Chapter 2

Despite my usually good temperament, I was truly angered at this point.

"Vanessa Jennings, I chose to ignore your previous actions, but here in Koi Hall, I am the only master. This is not a place for you to run wild!"

Vanessa showed no fear. Instead, she slapped me.

"Stop talking nonsense. You're nothing but an academic seductress with a ruined reputation. The Sinclair family would never want you."

"You dare call yourself the mistress? Learn how to be a decent person first!"

Unable to tolerate it any longer, I raised my hand to strike back, my nails scratching Vanessa's chin.

Vanessa trembled in disbelief as she touched her chin, her scream nearly lifting the roof.

"Hold this bitch down! I'm going to kill her!"

Seeing Vanessa like this, her lackeys immediately pounced on me and held me down.

Vanessa, in a frenzy, raised her foot and kicked me hard in the stomach.

Having been pampered all my life, I had never experienced such torture. I doubled over in pain, nearly vomiting blood.

The servants of Koi Hall were terrified. They tried to intervene but were immediately pushed away.

Gasping in pain, I ordered them to quickly call back the butler who had gone shopping.

"Vanessa Jennings, let me tell you, I'm not just any mistress. I'm the lucky star worshipped by the Sinclair family."

"My fate is tied to the Sinclair family's. If you dare to hurt me, you'll never be able to step foot in the Sinclair house in this lifetime!"

Vanessa's eyes widened, and without hesitation, she smashed the bronze fish against my mouth.

"I'll teach you to talk nonsense! Try that again!"

"You think I haven't investigated? You're nothing but a jinx who caused your own parents' death. Stop pretending!"

Her strike caused me to bite my tongue, and my mouth instantly filled with blood. Tears of pain fell uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Vanessa didn't stop. Instead, she gripped my chin tightly.

"You used that pitiful face to trick Professor Zhang and steal my direct Ph.D. admission spot."

"Now you dare to put on this disgusting act in the Sinclair house. Today, I'll settle both old and new scores with you!"

This damned Vanessa, unable to compete with my academic performance, spread rumors at school about me having an affair with a professor.

In a fit of anger, I reported her to the police. That same day, Vanessa knelt before me, begging me not to make a big deal out of it.

I never cared much for empty fame and only wanted to vent my anger. Seeing her sincere apology, I let it go.

Who knew she would hold such a grudge? As soon as she hooked up with Theo Sinclair, she came to pick a fight with me!

I was so angry I wanted to curse, but my tongue wouldn't cooperate. So I simply spat a mouthful of bloody saliva at Vanessa.

Caught off guard, Vanessa's exquisite makeup was stained with blood. She retaliated with two hard slaps.

"Still so tough when you're about to die? Do you think Theo Sinclair will come to save you?"

"Listen here, you cheap slut. Theo is waiting for me at the hotel right now. After I'm done with you, we're going to have our private time together."

My heart sank.

I had thought that since Theo needed a favor from me, he would surely come to Koi Hall when he couldn't find me at the Sinclair house.

Who knew this boy would be so blinded by lust and run off to a hotel.

Now I could only hope that the Sinclair family's second young master, who had been secretly trying to win me over, would return early from abroad for the ritual ceremony.

With me severely injured, Richard Sinclair's branch was doomed to decline.

But my fate was intertwined with the Sinclair family. If one branch failed, it would go to another. As long as I was around, the other branch was bound to prosper.

Seeing my panic and hesitation, Vanessa's expression grew even more ferocious.

"Oh, I see! You really are waiting for my boyfriend to come save you!"

"You cheap slut! You really did seduce Theo Sinclair!"

With that, she swung the bronze fish wildly, striking my head repeatedly.

I cried out in pain as my scalp and flesh were smashed by the bronze fish.

If the Sinclair family saw this scene, Vanessa would be dead for sure.

But if she continued her rampage, I feared I might die before her!

In pain and fury, I desperately tried to think of a way to escape. Just then, the door of Koi Hall was kicked open, and the butler who had gone shopping in the city rushed back with the servants.

Seeing the chaos in Koi Hall, the butler nearly fell to his knees.

"Stop this at once! How dare you hit Miss Autumn? Do you think your lives are too long?"