The Ryu Dynasty Returns

Chapter 3:

“Grandma, we can’t let an imposter into our home!” Elias sounded, staring at the old lady seated on a high mahogany chair.

Several members of the Chen family were seated in the grand hall as they listened to Elias recount the events at the courthouse.

“Because of that lunatic, the Gao family will blame us for their predicament. Have you seen the news at all?” His eyes moved over everyone present. “The Chen family has become the laughing stock of Kairen City before the marriage even began!”

Someone in the hall cleared his throat. He had the same eyes as Elias. Aurelius, his father.

“Mother, what do we do? For all I know, this man Odessa had gotten married to claiming to be Wei's heir might have just been hired by her to deceive us all.”

Old Lady Chen tapped her stick on the floor continuously, the wrinkles on her face becoming more pronounced every passing second as she listened to them intently.

“I have warned Odessa enough but it seems her selfish desires have decided to cloud her mind to ruin this family and I will not stand by this!”

Elias and Aurelius exchanged similar glances as they shared a smirk.

…

“I’m sorry about my cousin’s behavior at the courthouse earlier,” Odessa began, breaking the silence that engulfed the car ride. “I had accepted this marriage to fulfil my grandfather’s final wish and secure the manager position he had promised me—“

She looked towards Riven and seeing that he had no intention to speak, she continued.

“—My family values status and I’m afraid you might not be accepted by them.”

“Don’t worry, I have no intention of relying on your family for anything and their non acceptance is not my problem.”

Odessa pursed her lips as they rode into the gates of the Chen manor. She spotted Elias and his sister, Alyssa waiting at the entrance with other younger relatives, her hands clutched the steering wheel tightly.

Just as Odessa stepped out of the car and Riven tried to follow, four security men instantly slammed the car door locking Riven inside.

Odessa’s eyes widened in horror.

“What is the meaning of this?!”

Elias gave a small smirk as he stared at his cousin. “Grandma said no fraud is allowed into the Chen Manor.”

Odessa glanced up at him, her ears flaring with fury. “Elias, aren’t tired of causing trouble already?! Call your men off right now!”

“And who are you to give me orders?” Elias responded, furrowing his brows. “Grandma had already told you not to bring this lowlife into the manor but you have clearly not followed her orders. How fortunate.”

“So this is the famous surviving heir of the Wei family?” Alyssa mocked with a giggle. “The Zhao family must have made a mistake adopting him if he looks like this.”

The others immediately burst into laughter.

“Forget about his efforts to look like a Zhao’s family member,” One of them said with a scoff. “He doesn’t look like he can afford a decent suit.”

“This is a stain to the Chen’s family legacy!”

Meanwhile, the men holding back the door were trembling under Riven’s gaze. A cold shiver ran down their spines that they unconsciously took a step back letting him get down.

“Who told you guys to leave him?!” Elias snapped.

“Boss… we—“

“We can’t blame them,” Alyssa said, cutting in. “Perhaps the stench smell from the man was too much to handle. After all, Odessa could have picked him up from the dumpster to pose as Wei's heir.”

“Yes! Yes!” One of the men chorused, seeing an escape route. “Ms. Chen is right. The smell from him was too much to bear.”

Elias’ smirk widened as he glanced towards Odessa’s direction.

“Despite how he stinks you still manage to drive him over here.”

“Trash recognizes and can survive trash, Elias,” Alyssa chuckled, gaining laughter from the others. “They match.”

Her gaze turned towards Riven.

“Enjoy the view, might not last long though, after all your kind has never seen such a mansion of this calibre before.”

Riven’s eyes settle on Alyssa, following her movements and how her breathing slows down and comes out strained, he lets out a smirk, earning a frown from her.

“What is so funn—“

“Congratulations on your pregnancy,” he said, shutting her up instantly. “Take care of your child, the three month stage is a fragile one.”

Alyssa’s face went red as everyone glanced towards her direction. Her throat went parched dry as she struggled for words, her hands subconsciously went to her stomach and she instantly retracted it.

“What the hell are you talking about?! You’re insane!” She yelled.

Odessa, whose face was going pink every passing second instantly snapped. “Let us in! Enough of this nonsense!”

“Let you into where?!”

A voice carrying authority echoed across the yard as Old Lady Chen came out with Aurelius beside her. Her cane slamming against the marble floor with each step as she pinned a glare on Odessa.

Odessa relaxed her stance as soon as their eyes met but she failed to see the rage burning in the old lady’s hard stare.

“Grandma, Elias wouldn’t let us into the manor.”

“And why would he?” She asked. “Did you obey my orders?!”

Odessa swallowed thickly, glancing towards Riven. Old Lady Chen followed her line of sight, staring at him, accessing.

“Grandma, this is Riven Wei. The Wei’s heir.”

“The Wei’s heir?” Aurelius broke into laughter. “Do you think we are fools?! You brought a stranger into this place to act as the Wei heir and deceive us!”

“No. That’s not true,” Odessa shook her head frantically. “I’ve seen—“

“You have seen what?!” Aurelius interrupted. “Elias has told us everything already. Not only have you tried to deceive us, you have also put us in harm’s way with the Gao family and now we have turned into a laughing stock in the city!”

“Uncle, that’s not true!” Odessa exclaimed. “This is indeed the Wei’s heir and what happened with the Gao family isn’t Riven’s fault.”

“So you now defend him,” Elias said, gloating.

“Elias, you know—“

“ENOUGH!” Old Lady Chen roared, slamming her cane against the floor.

A still pin drop silence engulfed them all.

Old Lady Chen stared at the couple before her with a scrutinizing gaze.

“Odessa, I had warned you about the consequences of your actions but you decided to follow your own part and for that you will be responsible for whatever happens.”

Odessa inhaled a sharp breath, her eyes watering.

“From today onward, the position reserved for you belongs to Elias. We can’t afford a scandal!” She glanced towards Riven. “Get this man out of my sight instantly!”

At that moment, a convoy of black cars drove into the residence.

“Look, that’s the Zhao family’s insignia!”