Chapter 4

"Jeff, this is where you're in the wrong. Even if your adoptive parents didn't give you a good life before, they still raised you all these years. They gave you a second life.

"How can you, the moment you learn you're the true heir of the Zeder family, rush to cut ties with your benefactors?!"

Shane looked as if he were sincerely speaking up for me, but the glee in his eyes was barely contained.

My eyes reddened, and I choked out, "You're right. This is my fault."

Seeing that I was still as spineless as ever, my adoptive parents' family immediately regained their earlier swagger.

"If you want our forgiveness, that depends on your sincerity," my adoptive father, Jack Hughes, said, his gaze greedy as he looked around the villa.

"Your sister has taken a liking to a rich young man recently. His family expects quite a hefty dowry. Your mother and I… we're in a bit of a difficult position…"

He didn't finish, but I nodded obediently. Leaning closer to my adoptive parents, I lowered my voice.

"There are too many people here. Let's go upstairs to talk. Shane, you should come too—help advise me."

At that, the disdain in Shane's eyes deepened, but he followed anyway.

As we passed Lizzie, she called out to me.

"Do you need help?"

"No. I just want to spend some time with my adoptive family—talk things through."

If she came along, how would I carry out my plan?

The four of them, each harboring their own motives, followed me to the open-air balcony stacked with giant fireworks.

"Alright, it's just the five of us now. Hand over all the money the Zeder family has given you!"

Julia stood there arrogantly, still assuming I would obey like before.

Walking last, I quietly clicked the balcony door shut and locked it.

Seeing that, unease flickered across Shane's face.

"Jeff, what are you playing at? After tonight, your reputation in the elite circles of this city will be completely ruined. If you don't want to be thrown out, kneel and be my dog! I'm feeling generous—I might even toss you a few scraps."

I shook my phone slightly. "The one whose reputation gets ruined might not be me. Everyone's watching."

The moment Shane saw that I was livestreaming, he lunged at me, baring his teeth as he tried to snatch my phone.

As I stepped back again and again, he realized what I was about to do and panicked. "Don't move!"

My adoptive parents also grew anxious, staring at me tightly. "J-Jeff, calm down."

If I fell from here, none of them would get away unscathed.

Just as one of my feet hung over the edge of the rooftop, a figure rushed forward and yanked me back.

The force sent me crashing into her. When I looked up, it was Lizzie again.

She patted her chest in relief, muttering, "That was close… way too close."

Then she glared furiously at Shane. "So it was you behind all this!"