After being kicked out of the wealthy family along with her yandere childhood friend

Lin Meng gently gathered Bai Tao's hair again, her fingertips brushing against the stray hairs behind her ears.

Then she lowered her hand and smiled with satisfaction.

"It's beautiful. Put your shoes on and go downstairs. Mom will be waiting for you down there."

Bai Tao nodded and changed her shoes.

A custom-made pair of 8cm rose gold high heels from Jimmy Choo, with tiny sequins adorning the upper that shimmer subtly under the light.

She lifted her skirt and slowly went downstairs.

Bai Tao was putting on makeup in Lin Meng's dressing room today. When she passed by the second floor, she looked around but no one was there.

She slowed her steps and walked to the door of her old room.

She stood in front of the door, her hand on the doorknob, paused for a moment, and then gently pushed it open.

Even though she had mentally prepared herself, Bai Tao was still somewhat surprised when she saw that her original art studio and dressing room had been combined and converted into a dance studio.

The paintings on the wall were removed and replaced with a full-length mirror.

All traces of her had vanished completely; the entire floor had been cleaned spotless, as if she had never lived there.

Bai Tao stood at the door, her gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar furnishings.

No wonder the nanny led her directly to the third floor; it turns out there was no longer any place for her in this house.

On the first floor, the nanny quietly walked to Lin Meng's side, leaned down and whispered something in her ear.

Lin Meng turned her head to the side, and the nanny lowered her voice even further.

"Madam, Miss Tao is on the second floor."

Lin Meng took a breath, her gaze falling on the blooming roses outside the window, her voice devoid of any discernible emotion.

"It's okay, let her see."

She should be extremely grateful that the Bai family is still willing to use her.

Bai Tao isn't an immature child. After being away for two months, she should have clearly realized what it's like to be penniless, and that's why she knows how fortunate she is to be able to return to the Bai family.

Bai Tao walked down the stairs in high heels, each step steady and light.

Lin Meng turned around, stretched out her hands to her, and wore a perfectly appropriate, motherly smile.

"So beautiful, my darling."

Bai Tao smiled and walked over to stand beside her.

Another irregular sound of high heels rang out, and Lin Meng and Bai Tao looked up at the same time.

Bai Zhenzhen wore a white Persian cat-patterned evening gown with a large bow at the back and a puffy skirt, looking like a princess who had run away from home in a fairy tale.

She walked quickly, her heels clicking on the marble steps with a soft, rapid sound.

When Bai Zhenzhen saw Bai Tao standing downstairs, a hint of amazement flashed in her eyes, but the next second, that amazement was overshadowed by something else.

Bai Tao hadn't seen Bai Zhenzhen for almost two months. She looked fairer than when she first met her, and her demeanor had improved. The inferiority and timidity in her eyes were gone, and her back was straighter.

Bai Zhenzhen lifted her skirt and quickly went downstairs, her gaze sweeping over Bai Tao before settling on Lin Meng's face.

"Mom, why is she here?"

Lin Meng also stretched out a hand towards her.

"You're so rude, child. From now on, Bai Tao is your older sister, so stop calling her 'she' all the time."

After she finished speaking, she turned around and took the bag from the nanny's hand.

"Once you're all packed, let's go. The banquet starts at seven, and your older brother will be there too."

Bai Tao obediently followed behind Lin Meng, head down. Taking advantage of the moment when Lin Meng and Bai Zhenzhen were talking, she secretly picked up her phone and sent a message to Pei Jin.

I can't have dinner with you tonight qwq

Lin Meng was talking to them and didn't hear Bai Tao's response. She turned her head and saw her playing on her phone, and frowned slightly in displeasure.

His gaze lingered on Bai Tao's face for a moment. She had never acted like this before. It seemed that Bai Tao had forgotten some of the rules after being away for two months.

"Tao Tao, how many times has Mom told you not to use your phone while walking on the street when attending banquets? People will think you have bad manners if they see you."

Bai Tao nodded, put her phone away, and obediently followed behind Lin Meng.

Bai Zhenzhen glanced at her sideways. With Lin Meng in front of her, she didn't dare to say anything, but knowing that Lin Meng was just as harsh on Bai Tao made her feel much better.

Two Rolls-Royce Phantoms were parked in the Bai family's garden.

Lin Meng glanced at the second car, then turned to Bai Tao and said,

"Go to that car, honey. You and your older brother will ride in one car, and Zhenzhen and I will ride in the first one."

Bai Tao nodded without asking any further questions.

She lifted her skirt and walked toward the second car. The driver, who was waiting nearby, opened the door, and she bent down and sat in the back seat.

The fact that this charity gala could invite Xie's beloved grandson, and even a busy person like Bai Shen, shows how important it is.

Lin Meng and Bai Zhenzhen sat in the first car. The moment the car door closed, Lin Meng began to repeat the dinner etiquette to Bai Zhenzhen.

What to say, what not to say, how to toast, how to smile, when to stand up, and when to sit down.

Bai Tao is just an alternative in this power struggle. If there's any real hope, Lin Meng would still prefer that her own biological daughter be chosen.

However, alternatives also have their uses.

Bai Tao's car separated from Lin Meng and the others as soon as it left the villa.

It drove through several blocks, entered the underground parking garage of the White House, and stopped at the elevator entrance.

The car door was opened, and Bai Shen, dressed in a black suit, stepped out of the elevator.

His hair was combed back, revealing his well-defined face.

He walked to the car and paused when he saw Bai Tao in the back seat. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he looked away.

"Big brother."

Bai Tao sat in the car, turned her head slightly, and looked at him through the open car door.

Bai Shen nodded, bent down and got into the car. The car door closed behind him with a dull thud.

He sat down next to Bai Tao. Bai Shen was a little surprised, but he could guess why Bai Tao was there.

From a young age, he knew that he would inherit the Bai Group and that his sister's purpose was to arrange a marriage, becoming the next puppet wearing the mask of a wealthy family.

Therefore, during the years when he had the least power, he never dared to get close to Bai Tao and was unwilling to get along with her like a normal brother and sister.

He has finally gained a foothold in the system, but he still doesn't have the right to say he won't allow his sister to marry into the family.

No one knows that more than ten years ago, when he was in high school, he secretly skipped class and went to the park to see how normal parents interacted with their children.

They can laugh out loud and act wildly without restraint.

Bai Zhongjing's relationship with Lin Meng taught him that money and love cannot be had at the same time.

Even without love, as long as you are rich enough, you can still gain your partner's respect.

But he works so hard because he wants to prove that money and love can coexist.

He was in so much pain, but it was still no use.

Even if the Bai family has now reached a higher level under his leadership, Lin Meng and Bai Zhongjing will only applaud and cheer.

Because his sister can now marry into a better family.

Bai Shen leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed ahead, neither looking at Bai Tao nor speaking.

Bai Tao secretly took out her phone next to him, the light from the screen reflecting on her face, but Pei Jin still hadn't replied to her message.

It's already 18:10 PM, are you still not off work...?

She pouted, looking somewhat unhappy.

The next second, her phone vibrated twice in her palm; it was a message from Pei Jin.

[You're not even coming home to eat the cola chicken wings you make?]

Bai Shen sat to the side, and even without seeing her screen, he could sense that Bai Tao was in a better mood than before.

He closed his eyes, leaned back in his seat, and seemed lost in thought.

Upon seeing Pei Jin's message, Bai Tao's mood improved considerably.

Her eyes lit up, then she smiled, the corners of her mouth turning up.

She replied with a pitiful cat emoji.

Leave me two! I'm so hungry.

Pei Jin returned after a short while.

Didn't you eat lunch?

Bai Tao stared at the line of text and hesitated for a moment.

She didn't want Pei Jin to know that she hadn't eaten lunch; a white lie is no lie at all!

I'm hungry again after eating.

Pei Jin replied quickly, "[A pig?]"

Bai Tao stared at those two words, her fingers rapidly tapping the screen a few times.

You're the pig!!!

Pei Jin smiled at the screen, as if he could imagine her adorable way of replying to messages even through the screen.

He sat on the bike and pressed the voice button, "I'm going to ride my bike now, I'll wait for you when I get home."

Bai Tao sat in the car, not daring to listen to the voice message, and could only convert it to text.

【OK! 】

Bai Shen listened to Bai Tao typing rapidly beside him, but never opened his eyes.

He was Bai Shen, and he treated everyone with respect, except for his own sister, whom he felt guilty about.