towering several stories high.
Every inch of the metal was engraved with intricate ancient patterns that looked handcrafted centuries ago.
Yet, as the convoy approached, faint streams of golden light flowed beneath the carvings, revealing countless hidden futuristic circuits woven seamlessly into the design.
The gates opened silently.
Beyond them lay a private road that curved elegantly through the estate like a winding ribbon.
On both sides, perfectly manicured gardens bloomed throughout every season.
Countless rare flowers painted the
landscape in vibrant colors while towering ancient trees stretched toward the sky, their branches creating natural arches above the roads.
Crystal-clear streams flowed peacefully through the property, connected by elegant marble and jade bridges.
White swans glided across the water while brilliantly colored koi fish swam beneath the surface.
Traditional pavilions stood beside sleek glass buildings.
Ancient architecture blended effortlessly with cutting-edge technology.
Majestic white stone towers reflected the afternoon sunlight like polished diamonds.
Hidden holographic projectors displayed floating works of art between flowering trees.
Artificial waterfalls cascaded down natural cliffs into shimmering lakes below.
Autonomous maintenance drones quietly trimmed hedges, cleaned pathways, and cared for the gardens without disturbing the peaceful atmosphere.
Centuries-old sculptures stood beside modern interactive art installations, creating a perfect balance between history and innovation.
Luxury wasn't displayed here.
It simply existed.
Every brick.
Every tree.
Every road.
Every mountain.
Everything silently reminded visitors that this family had accumulated wealth over generations beyond what ordinary people could ever imagine.
At the very heart of the estate stood the Quinn Mansion.
A breathtaking masterpiece that looked as though a royal palace, a world-class museum, a seven-star luxury resort, and a futuristic architectural wonder had all been merged into a single residence.
From a distance alone, it was enough to leave anyone speechless.
Towering floor-to-ceiling glass walls reflected the majestic mountains behind the estate, making the mansion appear as though it had become one with the surrounding landscape.
Massive dark marble pillars supported elegant curved roofs inspired by ancient architecture, their graceful lines blending perfectly with the modern structure.
Subtle gold accents traced the edges of the roofs, balconies, and pillars. They never appeared flashy or excessive. Instead, they quietly announced the family's status with refined elegance.
The entire residence radiated an indescribable aura.
Power.
History.
Prestige.
It felt as though generations of influential figures had lived, ruled, and left their marks within those very walls.
The convoy came to a smooth stop before the grand entrance.
Bodyguards stepped forward first, opening the limousine doors.
Emily stepped out gracefully, followed closely by Ava.
The moment they entered the mansion, a wave of warmth greeted them.
Soft golden lighting illuminated the vast interior while natural sunlight streamed through towering floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the breathtaking gardens outside.
The polished white marble floor reflected the enormous crystal chandeliers suspended from the high ceiling, making the entire hall shimmer with elegance.
One side of the corridor displayed magnificent oil paintings of the Quinn family's ancestors.
Every portrait seemed to silently watch over future generations.
The opposite wall showcased slowly rotating holographic artworks, each changing every few seconds into another priceless masterpiece created by world-renowned artists.
Dark walnut wall panels blended seamlessly with futuristic metallic decorations, giving the mansion a timeless yet advanced atmosphere.
Fresh flowers arranged by professional florists filled every corner with gentle fragrance.
Not a single leaf looked out of place.
Every servant moved quietly through the corridors with perfect discipline.
The Quinn Mansion had three main halls.
The First Hall was reserved for distinguished guests and important visitors.
The Second Hall welcomed close family friends and trusted allies.
The Third Hall belonged exclusively to the Quinn Family themselves. Only direct family members and a select few with special permission could enter freely.
After walking through the quiet corridors, Emily and Ava reached the Third Hall.
Without another word, they separated.
Emily headed toward her private suite to change and rest before dinner.
Meanwhile, Ava waved walked toward her own room.