Chapter 3
The crowd was filled with various voices and opinions.[]
Listening to their discussions, I could only manage bitter smiles.[]
How could they know that when Mother learned they’d used her debts to force me back, she fell ill from guilt?]
And during her illness, they used unpaid medical bills as an excuse to kick both of us out of the hospital.[]
If not for Stone Corporation’s debt crisis growing more dangerous, would they have ever thought of me again?
I stared at the bright red blood dripping onto the white marble tiles, my lips curling coldly.[]
That company was my life’s work – countless sleepless nights building it up, and it was finally gaining momentum. Just a few more days and it would have gone public successfully…]
But on the eve of victory, they destroyed everything I’d built for their own selfish interests.[]
These years at the Stone house, thanks to my dedicated management, they’d lived incredibly well.[]
After escaping financial crisis, Iris became obsessed with protecting her status and lifestyle. Terrified of falling from grace, she engaged in revenge spending and flaunting wealth.]
This fostered an increasingly arrogant personality – she’d slap even the most powerful people.
The Stone family cared most about their reputation, and Iris’s behavior would obviously affect public perception and cause stock prices to plummet.]
After repeatedly failing to control her, the Stone family simply dumped Iris on me.[]
They claimed they wanted me, as her sister–in–law, to properly discipline her.]
But really, they just wanted to use my PR skills to clean up her image.[]
To handle her messes, I constantly followed her around cleaning up after her, crafting her perfect public image.[]
But unexpectedly, Iris came to hate me for it. She’d point at my nose and warn me:[]
“Vera, even my parents don’t dare control me like this! What are you to boss me around and order me to do this and that!“[]
“You’re just a dog my family keeps! Does a dog think it can discipline its master?“]
“If you dare try to control me again, I’ll have someone kill you!“]
So her destroying my eye today didn’t surprise me at all.]
This was revenge she’d planned long ago.[]
Even as I fell, I saw that smug smile curl at her lips.[]
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Sharp pain shot through my eyeball again.[]
A desperate cold laugh flickered across my lips and vanished.[]
Facing the aggressive Stone family, I maintained my composure and said calmly:]
“I’m not angry with Iris, nor do I need to be.“[]
“It’s simply that my contract with the Stone family has expired. I’ve fulfilled my promises to you, and since Miss Iris hates me this much, there’s no point in staying…”
“How can there be no point?“]
Old Mrs. Stone approached with her usual fake warm smile, grasping my hand:[]
“Vera, we know your greatest hope has always been gaining the Stone family’s recognition and becoming our true daughter–in–law.”
“If you’re willing to stay, I guarantee you’ll be the Stone family’s only daughter–in–law. As long as you continue caring for Iris, I promise to grant whatever you ask.“[]
“From now on, you’ll run this household.“[]
Mrs. Stone spoke gently, but every word was emotional manipulation.[]
She positioned herself on the moral high ground, inciting everyone to condemn me.[]
This was what she did best.[]
I shook my head firmly.
“No thank you, Old Mrs. Stone. None of that is necessary.“]
“Please honor our contract. Please let me go as agreed.“]
After I said, Old Mrs. Stone’s facade instantly cracked, her gaze turning ice cold.]
“The Stone family leads this entire city countless people want in but can’t get in. Don’t you understand gratitude? Have I been too lenient with you?“]
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