Chapter 6

A week later, Scarlett and Dylan returned, battered and bruised. I heard they’d managed to escape when their creditors weren’t paying attention.

Scarlett, upon learning that Dylan was not only from a powerful family but also heavily in debt, came to confront me.

“Blair, you b*tch, did you know all along that Dylan’s family was broke and he was drowning in debt? You deliberately pushed me into this hellhole, didn’t you?!”

“I’ll kill you, you b*tch!” Scarlett’s palm hadn’t even landed on my face before the Lin family’s bodyguards had her pinned down.

I spoke, feigning kindness, “Be gentle, please. My sister is pregnant; don’t hurt the baby.”

I leaned in close, whispering in her ear, “Scarlett, I know it’s hard to believe, but you’re already carrying his child. You two need to figure out how to pay off the debt and be responsible for the baby.”

Scarlett was dragged away by the bodyguards. No sooner had she left than Eleanor sent someone to say she was waiting for me in her upstairs room.

Eleanor was as poised and elegant as ever.

“You need to give me an explanation.” I understood. She was referring to Scarlett’s situation. My little manipulations might have fooled Scarlett and Mom and Dad, but not her.

I explained that Scarlett used to bully me and even blamed me for pushing Caleb down the stairs. I was simply returning the favor.

“I don’t want to interfere in your personal affairs, but you need to understand what’s truly important.”

I nodded. Of course I understood. I wouldn’t let anything stand in my way.

Most of my time was still spent in classes, grinding on practice problems, preparing for the national competition.

Half a month later, Scarlett appeared before me, looking exhausted. She seemed to have lost weight, and her gaze towards me was fierce and unsettlingly familiar.

In my previous life, she always looked at me that way.

“Blair! Tell me, why has everything turned out like this?!”

“Dylan extorted a huge sum of money from me before he let me go. Mom and Dad are like completely different people; they hit and curse at me, order me around, and all the chores are piled on me. I remember it wasn’t like this in the last life, why is all this happening!?”

I stared at her with innocent, wide eyes. “You and Dylan broke up, so your child will be born without a father.”

Scarlett gritted her teeth. “There’s no way I’m keeping that bastard child. I already had an abortion.”

I took Scarlett’s hand, speaking gently and kindly. “Scarlett, Mom and Dad are just angry. They thought you were about to marry into a powerful family and live a life of luxury, only to find out you were tricked. You’re still young and beautiful; don’t waste it.”

A flicker of light appeared in Scarlett’s eyes.

By my calculations, my fiancé would be waking up soon. Don’t disappoint me, you two.

Sure enough, Scarlett appeared at school the next day, meticulously dressed.

She pretended to study diligently, as if she were determined to turn over a new leaf. She even made a point of asking me for help with problems.

Of course, I couldn't dampen her ambition, but I had to visit my fiancé at the hospital. So, I just had to trouble Scarlett to come with me.

Coincidentally, Caleb woke up.

Scarlett’s eyes welled with tears, and she covered her mouth, softly sobbing, whispering, “Caleb, you’re finally awake.”

I made an excuse about asking the doctor about Caleb’s condition and quickly left the room, giving them space alone.

Before his accident, Caleb and Scarlett had already been a couple. That day, it was because they had an argument that Scarlett accidentally pushed him down the stairs.

Now that Scarlett had faced Mom and Dad’s cold shoulder, would she choose to rekindle things with Caleb, and continue her dream of being the lady of a powerful family? I was rather looking forward to it.

In the days that followed, Scarlett often came to me with questions, but every time I explained something, her mind seemed elsewhere.

I knew her heart wasn’t in her studies, but on Caleb. I decided to grant her wish.

“Scarlett, I’m preparing for the national competition now, so I probably won’t be able to pay much attention to you. You can go ask Caleb to explain problems to you. You can also keep him company for me, so he doesn’t get bored alone in the hospital.”

Scarlett hesitated for a while before reluctantly agreeing.

She certainly didn’t disappoint my expectations. She visited the hospital more and more often, even taking time off school to be with Caleb during his check-ups.

Through my daily efforts, I achieved first place in the national competition, securing guaranteed admission to the State University.

When I brought fruit to visit Caleb at the hospital, I happened to see Scarlett nestled in his arms, looking up and passionately kissing him.

I pulled out my phone and snapped several pictures, then silently handed the fruit to the nurse and left the hospital.

Victor proactively brought me into the company to learn from him. Eleanor stopped many of my classes, giving me time to study at the company.

At school, Scarlett, beaming, approached me, a triumphant look on her face.

“Sister, you just keep learning from Victor. Later, you’ll work for the Lin family, helping Caleb and me manage the company. The lady of the Lin family can only be me. No matter how capable you are, Caleb doesn’t like you.”

I nodded, feigning an appearance of knowing when to retreat. “Scarlett, you’re right. Caleb doesn’t love me, and forced love never lasts. I’ll make sure to tell Victor and Eleanor and step aside for you.”

Would Victor and Eleanor choose the capable me, or the incompetent Scarlett? There was no need to even ponder it.