1. The Cruel Woman

The light from the crystal chandelier illuminating the living room with its luxurious and elegant decor reflected off the long, dark brown, wavy hair, giving an elegant but frightening impression. The owner of that hair was staring intently at a group of people discussing the political marriage of a girl chosen to be the heir to the largest Winery in the city, Spark Winery.

Enola's gray eyes sparkled with a sharp glint as she stared at the Spark Winery shareholders sitting with her uncle and cousin, Clarine. Enola stood in the corner of the room, listening and memorizing everything that was said at the meeting.

"The marriage of Clarine and the second young master of the Cassel family is a way to provide good cooperation for Spark Winery," Reginald said confidently and proudly. His only daughter, Clarine Reginald, would become a respected woman in this city.

All the meeting participants agreed with Reginald's statement, while Clarine smiled and blushed, imagining her future. She would be a lucky woman and make everyone jealous, including Enola, the only woman she hated passionately. Her cousin had always been her main rival while they lived together.

"Enola, soon you will be beneath me," Clarine whispered to herself with a thin, vengeful smile. Enola's beauty had overshadowed her among the prominent young women in the city.

However, even though Enola was more physically attractive than her, people knew her as the heir to Spark Winery.

"What about Enola? Are there any plans for the young lady?" one of the shareholders asked, making Reginald smile reluctantly before answering.

"I plan to marry Enola off to our distant relatives who live in the southern part of the city. I think the environment there is more suitable for Enola to develop her career." Reginald's answer was met with small, slow nods from the meeting participants.

Clarine was pleased to hear her father's decision to eliminate her competitor. Soon, she would be the center of attention.

"Isn't that excessive, Mr. Spark? After all, Enola is one of the shareholders in this company and has contributed to its progress." Another shareholder was seen defending Enola; however, several people who held shares in Spark Winery were old acquaintances of Enola's parents.

"Enola only holds a small number of shares. In fact, she should be grateful to us for allowing her to receive huge profits. At the same time, her role in the company is not that significant, especially after she gets married." Reginald looked at each shareholder approvingly and did not want to be argued with.

After Enola's parents died, the position of managing director was in the hands of Reginald Spark, Enola's uncle. It happened many years after Enola's parents' accident when she was still very young.

Reginald took over raising Enola after her parents died, including the company's affairs, which should have been handed over to Enola. However, at that time, she was still too young, and it was not the time to hand over business matters to the poor girl.

Enola snorted at her uncle's statement, which sounded more like that of a criminal than a warm family member. While living under the same roof as her uncle, the man deliberately made her bear the status of a useless orphan.

"I think Mr. Spark is right. Enola only has a small role in the company and a small number of shares. The girl has no significant influence. In fact, Mr. Spark's decision will give her a big advantage." Not only were there people who wanted to defend Enola at the meeting, but some felt the same way as Reginald.

Enola's reputation as a useless and marginalized girl was already common knowledge.

Enola held back the anger inside her so as not to provoke her into doing something rash. The calmness she displayed at that moment hid her raging anger.

"They think I'm just a helpless girl," Enola thought.

"But they don't know yet that I will rise to fight back." Enola had repeated that vow to herself many times. She would get back what was rightfully hers.

Enola sat on a long teak sofa in the corner of the room adjacent to the dining room of her parents' luxurious house.

As the sun was about to set, the shareholders' meeting ended. Reginald looked at Enola, sitting quietly in the corner of the room, and then approached her.

"Enola, you are only a small part of this family. Your marriage to our distant relative will ensure the inheritance remains secure." Reginald spoke in a condescending tone.

Enola smiled slightly as she bit her lower lip, holding back her anger. Her brain was working hard to devise a plan to save herself from a political marriage that would only distance her from her parents' inheritance.

"Are you sure your plan will work? You may be digging your own grave, Uncle." Enola replied, turning her face to look at her uncle. Her gray eyes flashed with a sharp glint.

Reginald smiled dismissively at Enola's attempt to threaten him, even though he was slightly affected by the terrifying aura she exuded.

"Don't get your hopes up too high, Enola. The more obedient you are, the better everything will be." Reginald tried to calm Enola, who felt like a danger lurking in the shadows.

The man then walked away to avoid Enola's deadly aura. Clarine arrived a few minutes later and approached Enola to declare her victory.

"Did you hear that? Soon, you will be beneath me, Enola. When I marry into the Cassel family, you will have no chance of being better than me." Clarine proudly showed off her engagement, which would be her path to defeating Enola.

However, Enola's reaction was unexpected. Her hand reflexively touched the sofa's armrest as if she wanted to squeeze it.

"You think I'll be scared and stay quiet? Clarine, enjoy your time before everything you've ever felt ends." Enola turned to Clarine and stared at her with fiery eyes before walking away, leaving Clarine staring after her with a look of vengeance.