Freedom

Maris and Chloe were both surprised: Esther didn’t cry or make a fuss. She bypassed the rooms, changed into a black trench coat, and picked up her laptop.

“I bought this laptop with my own money—so I’m taking it. And don’t act like you were so generous raising me. You know exactly how much I sacrificed for the Davenier family. Ask your husband and son if you’ve forgotten.”

“As for calling my face ugly... you know the truth better than anyone.”

She paused, voice steady.

“You’ve cut ties with me in public, so let’s keep it clean. From now on, whatever happens in the Davenier family has nothing to do with me. Don’t come looking for me again.”

Passing the living room, she grabbed a bottle of purified water from the fridge and left twenty bucks on top of the closed fridge door.

She glanced at the mother and daughter chasing after her, “Don’t worry, I didn’t drink for free. I paid!”

With that, she vanished into the night like the wind.

Maris and Chloe exchanged a look. Chloe let out a cold snort. “Seriously? She’s just the adopted one, and she’s acting all high and mighty? Relax—whatever Esther can do, I can do too. I’ll handle Davenier Group and look after my brother. You and Dad can just sit back and enjoy retirement.”

A pureblood Davenier daughter, and she still can’t beat some bastard? No way.

“Esther, just wait. You’ve been kicked out, lost everything, and you’re ugly as hell. Let’s see what kind of man from the Westvale family would actually marry you!”

If the Westvale and Davenier families have a marriage agreement, then Evander must be hers!

...

At Rexpark Villa, House No. 9, the moment Esther stepped out of the car, her close friend Judy Fallon greeted her with a bright smile and a bouquet of fresh flowers. A housekeeper stood politely by the door.

“Welcome back, Miss Davenier!”

Judy handed the flowers to Esther, who gave them a brief sniff before passing them to the housekeeper. Then she opened her arms and gave Judy a warm hug.

“You’re so thoughtful and sweet—I’m afraid I might actually fall for you.”

Judy laughed and teased, “Then go get a gender reassignment surgery and let’s be a couple. With your medical skills, you wouldn’t even feel the pain!”

“You sound like your boyfriend’s been getting on your nerves again…”

“Don’t even mention that jerk!” Judy cut her off, grabbing her hand and pulling her inside. “Just dump him already!”

“A few days ago, he was your sweetheart, and now he’s a jerk?” Esther chuckled, clearly amused. “You flip faster than a page.”

“A guy who’s good for everything but the bedroom—isn’t that basically a tool?”

Esther: “…”

“If he’s still useful in bed, then he’s got some value left. Treasure him!”

“Pfft!”

Judy burst out laughing, and there was some truth to what she said. “Anyway, back to the point—I got you a big gift, to thank you for helping me make so much money. Are you brave enough to accept it?”

Seeing Judy’s mischievous grin, Esther immediately got cautious. “What kind of gift?”

“A man!”

As they stepped inside, Judy continued, “A handsome, talented, charming young guy. Isn’t Chloe trying to kick you out of the Davenier family just to steal your man? Cinderella wants to marry rich, but our Miss Esther? She’s better off keeping a young stud all to herself!”

“…Cough, I’ll say it again—Evander is NOT my man!”

Just then, the butler brought over a glass of water, and Esther nearly choked. “Also, I prefer them older—not some young pup. Uncles, grandpas, the older the better. Ideally someone close to kicking the bucket, so I can collect the inheritance nice and easy!”

Judy gave her a thumbs up. “That’s badass!”

Esther laughed and gently pushed her out the door. She knew how busy she was. “Go on and make up with your tool, or soon you’ll have tools but no men!”

Judy: “…”

“All right, get a good night’s sleep tonight. Tomorrow night I’ll take you out to enjoy the flowers, the moonlight, and some charming young studs!”

Knowing her friend wanted some quiet time, Judy didn’t press further. After she left and the housekeeper went to rest, the large villa was left with Esther alone. Yet, she didn’t feel lonely. Instead, she breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Compared to tiptoeing around the noisy Davenier family, constantly flattering and clinging to so-called benefactors, Esther much preferred being by herself.

That social media post—“Alan Davenier Announces Severance of Father-Daughter Relationship!”—went viral within hours, quickly climbing into the top three trending topics.

The comments had already passed 100,000, and she clicked to read them—overwhelmingly positive. They praised the Davenier family’s kindness, said the schooling was paid for, the money spent, and this so-called severance wasn’t really a severance—it was freedom, pure and simple!

The signs of paid commenters were obvious.

Still, it was true—she was finally free. No longer trapped by the moral guilt of being raised by them, no longer forced to do everything, right or wrong, only to be left battered and bruised in the end.

Esther didn’t pay much attention to the online buzz—she took a shower, washed away the day, and slept soundly that night. But the next morning, Judy’s call woke her up.

“Get up and check the trending searches! I’m furious! Trying to pull the posts down is way too easy for those scumbags. Don’t delete anything yet—I’m about to jump in and rip them to shreds. I’m your friend, and I won’t let those lowlifes disrespect you like that!”

***