Chapter 3

When the Cromwell family crumbled overnight, all the people who used to flatter them immediately turned on them, kicking them when they were down. Each one was eager to tear a piece of flesh from the fallen beast that was the Cromwell family.

Maxwell, who had been lying low for years, seized the opportunity and served up the divorce papers. Tiara had never loved him, but they had shared a bed for nearly 20 years. It was impossible for her to feel nothing.

While I was busy comforting her, Lynette showed up at Maxwell's front door as soon as she heard that he had filed for divorce, along with Stephanie.

This was the first time the two of us had faced each other properly since our rebirth. But she looked nothing like the proud, confident princess I remembered. Instead, her face now carried the marks of someone used to lowering her head and flattering others.

With the divorce papers in hand, Lynette was full of confidence. While she ran her mouth at Tiara, Stephanie lifted her chin and spoke with disdain. "Ever since I was little, the ones Dad loved most has always been Mom and me. That will never change!

"Madison Harvey, your good days are over! It's my turn to be the heiress of the Harvey family! Being forced by that bitch Tiara to study and learn all these years, having no freedom and living like a puppet—it must've been miserable, huh?"

I looked at her like she was an idiot. What on earth made her think that I'd been miserable?

Seriously, my life had been too comfortable! As long as there was something I wanted to do or learn, there was nothing I couldn't try. If I fell, someone was always there to catch me. I had endless chances to make mistakes.

And the greatest advantage of having a rich mother was that I didn't have siblings to fight over the resources. Tiara had poured everything she had into me. At just 18 years old, she had already prepared enough capital for me to step into the business world.

As for Maxwell's love… Hah! What use was that vague, unreliable affection when I already had money and power?

Stephanie didn't even own a single piece of real estate. She had never even seen something like equity or stock options.

What she didn't know was that Lynette had already conceived a baby boy through IVF. He was just waiting to be born so he could inherit everything from Maxwell. And he would leech off his sister.

In my previous life, when Stephanie stormed into my 18th birthday party and dragged me to die with her, I should have thanked her.

That party had never been a proper celebration. In reality, it was an auction to select a husband for me, one who would pay the highest price.

Maxwell, thinking of profits, and Lynette, eager to secure her own position, picked men who all had hidden illnesses or serious problems. Only men like that would offer the kind of money they wanted.

Besides, what made Stephanie think that someone who had already lived through this life once would simply sit back and watch the Cromwell family collapse?

Yes, our family was facing a crisis. But I had never said the crisis couldn't be solved. It looked serious now, but it was simply part of the plan Tiara and I had set up to expose the useless parasites inside the company.

Of course, Stephanie didn't need to know any of that. Right now, she was arrogant and smug. And I was very curious to see whether she would regret choosing to be born to Lynette once everything came crashing down.

Seeing that I didn't respond, Stephanie tossed me an invitation to her 18th birthday party. "Even though we're sisters, our fates will be completely different from now on. This time, I'll generously allow you to witness my shining moment firsthand. Consider it the last bit of sisterly kindness between us!"

I lowered my gaze, hiding the smile tugging at my lips.

Shining moment? More like her darkest one.

…

Stephanie's 18th birthday party arrived as scheduled. Holding the invitation, I walked straight into the venue. For a moment, the guests looked surprised to see me, but the reaction quickly faded.

People who had climbed this high in business were old foxes. Even if they secretly wanted to tear each other apart, they would still smile politely on the surface.

Stephanie wore a delicate pink princess dress, looking like a doll.

I glanced around and realized that every guest present had also attended my 18th birthday party in my previous life. Only this time, the star of the show had changed.

Maxwell led Stephanie to the center of the stage and announced her identity to the guests. Standing there with a crown on her head, she shot me a provocative look.

I raised my wine glass in response. She frowned slightly, as if unable to understand why I seemed so calm.

I set the glass down and murmured into my earpiece. "Do it."

The next second, a group of police officers stormed through the doors. "Maxwell Harvey and Stephanie Harvey, you're under arrest!"