Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 355: Alyssa Qin (1)
Alyssa Qin was the second child of the Qin family. From birth, she struggled to prove her worth to everyone, especially her father. Despite her efforts, Alyssa always felt she fell short of her father’s expectations. She excelled in academics and sports, but nothing she did seemed enough to earn his approval.
Things worsened for her when her younger brother, Richard, started showing potential in areas her father valued highly, such as business and leadership. Richard quickly became the apple of her father’s eye, leaving Alyssa feeling even more inadequate and overlooked.
"Adrienne Jiang isn’t someone to be underestimated," she commented as she held a glass of wine in one hand while staring at the darkened sky outside.
The faint moonlight illuminated her face, casting a melancholic glow. Alyssa was already past her prime, but she was still as beautiful and elegant as ever. Her graceful demeanor and timeless charm were a stark contrast to the insecurities that plagued her.
Despite feeling overshadowed by her brother, Alyssa possessed a quiet strength and intelligence that often went unnoticed. She had a keen eye for detail and a natural ability to connect with others—qualities that set her apart in her own right. As she took another sip of wine, Alyssa couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to life than the expectations placed on her by her family.
"What made you think she’s worthy of being Lennox’s wife?" Benedict asked his wife.
He heard their nephew Lennox had finally accepted the invitation and visited the patriarch of the Qin family, bringing his young wife with him to meet his elders. It had been a week since Alyssa met Lennox’s wife, but Adrienne had left a great impression on her.
"To be able to play the Jiang family at the palm of her hand and force Alistair Han to treat is quite a feat, don’t you think? Alistair was as sly as a snake, yet he had no idea he had failed repeatedly because of Adrienne Jiang. Lennox seems to be head over heels for her." She answered.
"And does this Adrienne Jiang reciprocate his feelings? I thought you were convinced those two were in a contractual marriage." Benedict continued to probe.
Alyssa hummed, pondering her husband’s question. She observed how Lennox interacted with his wife and could see his deep feelings for Adrienne. However, Alyssa could tell from her interactions with Adrienne that she was reserved but could respond to their questions without becoming stymied.
"She seems tolerant of him, despite Lennox being clingy to her. " Alyssa told her husband. "They still give off that vibe of a newlywed couple. It’s like they are still in the honeymoon phase, always affectionate and attentive to each other. But Adrienne also has a sense of independence as if she knows how to maintain her own space within the relationship."
"So different from Audrey? Lennox was fond of her before, but I never thought there would be a day he would be so attached to someone else," Benedict remarked. "Adrienne must have a special way of capturing his heart and making him feel secure enough to lower his guard to her."
Alyssa scoffed upon hearing Audrey’s name. There was no doubt Audrey was one of the most beautiful faces in Jinling, but that alone wasn’t enough to capture Lennox’s heart. Audrey was dependent on her father and couldn’t stand on her own, unlike Adrienne, who managed to break free from the constraints of her family and build her own successful career. Lennox was drawn to Adrienne’s independence and strength, which made their connection deeper and more meaningful than any superficial beauty could ever achieve.
Alyssa rounded her desk and joined her husband on the couch. The lines on her face deepened as she knew that, with Lennox’s return, it would be hard for her to become the next chairwoman of Qin Industries. As for Adrienne, Alyssa knew it would be impossible to lure the young woman to her side
"Even now, Audrey has allowed Jacob to trample on her and disrespect her. She should have known what to expect when she agreed to marry him. As for Adrienne, it would be hard for us to take advantage of her. "
Alyssa sighed, realizing that Adrienne’s strong will would make it difficult for them to manipulate the situation to their advantage. She knew they would have to devise a different plan if they wanted to secure their positions in Qin Industries.
As Alyssa sipped her wine, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for Adrienne. Despite being a newcomer to the family, Adrienne had already left an impression on her. Alyssa couldn’t deny that she was envious of Adrienne’s independence and strength. She had always felt like she had to prove herself to others, but Adrienne seemed to have a quiet confidence that came naturally to her.
While Alyssa and Benedict pondered their next move, there was a sudden knock on the door. Alyssa’s assistant, Linda, entered the room with a look of urgency on her face. "Madam, there’s a situation in the company that requires your attention," she said.
Alyssa’s brow furrowed in concern. She excused herself from her husband and followed Linda out of the room. As she made her way to her office, Alyssa couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread. She had a feeling that whatever had happened would only add to the already mounting pressure she felt.
When she arrived at her office, Alyssa found her older brother, Henry, waiting for her. He looked tense and agitated, fidgeting with his hands as he spoke. "Alyssa, we have a problem," he said. "One of our major shareholders has pulled out of the company, and he’s taking a substantial amount of his investment with him.
"What’s the reason for his withdrawal?" she asked confusedly.
Henry hesitated before answering. "He’s concerned about the direction of the company and the recent changes in leadership," he said. "He feels that we’re not making the right decisions and that Jacob isn’t doing his job well."
