Location: Outside the Study, Li Estate – Midnight
Ichiro froze.
His smirk crumbled.
"Yue'er... It's not what it looks like."
Zhao Yue stepped forward, her heels sharp against the marble.
"You're right. It's worse than what it looks like."
Her voice was loud—deliberate.
Just loud enough.
Within moments, shadows stirred from down the corridor. Lights flicked on one by one. Family members, drawn by the noise, emerged like moths circling fire.
Meimei, Grandmother Li, Third Uncle, even the previously indifferent Second Brother—one by one, they gathered at the door to the study.
---
Zhao Yue held up the USB stick like it was a knife.
"This? This was in the master computer's port. Ichiro was transferring financial records. Forged ones."
Ichiro's expression twisted instantly from innocent to insulted.
"You're accusing me? Based on what—hearsay?"
Zhao Yue didn't flinch.
"Based on truth."
She turned slowly to Jin, who stood a little farther back, arms crossed, gaze unreadable.
"I didn't believe him. But everything he thought… everything I heard… it was right. You were using me. To test him. To attack him."
---
[Jin's Thoughts]
[Finally. Took her long enough. Guess she wasn't completely hopeless.]
[But I'm not staying. They can eat each other if they want.]
[And why the hell are they all looking at me like I'm a saint? I literally just want to leave.]
---
Ichiro dropped the act.
"You're just mad he didn't fall for you. You've been swayed by his nonsense!"
He turned to Father Li. "Dad, tell them! She's confused. This is all a misunderstanding!"
But Father Li didn't respond.
He took the USB.
Plugged it into a laptop.
Silence fell as the forged ledgers lit up onscreen.
---
Group Chat – Observer Thread
Third Sister (Meimei): Oh. My. God.
Fourth Aunt: He really tried it.
Grandma Li: Let him explain this.
Mother Li: What explanation? He's finished.
---
"You were framing Jin for embezzlement," Father Li said quietly.
"No!" Ichiro screamed. "You think that trash can take my spot?! I'm your son—!"
"You are not," Grandmother Li cut in coldly. "You're just a guest we let grow too bold."
Ichiro lunged toward Jin in desperation.
And Jin?
Jin stepped forward calmly—and decked him with a clean, satisfying punch.
[Jin's Thoughts]
[That's for trying to mess with me. And Yue. And the inheritance.]
[Try smiling through that broken nose, you theater kid reject.]
---
Later That Night
Zhao Yue sat by herself, knees drawn up to her chest.
Meimei passed her a cup of tea, surprisingly gentle.
"You alright?"
"I deserved it," Zhao Yue said softly. "I helped him. Hurt Jin. I was so proud… so stupid…"
Meimei sighed. "You weren't the first. You won't be the last."
---
Meanwhile – Jin's Room
Ergouzi beeped cheerfully.
"Host! Big win tonight! Should I log it as a 'Conquest of Justice?'"
[Jin]: [Log it as 'I still want to leave this dumb house.']
"…Okay. But I'm giving you a badge anyway."
[Jin]: [If it's a sticker, I'm deleting you.]
"😨 Understood!"
---