Chapter 5

One day, Rebecca didn’t come home, leaving my parents pacing in the living room, sending one search party after another with no news.

It was only early in the morning when the school’s security found Rebecca locked in the equipment room.

Freezing, she ran into her parents' arms.

"Maybe my sister was just playing a prank. Mom, Dad, don’t blame her."

No way was it just a prank on my part. I found out she was planning to frame me, so I locked the equipment room and turned off the heating for good measure. "Enjoy the winter chill, Rebecca," I thought.

Douglas came at me with a slap, "How could you be so evil? Apologize to your sister right now."

I rubbed my swollen cheek. Walking up to my mom, I yanked Rebecca out of her arms and slapped her twice. Dad’s debt, paid by his daughter, buy one get one free.

"Say, which eye of yours saw me lock you up, Rebecca?"

Terrified, Rebecca cried out.

"Jennifer! Stop! Mom is so disappointed in you."

Laughable. Like I care. I put on a fearless expression, tightening my grip on Rebecca’s hair and pinching her behind her back.

Rebecca yelped in pain, "Stop! Stop! I'll tell the truth… It was my own fault. Boohoo…"

"Why did you lock yourself up? No lying." I pinched her harder.

"Uh, because... I wanted to frame you."

I let her go, and she bolted like a scared cat. I turned to Douglas, "Hear that? You should control your 'perfect' daughter better and stop spreading lies."

In the office, teachers whispered about me.

"Humph! Some people falsely accuse me and won’t let me clear myself up."

"Oh dear Lord, they didn't even check the cameras. They want me dead!"

I crawled on the ground evilly and then pretended to faint. For a few days, rumors about me harming Rebecca spread everywhere.

I found my homework torn up, my water bottle filled with paper bits. Childish stuff. But no biggie for me.

After using the bathroom one lunchtime, I found the door locked from the outside, with giggles filtering in.

Bring it on.

I stepped back and kicked the door open. Grabbing a mop, I swished it around in the toilet and started flinging it at them.

Rebecca and her crew recoiled in horror as I aimed for their faces.

Long spear dipped in filth, whoever's in the way gets hit.

Soon enough, they were covered in nasty stains.

"Jennifer, you witch! This isn’t over—" gag

They retreated, and Rebecca lunged at me. I swung the mop, knocking her down, while she winced in pain.

I leaned against the door, blocking their path to the classroom.

"No dirty things allowed in school."

At that moment, the teacher arrived.

"Jennifer, this behavior is intolerable! Apologize to your classmates and write a 3,000-word reflection."

I scoffed, still in the doorway.

"Pay attention when the teacher talks to you. Show some respect. Reynolds family must be ashamed of having a daughter like you."

"Respect for you? A corrupt teacher who plays favorites and sucks up to the principal? You sort students into tiers, using scholarships and awards as bribes. Today marks your last day on the job."

The teacher, furious, "How dare you!"

"Oh, spare me. Return all the bribes you took and hope for leniency."

He had often taken gifts from Rebecca in the past, turning a blind eye to my suffering.

Those who had been discriminated against for their poor family backgrounds now looked at me with newfound respect. Awkward but satisfying.

The next day, we got a new teacher who devoted himself entirely to preparing us for college entrance exams. The poisonous atmosphere lifted, and the study environment became much fresher.

5

That weekend, the Reynolds family sent a driver to bring me back for dinner. I knew right away it was going to be a trap. I made sure to wear something comfortable, an outfit that allowed for easy movement. Couldn't let clothes hinder my performance.

Barely had I sat down and taken a few bites before Douglas started lecturing me. Same old accusations — selfish, rude, vulgar. Then he demanded that I hand over the inheritance renunciation agreement Rebecca had signed previously.

"You weren't with me and your mom growing up, so you've picked up some bad habits. But if you behave and change, you'll still be our good daughter, and we won't treat you poorly."

I looked at Darcy, my biological mother.

"Mom hopes you can get along with Rebecca."

Some people really will neglect their own children for the sake of some undeserving man.

I stood up and shattered my plate on the ground.

"What a joke. When have you ever treated me fairly? Have you even asked about the kind of life I lived? I wanted to get along, but Rebecca kept targeting me. And every time, it was her who started it. Have you once, even once, stood up for me?"

"Jennifer, don't slander me. Mom, Dad, you can ask around at school. I’ve always wanted to get along..."

Before Rebecca could finish, I grabbed a plate of food and dumped it on her head. "Shut up!"

Douglas shouted, "Jennifer, how dare you hit someone in front of your parents!"

He called in a couple of security guards to pin me down. I might be feisty, but I'm no match against two grown men.

"I’ll beat this rebellious daughter of mine to death today."

Douglas picked up a stick and started hitting me. The pain made sweat bead on my forehead. Darcy didn't intervene; she was busy wiping food off Rebecca's head.

Rebecca played the innocent, sobbing while comforting her parents that she was okay. The whole scene was ridiculous.

I held back my tears. Compared to my previous life, this was nothing.

After a few strikes, Douglas paused, mistaking my lack of resistance for submission. Slumped on the floor, I saw my chance. I grabbed the stick and struck Douglas straight on the head with all my strength.

Douglas crumpled to the ground, unable to get up. The security guards were stunned, and Darcy screamed. She rushed over and slapped me. "Jennifer, you're not my daughter anymore."

Fine by me; I didn't want them as my parents either. The mansion was in chaos, and when someone tried to make a call, I raised the stick. "Who's calling?"

The maid froze, probably because I actually meant business.