Chapter 5
Time flows swiftly, passing in the blink of an eye.
With the college entrance exam looming, Julie was neglecting her studies, instead spending her days clinging to Mrs. Shields, playing the role of the perfect daughter
to a tee.
Mrs. Shields fell for it hook, line, and sinker. The once–precarious balance gradually tipped in Julie’s favor.
“Doesn’t it upset you?”
“What’s there to be upset about?”
I set down my book and turned to face the young man sitting beside me.
For some reason, this guy had been visiting the Shields‘ house every few days, always finding his way to my side to strike up a conversation.
If I were more conceited, I might think this flower had fallen for me!
Ethan Drake gestured towards Julie, who was snuggling in Mrs. Shields‘ arms. The latter seemed to smile helplessly, but her eyes were brimming with adoration. What a picture–perfect portrait of maternal love and filial piety!
Ethan cupped his chin in his hands, his expression as innocent as a child’s, but his words cut deep: “If I didn’t know better, I’d think Julie was your mom’s biological
daughter. I thought you wouldn’t let something like this happen.”
“Love gained through begging and pleading is far too cheap.”
The moment I arrived at the Shields‘ house, I distributed study materials. Mrs.
Shields didn’t even bother to flip through them, attempting to play mediator between Julie and me, with a clear bias. What could I do?
Of course, I gave them plenty of space to perform!
As long as they didn’t disturb my studies, I was fine!
When Ethan and I returned to the living room, we were greeted by Mr. Shields teasing remark: “You two seem to be getting along well…”
Julie, still clinging to Mrs. Shields‘ arm, cut him off: “Maybe Big Brother Ethan is just curious about Sister’s past life! Isn’t that right, Big Brother Ethan?”
I leaned forward to pour myself a glass of water, calmly answering for Ethan:
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“That’s right! After all, not everyone has seen child traffickers before. It’s normal to
be curious!”
The atmosphere grew quiet once again…
Mrs. Shields gently patted Julie’s hand, trying to smooth things over: “Let’s not talk about unpleasant things! Qinglan, make sure to take care of yourself while you’re busy studying, okay?”
Mr. Shields chimed in: “That’s right! Your health comes first! Do what you can! No matter what your grades are, Dad will have a reward for you…”
I leaned towards Mr. Shields, softening my voice, and asked, “If I do well, will Dad’s reward be even bigger?”
Mr. Shields laughed heartily, immediately agreeing: “Of course! If you do well, about Dad rewards you with shares in Shields Enterprises?”
See? This is why I maintain a good attitude towards Mr. Shields!
As the saying goes, follow the money!
how
He might not be able to give me enough fatherly love, but he’ll give me more than
enough money!
Mr. Shields‘ promise nearly made Julie grind her teeth to dust, and even Mrs. Shields‘ expression became uneasy.
Due to Ethan’s presence as an outsider, she couldn’t openly object, only vaguely saying, “The shares are so important… let’s discuss it after the exam results come
out!”
Then she tried to reassure me: “Mom just doesn’t want you to feel too much
pressure…”
I didn’t want to guess at Mrs. Shields‘ thoughts. I only knew that when I presented her with my second–place provincial exam results a month later, her expression
was sufficiently complex.
Happy, yet not entirely so.
In short, there were too many factors at play.
Since Julie had focused on vying for affection in the months leading up to the
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exam, her grades had plummeted.
She could only glare at me furiously from the shadows of the banquet, watching as I basked in the limelight, accompanying Mr. Shields as he accepted praise from numerous business partners, standing tall and enjoying the glory.
Mr. Shields indeed proved to be a man of his word, quickly fulfilling his promise to
- me.
However, on my way to Shields Enterprises, everything suddenly went black, and I
lost consciousness.
When I opened my eyes again, I was faced with Julie’s twisted smile.
My hands were tied behind my back, and I slumped weakly in the corner, asking
with a hint of frailty, “Julie? Why are you doing this?”
“Why?”
Julie shot back, viciously gripping my chin: “You were going to Shields Enterprises to sign the contract, right? Dad’s so good to you, actually willing to transfer shares to you! Why? I’ve been his sweet, obedient daughter for over a decade, and in the end, you get all the benefits!
“Why did you have to appear in my life? You should have just died after being switched! And since you came back, why do you have to oppose me at every turn? “This isn’t how it should be! This isn’t right! A piece of trash like you doesn’t deserve a happy ending!”
Julie grew increasingly unhinged, her eyes bloodshot, enunciating each word: “I’ll set everything back on track! As long as you’re gone, everyone will be like they
were before!”
She abruptly released her grip and called to the men who had kidnapped me, her voice filled with malice: “I’ll give you everything I promised! As long as this bitch
disappears from this city completely!”
Julie’s mouth stretched into an exaggerated grin, oozing bloodlust: “It’d be best to sell this bitch off! Sell her to the mountains! Let her pop out babies one after
another! That’s the life she deserves!”
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The men Julie had hired looked far from reputable. Though tall and burly, their eyes were incredibly lecherous. They now surrounded me, closing in, each word they uttered more obscene than the last.
Unexpectedly, the next second, the tightly shut door was kicked open…
Over a dozen police officers poured in, tackling and handcuffing my kidnappers,
interspersed with Julie’s helpless cries.
I flexed my hands, marked red from the bindings, and casually tossed the small knife into my pocket.
I cast a disdainful glance at Julie, who was still struggling desperately even as she
was caught.
I told you to study those reference books more! Countless novels with true
heiresses as protagonists had been giving me hints!
What would a fake heiress do when backed into a corner?
Eight out of ten books would choose kidnapping!
Every time I went out, I carried no less than ten tracking devices, with bodyguards. I’d hired stationed not far away. I was thoroughly prepared.
All to prevent the worst, and who knew Julie would actually make the same choice
as countless fake heiresses.
I waved at Julie, now sporting her new silver bracelets, smiling: “Diana Chen, now you can reunite with your birth mother in there. How about that? Aren’t you happy?”
“Ah–You bitch! You dare set me up! Ah-” Julie struggled, hysterical, veins bulging at her temples.
I’m very tolerant of people who’ve completely lost it, magnanimously ignoring her
abusive words.
At that moment, a voice cut in: “Don’t provoke her anymore. Let me check if you’re
hurt?”
Ethan Drake rushed in like a gust of wind, followed closely by Eldest Brother, both
wearing equally anxious expressions.
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The two of them made me turn around on the spot a few times. After confirming that apart from some redness on my wrists, I wasn’t injured anywhere else, they both let out sighs of relief.
Even so, Ethan Drake still suggested, “There’s not enough time today, but it would be best to go to the hospital tomorrow for a thorough check–up.”
Little did they know that this harmonious scene deeply pained Julie.
Julie, who had quieted down earlier, started crying loudly again: “Eldest Brother! Big Brother Ethan! Julie really knows she was wrong! Please forgive me! Can you give me one more chance?”
Eldest Brother remained silent.
Ethan Drake ignored Julie’s wailing and spoke directly to the police: “Officer, we’re law–abiding citizens and won’t harbor criminals! Please take her away quickly!” Eldest Brother gently pushed me from behind: “Let’s go home.”
If my prediction was correct, there would likely be another big scene waiting for us at home.
