Chapter 7- Delilah's family

One beautiful morning,

Delilah rushed into the dining room, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and steaming hot dumplings welcomed her.

She greeted with a quick bow, her long hair swinging behind her. "Morning, Dad, morning, Grandma," she chimed, her phone clutched in one hand and her backpack slung over her shoulder.

The soft clinking of chopsticks filled the room as the housekeeper, Mrs. Fang Tian, served Delilah a steaming hot meal.

Delilah's eyes lit up as she took in the breakfast spread before her: fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, freshly baked buns and a tall glass of milk.

"Thank you Mrs. Feng," Delilah said, her smile warm and genuine. Mrs. Feng Tian beamed with pride, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Delilah picked up a steamed bun and took a bite, the soft dough melting in her mouth. She squirts her eyes, savoring the flavors, before she begins to browse on her phone.

Chen Xiao and Old Madam Chen exchanged a glance, their eyes meeting across the table. Old Madam Chen's expression turned stern, her eyebrows furrowing.

"What is the meaning of this?" Old Madam Chen thundered, her voice echoing off the dining room walls. She swiftly plucked the phone from Delilah's hand with her chopsticks, the movement swift and precise.

"Ah" Delilah gasped at the sudden movement, her hands now empty and cold.

The old madam continued, "Is this what the dining room is for? You spoiled brat!" She demanded.

Delilah looked sheepishly at her father, her eyes welling up with tears. "Dad..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

Chen Xiao intervened, his calm tone soothing the tense atmosphere. "Mother, Lila is just a kid. Let's not be too hard on her."

Old Madam Chen's face turned red with indignation. "Just a kid? She's old enough to know better! If I let her get away with this behavior, she'll grow up to be spoiled and undisciplined, just like her mother!"

Delilah's eyes widened in shock at her grandmother's words, and she felt a sting from the mention of her mother.

Chen Xiao's expression turned stern, and he opened his mouth to rebuke his mother, but Delilah spoke up first.

"Grandma, that's not fair!" Delilah protested, her voice shaking. "Mom was a great person, and I'm not spoiled!"

Old Madam Chen's expression softened slightly at Delilah's words, but her voice remained firm. "I'm not saying your mother was a bad person. But she was weak, and she let people take advantage of her. I don't want that for you."

Chen Xiao, realizing his daughter was on the verge of tears, held her hand gently in a comforting motion. "Mother, let's not discuss this now. We can talk about it later."

But Old Madam Chen pressed on. "No, Xiao, we need to talk about this. Delilah needs to learn discipline and respect. She can't just do whatever she wants and expect everyone to cater to her."

Delilah felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes as she listened to her grandmother's words. She knew Old Madam Chen was trying to toughen her up, but it hurt to hear her criticize her mother.

Just then, Mrs. Feng Tian intervened, her soft voice breaking the tension. "Perhaps we can discuss this later, Old Madam Chen? Delilah has a big day at school today."

Old Madam Chen grumbled under her breath, her eyes narrowing as she speared a piece of dumpling with her chopstick. She popped it into her mouth and began to chew, her expression unyielding.

Chen Xiao sighed, he can't just get his mother and daughter to get along well, "Delilah is only a child, Mother," Chen Xiao said after a moment of silence, attempting to placate Old Madam Chen, who kept eating like the food was her nemesis.

However, his words only seemed to worsen the situation as the old madam flared up again.

"A child?" Old Madam Chen repeated, her voice rising. "A child? If she were a child, she wouldn't be in high school, right? I'm giving you my warning, Xiao: do not spoil this child. If you keep this up, how will she take over the company when it's her time?"

Old Madam Chen's eyes flashed with concern and horror, her mind racing with the implications of Delilah's behavior.

The Chen family's legacy was at stake, and Old Madam Chen was determined to ensure that Delilah was prepared to take the reins.

"Don't you know how much your uncle wants his son to take over the position of the family's patriarch? He is only a few years older than Delilah" Old Madam Chen continued, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Don't you dare stand up for her this time, or I'll have to take drastic measures..." She glared at her son, her eyes daring him to defy her. She looked like she could spit fire any moment.

Chen Xiao, Delilah's father, is a wealthy and influential man, renowned for his exceptional leadership in the business industry.

He ranked 15th among the country's wealthiest businessmen, yet he remained humble and unassuming. As the first son of Old Madam Chen, he had a younger sister, Chen Bo Lian, who really adores Delilah.

Old Madam Chen, despite her name suggesting otherwise, was a woman with a remarkable history.

Her early life was marked by her role as the secretary to the former CEO of the Chen's company, Chen Jian, who eventually became her husband.

Even in her youth, she was known for her strict demeanor and unwavering dedication.

Hailing from a less affluent Shi family, Old Madam Chen's clan had faced numerous challenges, including attempts from more powerful families to take over their assets.

However, her family's resilience and determination had ultimately prevailed.

Old Madam Chen's association with the Chen family began when she worked as secretary to her late husband.

Her marriage into the Chen clan was initially met with resistance from some family members, who objected to her middle-class background.

Nevertheless, her husband and mother-in-law stood by her, and she eventually became the lady head of the Chen family.

The birth of Chen Xiao and Chen Bo Lian had brought immense joy to Old Madam Chen, and she had felt a sense of contentment and fulfillment.

However, tragedy struck twenty-five years after Chen Xiao's father passed away, sparking a fierce power struggle among his relatives for control of the family and company.

Ultimately, Chen Xiao emerged as the leader, with Old Madam Chen by his side, and under their guidance, the company experienced unprecedented growth and prosperity.