Chapter 4

Amy's face maintained a fake smile, but her eyes couldn't hide her pride and provocation.

"Sister, I've always let you have what you wanted, but this stock certificate is Grandpa's heirloom, and Mom's intention. I really can't give it to you." Amy said hypocritically, "But when you get married, I'll give you a gift of equal value, okay?"

Last life, she always did this. Whenever we argued, she'd pretend to be understanding, making Mother favor her more and despise my 'unruliness.' Over time, Mother became convinced I was the stray.

Angry and teary-eyed, I ignored Uncle Leo's obstruction and tried to grab the stock certificate back, only to be knocked down by a vase Mother threw, bleeding profusely.

She frowned in disgust, "The Johnson family is a noble lineage, how could we have a daughter with such an ugly face?"

I glared at this so-called mother, filled with despair and rage, "Iris Thompson, no matter how much you love Amy, you can't touch Grandpa's heirloom. Give it back!"

I was on the verge of tears, trying desperately to reclaim the stock certificate despite Secretary Leo's interference, only to be struck down by my mother with a vase, leaving me bleeding heavily.

With a frown and a look of disgust, she said, "Our Johnson family is quite prestigious. How could we have a daughter as unsightly as you?"

I glared at this so-called mother, despair and anger welling up inside me. "Iris Thompson, even if you favor Amy, you have no right to touch the keepsake Grandpa left for me. Give it back!"

Looking down at me with a sneer, she replied, "Are you planning to ruin Amy's opening ceremony today? Secretary Leo, call security and have her thrown out! Teach her a lesson! Unless she kneels and apologizes to Amy, she won't be allowed back into the Johnson household!"

The onlookers gossiped, "That adopted daughter of the Johnson family went to the Midwest and lost her mind, thinking she's the real heiress."

"Yeah, kick her out quickly, don’t let her eyesore linger."

Hearing the cold words from my mother, my heart broke completely. Just like in my past life, she had no maternal affection for me.

"What's going on here? Why is there such a crowd?" Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the door. It was Jack, a tall man in a police uniform, my childhood friend and former boyfriend, but now...

"Amy, why are you crying? Who dared to upset you right in front of me?" He quickly approached Amy, wiping her tears in front of everyone.

"Jack, you're just in time. It's all because of that brat Lucy. She came back just to cause trouble for Amy, claiming this new brand is hers and that the stock certificate Grandpa left is hers too," my mother accused, playing the victim.

Jack looked at me with unfamiliar, hostile eyes. "So this is the eldest daughter who went to the Midwest, thinking she could transform from a commoner to an heiress after a few years of hardship? Such greed!"

"Amy is too kind, which is why you bully her. But not me. If you upset her again, I'll make sure you end up in a cell!"

I laughed bitterly. An orphan like him, without my help pulling strings, how could he have risen to the position of New York Police Department chief?

Five years ago, he abruptly broke up with me, saying not to contact him again. I wondered if he found out I helped him get promoted and got mad about it?

But seeing him doting on Amy now, everything clicked. They had been conspiring all along, secretly promising each other.

And today, with the launch of a new brand, it was the perfect time to cement the tale of the heiress and the police chief.

Sadly, in my past life, I was oblivious, hoping he would clear up the misunderstanding. But all I got was brutal humiliation.

This vengeance, I will repay!

As I was lost in thought, Jack suddenly kicked me and pulled out a ring, kneeling on one knee in front of Amy. "Amy, will you marry me? Whether we're poor, rich, healthy, or sick, I'll love you forever!"