Chapter 2

Feeling anxious and uncomfortable, I quickly shook my head:

"How could I take your room? I didn't come back to take your things."

Those words were like a match to gunpowder, setting off Emma's condition completely.

She started wheezing heavily, clutching her chest, looking like she was about to suffocate.

Derek pushed me away in a panic, forbidding me from getting near Emma.

Dad's face turned dark as coal:

"That's enough for today. Mrs. Patterson, prepare a guest room for her and take her away."

I watched helplessly as they all surrounded Emma.

I didn't know what I'd done wrong. I was rejected by the very family I'd longed for.

After that, no one in the Weston family gave me a kind look.

I overheard the servants gossiping—saying the newly found heiress was a pathological liar with terrible character, that trash raised from the bottom couldn't compare to the Westons' precious pearl.

I could only keep my head down lower, becoming completely invisible in the Weston household.

The incident that made them despise me completely happened one evening.

The family had gone out for a walk while I stayed in my room doing homework.

Suddenly, I heard a loud crash from outside. When I went to check, I found my stroke-paralyzed grandmother had fallen down the stairs, wheelchair and all!

I screamed and was about to rush down to help.

But the family happened to walk in right at that moment and witnessed the scene.

The housekeeper collapsed to the floor in terror, pointing at me:

"Miss Serena said she wanted to take the old madam to the garden for some fresh air, but then she suddenly pushed her down the stairs!"

Derek's eyes turned bloodshot—that was his beloved grandmother.

Dad frantically dialed 911, his voice trembling.

Outside the emergency room, the doctor said the situation wasn't looking good.

Tears streaming down my face, I shook my head:

"Please, you have to save Grandma. I don't know how this happened. It wasn't me."

But the moment I spoke, Emma immediately had an asthma attack. Her face went deathly pale, and she collapsed into shock.

Everything became even more chaotic.

Emma was also rushed into the emergency room.

Dad clenched his teeth, barely containing his rage as he told me to shut up.

Mom kept wiping away tears, silently praying for Grandma and her daughter to be okay.

Derek was like a crazed lion, his eyes blood-red as he slapped me hard across the face:

"How many people do you have to hurt before you're satisfied! How could the Weston family have a venomous snake like you? Is there a single word of truth in your mouth!"

I fell to the ground, my mind going blank.

I didn't know why either.

I wanted to know how all of this happened!

I hadn't done anything, yet I'd become the family's criminal!

That day, Grandma died.

Emma was transferred to the ICU.

The Weston family completely gave up on me. Mom wanted to kick me out and sever all ties.

But Derek disagreed. He said coldly:

"A life for a life. She killed Grandma. I won't let her off easy."

After that, I was either locked in a dog cage or hung from the second-floor railing.

Derek tormented and insulted me every day.

Mom and Dad turned a blind eye.

I fell into complete despair. My will to live grew weaker and weaker.

One time, the housekeeper forgot to feed the Tibetan Mastiff. The starving dog bit into my leg.

I watched helplessly as it tore at me, bite after bite.

Finally, I closed my eyes and let the pain swallow me whole.

Remembering every detail of my past life, I clenched my fists.

This time, I refused to be anyone's puppet, living such a pathetic life!