In my previous life, I inherited the family's steakhouse, while my sister asked our dad to get her a job that paid 75 hundred a month.

To her shock and surprise, the heir of a rich family and I fell in love at first sight when he came over for a meal. I became his wife, and everyone envied me for marrying the richest man in Imperia.

My sister lost both her legs during a work accident. Jealous of my great life, she set me up and killed me with her own hands.

We were both reborn at the same time, back to the moment where we would make the decision that would change our lives forever. Right before our father, she told him she wanted to inherit Shaw's Steakhouse.

I heard everything, and in a corner where no one could see me, a sneer curled my lips.

Poor thing. She had no idea at all.

Her nightmare would begin the moment she met Jonathan Landton.

Another Choice

Our father looked at the files on the table. The steakhouse's files. Gently, he told my sister, "I've found you a job, sweetheart. Homestay tester. You get 75 hundred once they hire you officially. Your sister can take over the steakhouse."

My sister snatched the file away before our father could say anything more. "No. I'm taking the shop."

Everyone was stunned. My sister realized she'd overreacted, so she came up with an idea and started acting cute. "If I can take the steakhouse, I can stay with you every day."

That touched my father, and he teared up. The man pulled my sister into his embrace and shot me a glare. "You'd better treasure this job, Yvonne. Don't embarrass the family. And be grateful for your sister. You owe her a lifelong debt! You'd never have been this lucky!"

My father only reluctantly gave me the job because it was better than letting an outsider take it. It was a lucrative one.

I ignored the happy family. Quietly, I said, "T-Thank you, Melanie."

My parents never cared about me. I was diagnosed with autism not too long after I was born. They thought that was bad luck, so they tossed me into the orphanage.

I knew I was not autistic. I just developed speech slower than my peers, but my parents did not have the patience to wait until I 'became normal'.

I put a lot of effort into studying and scored the highest marks on the SAT. The nation's best university took me in. Right in front of national TV, my parents cried their hearts out and told everyone how much they missed me.

That got the Internet's pity, and their business grew. After I was taken back home, my sister, Melanie Shaw, was kind and friendly to me.

She was beautiful and adorable. I was happy to have a sister like her, and I thought her kindness was real.

And then one day, I saw her tossing food on her own bed while she thought no one was looking. She then cried and went to our father, telling him that I did that to her.

Though I could speak normally after I grew up, I still stuttered when my nerves got the better of me. Panicked, I explained, "I… I didn't, Dad… I…"

My father slapped me across the face. Furious, my mother made me stand outside the house the whole night.

That was when reality hit me. I could get into the best university the nation had to offer, and this family still would not recognize me.

In our previous lives, Melanie's office burned up not long after she got a job there. The burned beam smashed into her, and she lost her legs.

The compensation money was hefty, but she could no longer live a normal life.

After I took over the steakhouse, I gave free meals to a weakened young man. He had not a penny to his name.

Months later, the young man came to me again, this time bringing with him a check of 150 million and a costly ring.

"I'd never have survived so long without your help, Eve. Marry me."

We got along for a year and fell in love. Jonathan Landton spoiled me like I was the best thing in the world after we got married.

Out of the kindness of my heart, I got the best doctor in the world to treat my sister, but she hired someone to abduct me. During my imprisonment, she killed me. With a knife straight through my body.

Reborn

Blood would not stop trickling out of my body. I was tormented until my body was bent out of shape, yet Melanie only watched in cold indifference.

But God decided to give me a second chance at life. I noticed the smug look on my sister's face, and I snickered.

She would soon find out that marrying Jonathan would be the first chapter of her nightmare.

I reported for duty and successfully finished my work. My parents finally smiled at me.

The sun was setting. I was writing up the latest report on another homestay. Melanie came into my room, all smiles.

She put a bottle of perfume on my desk. "I haven't congratulated you for getting that job. Here's to a smooth career."

I looked at her and put on a smile. "Thanks. I'll use this."

A smile of disdain curled her lips, then she left my room.

I stared at her. That perfume was no ordinary gift. It was part of her scheme. The fire would happen in three days. That perfume was spiked with sleep-inducing components.

Once I got into the homestay, I talked to the person in charge. "Hi, something smells charred in the room. Can you get someone to check it?"

The person in charge did not waste any time. Lives were at stake here. The technician came and conducted a thorough check. The wires in the fridge's pipes were too old. Shocked, he said, "The circuit's nearly bust! You're lucky you found this early. It's summer, and electricity usage's through the roof. This could've been a fire hazard!"

Everyone inhaled sharply. Soon, the incident brought the homestay's owner into the picture. Joseph Quigley.

Joseph was a famous entrepreneur in Imperia's elite circle. He got rich doing real estate and was in the right place to invest in new energy. Thanks to his vision and ambition, he made his way to the top three richest men in the country.

He launched an investigation and found out this was one of his competitors' dirty tricks. When his competitor found out he was working on another round of funding for his company, they tried to start a scandal with the ruined circuit. That would hurt his reputation.

Joseph handed the evidence over to his lawyers. His competitor was struck down with the hammer of justice.

I was going to go back to my room, but Joseph stopped me, "Thank you, Ms. Yvonne. I was in the penthouse. If you hadn't noticed the faulty circuit, this whole place would've taken me down with it in a fire."

He was smiling wryly. I paused for a moment as memory hit me. Yes, an entrepreneur was hurt in the fire in my previous life.

I wasn't expecting to save another life along with mine, but here we were. I smiled at him. "Don't mention it, Mr. Quigley. Glad you're safe. This place is famous nationwide. I'm honored to be of help."

Joseph was looking at me with gratitude and approval. He was going to say something, but a voice interrupted him. From behind, someone demanded, "How are you safe, Yvonne?"

Melanie was standing right behind me, and her eyes went wide with disbelief. She blinked for a moment and snapped out of it.

The woman looked at Joseph and put on a look of concern. Fake. "They told me something's wrong with this place! I was so worried about you! Are you alright?"

Joseph sized Melanie up. Calmly, he said, "She's fine, and we're saved thanks to her. I need to thank her properly."

That turned Melanie's expression into an ugly palette. She held back the jealousy that was oozing out of her eyes, and she forced a smile. "Mr. Quigley, I've heard of you. You're famous. Hi, I'm her sister, Melanie Shaw. I'll be holding a birthday party in a few days. Would you care to join us?"

Invitation Accepted

Joseph glanced at me and nodded at Melanie. The circuit was repaired, and he had something else to tend to. He hopped into a car and drove off.

Melanie saw him off, her eyes blazing with jealousy and rage. This was not what she had in mind. I was not supposed to survive the fire, let alone get to know a business legend. If looks could kill, I'd be dead.

I met her gaze. The woman was a spoiled princess who waited for everyone to tend to her every single need. The last time we met was a few days ago. Now she had circles under her eyes. Running a steakhouse was killing her.

Calmly, I asked, "So, to what do I owe the pleasure, Melanie? What do you want?"

Fury possessed her, and her eyes went red. She was going to say something, but her phone rang. She checked it out. Her employees.

A drunk customer was causing a scene at the shop, and they needed her to handle them. "You're useless! I didn't hire you people to stand around! Fine. Fine. I'm coming back!" she roared at her employees.

She hung up in a huff and drove off, but before that, she made sure she shot me a look filled with venom and hatred.

Melanie's birthday party came up soon enough.

Our father was proudly showing off Melanie in the hall. "She's a good daughter. The girl took over her grandmother's steakhouse just to spend more time with me. I couldn't be prouder."

Then, a commotion rippled through the hall. The guests were staring at the newcomer at the entrance in shock. Discussion filled the air.

"That's the legendary Joseph Quigley!"

"Yeah! What's he doing here?"

"They say he lives a low-profile life. Not even the reporters could get a clear photo of him!"

"How'd the Shaws hook up with Quigley Group?"

Joseph scanned the place elegantly and walked up to me. "It's been a while, Eve. How's work?"

I smiled. "It's going well, Mr. Quigley. Thanks for asking."

My parents stopped showing off Melanie and approached us in a hurry. My father was staring at Joseph, then he stood up straighter and said with total politeness, "Hello, Mr. Quigley. I'm Yvonne's father. I didn't realize you were coming. Sorry if the reception's not up to your standards."

Joseph smiled. "Hello, Mr. Shaw. I had a little accident at my homestay a few days ago. Thanks to Yvonne, we managed to avert a crisis. I'm here to talk about her future at my company. You don't get talent like her every day. I'd love for her to work for me."

My mother's eyes were wide as saucers. She could not believe a legendary man would pay attention to me.

My father froze up like a statue. Then, he simpered.

"Oh, she's honored that you're paying her any attention at all. And this is my eldest, Melanie. She's always been the smarter one. And a lot less problematic than her sister. If she can work for you, she'll create a lot more value!"

I was listening to the whole exchange, and my heart sank lower with every word. Melanie was always the golden child. My father always thought she was better than me.

Joseph looked at Melanie for a moment. Calmly, he said, "I heard she got into a fight with her customer a few days ago, and the cops were involved. I dabble in F&B myself, so here's a word of advice for Melanie. F&B's first priority is peaceful resolution and customer satisfaction. You have a lot to learn."

Melanie looked awkward and humiliated. She held her hand up to the wound on her face stiffly.

That day, a woman stormed right into the steakhouse like someone ready to fight. Melanie argued with the customer right away, and the argument turned into a fight. Of course. A princess who'd been spoiled her whole life would never understand that the customer was always right.