After Marrying the Officer Chapter 1186: 1185: Unveiling Her True Colors
Previously on After Marrying the Officer...
Chapter 1185: Unveiling Her True Colors
Reflecting on Xia Lianlian’s recent actions and her fixated attitude toward the boutique, Xia Chuyi rapidly reached a realization: it was not the actual shop that Xia Lianlian craved, but rather the reputation and rights of the “Youwei” brand.
“Tell me, Xia Lianlian, do you honestly believe that by seizing control of this location, you could simply appropriate the ‘Youwei’ trademark?” Xia Chuyi inquired, her expression turning frostily indifferent.
“I—I had no such thoughts!” Xia Lianlian stammered in immediate defense.
Nevertheless, the flicker of inner turmoil in her eyes clearly gave her away.
Watching her reaction, Xia Chuyi sighed and shook her head. “Xia Lianlian, do you truly think that even if you managed to secure the ‘Youwei’ branch in Ling County, the brand would ever legally belong to you?”
“I don’t know what you are rambling about!” Xia Lianlian persisted. “Regardless, I am certain of one thing: this shop belongs to our second family branch!”
Observing her stubborn refusal to see reason, Xia Chuyi repeated, “The store belongs to the second family?”
Xia Chuyi let out a sharp, frigid laugh. “Let me be crystal clear: whether this shop is registered under my name or Second Brother Xia’s, it has never been the property of the second family line.”
At this, Xia Lianlian reflexively retorted, “How can you say it has nothing to do with us? You were once a member of this family, and Xia Chengzong is a member of the second family as well!”
“Therefore, whatever assets you two hold should naturally be the property of the second family!” Xia Lianlian argued. “That includes the ‘Youwei’ brand—it should be under our family’s control too!”
“Hmph, if we are going to discuss history, the original ‘Youwei’ was the one started by our second family! That was the true, legitimate one!”
“Technically speaking, any ‘Youwei’ stores you established afterward are nothing more than cheap imitations!” Xia Lianlian’s eyes glinted with greed. “If you have any desire to keep operating those shops, you ought to pay our second family a franchise fee!”
With this declaration, the true extent of Xia Lianlian’s hidden agenda was finally laid bare.
“What did you just utter?” Uncle Xia, standing nearby, appeared completely stunned by her audacious demand.
Aunt Xia, meanwhile, flared with temper. “So this was your real endgame all along, Xia Lianlian!”
“It seems your Uncle and Aunt mean absolutely nothing to you!” Aunt Xia shouted indignantly. “You only returned to this place to undermine us!”
Seeing that the facade was shattered, Xia Lianlian defiantly retorted, “Aunt, how am I the one undermining anyone?”
“It is Xia Chuyi who has been sabotaging me!” Xia Lianlian exclaimed, fueled by indignation. “If she hadn’t deliberately blocked me by refusing to grant me a franchise spot, would I have been forced to trouble her at all?”
“In the final analysis, Xia Chuyi was the one at fault from the beginning!” Xia Lianlian declared with misplaced self-righteousness. “Therefore, it isn’t wrong for our second family to reclaim the shop and its brand!”
Not wrong?
It was truly baffling that Xia Lianlian could utter such words with a straight face.
“Xia Lianlian!” Xia Chuyi raised her voice, her gaze chilling. “Let me issue you a stern warning: the ‘Youwei’ in Ling County currently sits under Second Brother Xia’s name, not under the umbrella of the second family you claim to represent.”
“Furthermore, even then, what is registered under Second Brother Xia is merely the physical building—the actual real estate where the ‘Youwei’ shop is located.”
Xia Chuyi added calmly, “As for the brand itself, I took the precaution of registering it under my own name at the local office long ago.”
“So, while the physical property might belong to Second Brother Xia, the brand belongs entirely to me.” Xia Chuyi’s stare remained icy.