She moved with practised efficiency, seizing her phone and slipping it securely into her pocket without wasting a single heartbeat. Then, she shut her laptop with a definitive click and carefully slid it into her specialised bag. The bag itself was outfitted with its own advanced locking mechanism. A sophisticated security system meticulously engineered to ensure that no unauthorised person would ever be able to bypass its defences or access her private data without her explicit, written permission and approval.
After double-checking that every sensitive item had been properly sequestered, she walked back out to the hallway where the waiting butler stood with practised patience outside her room.
"I want to change the lock on my door." Qiao Meixia stated to Butler Jun, her gaze meeting his directly.
Her voice was remarkably calm and level, yet it carried a faint, underlying tone of absolute finality that made it crystal clear she was not merely making a casual suggestion.
Butler Jun was visibly startled by the unexpected request. His composed, professional mask slipped for the briefest of moments before he quickly regained control of his features. It was highly unusual, unprecedented, even for a newly returned daughter of the Jiang family to issue such a bold demand immediately after arriving at the home.
"Is that a problem?" Qiao Meixia asked, tilting her head ever so slightly to the side as she observed him.
Although the words were phrased as a question, her tone remained disturbingly steady and indifferent. It lacked any trace of the shyness, nervousness, or social hesitation one might normally expect from a girl in her precarious position.
"No, Miss... it is not exactly that." Butler Jun quickly clarified, forcing himself to recover his professional equilibrium. "However, I will first need to inform Master Jiang of your request before any structural modifications can be made to the property."
"Oh..." Qiao Meixia replied simply, her expression remaining completely unreadable.
She did not offer any further explanation, nor did she attempt to argue with him after hearing his response. 'Well, if he refuses to grant permission, then I will simply find another way to do it myself,' she thought privately.
She possessed a profound, bone-deep dislike for anyone invading her personal space or handling her belongings without her consent. Since the family had already designated this room as hers, it had transitioned into her private sanctuary. Even if a servant only intended to enter for routine cleaning purposes, she would still much rather handle the manual chores herself than allow a complete stranger unrestricted access to her immediate surroundings.
"Here is the dining room, Miss Qiao." Butler Jun announced politely as they arrived before a set of grand, towering double doors.
He gestured respectfully for her to lead the way and enter first.
Qiao Meixia gave a slight, sharp nod in acknowledgement before stepping into the room, where the atmosphere somehow felt even heavier and more pressurised than the hallways outside.
Inside the dining hall, she saw the same man and the two women she had previously encountered upon her arrival. In addition to them, there was now a fourth person seated at the long, polished dining table, a young boy she had never seen before. He was currently staring at her with blatant curiosity and poorly concealed scrutiny.
"Sit over there." Jiang Lukang directed coldly, his finger pointing toward a vacant chair that appeared to have been intentionally placed at a noticeable, isolating distance from the others.
Without offering a verbal response or even sparing him a fleeting glance, Qiao Meixia simply walked over and took the indicated seat in a heavy, complete silence.
Jiang Lukang gave a sharp nod to the waiting maid standing nearby, signalling for the meal service to commence. Almost immediately, the staff began parading out the main courses one after another, carefully placing the steaming, aromatic dishes neatly across the expansive surface of the dining table.
***This novel is a work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If it is not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, then it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko***