Chapter 3

She casually tossed Muffin aside, and the dog whimpered, making my heart ache.

"What, feeling bad? It's just an animal, why be so precious about it?!"

With that, Brittany brutally kicked the cage, sending it flying against the wall.

I stared at her, my eyes red.

"What are you going to do?!"

Brittany's high heel harshly kicked my body.

She yanked my hair, then slapped me across the face, her eyes filled with malice.

"What am I going to do? Just make you pay what you owe!"

"Pay back the $280,000, and then pay back all the expenses Mark has covered for you since you were little!"

"These are all Mark's things. He's too polite to say it, but I'm not!"

"I'm going to be his wife, so you spending his money is just spending mine!"

A sharp pain shot through my scalp, and I couldn't help but cry out.

Brittany pulled out a list from behind her, detailing all my expenses since childhood.

From a single piece of candy I ate to the Porsche my parents bought me, everything was included.

"Does Mark Caldwell not have to pay anything back?!"

Brittany scoffed, her face full of ridicule.

"Mark is the male heir, the only son of this family. Everything in the Caldwell family will be his."

"You freeloader, you're just a girl who'll marry out anyway, a drain on resources. Everything you spent, of course, has to be paid back!"

"Not to mention, you're just an adopted daughter. Even if I kill you today, Mark wouldn't say a word!"

Brittany looked down at me.

"You won't take the easy way, so you'll have to take the hard way. Since that's the case, I don't need to be polite with you. Guards, beat her!"

The two burly men didn't hesitate, landing punch after punch on my body.

I cried out in pain, tears streaming down my face.

I curled into a ball, trying to dodge the fists, but I was yanked up by my hair.

My head was violently shoved to the ground, and blood immediately seeped out.

Brittany chuckled, walked over, and pressed her heel hard on my wound.

"How pathetic. I'll give you a chance. Pay back $280,000, and you can leave!"

I clenched my jaw tightly, my face pale, the intense pain forcing me to submit.

"Alright, if you let Muffin go first, I'll give you the money!"

"What right do you have to negotiate with me? Look at how pathetic you are, like a beggar!"

"But, you did remind me. Guards, bring that animal over here!"

My eyes widened instantly, and I shook my head helplessly.

"Please, spare it! I'll give you double!"

Brittany ignored me, teasing Muffin.

Suddenly, Muffin found an opportunity and bit Brittany hard.

"Ah!"

Brittany screamed, throwing Muffin away. With a thud, it hit the wall.

Muffin was the birthday gift my father gave me before he died!

Watching Brittany get closer and closer to Muffin, I couldn't hold back anymore and screamed.

"Don't hurt it! What do you want?! I'll give you anything!"

Brittany picked up the barely breathing dog, walked over, and handed me a "Voluntary Waiver of Inheritance Rights" agreement.

"Sign it!"

I signed my name without hesitation, then looked at Muffin.

"Now, can you give him back to me?"

Brittany sneered, looking at me like I was an idiot, and twisted Muffin's neck.

"This animal probably cost tens of thousands a year, right? Good, now it's dead, lessening your burden!"

"Muffin!"

I glared fiercely at Brittany, my eyes filled with hatred.

Suddenly, I heard a sound at the door, and someone walked in.