Chapter 3

The tears on my cheeks were not even dry. The staff pitied me for losing my parents, and when they saw what was happening, they immediately stepped in front of me to defend me.

“Sir, what are you doing? This young lady just lost both her parents in a natural disaster. She even had to come here herself to close her family’s records. She is hurting more than anyone.

“And you, her friend, can’t even comfort her? You’re actually shouting at her? If you keep this up, we will throw you out!”

Matthew’s curses died in his throat. His face turned red as he jabbed a finger at me.

“Fine! I never thought you could be so heartless. The funeral hasn’t even been held, and you already erased their names from the registry! I was wrong about you.”

I turned my back to the staff and gave Matthew a mocking smile.

“So? What’re you going to do about it?”

His face froze. Panic flashed in his eyes.

He glared at me one last time, then walked off to make a phone call.

I already knew who he was calling.

It had to be Jane, my adopted sister and the favorite daughter. It was the same girl who had taken everything from me in my past life.

I did not care what they planned in secret. I hummed a tune as I called the funeral company. I opened the gates of the Jameson villa and held a grand funeral with no bodies.

The funeral had barely begun when several tattooed men stormed in.

Their leader grabbed my collar, lifted me, and glared as he threw down a thick stack of IOUs.

“Lucky that you didn’t die in that typhoon. If you don’t pay back the Jameson family’s debt, you won’t stay lucky for long.”

In my past life, I had been terrified by these thugs. With Matthew’s urging, I had accepted the ten-million debt in tears.

But not this time. I sank my teeth into the hand that was holding me.

“This is my parents’ funeral. Outsiders can leave. If you have something to say to me, we can talk later.”

The man cried out in pain. His face twisted in rage as he slapped me across the face.

“You brat! You really are just like your father said you were. You have no respect at all! Look closely. I’m your family’s creditor!”

My cheek burned and swelled, but I kept my eyes on the IOUs.

“Ten million? Do you take me for a fool?”

My calmness made their arrogance falter.

“What do you mean? The IOUs spell everything out clearly!”

It was true. The notes listed the dates, times, and amounts, and even had my parents’ signatures on them.

But I was not about to admit that.

“Show me the bank records then. Once I see them, I’ll pay.”

They all drew in sharp breaths.

Of course, they had no records.

The IOUs were fake. My parents had arranged everything with them in advance. They planned to split the money fifty-fifty.

The money I earned through hard work had been spent on Jane’s jewelry, her handbags, and her bragging rights overseas.

The leader finally said, “What records? We gave cash.”

I laughed.

“Is that so? Then, show me the withdrawal slip for ten million in cash.

“You think I’m an idiot? Ten million in cash weighs three hundred pounds. Are you telling me you carried three hundred pounds of money just to lend it to someone?”

The men were stunned into silence.

I sneered and waved them toward the door.

That was when a furious shout came from the entrance.

“Serena, you ungrateful girl!”

The man rushed in so fast that he appeared in front of me in an instant. He struck me across the face twice. The impact was hard enough to draw blood from the corner of my lips.

I narrowed my eyes and glared at him.