Chapter 1

"Have you all lost your minds? Hurry up and bring Elliot back inside!" Ethan Fairchild, my eldest brother, rushed downstairs and glared at my bodyguards.

Lying in my cradle, I blew a little milk bubble. [What's the point of that? Elliot's brain is completely waterlogged anyway; leaving him out in the rain is the perfect way to treat him.]

Mom, who was sitting on the couch and drinking royal jelly, froze. She stared at Natalie Fairchild in utter disbelief. Recalling the words she had just spoken, a wave of fear instantly surged in her eyes. "Shut up! Can't you see the bodyguards are just enforcing the agreement?"

Ethan strode over. "That agreement's a load of crap! Nat's the one we've doted on since we were kids, Mom. Who do these maids think they are, laying their hands on her?"

Natalie, the fake heiress, immediately wrapped her arms around Ethan's leg. "Eth, I thought Nev was a little angel. And little angels can fly. Eth, don't be mad at Mom. If you really want to blame someone, blame me for being a silly baby!"

I felt so disgusted that I almost threw up the milk I had just drunk. [She's 18 years old, and she dares to call herself a baby in front of me, an actual baby? Is she missing a brainstem, or did a zombie chew it off?]

Mom's expression darkened as well. Previously, she found Natalie adorable, but now that she had my inner thoughts providing a live commentary, Natalie's voice was likely grating on her ears.

Ethan helped Natalie up, his heart aching for her. "Nat, you're the most innocent baby. How could I ever blame you?"

He turned to look at my bodyguards icily. "Get down on your knees in the courtyard and apologize to Nat right now. Otherwise, I'll make sure none of you can survive in Oakridge!"

Damian Lockwood, the captain of the bodyguards, took a step forward. "Mr. Ethan, according to Article 4 of the agreement, anyone who shows favoritism or shields Ms. Natalie when she attempts to harm Ms. Nevaeh will be deemed an accomplice. The punishment stands as follows: one physical wake-up call and the forfeiture of one property under their name."

Ethan was so furious that he jeered. He reached out to snatch the agreement from Damian's hand. "This is absurd! I'll tear this scrap of paper up today. Let's see which of you dares to touch me!"

In the blink of an eye, shreds of paper were scattered all over the floor.

After quietly watching Ethan throw his tantrum, Damian snapped his fingers, and over a dozen bodyguards whipped out identical copies of the agreement in perfect unison. "Mr. Ethan, the 91 men outside all have copies of the agreement as well. Do you plan to tear them up one by one, or by the pound?"

I kicked my short little legs in the cradle with satisfaction. [I'm dying! After conquering eight worlds, I've learned that I have to be two steps ahead of my enemies.]

Mom cleared her throat to hide the amusement in her eyes. "Ethan, it's written in black and white, and your father personally stamped it with the company seal. Are you trying to breach the agreement?"

Ethan was just about to argue when his gaze swept over me, who was lying in the cradle and blowing milk bubbles. For some reason, all his anger melted away.

Noticing that things were not in her favor, Natalie immediately clutched her chest. "My chest hurts so much, Eth! Am I going to die?"

Ethan panicked in a heartbeat. He held her and yelled for the private doctor.

With a straight face, Damian waved his hand, and two bodyguards immediately stepped forward and seized Ethan. Before he could utter a single word of protest, Ethan was tossed out into the torrential rain.

Damian swiped on his digital tablet. "Mr. Ethan, you've violated Article 7 of the agreement by threatening an enforcement personnel. Hence, your villa in Rosemont Manor in the south of the city now belongs to Ms. Nevaeh."

I yawned and closed my eyes in satisfaction, preparing to sleep. Meanwhile, Natalie curled up on the couch, her eyes filled with venomous resentment.