The Abandoned one

Three days after the boardroom shooting, Aria stood in front of a mirror, letting her makeup artist finish the last touch of powder.

The bruises on her arm were hidden beneath the silk sleeves of her white suit.

Her expression? Ice-cold perfection.

I'm ready,she said.

The cameras were already rolling in the Lin Group press hall.

Dozens of journalists filled the room, curious, hungry, and skeptical. After all, the "abandoned daughter" of the Lin family was about to speak for the first time in years — not as a victim, but as a challenger.

---

She stepped onto the stage like she owned it behind her, a slideshow of childhood photos faded into the Lin family crest.

I'm Aria Lin,she began calmly,and I'm here to reclaim what was stolen — my voice, my mother's legacy, and the truth.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

She continued my father, Chairman Lin, and Zhao Yanmei have misused company assets, silenced whistleblowers, and covered up deaths. Including that of my mother.

Click. Flash. Click.

She raised a document this is the will my mother left — naming me her sole heir, both in blood and in business.

Silence.

Until…That will is fake.

A voice rang out.

Aria froze.

The room turned.

Zhao Yanmei stepped forward, dressed in a demure gray suit, a folder in her hands.

She forged that will, Zhao said and she bribed people to obtain fake documents. I have evidence.

Cameras spun toward Aria.

Zhao handed papers to a reporter.

Aria's mind spun — this wasn't part of the plan she set me up.

Zhao smiled sweetly I'm only here to protect Lin Group… from frauds.

Liam, who had quietly stood behind the stage, stepped forward.

He looked between the two women.

Aria searched his face, heart pounding. Please… don't believe her.

But Liam's expression was unreadable.

He didn't speak.

---

A storm of reporters erupted.

Miss Lin, do you deny forging the will?Are you trying to stage a hostile takeover?

Is this revenge for your family's rejection?

Aria raised her voice, calm but cold.

I have nothing to hide unlike them, I don't fear the truth.

But she knew… this battle had just changed.

It was no longer about justice.

It was about survival.

---

That night, back in her penthouse, she watched the broadcast replay.

The comments online were mixed.

#AriaLinExposed was trending.

But so was #JusticeForMeiLin

She turned off the screen.

You want war, Zhao?she whispered then you'll get fire.

Just then, her phone buzzed.

A text from Ethan.

Check your mother's old laptop.

There's something in her private folder you missed—E

---

Aria didn't hesitate.

She opened the laptop, found the encrypted folder, and entered her mother's name.

Inside were videos.

One file:Project Phoenix — Phase Two: Activate Only if I Die.

She hit play.

Her mother appeared onscreen.

If you're seeing this, I'm gone but I never intended to die quietly everything they feared… is about to be released.

Aria, you are the phoenix now burn them.

---

❓ Reader Questions:

1. Was Zhao's accusation part of a larger plan — or a desperate move?

2. Why didn't Liam defend Aria in public?

3. What do you think is hidden in "Phase Two" of Project Phoenix?

4. Should Aria retaliate publicly… or plan her next attack in silence?