Chapter 4

Vivian's tears instantly welled up.

Her shoulders trembled slightly; she looked utterly wronged.

"It was me who hid it, I'm sorry."

"I was just so scared. I was afraid Chloe would, like in the past life, leak such an important document and cause our family's bankruptcy, leading to a tragic life.

"I didn't know what to do, I just acted on impulse... I thought I'd hide it first and secretly put it back after the bidding ended. That way, it would be foolproof."

Her excuse was riddled with holes, even a little foolish.

However, seeing Vivian cry so heartbrokenly, and hearing her mention the past life's tragedy, the strictness in Grandpa Richard and Grandma Eleanor's eyes softened slightly, replaced by a complex understanding.

As if her foolish actions truly stemmed from love and fear for the family.

Kyle immediately stepped forward, shielding her.

"Vivian was also thinking of the family! She just used the wrong method! Compared to someone who deliberately plotted to ruin our family and lives in the past, this small oversight is nothing!"

I lay in Mom's tummy, idly splashing my little feet in the amniotic fluid.

[Uncle, that bad woman wasn't unintentional at all, she deliberately framed Mom.]

[If Dad hadn't helped Mommy this time, Mommy would have been accused of leaking information again, just like in the past! Silly Uncle, I won't let you lift me up high anymore!]

Kyle's body stiffened abruptly, and the arm protecting Vivian seemed to freeze slightly, his mood heavy.

Dad frowned, staring at the crying Vivian, not speaking immediately, but the suspicion in his eyes deepened.

Over the next few days, similar minor incidents happened one after another.

Whenever something bad occurred in the family, all evidence would point to my beautiful, slightly naive mom.

Each time, as the entire family turned their accustomed hateful glances towards my bewildered and helpless mom, my clear and urgent inner voice would chime in at just the right moment, like a little detective, pointing out the crucial evidence.

Initially, they remained skeptical, but every time they investigated according to the "hints," they accurately found evidence proving Mom's innocence.

Time after time.

Dad's gaze towards Mom was no longer the pure hatred it had been, but filled with incredible confusion.

Grandpa Richard and Grandma Eleanor looked at Mom's consistently clear, slightly silly, innocent eyes.

Comparing them to Vivian's feeble excuses after being exposed again and again, they fell into a prolonged silence.

Even Kyle, the most unwavering, in the face of repeated "coincidences" and evidence, gradually couldn't immediately jump to Vivian's defense. He just looked at Mom with a more complex and scrutinizing gaze.

Could it be that the vicious woman, Chloe, who had ruined their family in the past life...

was truly... innocent?

After a business gala, Dad and Kyle went to the parking lot to get their car, and Mom and Vivian followed.

Suddenly, a dozen men armed with clubs and menacing expressions surrounded them from the shadows.

"Long time no see, Ethan, Kyle?" The leader grinned maliciously. "Finally caught you alone. This time, if I don't cripple you, I'll have lived for nothing!"

"Oh, and you brought two pretty women along, huh? Perfect, let's take them all!"

I was so anxious I bounced around inside Mom's belly.

[This didn't happen in the past life! Why are there bad guys suddenly coming to bully Daddy and Uncle Kyle? Daddy and Uncle Kyle, you must be careful!]