Chapter 2

Richard was a textbook case of a snob. He had always disliked me ever since I reunited with the Sanders family.

Although I was the true heiress, I grew up in the sticks. My results were nothing to write home about, and I had a dull personality.

Meanwhile, Layla received an elite education since she was a child and was multitalented. She was a reputable figure in school, which also made her the perfect person for Richard to use to earn a higher bonus.

Richard scoffed and slapped two stacks of index cards on the desk.

"Look for yourself, Talia! This stack of cards is the possible answers that Layla came up with herself. Meanwhile, I found this stack of cards hidden in your desk. The solutions, steps, and themes are exactly the same as Layla's!

"Although the surveillance cameras didn't catch you sneaking a peek at Layla's notes, can you swear that you didn't look at them before the exam? Can you swear that you didn't do such a malicious deed?

"It's even more ridiculous because you always failed your mock tests in the past. How is it possible for you to score 1,400 points during the actual exam? Do you think that the examiners are blind? Do you take us for fools?"

The students around us began to whisper among themselves. Their eyes were full of disdain.

"I've heard the rumors that Talia was jealous of Layla. I didn't expect her to have such a wicked personality."

"She's just a dirty cheat. How embarrassing."

"A country bumpkin will always resort to underhanded methods."

Layla's sobbing intensified. She looked like she had just experienced a terrible tragedy and was on the verge of collapsing.

"If you want the position of top scholar, I can let you have it, Talia. Why did you stoop so low?"

Mom looked as though her heart was breaking. She hugged Layla tightly before aiming a fierce glare at me.

"Just look at how upset Layla is because of you, Talia! How can you still act like you didn't do anything wrong? What on earth did I do to deserve giving birth to a despicable daughter like you?

"You must apologize to Layla in front of all the students and teachers! You also have to write a letter of reflection and admit that you cheated during the exam before leaving the school. If you don't, I'll just have to pretend that I never had a daughter like you and kick you out of the Sanders family!"

Kick me out of the Sanders family?

In my past life, Mom's threat had haunted me like a curse.

To stay with my so-called family, to cling to that pitiful excuse of maintaining a familial relationship with them, I had dropped to my knees to grovel for their forgiveness and admit that I had cheated even though it was a lie.

In exchange, the Sanders family treated me with even more vitriol, and I ended up dying.

I barked out a mocking laugh as I looked at Mom's familiar yet unfamiliar face.

"I can't believe you're still in the mood to laugh."

An intimidating masculine voice resounded as the office door slammed open.

My father—the president of Sanders Group—Timothy Sanders, stormed into the office. He didn't spare me a single glance as he walked over to Layla and asked, "Are you alright, Layla? You've had a tough time."

Layla's eyes were bloodshot as she shook her head. "I'm fine, Dad. It's just that… Talia…"

Dad whirled around, lifting his hand to slap me.

I didn't let him touch me this time. I dodged to the side and grabbed his wrist, saying, "You should get to the bottom of things before raising your hand against me, Dad."

Dad stared at me in disbelief, seemingly shocked that I had retaliated.

"The entire world is turning upside down! You ungrateful child! It's already humiliating enough that you cheated during the exam. How dare you raise your hand against your elder?

"Get to the bottom of things? The situation at hand is that you're a shameless cheat who copied your sister's answers to steal her glory! I can't believe that an upstanding citizen such as myself has a stain like you in my life!"

"Security! Drag her to the main square right now! I want her to write her letter of reflection in front of everyone in the school!"

The two security guards, who had been standing like sentinels by the door, leaped into action upon hearing Dad's words. They advanced toward me and tried to grab me.

"Wait."

My back hit the edge of the desk when I took a step backward. I quickly grabbed the box cutter that was lying on the table.

The blade glinted coldly under the light.

"I don't mind spilling some blood today if you dare lay a single finger on me."