The morning sun rose over the villa, but the atmosphere inside was icy.
Xiamen stood beside Hong Yi in the main hall, her face pale but composed. She had barely slept after discovering the intrusion in her room—Haoyu's clothes disturbed, her drawer left open, her private letters touched.
Hong Yi had only one reaction when she told him:
That someone search her room
"Call everyone."
Within minutes, the servants lined up, trembling.
Emma sat elegantly on the sofa, pretending boredom.
Mr. Lin stood near the staircase, expression unreadable.
Hong Yi's face was cold as stone.
"I'll ask once," he said, voice low but sharp. "Who entered Xiamen's room last night?"
Silence.
Not even breathing.
The servants exchanged terrified glances.
Hong Yi's anger simmered beneath his calm.
"You all work in MY house. Someone touched MY guest's room. And no one speaks?"
Still no answer.
Emma crossed her legs slowly, sipping her tea as if watching a stage play.
Xiamen clenched her hands by her side, feeling both exposed and furious.
Hong Yi's voice dropped lower, more dangerous.
"If I have to check cameras—if I have to fire everyone in this hall—I will."
The silence broke.
Emma sighed loudly, put down her teacup, and stood.
"Alright, enough."
She walked forward, chin lifted.
"I did it."
Gasps filled the room.
Hong Yi's eyes darkened instantly.
"You sent someone?"
Emma nodded, trying to look remorseful.
"Yes, cousin. I did it for you. I wanted to protect our family. Xiamen came back suddenly after years. She stays in your house with a child, and she still refuses to explain her past."
Her voice sharpened.
"I want to know why she returned. I want to know who her son's father is."
Xiamen froze.
Hong Yi stepped forward.
"Emma."
She swallowed, but kept going.
"You never wondered?" she whispered desperately. "Why her husband doesn't live here? Why she never spoke about him? Where he is now?"
Mr. Lin's eyes flicked toward Xiamen—waiting, searching, judging.
The whole room felt like it was crushing her.
Emma continued, voice trembling now:
"Everyone wants to know! Who her husband, why he did not call her? Why did he abandon his family? Why is she hiding the truth? Why—"
"ENOUGH!" Hong Yi roared.
Emma jumped.
Hong Yi's fury finally snapped through the veneer of calm he had maintained.
"You violated someone's privacy. In My house. You made Xiamen feel unsafe. You embarrassed her in front of everyone."
His voice was shaking with anger.
"And you dare call it protection?"
Emma's eyes filled with tears.
"Cousin… I—I only wanted answers…"
Hong Yi moved protectively in front of Xiamen.
"You don't get to demand answers from her. You're not her judge."
Emma's voice cracked.
"So you'll defend her over me? Your own family?"
"Yes," Hong Yi said without hesitation. "If my family behaves like this."
Emma's lips parted in shock.
Mr. Lin finally spoke, his voice calm, but edged with meaning.
"Xiamen," he said softly, "Emma's question is harsh, but… she's not the only one who wonders."
Xiamen's breath shook.
Hong Yi turned, eyes blazing.
"Mr. Lin, you too?"
Mr. Lin stared at Xiamen, not unkindly, but intensely.
"You disappeared for years. Then you returned with a son… but no husband. No explanation."
His voice dropped.
"People will talk. They'll suspect worse things than the truth."
Xiamen's throat tightened painfully.
Hong Yi reached for her hand, his warmth grounding her.
"You don't owe them anything," he whispered to her.
But Xiamen knew…
This was only the beginning.
Emma's questions would spread.
Mr. Lin's suspicions would grow.
And the truth she had kept buried—
—would not stay hidden much longer.