Thea maintained a cold expression toward everyone who came to offer condolences, largely because she didn't recognize most of them and had no memories of them at all. It was clear that the original Thea had very few connections with these families. No one found it strange—after all, she was a fifteen-year-old girl who had just lost her father and brother. It would be normal for her to look distraught. If she had been greeting everyone cheerfully, that would have been more concerning.
"Thea, my condolences," a young man said, ignoring her icy demeanor and patting her shoulder.
He was the only young person Thea recognized at the event—her brother Oliver's close friend, Tommy, Tommy Merlyn. He was Malcolm Merlyn's son, his only son, and biologically, her half-brother.
It was almost amusing. Oliver and Tommy—one was her half-brother from the same mother but different fathers, the other from the same father but different mothers. The relationships were truly complicated.
Given their unique connection, Thea nodded slightly and replied softly, "Thank you."
Tommy was genuinely grief-stricken, immersed in profound sorrow. He had grown up in the Queen family and regarded Robert and Oliver as his father and brother. Their deaths had left him heartbroken. Among the hundreds of people present, everyone appeared sorrowful, but only two and a half people were truly grieving: Tommy, Moira, and Thea—who, knowing Oliver was still alive, could only count as half.
Giving Tommy a light hug, Thea didn't linger in the crowd and instead walked back to the car alone.
Seeing her return to the car, Moira soon extricated herself from the crowd. The two returned to the Queen mansion in silence.
Thea declined Moira's suggestion of sharing a bed for comfort and retreated to her room alone.
With five years until the main plot began, she knew she shouldn't waste this time. This world was far too dangerous. Throughout the Arrow series, the storyline repeatedly involved someone close to Oliver being kidnapped, followed by him heroically rescuing them. The cycle continued for five seasons—a ridiculous plot.
Moreover, that was the story after the Green Arrow returned. What about before his return? There was a five-year vacuum. Right now, she was the sole heir to Queen Consolidated! Kidnapping and extortion were all too common. The bodyguards employed by the Queen family were as useless as ever. The strongest among them was likely John Diggle, but even he was mocked by the League of Assassins as being at a "kindergarten level."
Most critically, would Malcolm Merlyn, the master schemer, covet the Queen family's vast fortune? Theoretically, if he married Moira and then eliminated her, the entire fortune would fall into his hands! Thea estimated that if he didn't know she was his daughter, there was a 70–80% chance he would make a move. The irony of being killed by her biological father, who remained unaware of their relationship, would be too tragic.
In the original plot, Thea had spiraled into self-destruction after the deaths of her father and brother. Malcolm might have abandoned any plans to seize the fortune outright, perhaps out of pity or disdain. But now, Thea had no intention of touching drugs or engaging in promiscuity—the influence of her past life's soul made the very thought of men repulsive.
If Malcolm were to see her stepping up confidently to inherit Queen Consolidated, what would he think? Putting herself in his shoes, would she make a move? Absolutely!
Rubbing her temples, Thea grew increasingly anxious about her predicament. It was only then she realized that Moira's constant networking at the funeral might have been an attempt to secure protectors for them.
She was a great yet pitiable mother. Subconsciously, Moira didn't realize Malcolm might harm his own biological daughter because she didn't understand his true nature. He was a wolf, a beast that devoured people. In his eyes, there were no friends—only living enemies and dead ones. In the series, Oliver opposed him multiple times, and Malcolm even admitted that Oliver was like a son to him. Yet, when this so-called "son" stood in his way, Malcolm showed no mercy.
Even Thea, his biological daughter, was manipulated and betrayed repeatedly. Fortunately, Malcolm was currently at the peak of his power. As long as she didn't interfere with his plans, he likely wouldn't target her—but only if he knew she was his daughter.
Learning martial arts suddenly seemed less urgent. Survival was the priority. Did he know the truth? The question gave Thea a headache.
After pondering half the night, she finally fell asleep in the early hours, only to dream of the epic battle between Superman and Batman in Dawn of Justice, where she died like an insignificant ant amid the chaos.
Waking up in a cold sweat, Thea couldn't fall back asleep. She lay in a daze until Moira called her for breakfast.
"Oh, Thea, you look so pale! Should we see a doctor?" Moira hugged her, concern evident in her voice.
"It's nothing, Mom. I just... didn't sleep well last night. I'll lie down again later."
During breakfast, Tommy dropped by to join them. He had spent more time at the Queen house than his own. Watching him chat familiarly with her, Thea suddenly realized where her breakthrough lay—with Tommy!
Her mother already knew the truth, so there was no need to test her. The key was to find out whether Malcolm knew. If she acted affectionately toward Tommy in front of him and he knew the truth, he would undoubtedly try to stop her.
Although being close to a man made her uncomfortable, it was the only way now! Fortunately, she was already familiar with Tommy, so it wasn't too反感. For the sake of survival, she had to endure it!
In the original plot, Thea had harbored some feelings for Tommy. Thankfully, the writers had enough sense not to pursue such an unnatural storyline. Unaware of the truth, Tommy had firmly rejected Thea, insisting they were like siblings—which, biologically, they were. The fact that it didn't turn into an American version of Duan Yu and Mu Wanqing was a relief.
Over the next few days, Thea behaved normally in front of Moira but grew increasingly close to Tommy in private. On one hand, it was to attract the big boss's attention; on the other, it was to use Tommy as a shield to prevent the big boss from targeting her. Well, both strategies were aimed at dealing with Malcolm. There was no other choice—he was the hidden ruler of Star City. If she wanted to survive and thrive, she needed his acquiescence.
Fortunately, she was his daughter—an unchangeable fact. As long as the truth was clear, her position would be as solid as a rock!
No one around her interfered with her neutral attire of suit pants and shirts, assuming it was a temporary reaction to the trauma and that she would eventually return to normal. In reality, Thea had already stuffed all her short skirts and high heels into the deepest corners of her closet. She didn't know about the future, but at least for now, she had no intention of wearing them again!
It had to be said that Tommy was a truly good friend. Despite Thea clinging to him daily, he never grew impatient, believing she was deeply traumatized and constantly trying to cheer her up in various ways—even neglecting his official girlfriend, Laurel Lance.