Addicted to you-Chapter 41: Sowing discord

Family? Cousin?

Yeri raised an eyebrow, arms crossed loosely, her gaze was sharp and unflinching.

Aunt Linda and Venice were clearly expecting her to drop the issue, maybe offer an awkward smile, or at most whisper something privately so no one else could hear. That was what the old Yeri would've done—quiet, sickly, too tired to pick a fight.

But the old Yeri is gone.

Today's Yeri was very much alive. And she will not let them mistake her silence as tolerance ever again.

"Yeri, I think Zenia's spoiled you too much. It's not good for a young lady to be so overbearing. Venice made a mistake, but it wasn't on purpose. The dog's fine, and you found it—so isn't that enough? As family, we shouldn't hold grudges or let outsiders watch us fight. Why don't you both make amends and move on?" Aunt Linda acted like a magnanimous person, feigning confusion and concern.

Her voice lilted just enough to draw attention, eyes sweeping the room as if she expected an ally to appear from the marble walls. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Venice stepped forward, putting on a pitiful look as if she were the one being bullied.

But before she could play the victim, Yeri smiled sweetly. So sweetly it made the air feel heavy.

"Ah, right. I almost forgot," Yeri said lightly, her tone polite and casual. "Even after Uncle's divorce, you two still aren't married. So technically, you're just his lover. That means... we're not family at all."

The air in the suite instantly dropped several degrees.

The stylists, makeup artists, and assistants suddenly found their brushes and tools very interesting. One began humming softly. Another fumbled with a powder puff like it was a life raft.

None of them dared glance toward the conversation in progress. No one wanted to get involved with the personal affairs of the rich—especially not when it sounded like a scandal about to unfold.

Aunt Linda's eyes widened in disbelief, as if Yeri had suddenly grown horns and started speaking in tongues. "You—how dare you speak like that to your elders?!" she snapped.

Yeri tilted her head slightly, her smile never wavering. "You are an elder, yes. But family? No. Auntie, let's get that straight. Come back when Uncle decides to marry you."

The silence was deafening.

Linda stared at her, caught between indignation and fear, unsure if she should lash out or back away.

For years, she'd enjoyed lording her status over Yeri, acting as if the girl's politeness was proof of weakness. But this... this wasn't the Yeri she knew.

Venice looked just as stunned, her expression tight with disbelief and hurt.

"Yeri..." she began carefully. "Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? If it's about the dog, I'll apologize. No, I'll kneel if that's what it takes."

"You said you were afraid of dogs. So why do you keep showing up at my house like it's your vacation home?" Yeri's voice cut like a blade. "You said you panicked. But the CCTV shows you opening the gate and kicking my dog out. If it wasn't intentional, why did you leave without telling anyone?"

CCTV? Venice's smile froze. The color drained from her face.

She had been furious at the time—Carpet was filthy and shaking water all over her new dress. She just wanted the mutt gone. She forgot about the cameras.

Why didn't Yeri just keep that stupid dog in her room like usual?

Aunt Linda gasped and rushed to defend her daughter. "Why are you being so petty? It's just a dog. If it's lost, buy another one. What's the difference?"

Yeri's eyes gleamed, her tone ice-cold. "I see. Then if you go missing, Auntie, should I just tell Uncle to find another woman? What's the difference, right?"

An assistant snorted, trying to hide her laugh.

Others bit their lips or covered their mouths.

Aunt Linda pointed at Yeri, shaking with rage.

Venice wiped her non-existent tears and said with aggrieved voice, "I didn't know you thought of us this way! My parents may not be married yet, but that's only because Dad wants to give her a grand wedding. He's still working hard for that! Why are you trying to cause problems between them?"

"I'm the one sowing discord?" Yeri chuckled, her voice calm and sharp. "Venice, you should know better how you were born."

"Enough!" Linda shouted, her voice high-pitched and full of panic. She was afraid Yeri will bluntly reveal her past and how she became her 'Aunt' in name.

Yeri simply turned and picked up a bottle of sparkling water, calmly pouring herself a glass.

She let a lot of things go in the past because she was just too sick to waste her breath arguing with people who weren't worth it.

Aunt Linda's expression warped into something between hostility and panic. "You—how can you say that?! Even if you don't see us as family we've taken care of you when your parents were away—"

"You mean lived in our house like it was yours?" Yeri asked without skipping a beat. "Used our name to network with socialites? Let your daughter act like the lady of the house while I was recovering from an illness? That's not family. That's freeloading."

Venice looked like she wanted to disappear into the marble floor.

Yeri set her glass down and gave them both one final look. "Tonight is my debut. Please remember your place. I'm not my parents, and I won't pretend I owe you two forbearance."

Carpet, as if sensing Yeri's emotion, gave a cheerful bark from behind the sofa and trotted over to nuzzle Yeri's side. She smiled softly at him, running a hand through his fur.

"Please leave," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "Time is short, and everyone here has been waiting long enough."

She then turned and walked toward the dressing area where the stylists had quietly resumed work, the air around them tense but tinged with admiration.

Behind her, Aunt Linda stood frozen in place, face pale with fury and disbelief.

Venice sat down quietly on the edge of the sofa, clutching her knees, eyes dark and distant.

They had expected the same frail, obedient girl they could bend to their will.

Instead, they got put in their place—loudly and publicly.

Aunt Linda huffed like smoke was about to pour from her nose. She grabbed Venice and stormed out, muttering curses under her breath.

"Damn dead girl! Acting so high and mighty! Everyone knows she won't live long anyway!"

Once she married Nolan and they took over Zhi Corporation, she'd make sure Yeri was locked in a mental hospital.

Let her rot before she dies with her eyes open.

---

Tonight, under the soft glow of colossal chandeliers, the space had been transformed into a dreamlike wonderland.

Hundreds of soft pink roses bloomed from every corner—trailing from the gilded ceiling in flowing garlands, blooming from crystal vases on every table, and curling gently around the railings like they were always meant to be there. Wisteria, baby's breath, and pale peonies blended in, making the whole place feel like a fairytale garden brought to life.

Above the tables, soft lights floated like stars, hanging on nearly invisible threads. Their golden flicker made the marble floor shine like moonlight on water.

The centerpiece of the ballroom was the glamorous dance floor—vast and gleaming, framed with floral arches and surrounded by classical string musicians who played a soft waltz as the first guests began to arrive.

Outside, luxury cars lined up like a parade of status symbols. One by one, distinguished guests stepped onto the velvet carpet—socialites in designer gowns, businessmen with tailored suits and sculpted smiles, the occasional young bachelor looking awkward but hoping to impress.

Inside, Madam Zhi stood like royalty.

Dressed in silver silk that shimmered with every step, she moved through the grand entrance with quiet confidence. Her smile was calm, her voice smooth, her every gesture perfectly timed. Pearls pinned her sleek hair, and the Zhi family's signature brooch sparkled proudly on her chest.

"Minister Zhang, welcome. We're so honored," she said smoothly.

"Madam Geun! You look stunning tonight. How have you been?"

Behind her, two assistants whispered names and updates in her ear, keeping everything flowing like clockwork.

The room grew busier by the minute. Polite laughter echoed off the marble walls. People traded compliments, discussed brunches, and sized each other up—outfits, jewelry, who came with whom. The wealthy, the powerful, and the ambitious were all here, drawn by the glitter of the Zhi name.

At the far end of the room, a grand staircase led up to the private dressing area. Everyone knew that once the birthday girl made her entrance from there, the official festivities would begin.

But for now, the air was thick with excitement.

Guests whispered: What would Yeri wear? Which designer dressed her? Would she dance the traditional waltz or surprise everyone with something modern? A few dared to whisper about Nolan's latest scandal, but no one would mention it aloud. Not tonight.

Near the orchestra, an ice sculpture shaped like a giant rose slowly turned on a mirrored base, casting sparkles across the room. A dessert table nearby shimmered with pink macarons, pearl-topped pastries, and sparkling candies, while waiters floated through the crowd with trays of champagne and rose-scented drinks.

"Everything is perfect," one guest whispered to her friend. "The Zhís know how to throw a party, but this—this is something else."