The Abandoned one

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💼 Chapter 17 – Bloodlines & Blackmail

Two days after Zhao Yanmei's arrest, the media buzzed with headlines:

> 💥 "Heiress Aria Lin Brings Down Boardroom Empire"

🔥 "Zhao Yanmei Charged With Corporate Conspiracy"

🕊️ "Justice for Mei Lin Trends Worldwide"

Aria stood at the window of her penthouse, coffee untouched

But inside, something twisted.

> It was too easy.

Her mother had planned for years, calculated every step — and yet, Zhao had folded in less than twenty-four hours after being exposed?

No bargaining,no secrets spilled,no attempt to negotiate?

It didn't sit right.

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That evening, Aria received a call from Vivian Tao.

She's refusing to speak,Vivian said not to the police,not even to her own lawyer.

Why?Aria asked.

Vivian hesitated because she's protecting someone.

Aria's fingers curled around her phone.

> Then Zhao wasn't the top.

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Later, Aria returned to the vault to examine the files more carefully.

Hidden inside the "Emergency Burn" folder was a short email, buried under six layers of encryption:

TO: Z SUBJECT: Contingency if she survives you, I'll deal with her myself.

Blood must protect blood.

—A"

She read it again.

Blood must protect blood?

And the sender's initial: A.

> Not her father. Not Zhao. Someone else entirely.

Her mind reeled.

Could this mean there was someone related to her—?

Her phone buzzed again.

Unknown Number.

She hesitated, then picked up.

Miss Lin,a calm male voice said,if you want to know the truth about your mother… and the family she left behind… come to 17 Blackridge Lane. Alone."

Click.

The line went dead.

---

Before she could respond or trace it, she tried to call Ethan.

No answer

She texted him.

> Where are you? Call me back. It's urgent.

But her message didn't deliver.

---

The next morning, she checked again.

Still nothing.

She tried Ethan's backup number.

Disconnected.

Then she received a second text from an encrypted contact.

He got too close that's the price.

Now it's your turn, Aria.

---

At that moment, Liam walked into her penthouse.

He didn't smile.

There's something you need to see,he said.

He handed her a thick envelope.

Inside were adoption records. A medical file. And a birth certificate.

Aria's hand shook.

Her mother's name was there.

But her biological father's name?

> Augustin Rothschild.

Not Chairman Lin.

Not even close.

> Her real father was the founder of a global intelligence consortium.

A man once declared legally dead.

She stared at the name, her pulse thundering.

Now she understood why Zhao tried to destroy everything.

Not just because of Project Phoenix.

But because Aria wasn't just Mei Lin's daughter.

> She was heir to something far more dangerous.

And someone out there — someone connected by blood — wanted her dead.

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❓ Reader Questions:

1. Who is "A"? Is it her real father… or someone worse?

2. What happened to Ethan — was he taken, or did he betray her?

3. Should Aria confront 17 Blackridge Lane… or investigate quietly first?

4. Is Liam hiding more than he claims, or is he finally all-in?