Chapter 3

Actually, it was my idea to use protection in the first place.

Back then, I genuinely loved Chloe as my own child. I was afraid she'd feel resentful if I got pregnant, and I truly believed that with all my careful nurturing, Chloe would treat me well once she grew up and succeeded.

I just never imagined that all my meddling and managing in my last life wouldn't result in a grateful daughter.

Instead, I raised an ungrateful viper.

The moment she gained power, she hired someone to stab me to death. The agonizing pain of the blade piercing my flesh is still vividly etched in my memory.

So this life, I absolutely wouldn't give Chloe any chance to rise again.

But if I had abruptly brought up the topic, I feared Robert might suspect me of having ulterior motives. So, I shrewdly used the teacher's call to make Robert, in his disappointment, suggest it himself.

It was a win-win.

Miller Corp was busy with its IPO, so Robert, after just one night back, flew to Hong Kong for a business trip the next morning.

Once again, it was just Chloe and me at home.

But Chloe was still a Miller, after all.

Before he left, Robert had taken action.

He re-enrolled her in tutoring and enrichment classes, confiscated all her phones and computers, and even hired a yoga instructor to monitor Chloe’s diet and weight.

Having grown accustomed to luxury, Chloe, who had enjoyed so much freedom, couldn't endure such hardship.

After her class, when she saw the salad the yoga instructor had prepared for dinner,

She was so furious she almost threw the plate at the instructor's face.

Thankfully, I intervened, quickly ushering the yoga instructor out.

Seeing a fuming Chloe, I gently persuaded her:

"Chloe, don't be angry. If you don't like these classes, we won't take them."

"I know you didn't eat enough. I secretly ordered your favorite fried chicken and milk tea for you in your room. You're still growing, how can you not eat enough?"

Chloe looked at me suspiciously:

"You'd be that kind?"

It made me inwardly sneer.

Last life, I painstakingly nurtured her to success and was called a busybody. This life, I intentionally harmed her, and she called me kind.

What a fool, she couldn't tell good from bad.

Chloe went back to her room and saw that I had indeed kept my word. She sat down and ate non-stop.

While she was in a better mood, I flatteringly handed her a card from my pocket:

"This internet cafe card was a gift from a friend, I don't need it. But I saw the address, it seems to be near your school. High school can be really stressful, so if you have time, you can go and relax."

Chloe's eyes lit up, and she snatched it immediately.

If she couldn't play on the computer at home, couldn't she go out and play?

After a quick meal, Chloe pocketed the internet card and said she was going for a walk.

Did I not understand her intentions?

If she wanted to ruin herself, I was more than willing to push her along.

"Here's some money. Your dad cut off your allowance recently. But a girl needs some cash on her, right? Be careful, and call me if anything happens."

Chloe excitedly left the house.

I instructed the staff to keep an eye on her.

Don't worry about where she goes or what she does, just make sure she's alive.

Otherwise, I, the stepmom, would be deemed negligent.

As soon as Chloe stepped out, she used the money I gave her to buy another phone.

Then she immediately went to the internet cafe. The place was full of all sorts of people, often including spoiled rich kids from the international high school who skipped class and pulled all-nighters. Seeing Chloe, some of them, who recognized her, approached her to chat.

A group of them teamed up to play games.

It wasn't until past eleven that I, feigning motherly concern, called to urge her home.

"Chloe, it's very late. You should be back by now after your walk."

"Do you want me to drive and pick you up?"

She was in the middle of her game, naturally in no mood for me, her meddling stepmom:

"Why do you care so much! You're just a stepmom, just focus on pleasing your man. Don't bring your desperate act to me. Stay out of my business from now on. Just keep giving me money."

"Otherwise, I'll tell Dad bad things about you!"

"Let's see if he'll protect you, an outsider, or me, his own daughter!"

Beep-beep-beep.

Chloe hung up quickly.

I conveniently saved the phone recording.

After all, faced with the threats of a difficult stepdaughter, a weak and kind stepmom like me could only obey.

Most importantly, I was pregnant.

The Miller family now had a second heir.