Chapter 2

That afternoon, Amelia brought Southville's strictest etiquette coach to the house.

"Ms. Somerville, a proper young lady must always keep her head up and her shoulders back!" The etiquette coach frowned at my relaxed posture.

She walked behind me with a long needle and jabbed it toward my back, trying to force me to straighten up.

But the needle snapped with a sharp crack.

My traps and thick back muscles, built from years of workout, were obviously too tough for a little needle to pierce.

The etiquette coach stared at the broken needle in horror.

She swallowed hard before changing tactics. She made me balance a glass of water on my head and walk back and forth like a model. She kept telling me to take smaller, gentler steps.

I finally lost my patience.

I placed one hand on the solid wooden dining table beside me. "Will you knock it off already?"

The moment I finished speaking, my fingers dug into the corner of the table. A large chunk of wood broke off in my hand.

Amelia looked like she was about to faint from anger. But because of the marriage meeting that night, she forced herself not to yell at me. She quickly sent the etiquette coach away.

I leaned back on the couch and closed my eyes to rest.

A moment later, the living room door slowly opened. Natalie slipped inside.

Her eyes were red. She quietly stuffed a small bottle of pain-relief balm into my hand. "Rachel, I'm sorry. I'm really scared of pain, so I made you go in my place..."

She took a deep breath and clenched her fists as if she had made a huge decision. "But don't worry! I'll secretly save my allowance. If Mr. Andrew ever hits you, I'll pay for your medical bills! I promise I won't let you get beaten up for nothing!"

I looked at her silly expression and couldn't help reaching out to pinch her soft cheek.

It was surprisingly nice to touch.

She was useless and timid, but at least she wasn't a bad person. She was much better than those cunning Somervilles.

Before I could say anything, loud laughter suddenly came from outside the living room.

Jack walked in with several wealthy friends.

The moment they saw me, they started making fun of me.

"Oh, Jack, so this is your biological sister who was just brought back? She's so dark and unfashionable. She'd be perfect for working construction!"

Jack sneered. "What good could come from a country bumpkin who was raised by some underground fighter? She's poor and wild. The only thing she's good for is becoming Mr. Andrew's punching bag."

The moment I heard him insult Jasper, I shot to my feet.

The arrogant look on Jack's face instantly disappeared. His face turned pale. His legs went weak, and he stumbled backward several steps before dropping onto the couch.

Even his voice went high with fear. "What are you trying to do?"

"Rachel!" Gordon walked out of his study on the second floor.

He was holding the property deed in his hand. "You'd better not hurt Jack. Otherwise, I'll have someone tear down that pathetic boxing gym right now!"

I stared at the deed. My fists clenched so tightly that my palms began to bleed.

I took a deep breath and forced the rage inside me back down.

"You don't need to remind me." My voice was ice-cold.

That evening, Amelia brought me an expensive strapless dress covered in tiny diamonds. I threw it straight into the trash.

Instead, I pulled a perfectly tailored black designer suit from the closet.

Once I put on the suit and tied my tie, I slicked my messy hair back into a neat ponytail. I no longer looked like a sitting duck.

My broad shoulders filled out the suit perfectly. My slim waist showed the strength hidden beneath it. My long legs looked straight and powerful.

I stared at myself in the mirror and gave a cold laugh.

The Lamberts, Andrew, I hope you can survive three rounds.