Chapter 9

A year after Ruby disappeared, I had given up on finding her.

But just then, she came looking for me.

That day, I was busy at the restaurant.

I had just brought a dish out from the kitchen when I saw a little beggar child rush in from outside.

I quickly put down the plate, ready to go forward and ask if she needed help.

Before I could reach her, she ran up to me and hugged my leg.

She sat on the floor, crying loudly, "Mommy, I'm your daughter!"

She cried as she looked up, revealing a pathetic little face.

In an instant, the entire place erupted.

In those days, abandoning a child, or having an affair and a child out of wedlock, was something people would scoff at.

The restaurant immediately buzzed with gossip.

The neighbors were already green with envy over our success.

Now, with an excuse to attack us, they all chimed in with accusations.

"Is that child really yours from outside your marriage?"

"Mrs. Johnson, that's a terrible thing to say. Couldn't they both have had her?"

"Then they must be heartless to abandon their own daughter just to have a son."

"..."

People always sympathize with the weak, especially such a small child.

Ruby instantly became the object of everyone's pity.

With just one appearance, and one sentence, she successfully stirred up everyone's anger towards me.

She skillfully cast herself as the victim, turning everyone to her side.

At that moment, I knew for sure: Ruby had been reborn too.