Chapter 12 Green Tea Is Best Served Cold
Arielle noticed her before she even spoke.
Which, honestly, said a lot.
She was the kind of woman who didn’t announce her presence loudly.
No dramatic entrance. No sharp heels clicking for attention.
Just soft steps, lowered lashes, and a faint smile that looked harmless enough to fool people who didn’t read CEO novels for sport.
…Oh.
So this is the White Moonlight.
The woman stood near the window, light falling on her just right—long hair, pale dress, eyes glistening slightly like she was permanently on the verge of tears.
A professional victim.
Arielle’s inner alarm rang immediately.
Yep.
Certified Green Tea.
Imported.
Organic. No preservatives.
“Ah… you must be Mrs. Cross.”
Her voice was gentle.
Too gentle.
Arielle turned slowly, offering a polite smile.
“Yes. And you are?”
The woman clasped her hands nervously.
“I’m Lin Yue. An old friend of Lucian’s.
”
Old friend.
Of course.
In every CEO drama, the White Moonlight always says ‘old friend.’
Never ‘ex.’
Never ‘first love.’
They like to pretend they’re harmless.
Lin Yue glanced around the room, her eyes lingering briefly on the sons—long enough to be noticed, short enough to look innocent.
“I didn’t expect to see everyone here,” she said softly.
“I hope I’m not disturbing anything.”
Rhett frowned.
Darian’s posture stiffened. Zayden’s eyes sharpened instantly.
Emrys… smiled.
A slow, unreadable smile.
Arielle tilted her head slightly.
“Oh, not at all,” she said warmly.
“You’re welcome.”
Lin Yue’s eyes flickered—surprised.
She clearly hadn’t expected that.
Calm.
Elegant.
Step one: don’t bite.
Let the Green Tea steep herself.
Lin Yue sighed softly. “It’s just… Lucian has always been so busy.
I worry about him sometimes.”
Arielle nodded sympathetically.
“I’m sure,” she said. “He does enjoy work.”
Enjoy.
The word landed lightly—but somehow cut deeper.
Lin Yue smiled again, eyes lowering.
“You must feel lonely.”
Ah.
There it is.
The probe.
Arielle’s smile didn’t change.
“Lonely?” she echoed thoughtfully. “Not really. I’m quite busy these days.
”
She gestured vaguely.
“Family. Work. Personal growth.”
Personal growth.
Lin Yue blinked.
Rhett snorted.
Darian cleared his throat.
“Mrs. Lin, if you came to see Father, he’s not here.
”
“Oh—of course,” Lin Yue said quickly.
“I didn’t mean—”
“It’s okay,” Arielle cut in gently.
“If you’d like to stay for tea, you can.
”
Tea.
Green Tea paused.
…Wait.
Why does that feel like a threat?
They sat.
Tea was poured.
Lin Yue cradled her cup delicately.
“I heard you’ve returned to acting,” she said softly.
“Everyone’s talking about it.”
Arielle smiled.
“Ah. News travels fast.”
“Yes,” Lin Yue said, eyes bright.
“I saw the clip. You were… amazing.”
There it was.
The setup.
Here comes the ‘accidental truth bomb.’
“I was surprised,” Lin Yue continued.
“I remember that scene. I thought you meant it… back then.”
The room went silent.
Dead silent.
The sons all froze.
Arielle’s fingers paused mid-motion.
Ohhh.
So THIS is how you wanted to play it.
She looked up slowly.
“That scene?” Arielle asked calmly.
“Which one?”
Lin Yue hesitated—just a fraction too long.
“The one where you said… you didn’t love your husband.
That you were only with him for his money.
”
Boom.
There it is.
The original misunderstanding.
Arielle leaned back slightly, studying Lin Yue with new interest.
Then she laughed.
Not loud.
Not sharp.
Just… amused.
“Oh,” she said. “That?”
Lin Yue nodded eagerly.
“Yes… that.”
Arielle smiled sweetly.
“That was a script.”
The air shifted.
“A rehearsal,” Arielle continued. “From a project I was preparing for at the time.”
Lin Yue’s face paled.
Rhett’s eyes darkened. “A script?”
Zayden’s lips curved faintly.
“So that’s what it was.”
Emrys tilted his head, eyes glinting.
“Interesting.”
Arielle took a sip of tea.
“I was alone,” she added casually. “Or so I thought.”
She looked directly at Lin Yue.
“Unless… someone was listening.”
Lin Yue’s fingers trembled.
“I—I didn’t—”
Arielle smiled again.
“Oh, don’t worry,” she said kindly. “Misunderstandings happen.”
Slow.
Controlled.
Elegant.
The humiliation wasn’t loud.
It was surgical.
Darian stood. “Mrs. Lin, perhaps you should leave.”
Lin Yue looked around, realizing too late that no one was on her side.
“Yes… of course,” she murmured.
She left with her dignity in pieces.
Arielle watched her go.
Green Tea: steeped, served, and discarded.
POV SHIFT — LUCIAN
Lucian Cross sat alone in his office, phone in hand.
He didn’t know why he was scrolling.
He just… was.
Old videos.
Old pictures.
Him. Arielle. Smiling. Laughing.
When did that stop?
A notification popped up.
WeChat — Chen Wei
Bro, your wife’s acting recently is insane.
Way better than before. That scene especially…
wow.
Lucian frowned.
Which scene?
Chen Wei sent a link.
Lucian clicked.
The clip loaded.
The dialogue played.
The words.
The tone.
Lucian’s blood ran cold.
…This is acting.
His mind flashed back.
That night.
That line.
That moment he overheard and never questioned.
Turns out he misunderstood her.
His chest tightened violently.
I was wrong.
He stood abruptly.
Keys.
Jacket. Phone.
He didn’t think.
He just moved.
THE CHASE BEGINS
Lucian arrived home breathless.
He stepped inside—
And saw Lin Yue standing near the door, eyes red, posture fragile.
“Lucian—”
“Leave.”
The word was ice.
She froze.
“I—I only wanted to—”
“I said leave.”
No comfort.
No softness.
She fled.
Lucian turned—
And saw Arielle.
She looked at him blankly.
Confused.
Detached.
“Why are you acting like this?” she asked.
Lucian swallowed.
“I need to talk to you.”
Behind him—
Four sons appeared.
Instantly alert.
Instantly territorial.
“No,” Rhett said.
Darian crossed his arms. “Too late.”
Zayden frowned.
“Explain first.”
Emrys stepped closer to Arielle.
Lucian reached out.
Arielle stepped back.
Lucian panicked.
“Please.”
Golden retriever mode: activated.
Arielle blinked.
…Did someone switch my husband?
The sons moved in at the same time.
Lucian grabbed one arm.
Emrys grabbed the other.
Rhett pulled her back.
Zayden argued.
Darian glared.
Rhett said “mom's too tired, I'll take her to her room”
Emrys said “don't worry,I'll do it”
Zayden says “mom's fine, let her be”
Darian says “I think mom will be better if I took her”
Chaos.
Absolute chaos.
Arielle stood there—
Being pulled in different directions.
Oh my God.
Why am I being tugged like a limited-edition handbag?
??
“STOP,” she shouted.
Everyone froze.
Her chest heaved.
She looked at Lucian.
Then at her sons.
Then—
She laughed.
A little hysterically.
My peaceful life… lasted exactly five minutes.
Lucian opened his mouth.
“I—”
Arielle raised her hand.
“No.”
Her eyes sharpened.
“We talk later.”
And walked away.
Leaving behind—
A devastated CEO.
Four jealous sons.
And a household on the brink of war.
Author’s Note ??
MY PEOPLE ????
THIS is where things officially derail.
?? Comment if you screamed when Lucian realized the truth
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?? Next chapter: full chase arc + jealousy overload