Wu Lina looked at the ring excitedly before keeping it in her purse. She exited the shop and along with Zhou Zhili, they went to have light snacks in an upscale restaurant. Even though Wu Lina was having a light meal with Zhou Zhili who was constantly chirping away, she couldn't help thinking about her meeting with Ying Yue. She became nervous but didn't let her emotions surface. Zhou Zhili left at 12:45pm sharp after settling the bills so that she could reach the office in time, which was an hour away from the mall.

Wu Lina left that place to walk towards the Italian restaurant where she was supposed to meet Ying Yue. The bodyguards followed her. While the bodyguards stayed outside, she went in. The restaurant had few scattered guests around. To her surprise, Ying Yue was already present there. The table where she was sitting was pretty aloof. Seeing her, Wu Lina frowned. Her stomach developed knots and she wanted to turn away. But she kept walking until she reached the table.

Ying Yue was sipping mojito and reading something on her phone when she felt a presence near her. She lifted her head and saw that Wu Lina was standing opposite her. She measured her and said, "Hello."

Wu Lina sat down and didn't even bother to greet her. She was feeling awkward. "What do you want to say?" she asked curtly to the point of being rude.

"What is the hurry Wu Lina?" she said trying to add melodrama. "Let's order some lunch."

"I don't want to eat with you so say what you have to. Tell me now or be gone," replied Wu Lina fumed.

A waiter came and placed fresh lemonade in front of Wu Lina.

"I took the liberty of ordering fresh lemonade for you," said Ying Yue ignoring Wu Lina's rage, while sipping her mojito.

"I am not interested in it Ying Yue. Come to the point!"

Ying Yue was enjoying her nervousness and she wanted to delay. She looked down at her phone and checked a few messages.

Wu Lina was running out of patience. "What do you know about my father?"

Ying Yue looked up, her lips curved in a sadist manner and she said, "You are Wenqian's daughter but Wu Yi-Zheng is not your father."

Wu Lina's mind went into a tizzy. "Nonsense! You think you can meet me and spout your nonsense. How dare you even say something as detestable as that?" She raised her voice, making the customers in the restaurant look at her.

"Well, this is the fact. Your mother is a Chinese but your father is from Bulgaria."

Wu Lina felt like slapping Ying Yue for calling her a bastard. She was seething. "Ying Yue, I am warning you. If you don't stop, I will ask my bodyguards to throw you from the top floor of the building!"

However, Ying Yue ignored her threats and continued, "When I had gone to Sofia, Bulgaria last year I met with your father. His name is Vladimir Yankov." She dug her purse, took out a photo and slides it across the table. "That's your father."

Wu Lina looked down, all bewildered and out of words. A very handsome man in his late forties was standing in plush surroundings. Her eyes widened, she felt winded, dizzy at this exposé. So many questions popped in her mind.

"Do you know what he does?" Ying Yue took out a cigarette and lit it. After sending a ring of smoke in the air, she said, "He is king of the underworld over there. Some say that he is the kingmaker. But I think he is no more than mafia."

Looking at Wu Lina's shocked face, she added, "He'sbeen looking for you. If he comes to know that you are his daughter, he will take you away. He wants an heir for his empire. By the way, he was the one who kept your name. You should ask your mother." Ying Yue let out a laugh.

She smoked further. Inhaling deeply she continued, "Do you think that marrying the CEO of the Yang Corporation is a good idea especially knowing that you are a bastard child of the boss of Bulgarian mafia? If it leaked to the media, Yang Corporation's reputation would nosedive, and I don't know what will happen to your mother? Tsk, tsk. Wu Lina, I suggest that you stop dreaming about Yang Xinyu and leave him immediately if you have some dignity left."

Wu Lina rose from her chair.

Pa!

Ying Yue's left cheek had turned red.

Wu Lina had slapped her across the face. All the guests in the hotel froze. "You must come to our engagement because Yang Xinyu has invited you. And that slap was my invitation!"

Ying Yue's face was contorted in anger, "You…!"

Before she could utter another word, Wu Lina was out of the restaurant. She wanted to cry but she controlled herself until she reached the car. Once inside, she couldn't hold her tears. She clutched her purse that had the ring she had bought so fondly. What was fate driving her to?

'My father? Am I not Wu Yi-Zheng's daughter? Was this the reason he never supported me monetarily? Was this the reason he didn't think twice before throwing me out of the house? Why didn't mother ever tell me about my real father? Will Yang Xinyu accept me if he comes to know about my father?' Thinking that she started sobbing audibly. The driver of the car saw her in the rear view mirror and said handing over the tissues to her, "Miss, do you want to go to CEO's office if something is bothering you?"

Wu Lina looked at him with a wild expression. That was the last thing she wanted. She shook her head and said, "No, I want to go back home."

She wiped her tears and started looking outside. The gray clouds were hanging over the city's landscape, threatening to soak it into oceans of water. Wu Lina yearned for Yang Xinyu. She wanted to go home and curl into him. Ying Yue's words were so agonizing.

On the other hand, Ying Yue rushed out of the restaurant, covering the red cheek with her hand. 'Yes, I will come for your engagement, Wu Lina. Wait for me.'