Negotiating with the Tiger

Anna nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Grace, I know I can't be forgiven. But my heart truly aches. Can you forgive me?"

Grace sighed. "Get up and talk. Don't kneel on the ground."

"No! Grace, if you can't forgive me, I'll stay kneeling forever!" Anna insisted.

Grace walked over to her and reached out to help her up.

A glimmer of triumph flashed in Anna's eyes.

Cecilia Chen told her to fake an apology, earn forgiveness, and then wait for the right moment to act.

Looks like it's not that hard!

After Grace helped her up, she took Anna's hand and led her outside.

The weather had been gloomy all day, and now a light drizzle was falling.

Grace stepped behind Anna and kicked the back of her knees, forcing her to kneel. "Anna, I've heard all about your hardships. Now, let me see your sincerity. If you kneel long enough, maybe I'll really forgive you!"

Anna was stunned.

Wasn't Lily Bai supposed to be moved by her, then forgive her, and the two would become best friends through hardship?

Why did she get pushed outside to kneel instead?

It's raining!

With a bang, Grace closed the door and went about her own business.

Anna stared at the door, then touched the raindrops on her face, nearly biting through her lip in frustration.

......

Anna was persistent. She knelt from dusk until midnight. As the rain grew heavier, she eventually fainted.

When she woke up, Lily Bai was sitting by her bed, eyes red, asking, "Anna, I was just speaking out of anger. Why are you so foolish?"

Anna felt so wronged, tears streaming down her face. "Lily Bai, will you forgive me now?" she asked.

"Honestly, I know you had no choice," Grace said. "I'm not upset with you. I only acted that way this afternoon because I was afraid you'd lie to me!"

"I didn't lie to you, really!" Anna said anxiously. "They took my brother—I had no other option!"

"So, your brother? Did they let him go?"

"They did."

"Oh..." Grace nodded, a little worried. "But I'm afraid if she uses your brother to threaten you again, what will you do?"

"No matter what, I will never help her do evil again! If something like this happens again, we'll go straight to the General! He won't just stand by and do nothing," Anna said.

"Good! It's settled, then. If she threatens you again, tell me! We'll go to the General together!"

"Okay." A flash of triumph flickered in Anna's eyes.

Grace emotionally grabbed her hand. "Anna, from now on, let's be sisters who support and help each other!"

Anna nodded in surprise, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Her midnight kneeling was not in vain after all.

Grace gave her a sweet, beautiful smile.

Since Anna went through all the trouble with this 'pity play,' Grace decided to play along and keep her close!

If Anna left, who would Cecilia Chen use as her weapon next? Grace would end up at a disadvantage.

Besides, when plotting something, you don't always have to do it yourself. Sometimes, using the enemy's strength gets you twice the result with half the effort!

Still, bargaining with a tiger is risky business.

She'd better stay cautious about everything.

......

The next day, when Evan Xiao returned from court, he saw Lily Bai dressed up like a budding flower, waiting for him at the door.

"General, you're back!" Grace greeted him with a dazzling smile.