Seryna Willard was shoved into a snowdrift by her elder brother, Jeremiah Willard.

Her second brother, Kade Willard, splashed a bowl of sulfuric acid onto her face. "Now see how you can brag about being prettier than Tehila now!"

Clutching her face, Seryna shrieked and writhed in the snow.

Her dad, Rashad Willard, stabbed a knife into her palm. And she let out a scream torn from the depths of her soul.

Crushing her head under his foot, he shouted, "You drove Tehila to suicide! You should rot in hell!"

Seryna's mom, Jennett Stratton, standing at the doorway, did nothing to stop him. She cried sorrowfully. "Rashad, we shouldn't have taken Seryna back. It's all her fault! That's why Tila jumped into the sea to commit suicide! The seawater was so cold! Break Seryna's hands and legs, and see if she ever dares lay a hand on Tila again!"

Her words struck a nerve in everyone. They feared their beloved Tehila might be gone forever.

Tehila's fiancé, Brunell Fortin, showed up late. Seeing Seryna collapse in the snowdrift, he sneered, "Seryna, you drove Tila to her death. This is just a minor punishment for you!"

Hearing this, Seryna couldn't help but find it absurd.

Tehila Willard was pretending to be dead. Why did her so-called parents and brothers only believe Tehila?

As the snow fell harder, everyone went inside. No one cared about Seryna.

Exhausted, she slowly closed her eyes, letting the snow bury her.

A week later, Tehila suddenly returned.

The whole family, who were preparing her funeral, were stunned and then burst into laughter and joy.

"Mom, I missed you so much," Tehila said, throwing her arms around her parents.

Looking around the hall, she didn't see Seryna. With tears in her eyes, she asked, "Mom, where's Seryna? Is she still angry with me?"

Jennett asked the butler, Kolten Pearson, "Where's Seryna? Tell her to get down here and apologize to Tehila!"

Kolten remained silent. Seryna froze to death in the snow the week before.

Tehila looked shocked, then burst into tears. "Is Seryna mad at me?"

Jennett gently comforted her, tears in her eyes. "No, she wouldn't. We've punished her."

Jeremiah chimed in, "Yeah. I broke her arms and legs. She's too broken to hurt you now."

Tehila turned to look at him, voice soft and coy. "You've always loved me. Thank you."

She nestled happily into Jennett's arms. "Mom, I know you love me the most, don't you? I'm truly sorry. I don't wanna make things hard for Seryna. When she comes back, I'll make sure we get along. I wanna go to the hospital and apologize to her."

"You didn't do anything wrong. There's no need to apologize."

Jeremiah turned and barked at Kolten, "What are you dawdling for? Tehila is back. Has Seryna realized her mistake yet? Get her down here to apologize to Tehila!"

Kolten replied with a sigh, "Ms. Seryna already froze to death. Her hand was nailed into the snowdrift. She couldn't get away."

Jeremiah was taken aback, and he began to tremble uncontrollably. "There's no way she's dead!"

Kade let out a cold laugh. "So she's playing at suicide now? She's trying to draw attention to herself. That girl from the sticks doesn't know her place."

Seryna's third brother, Erik Willard, also stiffened slightly. He had forced poison down Seryna's throat himself, and he didn't think she'd survive. He sneered, "She went three days and nights without food, and then took a beating on top of that. But she hasn't learned her lesson, huh?"

Tehila sobbed with guilt, "Mom, I'm sorry. I acted out and made things hard for you guys. When I thought Seryna was trying to take Bruno from me, I panicked. I was scared she'd steal the man I loved. I'm so sorry. I didn't know things would go this far."

As she cried, the whole family began to comfort her in hushed tones.

No one mentioned Seryna again, as if she had never existed in this world.

Seryna woke up, panting heavily. She was freezing and immediately pulled the blanket over herself.

She wondered, "Didn't I freeze to death in the snow? Why am I in the room now?"

She glanced at the clock on the wall, and everything became clear. She had traveled back in time.

With all her memories intact, she was 22 again.

Suddenly, a cold voice rang out above her. "Seryna, what are you daydreaming about? Your grandma is talking to you!"

It was Jennett speaking.

Seryna looked up and saw her grandma, Devona Rigsby.

After she was brought back into the Willard family, Devona rushed over from her place and asked if she wanted to live with her.

Trying to win the favor of the Willard family, she refused.

In the end, Devona was killed by Tehila.

Seryna wouldn't leave until every Willard paid the price. In this life, she no longer cared about their love. She would make them pay, blood for blood!

"Seryna, you've been through so much."

Seryna looked into Devona's loving eyes and smiled, "Grandma, what truly pains me is that I couldn't be there for you all these years. I wanted to stay by Mom's and Dad's side. Mom carried me for ten months, only to have me switched by the maid with her daughter. Grandma, you have to stand up for me on this. I've been through 22 years of hardship out there. If I had been at home, I could have been with you all along."

With those words, tears streamed down her face. Her past life had taught her that being tolerant and yielding, playing the good-guy role, and doing good wouldn't save her. In the end, the Willard family still killed her.

This time, she would let them savor every drop of the world's bitterness and darkness!

Tehila was never her rival. The only thing that made her feel threatened was that unattainable, illusory familial bond with the Willard family that she so desperately craved.

In her past life, when she had just returned, everyone told her to give in to Tehila and not try to steal attention. But this time, she would fight for everything and rip off Tehila's mask.

The maid, kneeling on the ground, trembled with fear. She pleaded, "I'm Tila's mom. I didn't mean to back then..."

"Oh, really? If it wasn't intentional, why did I have to suffer for 22 years? You didn't just switch me. You threw me into an orphanage and never raised me! Yet my parents, kind as they are, chose not to blame you and even treat your daughter like a princess! And now, you feel no guilt. Instead, you're shamelessly begging for mercy, counting on my dad's love for her! If this gets out, our family will be a laughingstock!"

In her last life, Seryna had longed for the love of her biological parents. Stepping into this grand estate had stirred in her a fragile hope for family warmth, but in the end, everyone in this house let her down.

Tehila leaned on Jennett, crying her eyes out. She was quite pretty, dressed in a high-end gown that accentuated her elegance. Her eyes were slightly swollen from crying.

When Seryna looked at her, a flash of disdain and hatred crossed her eyes.

The maid looked toward Devona, eyes full of desperate pleading. "Please, let me off. I... I know I was wrong."

Devona was furious. "From what I see, you don't feel guilty at all! You put Tehila into our family on purpose and wanted her to replace Seryna!"

Tehila's face drained of color. "Grandma, I didn't. I didn't think like that. It's her fault. You can punish her however you want. I don't want such a heartless mom. I only want my mom."

With that, she buried her face in Jennett's embrace and wept.

The maid looked at Tehila with utter despair in her eyes, pain twisting her face. "Tehila, I've given you a life of luxury for over twenty years, and now, you won't even say a word to plead for me. You're utterly ungrateful and ruthless!"

Tehila shot her a cold, warning glance without saying anything.

In the end, Devona called the police. The maid was taken away, and jail was her next stop.

Devona said in a low, calm voice, "Alright, now our family is reunited."

Seryna walked over and held her arm, smiling brightly. "Grandma, let me show you my room. It'll give you peace of mind to see it."

The faces of the Willard family turned sour at this.

They had given Seryna a room in the attic.

Devona smiled and gently patted her head. "Okay. I can feel relieved then."

She turned to Kolten. "Where's Seryna's room?"

Kolten hesitated. He was loyal to Devona and dared not hide the truth. He replied in a trembling voice, "Ms. Tehila said that since Ms. Seryna was from the slums, she should stay in the attic for a while before moving back into a proper room."

"What?" Seryna froze in disbelief, eyes full of grievance as she turned to Devona. "Grandma, I'm my parents' biological daughter, yet the adopted one wants me to live in the attic, thinking that I came from the slums! It seems I'm not welcome here. I might as well leave."

Tehila could play the victim; so could she.

Rage contorted Tehila's face. She was about to faint from anger.

When they first brought Seryna back, she seemed dull and obedient. How had she suddenly become so sharp-tongued?

Jennett's face darkened in embarrassment. Rashad looked even more grim.

Seryna's gaze swept across the room, taking in their shifting expressions. Deep down, she felt a surge of satisfaction.

In her past life, for the sake of family harmony, she had endured the humiliation and moved into the attic, only for these people to treat her even worse.

Tehila tried to explain herself, but Devona had lost her temper. "Tehila, do you really think you're the real deal here?! If not for that vile mom of yours, you'd be the one from the slums! You look just like your mom, sharp-faced and sly! Tell me, what good could ever come from a face like that?!"

After venting her anger, she turned to Rashad and Jennett. "You two must have gone mad! Pampering the maid's daughter while making your own daughter live in the attic?! Rashad, you're the head of this family. How could you treat your daughter this way?!

"Look at how malicious that maid is. And then look at the daughter she produced! Keeping her in this house is asking for trouble!"

Rashad looked at Seryna, his face full of guilt. "Mom, I didn't know any of this."

Jennett turned toward Seryna. "Sera, don't blame Tila. She has been spoiled since she was little and can't accept your return right away. Don't hold it against her. You can live in whichever room you want."

"Hmph." Seryna sneered. "Mom, are you seriously asking the victim to be more understanding of the one who hurt her?

"How ridiculous! By agreeing with her, you're saying I'm the shabby, unworthy girl who doesn't deserve a place in this house, right?"

How absurd!

This had all happened before, and yet, she still held on to some foolish longing for the last thread of familial affection.

Jennett was caught off guard. Meeting those tearful eyes, she felt agitated.

Seryna's voice turned cold. "Mom, what about the suffering I endured and the pain I went through? Who has ever shown understanding for me? Tehila stole my place and lived in luxury, while I, your real daughter, suffered innocently. And you're asking me to be the understanding one? It seems you don't welcome me back."

Jennett choked on her words, then shot Seryna a sharp glare. How had this girl become so sharp-tongued?

Instinctively, she moved to defend Tehila. "What does this have to do with Tila? She was just a baby back then, and she didn't know anything. She's a victim too."

Seryna turned to Devona, her voice trembling with deeper grievance. "Grandma, I was also a baby, and I was a victim myself. But Mom chose to shower love on the daughter of her enemy and treat me like a burden. Fine then, since you've decided to keep her, I'll leave."

Rashad said, "Sera, don't say that. Tila has been pampered her whole life. She wouldn't be able to survive without us."

Seryna sneered. So, they couldn't bear to part with Tehila. She kept her tone steady and firm. "You have a point, but I've survived beatings and hunger since I was little. People develop feelings even for a kitten or puppy they keep, let alone a pampered girl they've nurtured since birth. Dad, I know you can't bear to part with Tehila, and I understand. But I hope you can understand that I am your real daughter! I don't mean to look down on that maid, but she's a despicable person. I've said what needed to be said. Dad, please understand how I feel."

In her past life, she had naively believed that blood ties would mean something and that her family would care for her.

But in the end, she was killed by her own family.

She wouldn't be so foolish again.

Rashad squinted at Seryna. She was nothing like the meek and submissive girl that Tehila had described. She was assertive and confident, always standing up for herself.

In fact, her personality was strikingly similar to his own. His gaze lingered on her pretty face, and deep down, he began to consider marrying her off to a man from another powerful family.

He said with a tender smile, "Seryna, both you and Tila are the apples of my eye. Tila's room is in a good spot. Why don't you take it?"

Tehila's face turned pale. Her dad was seriously asking her to give up her room for that country bumpkin?!

Not a chance!

Seryna shook her head. "Dad, I don't want her room. If I stayed there, every time I closed my eyes, I'd be reminded of how her mom took me away and how I lost all those years I could've spent with you. Dad, can I stay on the third floor instead?" Her voice was soft and wheedling, tinged with a sense of grievance.

Rashad was the head of the Willard family. Seryna only needed to win over him and her grandma. Everyone else was nothing more than pawns in her game.

The real prize was the Willard family's power and resources, and she intended to make it all hers.

Her soft tone softened Rashad's expression, and his voice turned doting. "Okay, whatever you want. You can pick any room on the third floor, and I'll make sure all the furniture is delivered within two hours."

"Thank you, Dad. Now I finally understand what it feels like to be protected by my dad," Seryna said, her eyes red as she leaned against his arm.

By deliberately bringing up her past hurts, she drew a few guilty looks from the others present, except Tehila.

Blood was thicker than water. Rashad's heart softened for his biological daughter.

Only Seryna knew that Devona had come today to test her. Devona never liked weak, simpering girls—exactly the kind Tehila was. She despised Tehila's insincere sweetness and hidden malice.

In her past life, desperate for family love, Seryna had imitated Tehila foolishly, earning only her grandma's bitter disappointment.

This time, she vowed to become the next head of the Willard family.

Seryna picked the best room on the third floor, and Rashad had the finest clothes and furniture delivered to her.

Everything came so effortlessly now. Just a few nice words and some well-timed tears, and Rashad was all in. Looking back, she realized how utterly foolish she had been before.

Tehila kept looking at Seryna jealously.

That jealousy sparked a deep sense of crisis in her heart. She was never the real daughter and knew one day Seryna would push her out. She needed to marry Brunell quickly and become the young mistress of the Fortin family.

But Seryna didn't care at all about Tehila's venomous glare. Right now, her focus was entirely on Devona.

She knew that sly girl was starting to panic.

"Grandma, let me walk you back," Seryna said sweetly, linking her arm with Devona's.

Devona's eyes glowed with satisfaction. "Okay. Have dinner with me when we get back."

Tehila watched as Seryna walked away with Devona. With tears streaming down her face, she turned to Jennett and asked, "Mom, Seryna is back. Does that mean you don't want me anymore?"

Seryna had charmed their dad into such a good mood that he almost made her give up her room.

Seeing her swollen, red eyes, Jennett felt her heart break. She held Tehila close and soothed her gently, "Don't say such foolish things. You'll always be my daughter. Seryna's return won't change anything. You'll never leave me."

Tehila finally felt somewhat reassured.

Meanwhile, Rashad frowned as he looked at Tehila. She seemed to lack the calm confidence Seryna had.

After dinner with Devona, Seryna didn't take a ride home. Instead, she walked.

Devona's place sat halfway up the mountain, and it took about half an hour to walk down. Seryna wasn't afraid of the dark. She just wanted to remind herself that this second chance was real.

The night breeze was gentle and refreshing.

As she neared the foot of the mountain, she saw her motorcycle waiting where she had arranged.

She headed down the path. There were streetlights, so it wasn't completely dark, though weeds lined the roadside.

Suddenly, something tightly grabbed her ankle.

Seryna felt something like a snake, but it was warm, unlike the cold scales of a snake.

She was afraid of nothing but snakes!

She looked down and saw a bloodied hand.

"Are you a human?" she whispered.

The owner of the hand snapped back, "Of course!"

Then a faint voice croaked, "Help me!"

The low, suppressed tone sounded like someone not to be messed with.

Seryna felt relieved. She was sure that it was a human.

She crouched down and got a closer look. It was a man, his face obscured by blood, but his high-end, expensive designer suit gave away his status.

She could tell he was no ordinary person.

"Has he been hunted down?" she wondered.

She forcefully yanked the man's hand away.

"Get up," she grunted, pulling him up with all her strength.

But he was too tall for her to budge.

Seeing him unmoving, she realized he had lost too much blood. His face was pale, and he looked like he might have been poisoned.

He was as good as dead.

Seryna crouched down again, pulled a pill out of her bag, and popped it into the man's mouth.

Then she scolded herself under her breath, "Damn it! I've got such a soft spot!"

She heaved the man up and let him lean on her shoulder. She could see her motorcycle up ahead.

She could feel his blood seeping onto her, the metallic scent of it overwhelming.

"Hang in there," she muttered. "Don't you dare die, or the cops will come after me."

The man could feel the fierce energy radiating off Seryna. She was loud, but she smelled sweet, and strangely, he didn't mind it. In fact, he found himself wanting to get closer, but he was too weak to hold on.

Seryna smiled as they were only a meter from her motorcycle. "Looks like we're almost there."

Thud!

She tripped, and they both fell face-first into the dirt.

"Ahhh!" Her face contorted with rage as she was pinned beneath the man.

She swallowed her anger, wanting to forcefully pull him up but fearing she might hurt him further.

So she had no choice but to help him to his feet as gently as she could.

After reaching the motorcycle, Seryna pulled a safety rope from the trunk. She hoisted the man's long legs onto the motorcycle, then secured him to her back before speeding off.

She had a small apartment in the city. To save the man, she had to go there. It was fully equipped and close by.

The autumn night was gentle, the cool breeze whispering past her ears as she rode her beloved motorcycle.

For the first time, the feeling of being reborn hit her with full force.

A smile spread across her face. She was overwhelmed with excitement.

In the apartment, Seryna laid the man on her single bed. Seeing his tall frame on the small bed, she felt a pang of guilt for not having something more suitable.

Without wasting any more time, she grabbed the first aid kit and began to tend to his wounds.

Three hours later, she had taken care of all his injuries. His face was still covered in blood, making it impossible to see his features.

She gently touched his forehead. Feeling a wound there, she treated it as well.

Exhausted, she collapsed into a recliner, sent a message to Rashad, then closed her eyes to sleep.

During the night, she woke up twice because the man had a fever. She gave him some medicine to bring it down, and then fell back asleep.

Morning sunlight poured in, and the autumn wind was cool.

Seryna opened her beautiful eyes, stretched languidly, and then glanced at the bed. The man was gone!

If it weren't for the blood on the bed, Seryna would've thought she had saved a ghost, not a person.

She looked down and saw that her first aid kit had been cleaned out, with only an empty box left.

Still a bit sleepy, she snapped wide awake in an instant. Furious, she realized she had saved a thief.

She thought, "Fine, whatever. To save one life is to save the world entire.

"No, wait, that's an old saying. These days, it's more like saving a life and getting a hundred extra years.

"Guess I was the 'lucky' one to run into that man."

Suppressing her anger, she grabbed what she needed and returned to the Willard's mansion.

She didn't notice the note tucked under the pillow.

As soon as Seryna walked through the door, Jennett started scolding her. "Seryna! You're a girl, and yet you were out all night! Where have you been?!"

Seryna looked at her coldly. Her three brothers weren't home. Only Rashad, Jennett, and Tehila were there.

Today, Seryna was dressed in a black tracksuit. Her radiant eyes, with a mole at the outer corner, made her look stunningly beautiful.

Seeing her become more beautiful by the day, Tehila grew jealous. She said kindly, "Sera, you're still young. It's dangerous out there at night. You should come home earlier and not worry Mom."

However, her eyes revealed nothing but contempt and disdain for Seryna.

Seryna ignored her and turned to Jennett, who looked rather displeased. Her tone was icy as she said, "Mom, I went back to my old place last night, and I already texted Dad about it. I didn't have your contact info, so I couldn't text you. I'm sorry. I'll make sure to come home on time from now on."

She put on a meek facade, tucking away her true feelings. It wasn't the right moment to show her true colors.

She could never forget what Jennett said when she came back in her last life. "I don't care if Seryna lives or dies. All I want is for Tila to be safe and healthy."

Later, for the sake of the shares in her hands, Tehila plotted against her, and she died a miserable death. In this life, she vowed to watch Jennett be dragged into hell by the daughter she loved most.

This time around, she would walk the same path Tehila had taken and leave her no way out.

There's a saying that works well here: to defeat a manipulator, you have to be a stronger one.

To the Willard family, who had never truly liked Seryna, nothing she said was ever right.

Jennett glanced at Rashad, who was coming downstairs, and furrowed her brows slightly.

Seryna walked up to him with a smile and said sweetly, "You said you loved the pretzels from West End, right? I made a special trip there this morning to get them for you."

Rashad looked at her cheerful expression and the affection in her eyes.

As a father, of course he loved such a thoughtful daughter.

"Thank you. Did you get everything done?"

"Yeah," Seryna replied in a low voice. "Dad, I was the top scorer on the SAT, and I attended a well-known university for economics. Now, I'm about to finish my graduate studies. In the coming days, I won't be too busy. I'll look for a job and juggle work and study as I finish my degree."

Last night, when she texted Rashad, she showed him all her achievements.

The Willard family thought Tehila was great.

Then she'd use her success to outshine Tehila.

Tehila and Jennett overheard the conversation. Jennett froze, staring at Seryna in disbelief. "Seryna must be joking, right?" she wondered.

Tehila's face drained of color. There was no way Seryna could be that amazing!

"Sera, you shouldn't joke about things like that. It's gonna embarrass our family," she said, her voice trembling with barely hidden panic.

Jennett chimed in, "Seryna, you grew up in the sticks. Don't go around making such wild claims. Sit down and eat your breakfast. We've been waiting, and our stomachs are growling."

Seryna turned to Rashad with a hurt expression. "Dad, I really am amazing. Why does Mom keep bringing up that I'm from the sticks? Does she not even see me as her daughter? Is Tila the only one she cares about?

"What did people from the sticks ever do to deserve this from Mom?"

Tehila, who was about to sit down, paused. Since when did Seryna become even more manipulative than her?

Rashad was the head of the Willard family. On top of that, he had a few mistresses on the side and even some illegitimate children.

One of them was sharp and ruthless, and he despised Rashad. He could become Seryna's weapon.

Rashad's three sons were each venomous than the last, but this time, things would be different. Seryna no longer clung to the illusion of family ties. She could ruin them all if she wanted to.

"Stop that. Can't you just admit that Sera is amazing? Now come eat breakfast."

Tehila's face turned ghostly white, and the blood drained completely from her cheeks. She thought Seryna must be lying to their dad, trying to steal his attention.

If Seryna surpassed her, her place in this family would collapse. She had to get rid of Seryna, no matter what it took.

Rashad looked at Seryna's pretty face and smiled, "Sera, I've set you up with some etiquette lessons, the kind a noble lady is supposed to know. Since you're not too busy with studies right now, it's a good time to learn. Here's a card. It's my little gift for you. Buy whatever you want."

Seryna took the card without hesitation. No one in their right mind said no to money.

Had she not once craved their shallow affection, perhaps her fate would have been different.

But Tehila and Jennett hadn't learned their lesson.

Jennett couldn't hold back any longer. "Rashad, Tila needs a new violin now. She's already at level six and has won so many awards. It's time she gets a reward too."

Tehila's eyes lit up with excitement as she looked at Rashad. She wanted a black card, too.

Suddenly, Seryna bowed her head, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked at Rashad through her glistening tears.

"Dad, Mom is being so unfair. She knows how much I've suffered. I'm the one she carried for ten months and gave birth to. But when she sees you give me a card, she's trying to do the same for Tila. People who know the truth may say she's playing favorites, but those who don't will think Tila is her real daughter."

Jennett was left speechless.

Tehila trembled with rage. She wanted to rip Seryna apart. Why did Seryna always have to bring up who the real daughter was?!

"Alright, Sera, I know how wonderful you are and how much you've suffered. Don't cry. After breakfast, the etiquette instructor, Ammie Legg, will come to pick you up. You gotta study hard, okay?"

Seryna nodded meekly, her eyes full of affection as she gazed up at Rashad. "Mm-hmm! Dad, I'll never let you down. I'm only this outstanding because of your amazing genes. No one but you has such a brilliant and beautiful daughter like me!"

"Hahaha!" Rashad laughed heartily at Seryna's flattery. His amusement was palpable in every note of his laughter.

Seryna smiled too. Having lived this life before, she wasn't about to let Tehila get the upper hand so easily.

Tehila's eyes blazed with jealousy. Rashad had never laughed like that in front of her.

But Jeremiah was due back tonight, and he would help her deal with Seryna.

Her three brothers didn't even bother to come home when Seryna was back. They wanted to show Seryna who was in charge and make it clear that she was the princess around here.

Breakfast ended with Rashad in high spirits.

After she saw Rashad off to work, Seryna didn't even spare a glance for Jennett as she made her way back to her room on the third floor.

The room, about 300 square meters, was split into two parts. Right next to it was a big, bright walk-in closet that she really liked. As she sank into the soft bed, memories from her past life crept back. She had it tough before, and she pretty much had it coming.

From what she remembered, Jeremiah would come back tonight.

As the oldest son, he held absolute power in the company. Tehila often plotted against her, driving a wedge between them.

Once he was back, Tehila would flirt with him, on and off, winning his complete trust and using that opportunity to scheme against her.

Seryna let out a cold, derisive laugh. From now on, she wouldn't give Tehila any more chances to hurt her, no matter what came next.

After lying on the bed for a short while, Seryna sat up and texted Luciano Dickey.

"Luciano, I need you to do something for me."

"Sure. Just say the word."

She sent him a message detailing what she wanted done tonight.

Then she walked into the walk-in closet to change.

Rashad hadn't let her down. The closet was stocked with designer gowns and glimmering jewelry.

She picked out a black dress and slipped into it, looking breathtakingly beautiful as ever. She gave herself a faint smile in the mirror—something she rarely did before.

Growing up in an orphanage, she had seen the darkest side of the world. There were many times when she couldn't bring herself to smile. Apart from working hard at school, she had no other way out.

She didn't bother with makeup. Ammie would handle that later.

Her great figure, combined with the high-class dress, gave her an air of elegance and sophistication.

In this life, she was determined to leverage the connections of the Willard family to make her own mark.

Where others saw dead ends, she saw opportunities to rise from the ashes.

As Seryna walked downstairs, she saw Tehila returning after chatting with Ammie.

Seeing Seryna in the black dress, Jennett was taken back to her younger days, and her eyes twinkled.

Tehila, on the other hand, could only look on with sheer envy. Even a little bit of dressing up was enough for Seryna to look stunningly beautiful.

"Sera, etiquette is really tricky. You gotta work hard," she said with a fake smile. She had told Ammie to "properly train" Seryna. The real deal no one cared about? She could play with her any way she pleased.

Seryna caught her insincere grin and replied with a teasing tone, "I saw you talking to Ms. Legg alone upstairs. What was that about? Did you want her to instruct me or discipline me?"

Tehila wanted to put her down, humiliate her, and establish herself as the real daughter of the Willard family. What a pipe dream!

Tehila froze for a moment, then tried to explain with wounded innocence, "Just a casual chat. I didn't mean anything by it."

Seryna gave Jennett a cold look. "Mrs. Willard, you know exactly what kind of person this foster daughter of yours is. Since you're turning a blind eye, don't blame me for being ruthless.

"Tehila doesn't even acknowledge her birth mom. Do you really think she'll feel anything for a foster mother like you? The only thing she loves is your money!

"All those moments you thought were touching? When you end up in hell, you won't regret a thing."

Jennett was an incredibly selfish mother.

Seryna was talented and beautiful, and even looked just like her, but she still didn't think highly of her.

Tehila glared at Seryna with hatred written all over her face. "Damn it, she knows everything," she thought.

Jennett froze, then exploded in fury. "You... Seryna! I'm your mom!"

Seryna had just called her "Mrs. Willard"?!

Seryna sneered, "You think you deserve that title? How dare you claim to be my mom? You and Tehila are birds of a feather, vicious to the core! You treat me like a dirt-poor girl from the sticks. In your eyes, I'm not even as good as a stranger. How dare you say you're my mom?"

With that, she strutted away.

Jennett was fuming and beside herself with regret. She had gone along with Tehila's scheme, and now her own daughter had turned against her.

"Seryna, with that sharp tongue and nasty temper of yours, no one will like you! You're plain and dull. What do you even have to compete with Tila?"

Seryna chuckled, then slowly turned around, her gaze laced with mockery. "Why would I bother ingratiating myself with someone who doesn't even care about me?"

Jennett was left speechless, watching as she walked away.

"Mom, don't listen to Seryna's nonsense. She's downright vicious and trying to sow discord. I will always love you."

Tehila cried, throwing herself into Jennett's arms.

Jennett gently patted her back, her voice low and soothing. "Don't cry, Tila. I believe you. You're the apple of my eye. Seryna could never compare to you."

Tehila was certain that, deep down, Jennett loved her the most.

No matter how much Seryna tried to sow discord, the Willard family would always choose her.

Seryna was in for a rough day.

Recalling what Seryna said before she left, Jennett felt a sharp pain in her heart. She couldn't help but wonder whether she had gone too far.

***

The etiquette training program Rashad had arranged for Seryna was from a prestigious school. In her last life, Ammie deliberately smeared her name, making Rashad believe she was undisciplined.

Back then, all she wanted was to study hard, and she hadn't thought too much about it. But today, when she saw Tehila chatting with Ammie downstairs, suspicion finally took root.

She texted Luciano, asking him to get ready.

In this life, she was determined to make the Willard family get out of her way.

At the etiquette school, three instructors came out to lead Seryna in.

Everything inside was top-of-the-line. The curriculum was extensive: dining etiquette, formal banquet and leisure conduct, appropriate conversation topics and taboos, gift-giving protocol, how to create surprises, floral arrangements, table decoration, etc.

Seryna didn't refuse because she knew she would need all of it.

She sat casually on a chair to the side, casting a subtle sidelong glance at the three instructors.

With a slow lift of her cold eyes, she glanced at Ammie, who had slandered her in her past life. A flash of hostility gleamed in her eyes.

Their eyes met, and Ammie's brows furrowed slightly. "Ms. Willard, you're not sitting properly."

"Oh? Have you even taught me anything yet? And now you're already blaming me?"

Ammie's eyes darkened. How dare this unwanted girl talk back to her? She didn't need to exert herself. She could just take the money and get rid of Seryna.

With a condescending smile and a voice thick with scorn, she said, "A girl from the sticks like you trying to learn elite etiquette, huh? Go stand by the window for an hour. Take off your dress and keep only your underwear on."

Seryna tossed the training book aside and rose to her feet.

Ammie's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. She thought Seryna obeyed meekly.

The other two instructors also looked at Seryna with blatant disdain.

Seryna gave a faint, mocking smile and spoke into her phone, "Dad, I'm not really sure about this social etiquette stuff, but Ms. Legg asked me to strip and stand by the window for an hour."

The three instructors turned ashen.

Rashad was taken aback. The school he had chosen was top-notch, with staff known for their high standards and integrity.

"Relax. I'll call the headmaster right away."

Seryna hung up with a smile. In front of her, the three instructors looked absolutely stricken.

Ammie, used to getting her way, stormed over and slapped Seryna across the face. "You bitch! No one even cares about you, and you dare act arrogant with me! Get on your knees and apologize, or I'll ruin you! Your dad paid me to teach you some manners!"

Seryna gave a cold, derisive smile.

Her phone buzzed softly. She glanced down and saw a message from Luciano.

"She slapped you! I'll kill her!"

Seryna shook her head. Killing someone was against the law. She had set herself up as bait to utterly disgrace Ammie.

A national livestream would ruin this place, and she'd get her revenge for old grievances.

Suddenly, one of the instructors shrieked, "Oh no, Ammie, that slap you gave Ms. Willard was livestreamed nationwide!"

"What?!" Ammie's voice turned sharp and shrill.

She stared in horror at the hand she had used to slap Seryna.

With a national livestream, they were done for, and their school would be blacklisted.

Just then, another message from Luciano popped up on Seryna's screen.

"Livestream cut. You can do whatever you want."

Seryna slipped her phone into her bag and looked at Ammie, her smile twisted and sinister. "Ms. Legg, you seemed to enjoy that slap just now. Now it's my turn."

Smack! She slapped Ammie right across the face.

"Ahhh!" Ammie let out a piercing scream as she spun three full times before collapsing onto the floor in a disheveled heap.

She gazed up at Seryna in sheer terror. The girl standing before her looked every bit the queen who ruled from on high.

Seryna lowered her gaze to meet Ammie's, her beautiful eyes gleaming with a deep, unreadable intensity. "Being cheeky and being funny aren't the same. Don't think being rude means you're cool. We're all living our first lives here. If you wanna act tough, I can do the same."

"You... How dare you slap me?! Do you even know who I am?!" Ammie was in a daze. Her head throbbed like a blade was slicing straight through her nerves.

Seryna's tone was laced with mockery. She was harsh when she hit. "Oh, relax. The real show hasn't even started yet. You should think about how to apologize if you want me to forgive what you did. You like taking money to do other people's dirty work? Then you'd better be ready to handle the consequences."

A glint of madness flickered in her eyes.

Tsk. Slapping someone felt so damn good.

Ammie slowly got to her feet, still clinging to a sliver of hope. Seryna was just an unloved girl, right? What did she have to fear?

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door.

Ammie glanced over and saw the school's vice president. Her face paled. Why would the VP be here?

Seryna slowly turned, calmly watching as a whole delegation of executives filed in.

Ammie's nerves unraveled. Tears welled in her eyes, threatening to spill.

She turned to Seryna and hissed under her breath, "Seryna, I'm warning you, don't you dare say anything stupid!"

Seryna laughed, amused by the sheer audacity. "Sorry, but you'll have to hold on a bit longer. Your threats are livestreamed, too."

"What?!" Ammie was so mad that she almost couldn't stay on her feet. She had done all this for a mere 16,000 dollars, and now her entire career was about to go up in smoke.

"Ammie, you're fired," the VP said bluntly.

Ammie staggered backward, her legs barely able to hold her up.

She shook her head and pleaded, "No, please. I know I was wrong. Please, don't fire me."

"Humph! Clients come first, and we're here to serve them. They have each paid over 10,000 dollars for training here, and you treat them like this? You're no longer fit to be in this profession. Starting today, no one in this industry will want you."

Ammie turned to Seryna and kept apologizing. "Ms. Willard, I'm sorry. Please, forgive me this once. I'm begging you, just once."

Seryna curled her lips into a casual smile and raised an eyebrow, looking down at Ammie with cool indifference. "Didn't you warn me not to say something stupid?

"How about this? You tell the VP why you treated me that way. If you give me a reason, I might forgive you."

Ammie closed her eyes for a brief second. "It was Ms. Tehila. She said you were out of favor and transferred me 16,000 dollars to humiliate you."

That was exactly what Seryna had been waiting for. Right then, Rashad showed up at the door and frowned when he heard it.

Everyone present knew that conflicts between heiresses of powerful families were rarely bloody, but they were terrifying all the same.

Seryna's eyes turned ice-cold. "You're forgiven. But as for what the school chooses to do with you, that's no longer my concern."

Ammie looked to the VP with a spark of hope in her eyes, only to be told she would never be hired again.

Seryna didn't bother with the drama anymore. She followed Rashad downstairs and got into his car.

His face clouded with frustration. "Sera, Tila doesn't know any better. Don't take what happened today to heart. When we get home tonight, I'll have her apologize to you.

"She has been spoiled by us over the years. I'll have a good talk with her."

Seryna lowered her eyes. She knew this was how it would turn out.

The Willard family had poured time and money into Tehila, all to mold her into a perfect match for Brunell and secure the alliance between the two families.

Even if Rashad were to learn her true nature, he would likely turn a blind eye.

Seryna was right.

Justice was whatever the powerful said it was!

She gave Rashad an obedient smile. "I understand. After I got back, she feels like I'm a threat, so she wants to drive me out. But Dad, you'll have to make it up to me."

Seeing how well-behaved and understanding she was, Rashad smiled, "Sure. You're always the sensible one. So, tell me, what do you want?"

"Dad, I don't hold it against Tehila," Seryna began slowly with a sigh. "But what she did was a total embarrassment for the Willard family. After everything we've given her, she still can't accept me. If she keeps this up, she's only going to destroy herself.

"She's had etiquette training, right? So why is she acting like this? It brings bad luck to the family.

"Why not give me a small company to run? Let me prove myself."

Back then, whenever a rumor came up, Tehila would blame Seryna. She'd say the Willard family had been doing just fine until Seryna came back, and Seryna was a curse.

This time, she'd beat Tehila at her own game and leave her no way out.

Rashad raised an eyebrow. He knew how humiliating things had been earlier. He used to think Tehila was sweet and sensible, but now, he wasn't sure.

Then he drove Seryna home himself.

"I'll take care of it. I've got your back!" he said.

At the Willard's house, Tehila already knew the truth. She was curled up in Jennett's arms, crying.

"Tila, don't cry. It breaks my heart to see you like this. Just explain everything when your dad gets back. It'll pass," Jennett said softly.

Right then, the door opened. Rashad and Seryna were back.

Tehila shot up, nervous. "Dad, Sera, that was all a misunderstanding. The etiquette coach misread what I said. I just wanted her to guide Sera better. I swear I didn't mean anything else. I have no idea why she accused me of that."

She looked at Seryna, unsteady on her feet. "Sera, I'm sorry. Whatever you say, I'll do it. Just please forgive me."

She had no idea how Seryna figured it out. With the livestream, Tehila's reputation was wrecked.

And explaining things to the Fortin family was going to be tough.

Seryna smiled at her with cold eyes. Tehila was slick, twisting her way through the whole mess without even breaking a sweat.

"Tila, I get it," Seryna said firmly. "My coming back probably made you feel insecure. But I never asked you to leave. So why do you keep coming at me? The Willard family is very well-respected in Calford, and people talk. If your reputation's tanking, that's on you. Not me.

"I'm not looking to fight. I just want you to understand if there's no peace in this house, nothing else is gonna work."

That last line was exactly what Rashad wanted to hear.

He spoke up. "Tehila, if this happens again, I won't let you off the hook. Look at Sera. She's forgiving and capable. You should learn from her.

"You're not getting an allowance this month. And if nothing changes, you're moving to the attic."

Tehila nodded without protest, quietly relieved. She knew they'd forgive her and love her like they used to, once the truth came out.

If she wanted Seryna gone, she'd have to change tactics.

"Dad, I get it. I meant well, but I messed up. It won't happen again," Tehila replied softly, her head lowered.

Just thinking about how the incident nearly cost her Brunell made her glare at Seryna.

Her face twisted in anger.

In Tehila's view, everyone in this family was selfish. The only reason she was still here was because Brunell loved her deeply.

Seryna's lips curled into a quiet sneer. The punishment felt underwhelming.

In her last life, Rashad slapped her twice, and Jennett called her a loser, saying she was dragging the family's name through the mud.

Those furious, hateful eyes had burned into Seryna's memory.

Back then, she was sad and indignant, unable to understand her parents' reaction. She would've done anything to make them see how hard she'd tried.

And none of what Tehila accused her of was true.

But every single one of them was cruel and selfish to the core.

Rashad let it go after Tehila apologized.

Seryna narrowed her eyes, thinking, "A second chance at life. Fine. I'll play along and keep the game going."

"I'll find you another place for etiquette lessons, Sera," Rashad said.

Seryna shook her head. "Dad, don't worry about that. You're the head of the family and have enough on your plate.

"Actually, Grandma called on our way back. She's got me a new coach. I'll take the lessons seriously, I promise."

He smiled, satisfied. "That's my girl. With your grandma keeping an eye on things, I can breathe easy."

He headed out soon after for a meeting.

Jennett turned to her with a frown. "Tila was trying to help. Did you have to blow it up like that?"

Seryna gave a half smile. With Rashad gone, she didn't need to keep up the act.

"Ms. Willard, you spoiled your adopted daughter and let her screw me over. Did you even stop to think what would happen when the lies fell apart?

"I've been through hell since I was a kid. I just see things more clearly than you.

"And I'm never calling you Mom. You don't deserve it."

Jennett froze and sank onto the couch, stunned by the disappointment on her face.

The words echoed in Jennett's head, "I'm never calling you Mom. You don't deserve it."

Seryna turned to Tehila. "I don't need to spell out what Brunell's family expects from his future wife. The nasty things you did—if his grandfather catches wind of any of it, your dream of marrying up is over.

"We could've stayed out of each other's way, but you sneaked around and set me up.

"I won't keep forgiving you. Next time, it'll be a cop at your door.

"You went to a top university, and this is what you learned? Dirty tricks? Sure, maybe you've gotten lucky a few times. But you really think you'll get away with it forever?"

Tehila stared into her face. "Sera, I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted the coach to help."

"Help me?" Seryna scoffed. "Then why not ask her to help you instead? Guess the squeaky wheel gets the oil, huh? Ms. Willard acts like her world is falling apart." With that, she turned and walked out.

There was no relief, just a dull ache in Seryna's chest.

That last bit of kindness she had for them only ended up hurting herself.

Once she got her revenge, she'd leave for good.

Tehila watched her go, then turned to Jennett. "Mom, Sera went too far. It was my fault, but talking to you like that wasn't okay."

The headache set in, and Jennett leaned back against the couch. Seryna's cold stare lingered in her mind. Since the day Seryna returned, things had gone sideways. Now they were drifting farther apart.

Jennett looked at the daughter she'd raised and spoiled, her eyes full of mixed emotions. "Tila, drop the games. I promised I'd protect you, and I'm not letting Seryna take anything from you. But if the media get a shot of it and Brunell's grandmother hears about it, that wedding won't happen. You need to be smart.

"Seryna is a Willard by blood. She'll get her share and marry someone decent. That doesn't affect your place in this family. As long as I'm here, you'll always be our favorite."

She wanted to be fair to Seryna, but Tehila was the result of years of careful work. The plan had always been for Tehila to marry into power and help carry the Willard family forward.

Tehila knew Jennett was selfish. Even so, it felt good knowing Jennett still had her back.

"I won't let you down, Mom. But Sera thinks the worst of you. I don't think she's gonna change her mind. If you keep siding with me, what if she starts plotting behind our backs?"