Chapter 3

Feeling guilty about what happened, Mom and Dad showered me with concern for the next three days.

Veronica also seemed like a changed person, calling me Eleanor this and Eleanor that, treating me incredibly well.

Mom and Dad praised her with relief:

"Veronica has matured. This is our good child."

Given her excellent behavior, Mom and Dad bought her a pile of luxury goods.

On the fourth day, my younger brother, Sam, returned from his school trip. He excitedly showed off the gifts he'd bought for everyone.

"Dad's lighter, Mom's perfume, Veronica's silk scarf—I remembered what you all liked!"

Everyone received beautifully wrapped gifts, except for me.

Seeing the four of them happily together, I discreetly prepared to go back to my room.

It was only when Mom noticed me leaving that she gasped:

"Sam, didn't you buy Eleanor a gift?"

Sam pouted, "I only have Veronica."

Just then, Grandpa George, who had just walked in, heard this, and his blood pressure shot through the roof.

The old man, who valued blood ties above all else, grabbed Sam's ear.

"You brat! Who taught you to talk like that? Eleanor is your real sister! Veronica was just raised here out of convenience; she's an outsider! You don't know who's family? I'll beat you!"

The word "outsider" deeply stung Veronica.

She didn't dare argue with Grandpa George, only glaring at me, her eyes filled with resentment and hatred.

Sam cried loudly from the pain.

"I don't know what an 'outsider' is, I only acknowledge Veronica!"

Grandpa George twisted his ear even harder.

Hearing their son's ear-splitting cries, Mom and Dad were heartbroken, desperately begging Grandpa George to let go.

"Please calm down, we'll educate Sam properly..."

"Hmph!"

Grandpa George also couldn't bear to let him cry further. He pulled me to the sofa.

Looking around, he quickly figured out what was going on.

"You're the only one without a gift? Good, good, how could you do such a thing? Eleanor, I've got your back! The Sterling family's heirloom jewelry? I'm only leaving it to you. No one else gets a share!"

Veronica's face crumpled in a show of hurt, tears welling in her eyes.

Mom cautiously spoke up.

"Veronica, shouldn't she also..."

Grandpa George refused decisively.

"My possessions are only for members of the Sterling family. Some people have impure hearts; it's better to send them away early."

Even with all her brazenness, Veronica couldn't stay.

She ran back to her room, tears streaming down her face.

Dad blamed Grandpa George:

"You spoke too harshly. I watched Veronica grow up; I know what kind of person she is better than you do."

"Idiot!"

Grandpa George sneered.

"How did I ever raise such a fool like you?"