Exquisite Mission-Lingorm

Chapter 6

Lingling's heart raced in her chest. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Mr Kwong's words left no room for doubt : Orm was to be kept under their surveillance, effectively a prisoner in their own home. 

Panic and anger started to bubble up inside her, but she knew better than to show her true feelings. She met her father's gaze, trying to maintain her composure.

"Father, what exactly do you mean by that?" she asked, her voice quivering slightly.

Mr. Kwong's eyes narrowed as he noticed the quaver in his daughter's voice. It was obvious that she disapproved of his decision. He took a step closer to her, his expression stern and authoritative.

"You know exactly what I mean," he said, his voice low and firm. "She will stay here, under our watch, until I say otherwise. And you will cooperate, Lingling."

Mr. Kwong paused for a moment, studying his daughter's face. He could see the worry and disbelief in her eyes, but he was unwavering in his insistence.

Lingling clenched her fists, trying to gather her courage to defy her father's order. She squared her shoulders, looked him straight in the eye, and spoke with as much conviction as she could muster.

"No, Father," she said, her voice steady but strained. "I can't agree on this. You can't keep Orm here against her will. It's not right."

Mr. Kwong's eyes darkened as he heard his daughter's protest. He had expected resistance from her, but he hadn't anticipated outright defiance.

"I'm not asking for your agreement, Lingling," he said, his voice cold and authoritative. "I'm telling you how it's going to be. She will stay here. End of discussion."

He took a step closer to her, towering over her petite frame. "You will do as I say," he said, his voice laced with a hint of menace. "Do you understand?"

Lingling's heart was pounding in her chest as her father loomed over her, his authoritarian tone leaving no room for argument. Despite her fear, she held her ground, refusing to back down.

"No," she said defiantly, her voice shaking slightly. "I won't let you do this, Father. It's not right. She doesn't deserve this. She's done nothing to warrant being held captive in our house."

Mr. Kwong's anger flared as his daughter dare to question him. He raised his hand as if to strike her, but Lingling was quicker, grabbing his wrist and stopping it in mid-air.

The tension in the room palpable as father and daughter stared each other down. Lingling's eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and defiance, while her father's were burning with anger.

"That's enough,father" Lingling said firmly, her voice steady despite her nerves. "There's no need for violence. You know better than this."

Mr. Kwong's patience was running thin. He had always known his daughter to be stubborn, but he hadn't expected her to push him this far. Her refusal to accede to his will was starting to anger him.

"She is a stranger here," he spat out, his anger starting to bubble to the surface. "She could be a spy, a threat. I won't risk our safety by letting her roam free."

Lingling's resolve was weakening under her father's stern and aggressive demeanor. His words about Orm being a threat echoed in her mind, and she couldn't deny the possibility entirely.

She took a deep breath before speaking, her tone resigned. "Fine," she muttered, her voice lacking the earlier defiance. "Orm can stay here, but only under one condition."

Mr Kwong raised an eyebrow at his daughter's sudden change in stance. He had expected her to continue fighting him, but she seemed to have conceded. His curiosity was piqued.