Hate Me If You Can.

In the eyes of everyone, Raven is a rich girl to be envied who is the daughter of a super plutocrat and the darling of all families.

As a lady of high classes, she has an enviable life, everything seems literally perfect.

Oh, not that perfect, as she has an unrelated brother who is ten years older than her.

In fact, her brother is the real son of this great family. And the head of this family Empire, Senior Choi, is Raven's godfather.

"My child! The letter's here!"

This afternoon, Raven was playing chess with her godfather when she heard Nanny Rong excitedly shout at her from just outside the garden.

Raven understood, the time of judgement had come.

Looking up, the woman handed her the letter. Meanwhile, Senior Choi looked at his little Raven, who seemed to be oblivious to what was just handed to her.

"Come on," Nanny Rong impatiently egged on. "Open it up already."

"Why don't you give it to me and I'll read it for the rest of us?" Senior Choi chuckled as he waved at the nanny.

At the instruction, Nanny Rong immediately passed the letter on to Senior Choi. As her godfather quietly read the letter, she silently observed his expression, still unsure of what to do herself.

Raven knew, this letter might take a change of her life.

Raven actually was born in a wealthy family too, but when she was three, a car accident took away her parents ans she's the only survivor. Senior Choi as the best friend of her parents adopted her.

Senior Choi took good care of Raven like his own daughter, as good as the love her brother Jordan did give her.

But as Raven grew up day and day then closed to 18, she felt the relationship between Jordan and her had changed. It became... remote and strange. Especially after Senior Choi retired from the board of directors, and Jordan started to take over all the Choi Empire.

Choizen Group or Choi's Empire was one of the largest conglomerates with business interests in air transportation, banking, food manufacturing, hotels, petrochemicals, power generation, publishing, real estate and property development, and telecommunications.

In truth, Raven believed that Jordan disliked her because he thought of her as a competitor, that she would take a share in the company or his father's wealth, which was definitely not the case.

Getting close to him enough that she saw him as a brother had been way too difficult for her. She really tried to lessen his hate towards her, but nothing seemed to work as their chilly relationship still remained.

But now, she got a chance.

She had applied to a world-class university overseas and she was ready to go abroad to study. Such a distance was enough to make her brother drop his guard against her.

"Master, is it good news?" Nanny Rong asked, already getting restless as she looked more and more eager than the other two people present.

An unpleasant expression showed on Senior Choi's face as he let out an exasperated sigh. Seeing the reaction, Nanny Rong's mouth twitched.

"So, is it bad news?" Raven asked again, holding her breath as she waited for an answer.

"As I've told you before, little Raven, there are a lot of good schools here in our country. You don't have to study abroad," he reasoned, looking intently at his little girl. "Why bother yourself with the hardships of living alone and choose to leave your old man behind?"

In all honesty, he wanted her to stay with him, in the house where he had brought her up ever since she was a child. Why she grew up so quick and eager to fly away from him?

After seeing her godfather's grim expressions, as well as hearing his comments, Raven's shoulders dropped in disappointment. She was already assuming that she wasn't accepted at the school she had applied to abroad.

Spotting his goddaughter's downcast expression and Nanny Rong's fading excitement, Senior Choi chuckled. This made both the women snap their heads towards him in surprise, their questioning eyes boring into him as they waited for an answer.

Senior Choi knew all that she had in her mind. He knew that she loved him from the bottom of her heart, yet she still wanted to explore life independently. And despite his own misgivings, even he agreed with the way she thought. He also wanted his little Raven to do what she thought was good for her future. Whatever decision she might take, he would always support her as much as he could.

Then Senior Choi suddenly blurted out, "Is there any thing my little Raven couldn't make it? Of course, she passed!" He then raised the letter up in pride. "This letter's the confirmation of her admission to the university!"

Nanny Rong gasped in both shock and relief as she shook her head in delight, 'The Old Master's still as naughty as ever...' She looked at Raven, who was now jumping on her feet in excitement as she ran to approach her father.

"Really, Father?! It's not another joke!?" she confirmed, still in disbelief at what she heard. "Let me see!"

Her patience wearing thin, Raven took it upon herself and snatched the letter from his hands. Scanning and confirming the news herself, only then did she hug the man as tightly as she could.

"I passed! I made it! I truly did it!" she cheered aloud, almost choking her father with her hug as she almost took him with her in her jumps.

"We have to celebrate," Senior Choi chuckled as he regained his composure. "What do you want to do, little Raven?"

"I'll treat you for dinner tonight, Father," Raven quickly answered with a smile. "What would you like to eat?"

At his goddaughter's words, Senior Choi immediately ordered,

"Nanny Rong, call Jordan. Tell him to clear his schedule and be present at home for dinner right on time. Our little Raven is going to treat us with dinner tonight."

Hearing her godfather, Raven's eyes went wide at her own carelessness. She had almost forgotten about Jordan. Although, she couldn't help but frown a bit whenever she thought about him.

She recalled how stiff the situation was between Jordan and her. Whenever they would see or run into each other, all that they would do was give out their casual greetings and not say another word. Slowly, Raven believed that he had always hated her...

Ah, she could still remember that one scene during the after-night party of his college graduation.

She saw Jordan talking to a group near the restroom. With his male friends, to be precise. She was just about to leave to go upstairs at the time to use another restroom when she heard her name being mentioned in their conversation.

Being curious, she stood still, hiding in a bush as she eavesdropped.

"Hey Jordan, your so-called sister looks really cute today," one of Jordan's classmates in college complimented.

"Yeah, I bet she'll be even more beautiful by the time she's grown up," the other man commented. "Maybe around... five to eight years from now? I heard she's just twelve. Can I court her when the time comes?"

"Oh right, you should agree with your father and adopt her legally so I can also ask my mom to arrange my marriage to her in the future," then added the first man. "You know how strict my mom is when it comes to birthrights and all that."

"Shut up, both of you!" Jordan angrily shouted. "She'll never become my sister, and I will never allow that to happen, you freaks!"

Even during Jordan's outburst, his friends didn't take him seriously as they simply laughed it all off. Raven, on the other hand, got very upset upon hearing her so-called brother's words. Having heard enough, she ran upstairs and locked herself in her room, crying herself a river for the rest of the night.

Since then, Raven couldn't remember how long it had been since she hadn't had dinner with this so-called brother.

As always, Senior Choi chose his favorite spot to dine outside; a well-known restaurant known for its ambiance and cozy atmosphere. As soon as they arrived, he took his favorite seat in the garden, soaking in the open air as they situated themselves into their places.

'Thank goodness I saved a lot from my allowances,' Raven thought as she scanned the prices on the menu.

While Senior Choi had given her a limitless black card, an astonishing amount of money her savings account, Raven never really spent much beyond what she really needed after her sixteen, especially when she perceived her true position in the family and her awkward relationship with Jordan, the only real heir.

Waiting for their orders to arrive, the food was about to be served when a tall man in a dark blue suit entered the venue. His hair was combed back, and though he was wearing a suit, she could still see how muscular the man truly was. And even from a distance, he had a distinct air of pride around him.

In short, he looked striking wherever he went, and could easily make everyone recognize his presence with a mere flick of his wrist.

"Here comes my workaholic son," Senior Choi scoffed.

Raven looked at Jordan as he walked with dignified steps towards them. Immediately, she couldn't help but feel a little mesmerized by his handsome appearance. He had dark brown eyes that blended well with his dark brown hair, and he had this intimidating look from his square jawline which added even more appeal to his already divine-like appearance.

"There you are," Senior Choi waved to him. "Have a seat beside Raven here."

The latter obeyed, and Senior Choi looked at them carefully as a smile of satisfaction showed across his face.

"What's the occasion?" Jordan neutrally asked.

"Raven here is going to treat us," her father replied. "She's been accepted to her chosen college in a university abroad, and that calls for a celebration."

"I see," Jordan nodded. "That's good. Congratulations. When do you plan on leaving?"

Raven blinked at the blunt question Jordan just fielded her.

'What the heck!? Of all the questions, he only directly asked me when I'm leaving!?' she inwardly yelled in shock. 'Does he want me to leave that badly? To get me out of his sight sooner?'

Thinking about it, Raven would've bet that Jordan might even celebrate on his own as soon as she left the country.

"I'll be leaving in about one month before the classes start," she coldly replied. "It's so that I can familiarize myself with the place."

She keenly eyed him for some kind of response but he seemed to be content in keeping all of his attention solely on his food as he carefully cut his steak.

With silence as being his only response, Raven looked at Senior Choi and said, "Father, I'll be going on a trip this summer with my close friends to celebrate. It's a four days stay. Would you like to come with me?"

She then added, shifting her gaze to Jordan as she sincerely offered, "It would be great if you can join us as well. Getting stuck inside an office all day isn't good for your health. You should also unwind sometimes."

"Okay, I will try," he immediately replied before suddenly exchanging their plates, giving Raven his plate of meticulously cut steak without so much as a warning. "Here, take mine. You like it well done, right? I'll take yours. It looks like a medium. I want my steak that way."

Senior Choi, who was carefully observing his son, gave a meaningful grin as he cut his own steak... 'This brat! He doesn't even care to bother helping his own old man cut his steak...'

For the rest of their dinner, Jordan kept his silence, no longer commenting as he focused on his food. Every once in a while, he would sneak glances at Raven.

She looked so happy, knowing that she passed her exams and was now about to study abroad. He didn't know he would be happy for her, or to feel sad.

After all, he was aware of how Raven was uncomfortable around him for some unknown reason.

It all started when Jordan graduated from college... He didn't know what he did wrong at the time, seeing as she just suddenly became aloof around him for seemingly no reason at all. It honestly felt like every move she made was calculated whenever he was around as if he was some sort of enemy to her even as he remained clueless as to why.

Perhaps studying abroad would be a good option for her. Or for them.

He just assumed that Raven was like that because he was being vocal in opposing his father's intent to adopt her legally. He had his own reasons as to why he was against it, but for now, he couldn't just say it to her or his father...

Soon enough, the date when Raven's summer trip with her friends and family finally came. She, Nanny Rong, and Senior Choi headed to the holiday island by his private plane. Jordan had an important meeting, therefore, he wouldn't fly together with them and would have to follow them in his own time.

After an hour of flying, the plane landed, and they all walked out of the airport through the VIP Lounge Access.

Looking ahead, Chad was already waiting for them at the greeting area. He waved in their direction, Raven spotting him as soon as she saw him. She had already mentioned to her father that they would stay at a Beach Villa owned by one of her friends.

Chad approached them with a big smile. Seeing her family, he extended his hand to them as a greeting. "Hello, Sir. I'm Chad," he introduced himself to Raven's father before smiling at another female elder. "Hi, Ms. Rong."

Senior Choi accepted the young man's hand. He then nudged at Nanny Rong, who was standing frozen, as if mesmerized by the young boy's handsome face.

Raven laughed, "Father, Chad's one of my closest friends at school. He suggested that we stay at his family's beach villa, and he'll be our host for the next four days."

Senior Choi and Nanny Rong gave each other meaningful glances. They were both thinking the exact same thing. Still, they kept their thoughts to themselves for now.

They embarked soon enough. Eventually, they arrived at Chad's villa and met up with Raven's other friends, Yan and Sheena.

The villa itself was a private luxury one on Lain Island. The white sand beach at the front was very captivating, and there was a large private pool behind the massive villa. Just from the amenities alone, the estate was clearly top class, with ten bedrooms and a lavishly decorated theme to it.

Entering the villa, Chad welcomed them with some light snacks and soft drinks. He then later showed each of them to their respective rooms.

"Oh, you must be tired from all the traveling. You should settle in and rest for a while first," Chad suggested before shifting his gaze to Raven and whispering lightly. "I'll see you all later."

Being left to their own devices, Raven and Nanny Rong first assisted Senior Choi to his room.

"Little Raven, is Chad, your boyfriend?" her father inquired with a smirk as soon as their host left. "Are you hiding something from us?"

Raven rolled her eyes as she answered, "Father, he's just a close friend of mine, like Sheena and Yan."

"Then why am I only now meeting him?" Nanny Rong skeptically asked, shooting Raven a piercing gaze as the girl set her father's clothes into the closet. "You always brought Sheena and Yan to the mansion, but not him. Besides, you never even mentioned him before."

Raven laughed, "Stop it, you gossipy two. I told you already we're all just friends. I don't want to get into a relationship yet, and I've never thought of it anyway." She chuckled, "Don't worry, okay? You two will be the first to know once I decide to have a boyfriend."

Raven had never even thought of getting a boyfriend. She was always focused on her studies. Every confession she received was turned down without any second thought, completely ignoring any sort of pain that she might've inflicted on them.

"Listen you two paparazzies, Chad had planned some fun activities for us, and tonight, we'd have a barbecue dinner party just by the beach. Don't make my friends and me embarrassing, Okay?"

They watched Raven pout and pretend to be angry which was actually rather cute, Senior Choi and Nanny Rong all laughed.

As sun was going down, they had all gathered outside for the event. Chad had everything prepared well in advance, and already had all of the food ready.

Meanwhile, Senior Choi and Nanny Rong weren't convinced with Raven's defusing statement, and they kept intently monitoring all of the interactions between the two of them.

So far, Chad seemed to be a good boy. Senior Choi, as a man, could easily tell that the boy always had his eyes on her little Raven, however. 'Who wouldn't? Also, where the hell is my own brat?'