Chapter 4

The person who came in was Mark Caldwell.

He saw my terrible state and froze, his voice filled with hesitation.

"Lily? What happened to you? Who did this? I'll get revenge for you, sis!"

Before I could speak, Brittany clung to Mark's arm, complaining tearfully.

"Mark, your sister couldn't pay, and I just… disciplined her a little for you."

"And that dog, it bit me, then ran into the wall and died."

"Look at my wound, it hurts so much!"

Mark gently took Brittany's hand, blew on it, his eyes tender.

"That animal's dead, it's no big deal. I'll take you to get a tetanus shot right away, don't want it getting infected!"

I couldn't help but speak, my voice agitated.

"Mark Caldwell! That dog was a gift from my dad before he died!"

Mark looked at me hesitantly.

"Lily, it's just a dog. Dad's gone, he can't come back. I'll buy you ten or even twenty more, pick any you like."

"This time, please, give me a break and don't make a big deal out of it!"

I looked at him in disbelief. He had promised me on Dad's deathbed.

He had said he would protect Muffin no matter what.

But now, for some insignificant woman, he said, "it's dead, it's dead!"

I stumbled to my feet, pointing at Brittany, and yelled:

"What about me? Can't you see all these wounds on my body?! She's the one who beat me!"

Brittany pretended to trip, falling into Mark's arms, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Mark, I did it all for your sake. She spent so much of your money, wasn't it right for me to make her pay it back?"

"These things were originally yours. I just got them back for you!"

"She just has a tiny scratch!"

She called the blood gushing from my head a "tiny scratch"?

Brittany's words enraged me, and I lunged, wanting to slap her directly.

"You absolute bitch! Do I have to be dead for you to consider this a real injury?!"

But Mark's hand stopped me. He gripped my hand tightly, then coldly threw it aside.

I lost my balance and crashed hard against the wall.

Instantly, I felt an intense pain throughout my internal organs.

Mark, however, embraced Brittany, watching me with cold eyes.

"How long are you going to keep this up?!"

"It's just a tiny scratch, and Brittany didn't mean it anyway. An apology is all that's needed, right?!"

"She's going to be your sister-in-law. Be a bit more generous!"

"And is Brittany wrong? All these years, you've lived off the family, used the family's resources!"

"Brittany just got it back early. I'm telling you, even if she didn't demand it now, I'd demand it back from your future wedding settlement!"

Brittany flashed me a triumphant smile, her eyes full of provocation, silently saying.

"See? I told you, Mark will always side with me!"

"Mark, this is the waiver of inheritance rights she signed. From now on, Caldwell Group will be all yours!"

Mark's face immediately lit up with surprise, and he kissed Brittany passionately.

I slumped to the ground, watching them powerlessly.

Mark had no idea that Mom had already made sure I knew all the top executives.

I held the real power. Mom had put Mark in the company, yes, but only in a position that looked good on paper, completely useless in reality. So, even with that contract in his hand, it was worth absolutely nothing.

And Mark knew nothing of this.

"Mark, why don't you go on ahead? I'll call an ambulance for your sister and then I'll be right out."

With that, Mark, holding the agreement, excitedly walked out.

Brittany smiled at me and walked over.

I subtly broke the chain on my wrist and sent my location.

Her heel ground down on the back of my hand, twisting it.

"You think someone's coming to save you?"

"Well, too bad. You and that animal can just die together!"