Master Keir cleared his throat, attempting to smooth things over. Airing family conflict in front of a guest, especially his son's future bride was dangerous.
If Yeri changed her mind and walked away from Shin, he could forget about ever having a daughter in-law and grandchild.
Yeri, sensing the layers of tension, lowered her gaze and focused on her plate. The seafood was exquisite, but tonight it tasted like sand. The air at the table was so heavy with unspoken hostility that she wished she could excuse herself.
One thing was certain: Elder Madam Keir did not like her.
The old matriarch lifted her teacup with deliberate grace, eyes never leaving Yeri. Her lips curled into something that might have passed for a smile if not for the chill behind it.
"So, Miss Zhi," she began casually, "what business does your family run? I don't recall ever seeing your parents at any of our gatherings. Surely, if they were worth remembering, I would have."
Yeri set down her utensils neatly, offering a polite nod. "We don't usually attend gatherings. My family prefers a quiet life."
"A quiet life?" Elder Madam Keir repeated, her tone dripping with disbelief. "That sounds an awful lot like obscurity."
Shin's fork clattered against the table. His voice was flat and dangerous. "Obscure or not, what does it matter?"
Yeri, sensing Shin's temper, quickly interjected. "Actually, my family values privacy. We don't stand in the spotlight, but we're comfortable where we are."
The matriarch's eyes narrowed, though her smile remained fixed. "Comfort is fleeting. Manners can be taught, yes. But power, prestige... those are born. Marrying into this family is not for the comfortable. Tell me, what can you contribute? Looks fade."
Yeri's fingers tightened around her napkin under the table, though her face remained composed.
Judging by how Butler Hong introduced her earlier, this elder clearly wasn't aware of the engagement. But showing up at such an hour, Elder Madam must have assumed Yeri had hidden intentions, scheming for the position of Shin's legal wife.
Before Yeri could respond, Master Keir cut in sharply. "Mother, what nonsense are you talking about? Does our family need contributions from others? Besides, she's here as a guest."
The old woman set down her cup with a faint clink. "Don't be ridiculous, Allister. I'm only making conversation. Surely the girl isn't so fragile she can't handle a few questions?"
Yeri opened her mouth to reply, but Shin beat her to it. His voice carried a lazy sort of threat. "This family isn't for the comfortable... Are you uncomfortable?"
Elder Madam Keir's fork froze mid-air. She felt the underlying warning in his words. Swallowing, she rolled her eyes instead of answering, pretending not to care.
But as the matriarch, used to being willful and obeyed, how could she bear being blocked by her own family?
Prodding at her lobster unhappily, she sneered at her son. "Allister, our family may not care about petty contributions, but associating with trivial people is bad for our reputation. Don't you agree, Miss Zhi?"
Yeri lifted her head and answered carefully, "Just my opinion, but I don't agree. How can one judge whether someone is trivial or not without even associating with them? I think it's best not to jump to conclusions too easily."
Shin smirked. "Did you learn that from your father?"
Yeri nodded softly. "Yes, and also from experience."
Master Keir joined in the conversation, oblivious to the storm gathering in his mother's expression.
A mere little girl from an unknown family dared to contradict her?
Slamming her fork on the table, Elder Madam Keir rose to her feet. "Yerin Zhi, is it? Very well. I'll remember that name." With a cold, condescending look, she swept out of the dining room.
Yeri blinked. "…"
Hadn't she answered respectfully? Or was there a family rule that forbade disagreeing with an elder?
"Ignore her," Shin said flatly. "She's old and has dementia."
Yeri felt even more lost. What does dementia got to with the situation? Could it be she wouldn't remember her name?
Master Keir sighed. At least the worst hadn't happened.
Just as they finished their meal, a maid entered, announcing that Lianna had woken up.
Yeri hurried to her side while Master Keir sent for the estate doctor.
"Sister Lianna, it's good you're awake. How do you feel? Are you hungry?" Yeri sat gently at the bedside.
Lianna slowly blinked, her gaze wandering the room.
Yeri helped her sit up and offered her water. "You've had a fever for two days now…"
"Yeri… thank you." Lianna's hoarse voice cracked.
Yeri explained softly that they were at Shin Keir's villa.
Lianna's face grew troubled, ashamed that she had brought so much inconvenience.
But Yeri reassured her. "It's fine. Dr. Neri doesn't know we're here. After this, we can move to my house. Besides," she hesitated, then smiled, "I haven't told anyone yet, but I'm getting engaged soon."
Lianna's eyes widened. "Engaged? With Young Master Keir?"
Yeri nodded. "He knows about your situation, but I didn't tell him the rest of what you confided in me."
Lianna bit her lip, conflicted, but still whispered, "Yeri, do you know Calin Ricci? I'm not sure of the details, but I think there was once a marriage arrangement between her and Young Master Keir."
Since Lianna had trusted her, Yeri also confided what she knew, that Shin never acknowledged Calin as his fiancée.
At that moment, the estate doctor arrived, halting their conversation.
---
In the garden, Elder Madam Keir had already resumed her usual quarrel with her son.
Master Keir listened expressionlessly.
"That's the girl you want to bring into this family? Never! She's rude, her family background is pitiful. With so many prominent families, you chose someone unknown? What about our business partners, our friends and the public? People will laugh at us!"
"I never said I chose her, Mother. I told you many times whoever Shin decides to marry, I won't interfere. Stop being unreasonable."
"You won't interfere, yet you brought her here! Do you think I was born yesterday? That bastard son of yours wouldn't invite a woman himself."
"Enough. At your age, do you really want to fight with an eighteen-year-old? This is no one's business but Shin's. And stop calling him a bastard. You care about reputation, don't you? He represents this family. Insulting him is insulting us all."
Elder Madam Keir stiffened. Eighteen? That girl was only eighteen?
She had assumed Yeri was in her twenties because of her height. Could she have truly misunderstood?
Scoffing, she crossed her arms. "Anyway, why did you call for a doctor?"
"Another guest was unwell," Master Keir said flatly.
"Another guest? Since when has that bast- your son been so kind to strangers? He had never even held any banquet in here." she muttered, but Master Keir did not answer.
Her mind drifted back to the pink diamond ring. She wanted to ask Shin directly, but the memory of him beating Hadi half to death still chilled her. She dared not face him alone.
This time, Master Keir accompanied her to Shin's study.
Shin's cold gaze made her shudder, but she forced herself to speak. "That pink diamond ring, where is it? Tristan bid for it, didn't he?"
Shin didn't even look up. "Not Tristan. It was me."
The old woman froze, as if struck. "What… what do you mean? Everyone said it was Tristan and it was supposedly a present for me! Are you lying to spite me?"
"Did Tristan ever say it himself?" Shin asked lazily.
Elder Madam Keir faltered.
How could this be? She had already boasted to her friends that she would display the ring at her tea party.
Her face stiffened. "And why would you want such a ring? It's clearly meant for a woman."
Shin turned a page in the business contract before him, not sparing her a glance. "Who I give it to is none of your concern."
Elder Madam Keir's voice rose in panic. "What?! You're giving an eighty-million-dollar ring to some outsider? Are you insane? Even if it's to guarantee a successful business negotiation, such valuable piece of jewelry doesn't makes sense."
Master Keir finally intervened. "Mother, the ring belongs to Shin. You already own countless jewels. If you want another pink diamond, you can buy one yourself."
The matriarch's face twisted. Of course she could buy another, but this ring had a unique history. How humiliating it would be when people learned she wasn't the recipient.
"Just give it to me. I'll pay for it!" she snapped.
Shin finally looked up. "Fine. Fifteen percent of your company shares. All of them."
Elder Madam Keir reeled back as if struck. "You… you demon!"
Her shrill voice echoed. "Allister, do you hear him? This is the greedy son you raised! He wants my life! That demon beat Hadi half-dead, and you didn't care! Now he wants to rob me too!"
Master Keir rubbed his temples, a headache forming. He had hoped to avoid one of his mother's dramatic outbursts, but here it was in full force.
"Why is my life so difficult?" Elder Madam Keir's voice rose as she clutched her chest, her words heavy with grievance. "Outsiders look at me with envy, with respect, but they have no idea that my own family doesn't care for me at all! It's just a ring, and you want my life?! Have you ever given me anything?"
Master Keir lost his patience. His tone was calm, but his words were like knives.
"So those millions of subsidies you receive every month, the steady allowance, the cards, the properties, and assets under your name don't count as something my son has given you? Mother, don't forget where every penny you spend daily comes from. The company isn't standing because of your incompetent eldest son and grandsons. It stands because of my son."
Elder Madam Keir's lips parted, but no words came out. She knew very well how much money she burned every month in vanity, all of it coming from the hands of the boy she belittled.
Seeing she still wants to quarrel, Shin's call to Secretary Yun to draft a transfer agreement made Elder Madam Keir's face drain of color.
She stormed off, furious but also trembling with fear. The rustle of her dress trailed behind her like a thundercloud as she left.