"Don't speak on my mother." Xia Lihua let out a shrill cry as if her heart had been sliced open.
He was the reason why her mother died. How dare he target her mother!
Suddenly the door was pushed open and a guileful looking girl rushed over to help Xia Tianlin who was still clutching his wrist in pain.
Hearing all the commotion Xia Liyan had hurried over to her father's study. "Dad! Are you alright?" The panic was evident in her eyes as her hands flew to cover her mouth.
Xia Lihua grimaced as she saw the newcomer from her peripheral vision.
Xia Liyan's eyes fell on Xia Lihua, making her almost jump from shock. "What is she doing here?"
"Didn't grandpa tell you that he has invited me for dinner?" Xia Lihua said, side-eyeing her step-sister.
Xia Liyan's lips distorted into a sinister mien. Her grandfather considered her as an illegitimate daughter who had ruined his son's perfect marriage with Xia Lihua's mother.
Xia Liyan's existence was like a thorn pricking his skin. She had tried everything to impress Old Master Xia, but she couldn't change his outlook on her.
Naturally she was excluded from family affairs and grandfather Xia didn't let her know about most of his arrangements.
Gritting her teeth she harshly spat out, "No, you are lying."
"Of course he didn't say it you. After all you aren't one of grandpa's favorites." Xia Lihua shrugged with a lazy expression and provocative tone.
Xia Liyan knew that Xia Lihua was clearly mocking her because grandfather Xia didn't favor her. Her face turned green when she saw Xia Lihua's nonchalant facade. Unable to accept the candor, she asked Xia Tianlin, "Father is it true that grandpa invited her for dinner?"
"Yes, but I'll make sure that she is driven out of the house before she can even touch the food!" Xia Tianlin was so angry that he wanted to hit Xia Lihua. He didn't say anything about her advent to Xia Liyan or anyone else on purpose because he knew that they would be perturbed by her attendance.
"Why did grandfather invite her over for dinner? She brought shame on the Xia family's name because of her scandalous act." Xia Liyan walked over and jabbed Xia Lihua in her ribs. You should have been kicked out of the family long ago."
"This is so funny to me." Xia Lihua broke into a fit of laughter. Holding her stomach she continued, "You know it better than me how much of truth is in your words."
"Don't spout nonsense! The evidence was conclusive and irrefutable."
Xia Lihua stared straight at Xia Liyan.
Conclusive evidence?
'Scandalous act'? Wasn't she framed by Xia Liyan and Xia Mengrui? It was a joint work done by her step-sister and cousin.
Xia Liyan trembled under the intensity of Xia Lihua's stare. The bone-chilling coldness of her eyes was so prominent that she wanted to turn her face away from her.
"I'm not here to waste my time. Xia Tianlin give me my room keys." Xia Lihua demanded, putting her hand forward and curling her fingers in a hasty motion.
"You don't even bother to call me father anymore. How can you be so vulgar? Get out of this house!" Anger made Xia Tianlin's neck turn red and veins began to emerge from his forehead.
This unfilial daughter!
Xia Liyan gained some confidence after hearing her father's furious remarks. This foolish thing not only caused her father to become even more infuriated but was also looking for trouble. She held her nose up and jutted out her chin at Xia Lihua. "Father you should just send her to the prison."
"Heh, you want me to go to the prison?" Xia Lihua's voice dropped dangerously low.
"We should have sent you to the prison long ago! We took pity on you because we are a family." Xia Liyan clenched her teeth looking like she was the one who was wronged.
Xia Lihua couldn't stand Xia Liyan acting all innocent. "Pa!"