One beautiful afternoon, Mr. Lee strolled through the garden, taking in the vibrant colors and sweet scents of the blooming flowers. As he turned a corner, he spotted Linda sitting on a bench, staring wistfully at the flowers swaying in the breeze. She looked lost in thought, and a hint of sadness lingered on her face.
Mr. Lee's heart ached as he watched his daughter, still hurting from their previous disagreements. He knew he had to make things right between them. He took a deep breath, gathering his courage, and approached Linda.
"Linda, can we talk?" he asked gently, sitting down beside her.
Linda turned to him, her eyes still flashing with anger. "What's there to talk about, Dad? You and Mom did what you did, and I'm still trying to process it all."
Mr. Lee nodded understandingly. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness right now, but I want to apologize for my part in all this. I was wrong to keep things from you, and I'm sorry if my actions hurt you."
Linda looked at him warily, but a glimmer of curiosity sparked in her eyes. "You can apologize all you want, but it won't change anything. Unless... unless you tell me the truth about everything."
Mr. Lee sighed, knowing this moment had been a long time coming. "Okay, Linda. I'll tell you everything. But you need to promise me one thing: you have to listen to the whole story before you react."
Linda's eyes narrowed, but she nodded slowly. "I'll listen. But you have to promise me the truth, no more secrets."
Mr. Lee took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "I promise, Linda. I'll tell you everything."
Linda's expression turned determined. She sat up straight, folded her hands on her lap and said, "I'm all ears dad. "
Mr. Lee took a deep breath, his eyes locked on Linda's. "Linda, your father was a man named Harrison Mwanga. He was a successful African businessman, and we were childhood friends. He had a vast business empire, and I was fortunate to have a share in one of his companies."
Linda's eyes widened, her mind racing with questions. "What happened to him?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mr. Lee's expression turned somber. "Your father had a brother who was consumed by jealousy. His brother plotted against him, and one fateful night, he made his move. Your father was killed, and his brother thought he had succeeded in eliminating his rival once and for all."
Linda's eyes filled with tears as she processed the news about her father. "And my mother?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Your mother, Sophia, was a strong and brave woman," Mr. Lee continued. "She managed to rescue you from the chaos and sought my help. She knew I owed your father a debt of gratitude for his kindness and business partnership. She asked me to take care of you, to train you to be strong and intelligent, so you could one day claim your rightful place as the heir to your father's legacy."
Mr. Lee's expression turned grave as he continued. "After your father's death, his brother, Malcolm, took advantage of the situation and seized control of Harrison's business empire. He systematically dismantled everything your father built, taking over the companies and assets. It was a ruthless and calculated move, leaving your father's legacy in shambles."
Linda's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with anger and determination. "And what about my mother's fate?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Mr. Lee's expression turned somber, his voice heavy with regret. "I'm so sorry, Linda. Your uncle's actions were ruthless. After taking over your father's business, he forced your mother, Sophia, to marry him. He used the marriage to gain legitimacy and manipulate public opinion, making it seem like he had everyone's support. He presented himself as the rightful heir, and many people were deceived by his tactics."
Linda's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with the revelation. "How could he do that to his own brother's wife?" she asked, her voice filled with outrage.
Mr. Lee shook his head. "Your uncle's ambition knew no bounds. He was willing to do whatever it took to maintain his grip on power and control. But your mother, Sophia, she found a way to send you to me, entrusting me with your safety and well-being. She knew I would protect you and help you grow strong enough to reclaim your rightful place."
Suddenly, Linda's determination grew as she listened to the truth about her family's past. She knew she had a long journey ahead of her, but she was ready to face the challenges and fight for her rightful place.
Mr. Lee looked at Linda with a serious expression. "Linda, now that you know the truth, it's time to think about your future. You deserve a better life and a better environment where you'd be free from worries. I want you to have a chance to start fresh, Linda. You've been dealing with a lot, and I think a change of environment would be beneficial. Seoul could be the perfect opportunity for you to focus on your studies and your well-being."
Linda's eyes lit up with interest. "You think I'd be able to escape the drama and stress here?" she asked, her voice laced with hope.
Mr. Lee nodded. "Yes, I do. You'll be in a new environment, surrounded by new people. You'll have a chance to start over and focus on your goals. The school I have in mind is one of the best in Seoul, and I think you'd thrive there."
Linda's face broke into a smile as she considered the possibility. "That sounds amazing," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "But what about the tuition fees? I know it's expensive."
Mr. Lee's expression softened. "Don't worry about that, Linda. I'll take care of it. I want you to have every opportunity to succeed. Let's discuss the details with your mother and start making plans for your new adventure."
* * *
Linda was in her room, packing her bags and scattering her things around. She wasn't leaving that day, but she wanted to be prepared for her upcoming trip to Seoul. Her siblings, Jack and Emily, entered her room, and they hugged her tightly.
"We're going to miss you so much!" they exclaimed.
Linda laughed and hugged them back. "I'll miss you guys too," she said.
Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Lee entered the room. "So, you're really going to miss us, huh?" Mrs. Lee asked with a smile.
Linda nodded, smiling back. "Yeah, I will. But I'm also excited for this new adventure."
Mr. Lee suddenly asked her if she wanted to visit the school one more time to bid farewell to her classmates. Linda's expression turned somber, and she signed in sadness.
"I don't have any friends there," she said. "But I do have some unfinished business to attend to. I'll go to school on Friday, and then I'll leave for Seoul on Saturday."
On Friday, Linda arrived at her school late. She walked into the classroom, wearing a bold outfit that caught everyone's attention. The teacher looked up, raising an eyebrow.
"You're late, and what's with the outfit?" the teacher asked, her tone stern.
Linda tried to explain, but Regina jumped in, trying to get Linda in trouble. "Teacher, you can't let her come to school dressed like that! It's not appropriate."
The teacher smiled wryly. "Brush it off, Regina. It's alright. You've worn clothes like that before, too. Any clothes you want, right?"
The class erupted in laughter, and Regina's face turned red with embarrassment. The teacher continued teaching, and after the lesson, she left the classroom.
That's when Regina stood up, her eyes flashing with malice. "Linda, why are you dressing like this today? You trying to impress my boyfriend or something? I've seen the way you look at him. News flash gurl: he's mine. Don't get your hopes up. " She said proudly.
Linda stood boldly, facing Regina eyeball to eyeball. "He doesn't like you, Regina, because you're ugly," she said, her voice dripping with confidence. " So now, Step out of my way before I step on your ugly face."
Regina's face turned red with rage, and she threw a slap at Linda. But Linda was quick, catching the slap and saying, "Big mistake."
With a swift and precise motion, Linda executed a devastating Crane's Wing strike, sending Regina stumbling backward. She followed up with a series of calculated kicks, each one landing with precision and power. The other girls tried to intervene, but Linda's mastery of Wing Chun allowed her to dispatch them with ease, using a combination of swift jabs and economical movements.
As the gasps settled, Linda brushed the stain in her shoulder and turned to the class and said, "This is my last day in this class, and I just wanted to show you all that my silence doesn't mean I'm weak. You can't bully me and get away with it."
With that, Linda walked out of the classroom, leaving everyone to applaud her bravery and skill. She had made a lasting impression, and her departure was met with a mixture of admiration and respect.