Chapter 19: The Sister Who Returned
Thunder rolled across the night sky.
Rain poured heavily outside the Shen family mansion, turning the long driveway into a mirror of flashing lightning.
Inside the vault room, no one spoke.
Everyone stared at Assistant Zhao.
"…Say that again," Shen Yichen said slowly.
Zhao nodded nervously.
"We received a confirmed sighting of Miss Shen Linyu."
Xinyue felt her heart jump.
"Where?"
Zhao looked down at his phone.
"Downtown. Near the old harbor district."
Shen Hao whistled softly.
"Interesting place for a missing heiress."
Yichen didn't react immediately.
Instead, his mind raced.
Twelve years.
His sister had disappeared twelve years ago.
And now suddenly—
she was back.
He turned to Zhao.
"Who reported the sighting?"
"A private investigator."
"Reliable?"
"Yes."
Zhao continued,
"He says she was seen leaving a building called The Black Orchid Club."
Shen Hao laughed again.
"Of course."
Xinyue frowned.
"What kind of place is that?"
Shen Hao looked at her with amusement.
"A very dangerous one."
Yichen's voice was calm.
"It's an underground business club."
"Meaning?"
"People with money and secrets gather there."
Xinyue felt uneasy.
"So your sister has been hiding in a place like that?"
"Maybe."
Shen Hao stepped toward the door.
"Well, this is getting exciting."
He turned back.
"Are we going to find her or not?"
Yichen looked at him coldly.
"You're not coming."
Shen Hao raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't trust you."
Shen Hao chuckled.
"Fair enough."
Then he shrugged.
"But if you don't hurry…"
"…someone else might reach her first."
Those words hung in the air.
Xinyue suddenly spoke.
"We should go now."
Yichen looked at her.
"It could be dangerous."
"So?"
"You're not trained for this."
She crossed her arms.
"You married me."
He sighed quietly.
"Still not a good reason."
But she didn't move.
Finally he turned to Zhao.
"Prepare the car."
The Black Orchid Club
The city's harbor district looked completely different at night.
Neon lights reflected on wet streets.
Music pulsed through hidden bars and underground casinos.
Expensive cars lined the narrow road.
At the end of the street stood a tall black building.
A glowing purple sign above the entrance read:
BLACK ORCHID
Xinyue stared at it.
"This place looks… illegal."
Yichen stepped out of the car.
"It probably is."
Two large security guards blocked the door.
"Members only."
Yichen handed them a card.
The guards examined it carefully.
Then their expressions changed.
"President Shen."
They stepped aside immediately.
"Welcome."
Xinyue blinked.
"You're a member?"
"Yes."
"That's terrifying."
He didn't respond.
Inside the club—
everything felt different.
Low lights.
Soft jazz music.
Rich businessmen and mysterious women filled the room.
Dealers played cards at private tables.
A bartender polished glasses behind a marble counter.
But the atmosphere felt dangerous.
Like everyone there was hiding something.
Xinyue stayed close to Yichen.
"Do you see her?"
"Not yet."
Assistant Zhao spoke quietly.
"The investigator said she went upstairs."
Yichen nodded.
"VIP floor."
They moved toward the elevator.
But before they reached it—
someone stepped into their path.
A tall woman in a red dress.
Her smile looked sharp.
"Well… well."
Her eyes scanned Yichen slowly.
"I didn't expect to see you here tonight."
Yichen's expression didn't change.
"Move aside, Lian."
The woman laughed softly.
"You still remember me."
Xinyue whispered,
"Who is she?"
Yichen answered calmly.
"Lian Su."
"The owner of this club."
Lian Su tilted her head.
"And who is this?"
Her eyes focused on Xinyue.
"The famous wife."
Xinyue felt uncomfortable.
"I've heard a lot about you," Lian continued.
"None of it pleasant."
Xinyue sighed.
"I'm getting used to that."
Lian chuckled.
Then she looked back at Yichen.
"You're here for someone."
"Yes."
"Your missing sister."
The words stunned them.
"You already know?" Zhao asked.
Lian smirked.
"My club sees everything."
Yichen stepped closer.
"Where is she?"
Lian tapped her finger against the elevator button.
"Top floor."
The doors opened.
"But…"
She smiled slowly.
"…she might not want to see you."
The VIP Floor
The elevator doors slid open quietly.
The hallway upstairs looked luxurious and silent.
Private rooms lined both sides.
Xinyue's heart pounded.
"Twelve years," she whispered.
Yichen walked forward.
"Yes."
"Are you nervous?"
"…Maybe."
They reached the final door.
Room 701.
Zhao knocked.
No response.
Yichen pushed the door open.
Inside—
the room was dimly lit.
A woman sat by the window.
Her back facing them.
Long dark hair fell over her shoulders.
She didn't move when they entered.
Yichen stopped a few steps away.
"…Linyu."
The woman remained silent.
Xinyue held her breath.
Slowly—
the woman stood up.
Then she turned around.
Her face was pale but beautiful.
Her eyes sharp.
Almost identical to Yichen's.
Xinyue realized immediately.
They really are siblings.
For a moment—
no one spoke.
Then the woman smiled faintly.
"Hello, brother."
Yichen stepped forward.
"You're alive."
"Yes."
"Where have you been?"
She didn't answer.
Instead, she looked at Xinyue.
"And this must be your wife."
Xinyue nodded politely.
"Chen Xinyue."
Linyu studied her carefully.
"You look kind."
"That's… good, right?"
"Maybe."
Yichen interrupted.
"Why didn't you contact us?"
Linyu laughed softly.
"Contact you?"
Her smile faded.
"You mean contact the family that abandoned me?"
The room froze.
"What are you talking about?" Yichen asked.
"You know exactly what I mean."
Her voice turned cold.
"Twelve years ago… when I disappeared…"
"…no one came looking."
"That's not true!"
"Isn't it?"
She walked closer.
"Do you know where I was?"
"No."
"Sold."
Everyone went silent.
"Sold?" Xinyue whispered.
Linyu nodded.
"To pay a family debt."
Yichen's eyes widened.
"That's impossible."
"Is it?"
She leaned closer.
"You should ask Grandfather."
The words hit like a hammer.
"You're lying," Zhao said.
Linyu laughed bitterly.
"I wish I was."
Yichen shook his head slowly.
"He would never do that."
"Really?"
She looked straight into his eyes.
"Then why did he poison himself?"
The question stunned them.
"Poison himself?" Xinyue repeated.
"Yes."
Linyu's voice became calm.
"The poison in his body."
"…he started taking it willingly."
"No," Yichen said firmly.
"That's impossible."
"Believe what you want."
She stepped back toward the window.
"But the truth is simple."
Her eyes darkened.
"This family destroyed my life."
Lightning flashed outside.
Then she said something even more shocking.
"And now…"
"…I'm here to destroy it too."
The room fell into heavy silence.
Xinyue felt chills run through her body.
Because the hatred in Linyu's eyes looked real.
Very real.
And suddenly—
the battle for the Shen empire had become much more dangerous.