Chapter 7
Before long, the scandal spread like wildfire through both high society circles and among all my former classmates.
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The real daughter whom the Herman family had gone through great lengths to reclaim turned out to be ruthless and venomous–she nearly pushed the kind–hearted and accomplished adopted daughter off a building to her death. In the end, the furious Hermans disowned her and cut all ties.
Lucas and my crew were fuming beside me, ready to storm the Hermans for justice. But I just chuckled, tapped my bank card, and said with a smile, “What’s the big deal?
“I’m loaded now. Let’s go to the priciest bar in town and get your racing team the latest gear.”
Lucas pressed his lips together and stared at the ground, saying nothing. The others fell silent too, their eyes red–rimmed.
I knew they were worried I was just putting on a brave front, afraid I was hurting inside.
Honestly, I never waste even a shred of emotion on irrelevant people or matters, let alone feel heartbroken over them.
Besides, I’d already prepared separate, unexpected “gifts” for the Hermans and for Carly.
After the SAT, I withdrew some cash from the bank. Then, I visited the parents of my friends who had secretly pooled money to help me buy parts and pay competition fees during my hardest times. I repaid them with interest and gave each family a generous envelope of cash as a token of my gratitude.
I surely couldn’t hand the money directly to Lucas and his bunch of rascals. Otherwise, not a single cent would reach their parents. Those guys would probably go wild with joy and rent out the entire gaming café for a month–long party.
Their parents accepted the money, and after I explained everything, they smiled with understanding–though I could still see a trace of heartache in their eyes.
Lucas’s mother patted my hand with red eyes and said, “Poor girl. Honestly, we always knew those brats took money to help you with your mechanical projects. We just couldn’t stand his usual slacker attitudes, so we gave them a few scoldings to teach them a lesson.”
I was stunned for a moment and bowed deeply to them.
They didn’t say much. Even though they’d probably heard about my situation with the Herman family, none of them looked at me any differently.
One of them smiled, “Stella, wish you all the best. Don’t let those troubles weigh you down. You’re capable. I know you’ll have a bright future.”
I thanked them sincerely and turned to leave, but I couldn’t resist glancing back one last time. Their faces were filled with encouraging smiles. It felt as if the cold rain that had drenched my heart had finally washed away, replaced by a surge of newfound warmth.
Later, the SAT results were released. Carly missed the exam because of her so–called “serious injuries“.
I scoffed–she brought this on herself.
Those who schemed against others often ended up ensnaring themselves.
Against all expectations–yet just as a handful had foreseen–I got full marks, splashed across the front pages of every major
news outlet.
Meagan always thought I was just a good–for–nothing troublemaker.
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Chapter 7
But she never knew how desperately I yearned to break free from her, from that suffocating household, and from a life shrouded in darkness.
To escape, to claw my way out of the abyss, I had to endure hardships in silence and make myself invisible, biding my time for that one slim chance at survival.
The teachers and students at school were all shocked–some even went so far as to anonymously report me for cheating on the exam.
Too bad for them, after repeated investigations, the authorities found nothing. As if I’d ever stoop to such means.
Elena–once a rebellious girl, now the state’s top scorer–had been playing dumb all along.
The two bombshells sent shockwaves through Vandersa, leaving the Herman family utterly stunned.
They seemed to regret it. I couldn’t tell if it was because my stellar SAT results made them look good, or if that recording going public had stirred a hint of guilt in them. Honestly, I couldn’t care less and couldn’t be bothered to find out.
The very next day after my SAT results were announced, the Hermans showed up uninvited at my doorstep.
By then, I had already used that money to buy a two–story house with a small courtyard in the old neighborhood near Thea’s former home. I moved David, Daisy, and Thea in with me. I also arranged for the best doctor to examine Thea’s eyes, and her surgery was already scheduled.
The Hermans must have gotten hold of my address from somewhere. I had just come back from buying some motorcycle modification parts when I saw three members of the Herman family standing awkwardly at the gate of my courtyard, looking completely out of place in the somewhat shabby surroundings.
Of course, Carly didn’t come.
Nora looked at me with eyes brimming with tears, clearly wanting to say something but holding back. Samuel kept rubbing his temples, exhaustion written all over his face.
Bryce let out a deep sigh, his tone complicated. “Elena, haven’t we been at odds long enough? Carly knows she was wrong now, and we realize we haven’t cared for you enough before. Come home, okay? You’ll always have a place with us.”
I couldn’t help but find it amusing. Watching the three of them about to barge into my freshly cleaned courtyard without even bothering to remove their shoes, I coolly pointed to the shoe rack by the door.
“Shoes off. And have you forgotten? We’ve already signed the legal agreement severing all ties. Trespassing is illegal,” I said flatly.
Samuel’s frown deepened.
He snapped, “What nonsense is this? How can you call it trespassing when your own family comes to visit you?”
Impatiently, I took out the agreement from the house and waved it in his face.
“Can’t you read? Your signature is on it. We have no legal ties anymore. From now on, don’t ever come and disrupt my life again, I announced.
Perhaps thoroughly enraged by my stubborn indifference, the Hermans stormed off that day, their faces dark with fury.
As for me? I’d never waste a single thought on their petty tantrums.
I went back to David’s shoe repair stall. This time, I didn’t sneak around. I handed him a bank card with a sticky note that read: [For Thea’s treatment and nutrition PIN: Thea’s birth date. David, you don’t have to work so hard anymore |
Unable to refuse, David and Daisy finally accepted it with tearful gratitude. They clasped my hands tightly, murmuring their
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thanks over and over
Thea peeked timidly from behind David, her large eyes–soon to regain their sight–stealing glances at me. Then, in a soft but clear voice, she called out. Thank you, Stella”
It was the very first time she had ever spoken my name so clearly
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