Solflare: The Painter's Secret-Chapter 174: Stolen Moment III
As the first light touched the sky, colorful birds leaped from the branches of the tall trees in the Qing’s Garden and the farmland.
Green leaves pushed forward as the maids began sweeping the compound.
Two white doves flapped their wings slowly as they halted at the one-foot space in front of the window of the white mansion, their charming cries filling the air.
Inside the mansion, Hu Qing stood at the wall, where a twelve-foot picture frame held the picture of himself and Baek Dojin, the second head of the Baek family.
"Our bond will once more tighten," he whispered, raising his clenched fist.
At that same time, Kira and Darian descended the stairs and stopped right next to the couch, watching their father.
Kira shifted her gaze toward her mother, then moved closer to her, while Darian walked to his father.
He replicated his father’s stance, then lifted his head to the portrait, smiling. "You were very handsome in your prime, Dad."
A smile tore on Hu Qing’s lips as he tugged Darian by the neck and scrambled through his brown hair. "I’m still handsome. That’s why your mother doesn’t feel at peace whenever I’m tasked to leave the country alone."
The two stood there, expressing the father-and-son love, while laughing their hearts out.
On the couch, Kira began relaying the big men she met as she traveled on a business meeting, those who wanted her badly, and those she wished had never joined.
As soon as Zoe descended and placed her last foot on the ground, right after taking the last step, the warmth, the laughter, the love, dissipated as if the room itself was waiting for her to descend.
Kira gave a long chuckle, churning her mouth. "Here she comes."
Elara folded her arms across her chest as she watched Zoe near her.
"Good morning, Mom," Zoe greeted politely, then turned toward her father. "Good morning, Dad."
No one responded. They simply watched her, unemotionally, as if she wasn’t one of them any longer.
"Sis," Darian called out, then slowly neared the couch, placing his left arm on Zoe’s shoulder. "The Baeks said the gift they brought wasn’t even planned. The proper one will come in two days’ time, after the wedding."
Zoe blinked, her mind turning silent for a second. "Wedding? Before two days? When did we plan the date?"
Before she could utter another word, Hu Qing stepped forward, angry. "I did." He lowered his hands from his chest, then threw a sharp glance at Zoe. "You’re getting married tomorrow."
In a flash, Zoe lost her senses, then screamed, "DAD!"
Elara shifted from the couch. "ZOE!" She raised her left arm and drew an arc from Zoe to Hu Qing. "Watch your tone. He’s your father, for Christ’s sake."
Zoe turned a soft glance at Elara, calming herself. "Mom."
Elara stood up from the couch, walked to Zoe, and then wrapped her arms around her shoulders.
"Zoe, this marriage is a blessing." She paused, then gave Hu Qing a quick glance. "It will save our family, your father, and you."
Zoe’s head moved back a little, then threw a shocked glance at Elara. "Mom."
"Sweetheart," Elara’s voice softened. "This is something you shouldn’t shake your head at and walk out of."
She smiled, then brushed her fingers through Zoe’s hair. "Rejecting this is like setting a time bomb on yourself. So think wisely." Elara unwrapped her arms from Zoe, then moved back to the couch.
Tears slowly drifted from Zoe’s eyes as she watched them one after another, wondering what to say.
Darian stood up, walked to the window, leaned on it, then turned and watched Zoe with a satisfying expression.
Kira only kept smiling, staring at the tears dripping from Zoe’s face.
Zoe’s lips moved, but no voice came out at first.
Kira’s smile began to fade when she caught a glimpse of Zoe’s silent murmuring. "I think she wants to say something."
She regained her smile, sat properly on the couch, then folded her arms across her chest, pumping her breasts up slightly.
"I," Zoe whispered, but her voice stuttered. But she screamed in her head. ’No matter what, I have to reject this, else...’
She closed her eyes for a second, then cracked them open, speaking the words loudly. "I will not marry into the Baek family."
Hu Qing remained relaxed for a moment as he thought of Zoe trying to negotiate.
Then, as he moved a step forward, tuning his ear properly, Zoe added a chilling statement, this time in a firmer voice.
"If I’m forced into that family..."
Kira shifted forward, squeezing her face as she listened carefully.
"...you will end up receiving my dead body the morning after I have stepped foot through the Baeks’ door."
Kira stamped her foot on the ground, her face reddening. "Abomination. Mom, did you hear what your beloved daughter is saying?!"
Elara lowered her head, covering her face in her palm, while exhaling slowly as if her heart was now going to rest.
Her eyes widened with pain when she lifted her head and stared Zoe in the eye. "I’ve wasted nine months, nice months, for this. Ah!" Elara placed her right palm on her chest, then slowly got up from the couch, shaking her head.
Regardless of Zoe’s boldness, Hu Qing shook his head, then laughed sluggishly, then whispered, "You will do what is required of the Qing name."
Zoe’s mouth opened as she looked at her father, shifted her gaze to her mother, who had now gone and stood by the wall, nodding slowly like a widow.
She memorized their faces and reactions for a moment, then took in a deep breath. "If that’s what you wish," she paused as the tears swallowed her, "then I will no longer bear the name of the Qing."
She walked out, the heels of her morning shoes clicking harshly on the polished ground.
Kira stood up in an attempt to chase Zoe, but stopped immediately as she moved past Hu Qing.
"Kira," Hu Qing lifted his gaze to Kira. "Let her go."
The door lingered for a while, then slowly swung shut, separating them from the outside world.
The sweet hums of the flying birds slowly pierced Zoe’s ears when she moved onto the parking lot, where all the vehicles were parked.
She neared her vehicle, slid into the driver’s seat, then took in a deep breath before starting the engine.
As the silver Ferrari 250 GTO vanished into the rushing street, the blue-shirted farmer and his son stood there, with saddened faces.
More vehicles reeled past it, some blaring their horns at Zoe’s vehicle, others moving aside for her to pass.
At that same time, the morning sun’s rays seeped through the tall trees at the front of Storm Mansion and cast crystal lights on the giant iron gate.
The water from the fountain flowed slowly, each drop falling as if it carried the passage of time.
Inside the mansion, Lily sat on the couch in the hall, swinging her legs as she listened to Mozart’s Requiem, the song she had once listened to from Leon’s device.
Mr. Lee stood by the glass wall, his hand resting at his back, watching, waiting.
Min-seo moved through the hall, from floor to floor and from room to room, attending to Feng’s orders.
Min-ji leaned against the kitchen door, her face dulled, watching the stairs as she counted every passing second on her fingers.
Then, just as Leon exited his room and descended the stairs, car horns exploded outside.
Birds leaped out from their nests as more military vehicles joined the Lamborghini bearing the Agathan flag.
Hei Yung and Hei Luo exited the car, walked through the door, and then respectfully greeted the maid.
A smile tore across Hei Luo’s face when he caught a glimpse of the girl swinging her legs, while Hei Yung’s expression saddened when he saw the look in Mr. Lee’s eyes.
Mr. Lee smiled after he shook hands with Hei Yung. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Hei Yung held the grip for a moment, then whispered, "It’s time."
Meanwhile, on the highway leading to the Storm mansion, Zoe slammed her hands on the steering wheel, shouting. "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!"
On the road ahead, a pregnant elephant walked slowly, followed by two smaller ones.
Zoe leaned back, exhaling sharply through her nose. Around her, other drivers had already killed their engines, but hers remained running as if she would run over the animals in the next second.
