Chapter 3

“Sigh, that’s the power of money. It’s a real headache!”

Vicky froze in silence.

I had no intention of waiting for her answer and hung up immediately.

During that miserable stretch of my previous life, I had already seen her true face.

Back then, I had been completely brainwashed by her. At her behest, I left home and ran myself into a dead end.

When I tried to ask her for help, she brushed me off with, “Rachel, I’m really busy these days. Sorry, I can’t help you.”

The beeping that followed felt like a mockery.

A few days later, I handed out flyers under the blazing sun, and I saw her strolling with Lydia while laughing as if nothing had happened.

Later on, I saw her wedding photos with Peter in a luxurious five-star hotel. Her smile had looked so sweet.

What a joke.

I had treated her as my best friend.

Whenever classmates bullied her, I stood up for her and even asked my foster father to find her dad a good job in the company. I willingly paid for every meal and every shopping trip.

I gave her everything from the bottom of my heart. She turned out to be a shameless ingrate.

I gritted my teeth at the thought. A few minutes later, I walked out, only to see that same ingrate standing at my front door.

“Rachel, are you feeling better?”

Vicky was wearing a pure little-white-flower outfit. She lit up when she saw me and leaned close with exaggerated concern.

She deliberately raised her voice for my foster parents to hear every word.

“Your sister didn’t bully you, right? You hung up so suddenly! I got worried you’d do something silly… so I rushed over.”

“Vicky, Lydia is a lovely girl. I really like her.”

I blinked innocently and stepped away before she could link arms with me.

“And my dad didn’t try to kick me out like you said.

“I know you told me to run away because you wanted the best for me, but I really can’t bear to leave them, so I’m staying!”

Just like her, I made sure to keep my voice loud and clear.

Vicky’s face went pale. “Wait, I never said—”

Her guilty panic never stood a chance beneath my foster father’s sharp gaze.

He put away his gentle smile and sized her up. Understanding flickered in his gaze.

Peter’s voice came from behind us. “Vicky’s here? Come inside for a bit.”

Ugh, that gentle tone gave me goosebumps.

“Peter.”

Vicky’s eyes brightened, and she lowered her head like a pitiful victim.

“Rachel isn’t in the best mood, so maybe I should come back in a few days.”

Her words made it sound like I had bullied her and taken out my anger on her.

I was furious. Peter spoke again, “I’ll take you home since I’ve got errands and the route passes your place.”

Vicky had wanted this exact outcome.

She did not even glance at me and happily followed Peter to the car as if they were the actual pair of best friends.

“Rachel, that friend of yours…”

My foster father appeared at my side at some point and let out a heavy sigh.

He still thought I was the same gullible rich girl and hesitated out of fear of hurting my fragile heart.

Dad told me everything he had learned.

Vicky’s father had relied on our friendship for years to boss people around in the company. He had already caused tremendous resentment among the staff.

That year, when my foster father secretly reviewed the company accounts, he discovered that the man was highly suspected of embezzling company funds.

Vicky had neither mentioned any of this to me, nor had she warned her father to stop.