Chapter 5

That day, just after I had gotten my meal, I ran into Scarlett halfway out of the cafeteria.

She simply crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, then her little gang snatched my lunchbox and smashed it on the ground.

The food mixed with muddy water was scattered everywhere.

"Sis, you look so pitiful. Let me treat you to this meal," Scarlett sneered.

Later, her followers forced my head down, trying to make me eat the food they had just stepped on.

Fortunately, my homeroom teacher, Ms Diana Shepherd, happened to pass by and sternly rebuked them. She immediately pulled me up and wiped my face clean.

Having heard rumours about what happened at the birthday party, she knew I was short on money. Without prying for details, she kindly recommended a tutoring job to me. However, she insisted it would only take up half a day on weekends so as not to affect my grades.

I thanked Ms Shepherd again and again, never imagining that her one act of kindness would lead to her being reported and dismissed for allegedly taking bribes from parents.

At the same time, I was publicly shamed on the school's bulletin board. With just one picture of me being picked up by my tutoring student's parent, I was labelled a "kept woman."

When my fake mother, Giselle Shaffer, rushed to the school, she slapped me twice without saying a word. She viciously grabbed my hair, twisting and pinching me while screaming, "You little slut! You're so young, yet you're already opening your legs for men? You might not have any shame, but I do!"

My face was slapped to the side and in my sideways glance, I happened to see my real parents standing with the school administrators, looking at me as if I were trash. Behind them was Scarlett, her face nearly split from grinning.

My hair fell loose, blocking my vision and the tears I hadn't managed to hold back. I lowered my head and said calmly, "I'm sorry, I know I was wrong."

That night, after I got home and showered, I was violently dragged into my room by a pair of large hands.

My fake father, Declan Lawrence, stood there shirtless, his eyes bloodshot as he pounced at me. "If you're going to give it away for cheap to men outside, you might as well give it to me."

In response, I pulled a utility knife I had hidden in my sleeve and slashed it across his face.

The sudden pain finally registered and he staggered back two steps, panting like a starving beast.

I warned him, "I am still a student. Unless you want to spend the rest of your life in prison, get out!"

Life in the slums had taught me never to be completely unprepared.

Declan spat, wiped the blood from his face and grinned, revealing his yellow teeth. "Just wait and see, you bitch. Your parents have already sold you to me. Sooner or later, I'll get what I want."

When the door closed, I collapsed weakly onto the floor, my whole body trembling uncontrollably. Tears flowed freely and I bit down hard on the back of my hand to keep my sobs from escaping.

Suddenly, my phone chimed with a notification from the family group chat. My real mother sent me a message. [Sophie, you have fallen so low at such a young age. Being mother and daughter with someone as filthy and shameless as you for over ten years is disgusting.]

A second later, my father removed me from the family group chat.

Staring at the group that now had only three people left, my mother suddenly felt uneasy. "Hubby, did we go too far? Didn't the investigation show that Sophie was just tutoring?"

Still, my father replied angrily, "If she hadn't forced Scarlett to eat food off the ground, Scarlett wouldn't have cried until her eyes were swollen. Scarlett only asked that she be kicked out of the group—that's already being kind to her."

After a moment, his tone softened. "Anyway, it's only for a year. I've already sent enough money to Declan to ensure Sophie isn't mistreated. Once the year is up, we will go pick her up immediately."

One year later, on the day of my and Scarlett's birthdays, my parents headed out early.

My father drove the car at high speed, asking, "Did you bring the real DNA test results?"

My mother nodded repeatedly. "I have them. I haven't seen Sophie for a whole year. When she comes back, we must make it up to her."

My father smiled and said, "Of course. I've already finalized the distribution of the company shares. Scarlett is too playful to shoulder such a heavy responsibility, but after this ordeal, Sophie has surely matured and won't bully her sister anymore. I'll announce her as the heir at this birthday party."

The two hurriedly got out of the car and, bypassing the dirty and messy stairwell, headed straight for Declan's apartment.

However, after knocking on the door for a long time, no one answered.

Only then did a woman from next door poke her head out. "Stop knocking. Decal Lawrence has been sent to prison for raping a girl he brought home a year ago."