In the abandoned factory on the outskirts of Sky City, Sara lay on the ground, barely alive.
Each day, the kidnappers would amputate one of her toes and send it back to the Emerson family.
Seven days have passed, but there has been no response from the Emerson family.
Sara felt dejected, but she still wanted to believe that her family wouldn't abandon her.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the vicinity.
A flicker of hope lit up in her eyes, and she cautiously asked, "Are you here to rescue me?"
However, what responded to her was a burst of cold laughter.
"Rescue you? Don't dream, Sara. Do you think your pathetic life is worth a billion?"
That voice, was it Vanessa?!
Since she wasn't here to rescue her, she must be here to harm her.
Sara asked indignantly, "You're in league with them? The Emerson family raised you, how can you do this to them?"
However, Vanessa laughed uproariously as if she had just heard a hilarious joke.
"The Emerson family? Hahahaha, you're really good at exaggerating your own importance. Apart from the old man, who else in the family regarded you as one of their own?"
"I forgot to tell you, the old man passed away last night."
"What did you say!"
"Why are you so shocked? The old jerk deserved to die. I have been in the Emerson family for so many years, yet he didn't show even a shred of sentimental attachment! Just because I'm not biologically related, he didn't give me any shares. I showed him your toes, and he had a stroke right away. I went to the hospital last night and disconnected his oxygen tube, watching him die right before my eyes."
Vanessa spoke casually, disconnecting the oxygen tube as easily as unplugging a phone charger.
Sara was furious, "You beast, I will kill you!"
However, she had been so weak from not eating or drinking for days that she didn't even have the strength to get up.
"The old man's death, in the end, is all your fault. You were just fine in your garbage dump; why did you have to come back and be hated? Can't you see that our parents and Miles despise you?"
Sara got lost when she was seven. The Dai parents couldn't accept the loss of their daughter and adopted another girl, who was Vanessa.
Five years ago, by chance, Sara was identified and brought back to the Emerson family. But they did not abandon Vanessa, and they treated both girls as sisters.
She grew up in a slum and didn't understand the etiquette of aristocracy. So, their parents disliked her and wouldn't get close to her.
And yet, Vanessa always showed herself in a good relationship with her parents, intentionally provoking her whenever she was frustrated.
Sara refused to accept this. She thought since she was the biological daughter of her parents, how could she lose to Vanessa? So, she tried to compete with Vanessa at every turn, learning things she was not good at, which made her look foolish, causing her parents to dislike her even more.
Only her grandfather, though he was strict with her on the surface, was the only one who truly treated her as family.
And now, her grandfather was killed by Vanessa.
Seeing Sara crying in pain, Vanessa was extremely pleased.
"Since you're going to die anyway, I might as well tell you everything. From the beginning, our parents never intended to save you. They'd rather see you die. You have a high-value accident and life insurance policy. As long as you die, they will get a hefty compensation."
"Also, after you die, I will marry Miles. After all, if I wait any longer, I won't be able to hide my pregnancy."
Sara was shocked beyond belief, even Miles had betrayed her?
She had thought of Miles as a responsible man, even if he didn't marry her out of love, at least he wouldn’t betray her.
This proved that she had misjudged him.
As it turned out, regardless if it was her parents or Miles, they all ultimately chose Vanessa.
She had never won.
Did they have to harm her just because they didn’t love her?
She was filled with hatred!
She wished she could shatter Vanessa into thousands of pieces and grind her to dust!
As she watched her bloodshot red eyes filled with hatred, Vanessa inexplicably became somewhat panicked and ordered her subordinates, "Do it!"
The icy blade brushed against her neck, Sara stared with eyes full of hatred at Vanessa.
She hadn’t avenged her grandfather yet, nor made those who betrayed and used her pay the price, how could she die just like that?
How could it be?
A strong sense of unwillingness burned like fire, distorting everything in front of her...
——
"Ah!"
"Sara, have you had enough of this!? I have agreed to get engaged with you, so what else do you want!?"
The screechy yelling and the cool admonishing...
Sara's head felt like it was about to explode. The moment she opened her eyes she saw the teary-eyed Vanessa, and Miles, who was glaring at them.
What's happening?
Wasn't she supposed to be dead?
She examined her surroundings without showing any signs of surprise while numerous thoughts were spinning in her head. Suddenly, she realized that she had gone back four years in time, ready to attend the recognition feast!
It must be heaven hearing her grudge and discontent, and hence gave her the chance to take revenge!
"Did you hear me? Quickly apologize to Vanessa, or else I will call off our engagement!"
The angry roar of Miles brought her back to reality.
Call off the engagement? She was more than willing! Having an engagement with this jerk was even more disgusting than eating a fly!
She gave a scornful laugh and pushed Miles aside, grabbed hold of Vanessa's hair, and brought her hands to her face, slapping her back and forth!
"Ahhh!"
Vanessa was stunned, didn't even bother pretending to be weak, and jumped behind Miles for shelter.
"Miles, please help me!"
This damned Sara, how dare she actually lay her hands on her!
Miles quickly pulled Sara away, positioning himself in front of Vanessa, angrily exclaiming, "What the hell are you thinking?"
He assumed that threatening Sara with their engagement would make her immediately apologize, but instead, she intensified her behavior, even daring to hit someone right in front of him.
"Get out of my way!"
Sara's eyes were as cold as ice, causing a little bit of unease in Miles.
He never expected the always submissive woman to have such a vicious expression.
Vanessa stood behind him, her eyes filled with tears, "Miles, don't be angry. Sara is probably just jealous because you care about me so much. She really likes you..."
"Like him?" Sara laughed scornfully, "With him looking that miserable, how could I possibly be attracted to him unless I were blind?"
In her previous life, she thought Miles was good, which must have been due to a momentary lapse in judgment.
Looking back, she simply saw him as a means to compete with Vanessa. She was so desperate to win that she put her hopes on Miles. But that wasn't love. Hence, when she found out about Miles's betrayal, she only felt disappointment and disgust, not heartbreak.
Now that she has come to her senses, why should she involve herself for someone who doesn't matter?
Upon hearing Sara's disdain, Miles nearly choked with rage. She was just a naive girl from the countryside who hadn't even been to school, he should be the one looking down on her, not the other way around.