Chapter 5

The next day, all the maids I had pointed out were gone, replaced by a group of young college students.

My stepmother said college students were cheap, hardworking, and very competitive.

Apparently, the government even encouraged it.

I didn't quite understand what she meant until I saw the floors being mopped three times a day and the dining table filled with a variety of delicious meals.

Then, things started to click.

Cautiously, I sat at the dining table, inhaling the fragrant aroma of freshly cooked food but too afraid to pick up my cutlery.

My stepmother propped her head up with one hand, sliding the plate of food closer to me.

"Finish all of this. You're not allowed to leave the table until it's gone."

I swallowed hard.

Was this real? Could such good fortune really be happening to me?

Without hesitation, I devoured the food like a whirlwind, clearing the plate in no time. She frowned as she watched.

"From now on, eat like this every day. Otherwise, people might think I'm mistreating you."

I nodded enthusiastically as I continued to eat.

Once I was full, the subtitles appeared again.

[What's this wicked stepmother up to? Fattening up the girl to sell her for a higher price?]

[This plot is so cruel, letting the heroine feel warmth only to abandon her later. The emotional impact will be devastating.]

[The heroine is such a sweet, obedient little thing. No wonder so many men fall for her when she grows up.]

Leaning back in her chair, my stepmother stretched lazily.

"Just get rid of that shabby room of yours. It doesn't look like a place fit for a human.

"I had a room upstairs cleaned out for you. From now on, you'll stay upstairs with me."

The dramatic pauses in her speech had me on edge.

Her next words made my heart leap into my throat.

My mind involuntarily flashed back to the subtitles.

Could they be right? Was she really planning to fatten me up just to sell me later?

That summer passed in constant anxiety, but school eventually started.

Thanks to the meals my stepmother provided, I had put on some weight and now had chubby cheeks.

She found it irresistible and couldn't stop pinching them every day.

I dared not protest.

At school, everyone noticed the drastic changes in me.

The once scrawny girl was now soft and clean, dressed in a brand-new dress.

As I took my seat, the girl behind me, Lauren, kicked my heel forcefully.

"Erika, where's my stuff?"

I knew she was asking about her summer homework.

I lowered my head, not daring to speak.

The maids who used to bully me had torn up my homework along with hers.

Seeing I had nothing to give, Lauren kicked the back of my legs harder and sneered.

"Just wait till after school!"

Because I couldn't turn in my homework, the teacher made me stand in front of the class as punishment.

Lauren, emboldened by her family's wealth and influence, got away with it while the teacher turned a blind eye.

After school, I tried to avoid her by leaving through the side gate.

But she still found me. She and her gang surrounded me, grabbing and dragging me toward the bathroom.

This bathroom was secluded, rarely visited by anyone.

Even if someone saw, they wouldn't dare interfere.

Lauren kicked me in the chest, slamming my head against the sink.

"You little brat. How dare you defy Lauren?"

"Do you have a death wish?"

Her gang took turns hitting and kicking me until I was too weak to fight back.

They were clever, aiming only for places covered by clothing to hide the bruises.

When they finally stopped, I lay on the ground, trembling in pain.

"This time, I'll let you off, but if this happens again, I'll make sure you disappear."

[The villainess is vicious even as a child! Her character is so juicy and dramatic!]

[Finally, the plot is back on track. No more confusing detours.]

[The heroine doesn't even fight back because she knows no one will save her. So tragic!]

Incidents like this happened weekly. Every time I resisted, the retaliation grew worse.

For a brief moment, a trace of confusion flashed through my mind.

It really did seem like no one would ever come to my rescue.