At dinner, Windy casually handed Quinn a piece of paper. Quinn hadn’t thought much of it. Since Elsa’s room had been emptied, it made sense to buy a few things for Windy’s new room. She took the paper without a second thought. The moment she glanced at it, she nearly spat out the fine tea she had just sipped. The entire list was filled with globally limited-edition furniture. The vanity table alone had been designed by a world-renowned top designer. Even she had never been willing to buy something that extravagant. She suspiciously studied the daughter who had just come back from the countryside. “Windy, how do you even know about these brands?” Hearing Quinn’s question, Elsa leaned over curiously for a glance. One look, and she was stunned. Every one of those luxury sofas cost millions. Even though the Sue family was rich, wasn’t this a little too much? Windy calmly watched their shocked faces and said matter-of-factly, “I looked it up online. With the Sue family’s status in Ocean City, isn’t owning this kind of thing standard? Is there a problem?” Quinn forced a smile, her heart aching. If she refused to buy it, people would say she was stingy and didn’t even meet her daughter’s most basic requests. But if she agreed— her heart hurt. She finally forced out a strained smile. “Alright, alright. Mommy will get it ready for you.” David came downstairs and saw the three women talking and laughing. A rare smile appeared on his lips. Once David sat at the head of the table, the maids began bringing out the dishes. In no time, the table was covered with an array of fine food. “Elsa, here’s your favorite lobster and caviar. I told the kitchen to make them specially for you,” Quinn said as she carefully peeled a lobster with gloved hands and placed the meat into Elsa’s bowl. Elsa’s tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed into a bright smile. “Thank you, Mom.” Seeing her daughter smile, Quinn’s heart melted completely. “Eat more. It’s all your favorites.” Across the table, Windy sat silently, her head lowered, eating without a word. A faint sneer curved her lips. Was she blind? Her real daughter had just returned, and not only was she ignored, they were putting on a grand show of mother-daughter affection right in front of her. This was her birth mother? Such a pathetic thing, blood ties. Quinn couldn’t see anyone except her precious Elsa. Toward Windy, there wasn’t even a single token word of concern. Nothing. Maybe, from the moment she was born, her mother hadn’t wanted her. A wild child raised in the countryside could never be worthy of the Sue family’s wealth. In Quinn’s eyes, just letting her into this house was already an enormous act of charity. Elsa glanced sideways at Windy shoveling rice into her mouth, a flash of smugness passing through her eyes. In a sweet voice, she said, “Thank you, Mommy. Every time we eat out, if there’s lobster, I won’t touch it. Because if you’re not there to peel it for me, I don’t want it. Heehee. It’s not that I love lobster. I love eating the lobster you peel.” Quinn doted on her even more. “How could my daughter peel shrimp herself? Your hands are meant for playing piano, painting, studying. In the future, if I’m not around, just have the maids do it for you.” “Okay! Thanks, Mom.” Timing it perfectly, Elsa smiled sweetly and looked toward Windy. “Mom, do you think Windy likes squid?” Even a blind man could see what she was doing. At Elsa’s prompt, Quinn picked a piece of squid—something Elsa didn’t like—and dropped it into Windy’s bowl. “Windy, try this. I bet you’ve never had it before. It’s flown in fresh from overseas. Very delicious.” Yes, a beggar like her could never afford imported delicacies. Windy stared at the few tentacles in her bowl. Was this supposed to be concern? No. Elsa was just using this to rub it in, so what if you’re the real daughter? In Mom’s eyes, it’s still Elsa who matters. You’re nothing but a nobody here. The dishes, the attention—everything is for Elsa. As for you, Windy, you should be grateful for scraps. Windy picked up the squid with her chopsticks and tossed it directly into the trash can. Then she pulled a napkin from the table and calmly wiped her mouth. The three at the table froze mid-bite. Was that necessary? How rude! David frowned deeply, his displeasure written all over his face. Quinn was stunned speechless. What was that supposed to mean? Wasn’t this their first family meal together? The table was overflowing with food—what was she dissatisfied about? Even if she didn’t like it, was it necessary to embarrass everyone like that? Elsa’s heart was bursting with glee. This was exactly what she had hoped for. She had deliberately made Quinn serve squid to Windy, knowing full well a country bumpkin like her would be scared of the strange-looking food. The more Windy acted up, the better Elsa looked. Dad hated rudeness at the dinner table more than anything. She’s crazy. Crazy enough to make everyone hate her. Quinn’s face darkened. “What do you mean by that?” Windy didn’t even look up. In a voice as cold as ice, she answered, “Unsanitary.” Elsa was practically clapping inside. How wonderful. Windy’s coarse, unruly side was coming out even faster than expected. She hadn’t even needed to try hard. Meanwhile, she kept her face innocent and timid, pushing food around her plate to show how distressed she was—completely pretending to pity her mother, as if heartbroken on her behalf. David slammed his fork down with a loud clang. His face turned very unpleasant. “Windy, is this the manners you learned? How could you treat your mother like this?” The atmosphere around the table dropped to freezing. Normally, David didn’t get angry easily. But when he did, it was serious. Even the maids shrank back, not daring to make a sound. Windy pulled out another set of utensils from the cabinet, placed them neatly on the table, and, completely unbothered, grabbed another napkin to wipe her hands. Only then did her cold, emotionless voice sound. “What’s wrong with you all? Do you really not know? Don’t you watch the news? Radon has been dumping nuclear wastewater into the ocean. Radioactive materials are extremely hard to break down in seawater. They cause genetic mutations and serious health problems.” Her cool gaze swept over the table. “It eventually affects human health. Increases cancer risk. Maybe you’re not afraid of dying, but I am.” Her words were calm, logical, impossible to refute. David cleared his throat awkwardly. So she was using the excuse of radioactive pollution? It wasn’t that serious… Everyone was still eating seafood, weren’t they? Windy’s cold eyes met his without fear. She even smiled faintly, a mocking curve of her lips. “I got lost because of you. I froze on the streets, begged, slept under bridges, dug through trash for food, lived with rats. I had only one wish—to eat a full meal. I value my life. Now that I finally have a chance at a decent life, I don’t plan on dying young.” The dining room went deathly silent. She spoke casually, like recounting someone else’s story. But the pain in every word stabbed deeper than any anger could. The maids exchanged looks, their eyes filled with pity and worry. Elsa could hardly believe her ears. Was Windy insane? Was she bragging about those disgusting experiences? If she wanted to join the upper class, these filthy pasts would only become ammunition for others to mock her. She should have hidden it, covered it up! But Windy didn’t care at all. Hilarious. Absolutely pathetic. A fool with no shame. Hearing Windy’s story, Quinn’s eyes grew red. “My child, you’ve suffered so much…” Windy laughed coldly in her heart. Once upon a time, she had craved a mother’s love. Craved even just one kind word. But it had never come. Not in her last life. Not now. Belated affection was worth less than grass. The word “mother” only made her feel disgusted. Windy stood up and pulled out her chair, leaving behind a cold and proud figure. Playing along with their little family drama was exhausting.