Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Elsie collapsed to the floor instantly.
Jensen happened to return just in time to witness this and declared, “Now that the truth is out, I leave the punishment to Ms. Taylor.”
Taylor said calmly, “I was born with a nature that repays every slight…”
Owen interrupted gently, “Ms. Taylor…”
His face was handsome, his expression serene, and he spoke with a touch of mournful benevolence. Once, Taylor had been fooled by this fa?ade, believing him to be a rare gentleman hidden among men. But today, having seen with her own eyes how they tried to push Yunice out to take the fall, she saw Owen clearly.
Taylor smiled. “Mr. Owen and I are somewhat acquainted. For his sake, I’ll show some mercy today.”
Hearing that, both Paul and Lily sighed in relief.
But before the words were out, Taylor’s face turned cold. “Initially, I intended to have two of her fingers cut off. But for your sake, I’ll just have them broken.”
With no hesitation, her subordinate stepped forward and snapped Elsie’s fingers back toward the back of her hand. Elsie’s scream was muffled by the cloth stuffed in her mouth. It all happened too quickly for Owen or Paul to react.
As the dust settled, Gerardo and Kyla stood up. “We’ll take our leave.”
The Kendall family exited. As they passed, Jensen shot Paul a harsh warning glance. Unable to withstand the pressure, Paul had no choice but to grit his teeth and follow.
Linda smiled politely. “Mr. Owen, Madam Lily, from now on, our families are no longer associated. Please also keep your relatives in check. We do not wish for further entanglements.”
With Linda gone, only the Saunders family remained in the massive hall. Yunice coldly observed Elsie, now writhing in pain. Had she not been cautious on the day of the medicine change, Taylor would have been poisoned, and Virtue Hall would have borne the brunt. Elsie had nearly wrecked her carefully laid plans. This ending was her just desserts.
The show over, Yunice curled her swollen palm and prepared to leave. But as she turned, she noticed Owen’s bloodshot eyes. He was trembling with fury, fists clenched tight by his sides, looking like he might erupt in violence at any moment.
Instinctively, Yunice stepped back, but it was too late. Owen lunged and grabbed her by the throat. Eyes wide with rage, he shouted, “We all could’ve walked away clean, but you had to play smart! Do you think you’re so clever?!”
Yunice felt her neck about to snap. She reached up and pressed hard on the acupoint inside his…
The sharp pain made him loosen his grip instantly. Shrinking into the antique chair, Yunice clutched her throat, glaring warily at him. She would no longer take abuse without striking back.
Owen held his injured wrist, looking at her with disappointment and anger. “That’s the second time you’ve raised a hand against me, Yunice. Am I no longer your brother?”
Yunice’s throat burned, but she sat up straighter, lifting her gaze. “And how many times have you raised your hand against me! Can you still count them?”
“Yes, I’ve raised my hands, but when have I ever truly hurt you? I’ve never used real force!” he argued, red-eyed. “Look at you, sitting here unharmed! But look at Elsie and me. We both work in the medicine industry…”
Tears slipped down Owen’s cheeks. His face, filled with despair, looked as though he could already see the downfall of the Saunders family.
“Hah,” Yunice let out a cold laugh. “How many surgeries do you even perform in a year? Let’s be honest. You and Elsie were never good in the medicine industry. Now you want to use your injuries to cover up your own incompetence?”
“You…!” Owen’s fragile pride shattered. Enraged, he raised his hand to strike her. But Yunice grabbed a porcelain cup from the table to defend herself.
Before they could clash, Lily threw herself between them, sobbing uncontrollably. “Stop it, both of you! Elsie’s passed out. We need to get her to the hospital!”
Owen flung her off angrily, scooped Elsie into his arms, and left the Powell mansion in a panic. Yunice had arrived with the Saunders family, but she left alone.
As she stepped over the threshold of the Powell mansion, fresh finger marks still visible on her neck, she expected to see Gill waiting outside. Instead, it was Taylor’s people.
“Ms. Saunders, Ms. Taylor would like to invite you for coffee. Would you honor her?”
Yunice looked toward the luxury car. The window lowered, revealing Taylor’s face, its red lips in icy elegance. They locked eyes. Yunice had dealt with Taylor before and knew something of her character, so she nodded.
At a high-end caf? in Silverburgh, just one pot of coffee cost thousands. Taylor casually ordered a few desserts, then glanced up at Yunice while passing her the menu.
The first time she met Yunice was at Virtue Hall, during an argument with Dr. Rylie. Back then, Gan Paul had introduced her as a friend’s little sister. She had worn plain clothes and had a small, porcelain-pale face. She was an unremarkable girl, clean like a glass of water. That was Taylor’s first impression: simple and forgettable.
The second time was at the Powell family banquet. She wore a princess dress and stood beside Wyatt, catching a two-meter-long macaw with ease. That’s when Taylor saw the strength beneath the surface.
Today was the third meeting, and this time, what struck her was Yunice’s calm. Her clothes were still simple. Her long black hair was neatly tucked behind her ears, making her… a man.
There was only one likely culprit. Taylor frowned. She once had a good opinion of Owen, thinking him a refined gentleman. Turns out, he was just another abuser.
Maybe I’m cursed to attract trash, like all those in power. Taylor did not bother to look discreetly when she was curious. Instead, she stared openly. Most people would squirm under such a gaze. Yunice? She sipped her coffee without flinching.
A faint smile touched Taylor’s eyes. “You remind me of someone I know.”
At those words, Yunice’s eyes flickered, but were barely noticeable. Taylor truly thought Yunice resembled Dr. Rylie. Both quiet, calm, and unshakeable. And even though Yunice had no idea why she had been summoned, she did not question it. Taylor appreciated that. She did not want to reveal her illness or mention Dr. Rylie at all.
Stirring her coffee with the spoon, Taylor said, “Sorry to disappoint, but I still plan to marry Paul.”
Yunice’s brow furrowed deeply. She set her cup down and looked at her seriously.
Taylor continued, “I can tell that you put on that whole show today just to open my eyes to what the Powell family is really like, hoping I’d back off.” Her gaze sharpened. “Was that Wyatt’s idea?”
Yunice knew that suspicion came naturally to the powerful, but Taylor had clearly overthought it. She replied, “My relationship with Wyatt isn’t as close as you imagine. He doesn’t need me to act on his behalf. And Paul’s character is indeed garbage. That much doesn’t need scheming.”
Taylor suddenly laughed. Yunice blinked, unsure which part she found amusing.
“I did see one thing clearly,” Taylor said. “You really do despise Paul.”
Then, her smile vanished. She extended a hand toward Yunice. “Ms. Saunders, I look forward to having you as a rival.”
Yunice was stunned. “You really plan to marry him?”
Taylor said, “Whether your warning came from kindness or calculation, I appreciate it. But let’s be honest. How many young men in Silverburgh can match my family’s power? Every household…”
In that moment, Yunice felt like she had been schooled.
Taylor declared boldly, “Jackson is already fading. Paul is unfit to lead. If I can carve out power in the Powell family and rise to the top, that will be my real accomplishment.”
Use others to your advantage; stay centered in yourself; never see marriage as turning into someone else’s accessory-that’s what a strong, independent woman was supposed to do.
Yunice’s eyes lit up with admiration, her voice burning with excitement. “Then you should marry Wyatt!”
Taylor nearly spat out her coffee.
When Taylor gave her a look like she’d completely lost her mind, Yunice quickly explained, “I’m serious! Wyatt may not come from a great background, but his capabilities are on par with the Powells. You and him together-that’s a real power couple!”
Taylor laughed, a little mischievously, then glanced behind Yunice and tilted her chin in that direction. “Why don’t you take a look behind you first.”
Yunice turned around-and froze. Jordan stood there, wearing an earpiece, giving her a polite but awkward nod.
She stared at the earpiece, and her mind went blank. Don’t tell me…Wyatt’s on the other end of that.
Taylor said, “Hey, this wasn’t me setting you up. I just saw him, too.”
There was definite amusement in her voice. She hadn’t expected Yunice to say something that wild, either.
“Looks like Ms. Saunders has something to handle,” Taylor said with a laugh, picking up her purse in an entirely unapologetic tone. “I’ll leave you to it, then.”
Even after stepping out of the caf?, Taylor was still laughing to herself.
“Ms. Taylor,” Alan said as he opened the car door for her.
Taylor crossed her arms, still amused. “Can you believe it? Yunice actually told me I should marry Wyatt.”
Alan smiled and said, “And what did you say, Ms. Taylor?”
Taylor replied, “I know myself. If I chose Wyatt, I’d lose control of the narrative.”