The Ryu Dynasty Returns

Chapter 6:

Alyssa’s smile vanished instantly.

The courtyard fell silent as confusion spread across the faces of the Chen family members. Even Old Lady Chen’s expression darkened slightly.

“For… Odessa Chen?” Aurelius repeated slowly.

The attendant nodded, his eyes shifting to Riven.

Aurelius glanced at Odessa and Riven, his gaze narrowing suspiciously.

That was impossible.

The Zhao family have never had interactions with the Chen family for nearly two decades. Yet now, luxurious gifts worth millions had suddenly arrived for Odessa.

And the son of the Wei family was under the Zhao family since the incident of his family’s death. But this man in front of them didn’t look the part.

He can’t be the Wei family’s heir.

But nobody could believe it. He looked useless and… too simple.

Alyssa forced out a laugh.

“There must be a misunderstanding,” she said quickly. “My name and Odessa’s name sound alike sometimes so I suspect you must have made a mistake.”

Several members of the family nodded their heads in agreement.

“Yes, that makes more sense.”

“How could the Zhao family know Odessa? She is nothing but an orphan.”

Odessa’s face flushed red.

“Exactly and it’s possible this man beside her isn’t even the Wei’s heir.”

The lead attendant frowned slightly. He naturally knew who Riven was and was just about to explain further when his gaze suddenly met with Riven’s stern eyes.

A silent warning.

He nodded faintly, swallowing his words.

Riven didn’t want his identity to be exposed. Whether the family believes he was the Wei’s heir or not, it was none of his business.

“The Zhao group has invited the Chen family to a private banquet hosted by our CEO tomorrow evening,” he said carefully bringing out a golden invitation card.

Old Lady Chen’s eyes widened as her eyes read through the invitation card.

Disbelief written over the faces of the other Chen family members as they struggled to read the invitation card.

The Zhao Group’s CEO was one of the most mysterious individuals in Kairen City. Countless wealthy families had tried establishing connections with them, the Chen family included.

But, it was all to no avail.

And now, an invitation had landed on their doorstep. If they were to attend, their family would be respected in the whole of Kairen City for having acquainted themselves with the Zhao family.

Old Lady Chen’s heart almost exploded with pride.

Alyssa immediately stepped forward excitedly and reached the documents attached to the gifts.

“I will sign them.”

“Not you.”

Riven’s calm voice cut through the crowd stopping her abruptly.

Everyone turned towards him but Riven’s expression was indifferent as he locked eyes with Alyssa.

“These gifts are for my wife,” he said. “You have no right signing for them.”

A brief silence followed before a round of laughter erupted in the courtyard.

Elias nearly fell over.

“He really believes these gifts are for them.”

Aurelius sneered.

“Do you even know what kind of people the Zhao group are?” He asked disdainfully. “Even by luck, the closest someone like you can get to them would be licking the mud off their shoes.”

The servants burst into muffled laughter.

Odessa’s face darkened. She stepped forward and snatched the documents from Alyssa’s hands.

“It doesn’t matter who the gifts came from or for,” she said with a firm, clear voice. “The delivery was addressed to the newly married couple. That includes my husband and I.”

The courtyard fell silent again.

No one had expected Odessa to speak up and neither did Riven.

For the first time since arriving at the Chen residence, Riven looked at Odessa differently. She had chosen to stand beside him, even when the entire family stood against them.

“Who gave you the right to speak?!” Aurelius thundered. “You got married to a worthless man and now that my daughter is making the family proud by gaining the attention of the Zhao’s CEO, you are trying to steal her limelight? How selfish can you be?”

Before Odessa could speak, Alyssa held her father’s head. Feigning hurt.

“Father, you don’t have to scold Odessa. I’m sure she feels hurt that her so-called husband couldn’t even afford a wedding band and that’s why she decided to claim my gifts—”

She glanced over at Odessa, contempt carefully hidden behind a look of concern.

“—Odessa, you really don’t have to do this. You can just tell me how hurt you feel and perhaps, I could even share my gifts with you. After all we are family.”

“Alyssa is so matured than Odessa,” One of the Chen members said, glaring at Odessa.

“Indeed. Even though Odessa has behaved selfishly, she is still generous enough to want to share.”

…

As the mumurs went on, Alyssa’s face beamed with pride as she smirked at Odessa.

“Enough!”

Old Lady Chen’s authoritative voice rang out cutting them all up instantly. She stared at the members of her family with disdain.

In front of outsiders, they dared show their disunity. Deep down, she knew these gifts were for Odessa. And if she were to act foolishly, who knows what this messenger might tell his master?

“Alyssa, we both know these gifts aren’t for you,” she said.

Alyssa’s mouth parted to defend herself but the stern gaze in the old woman’s eyes shut her up instantly.

Old Lady Chen glanced at Odessa. “Whether this gifts belongs to you or not, you are part of the Chen family and since it was addressed to you, the Chen family is the rightful owner. You don’t have any issues with this do you? Except you would like to remove yourself as a family member.”

Odessa’s face fell. For once, she thought her grandmother was going to support her but instead she had managed to turn everything to a family affair.

“No grandmother,” she said.

Alyssa let out a smirk.

Old Lady Chen gave a nod and gestured to the servants to take the gifts inside, while she inwardly began to calculate what benefits this sudden invite from the Zhao family will bring to the Chen family.

They weren’t one of the top six families. Having fallen from that rank a few decades ago, they were still part of the top tier families in the Kairen’s City but their reputation wasn’t high.

Old Lady Chen’s gaze lingered on Alyssa.

If the Zhao family had truly taken an interest in the Chen family, then she would make sure that interest belonged to Alyssa.

As for Odessa…

She had no intention of allowing that girl to benefit from it.

A cold smile slowly spread across the old woman’s face.

No matter the cost, Alyssa would become the Zhao family’s daughter-in-law.