Doreen started up with her waterworks again.

"Mr. and Mrs. Simmons, I didn't mean to! I thought Adeline said Kevin liked ginger, so I added a little extra."

Rod shoved her aside. "How old are you? Can't even understand simple words? Where's your brain?"

I watched them turn on each other, a faint smile tugging at my lips.

In my past life, after they'd put me in the hospital, Kevin's parents had spent hours convincing me that Doreen was young, that she'd meant well, that I shouldn't hold a grudge.

Funny how a needle doesn't hurt until it pricks your own skin.

Kevin stirred awake then, his voice weak. "Mom, Dad... don't blame Doreen. It's my fault. I didn't explain things clearly to her."

Only after Doreen offered to cover the surgery and medical bills did his parents finally stop their tirade.

A month later, Kevin was discharged. That evening, while I was packing up his things, Doreen came scurrying over.

"Adeline, let me help you pack! It's my fault Kevin ended up hospitalized with that allergic reaction."

I was about to refuse when Kevin caught my arm.

"If she doesn't do something to make up for it, she'll just keep feeling guilty."

At his words, I gave a small nod and stopped protesting.

As Doreen sorted through the items, she looked up at me. "Which things are important to you? I'll be extra careful with those."

I let my eyes narrow slightly, then pointed at a brown paper bag.

"Everything else is whatever. But that bag—don't touch it. What's inside is extremely important."

Inside was the five hundred thousand dollars Kevin had withdrawn to show off to his relatives during the New Year visit.

Kevin glanced at me and added with a chuckle, "That bag is your Adeline's most prized possession. Seriously, don't mess with it."

Something dark flickered in Doreen's eyes. The corner of my mouth curved upward.

In my previous life, Doreen had also insisted on helping me pack when I was discharged—all under the guise of apologizing. I'd stressed repeatedly that the folder in my suitcase was critical, that she absolutely shouldn't touch it.

That afternoon, when I couldn't find the folder, I asked her about it. She'd blinked at me with that innocent face of hers.

"I couldn't find any paper to start the fire, so I used it for kindling."

I'd been so furious I couldn't stop myself from shouting.

"That folder contained a partnership deal my company worked months to secure! Because of you, we lost tens of millions!"

Doreen had burst into tears, looking like a rain-soaked flower.

"Adeline, I thought you said that folder was useless! I had no idea it was so important."

And Kevin had stepped in front of her, shielding her.

"Adeline, she just misunderstood you. It wasn't on purpose. Besides, you're so talented—just sign another deal. Why do you have to be so aggressive with a young girl?"

This time, I wanted to see just how magnanimous Kevin would be when Doreen destroyed his five hundred thousand dollars.

That night, I went to the kitchen to wash my hands and caught Doreen sneaking around with something. The moment she spotted me, she hid it behind her back.

But I'd already glimpsed the corner of that brown paper bag.

I pretended not to notice and walked away.

With Kevin out of the hospital, relatives and friends came by to visit.

One of them looked at Kevin and said, "Kevin, your mom tells me you work at a big company—making tens of thousands a month, with year-end bonuses in the six figures! You're the most successful kid in this whole family."

Another chimed in, "Kevin, you're doing so well out there, but you didn't even buy your parents decent clothes for the New Year? My son only makes five thousand a month, and this coat he bought me cost three thousand! Plus he got me a whole bunch of ginseng and deer antler supplements."

"Kevin, don't tell me you haven't actually made any money out there and you're just broke, standing here bragging and talking big in front of all of us."

Kevin's parents were obsessed with appearances.

"My son works at a major publicly traded company. He makes at least five hundred thousand a year—how could he possibly be broke?"

Kevin shot to his feet.

"I figured instead of buying my parents gifts, I'd just give them cash directly. That way they can buy whatever they need."

One of the relatives squinted at him.

"So how much did you give your parents, then? Don't tell me it was just a few hundred bucks. What's that good for? Can't even buy a decent bottle of liquor."

Kevin flicked an invisible speck from his cuff, affecting an air of casual nonchalance.

"Oh, not much. Just five hundred thousand."

I couldn't help but sneer internally. Kevin's salary plus year-end bonus barely hit three hundred thousand, and he spent money like water. He'd only managed to save a hundred thousand—the other four hundred thousand was borrowed from the bank.

I'd tried to talk him out of it before, but he'd waved me off.

"If I don't bring back some real money, those relatives will look down on me. Besides, I'll pay it back right after New Year. It'll be fine."

Remembering those words, I glanced toward the kitchen. Doreen, don't disappoint me.

Kevin's relatives were stunned.

"Five hundred thousand? That much?!"

But some remained skeptical.

"For real? If you've got the guts, show us. Anyone can run their mouth."

Kevin chuckled.

"I'll go get it right now."

A few minutes later, he emerged from the bedroom.

"Adeline, where did you put the money? I can't find it anywhere."

I feigned confusion.

"I don't know. Doreen was the one organizing everything today. Let me ask her."

I hurried to the kitchen, putting on an anxious front.

"Doreen, where's the leather bag from the suitcase? Give it to me—it's important."

A flash of triumph flickered in Doreen's eyes.

"Oh no, Adeline! I was trying to start the fire earlier but couldn't get it going, so I tossed that leather bag in to help it catch."

I raised my voice deliberately, letting my anger ring out.

"Doreen! Do you have any idea how important that was? You burned it?!"

Doreen's face crumpled, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry, Adeline! I thought you said it wasn't important, so I just... burned it."

Kevin heard the crying and strode in, irritation written all over his face.

"Adeline, what are you doing now?"

Before I could respond, Doreen cut in.

"Kevin, it's all my fault—I misheard and accidentally burned something of Adeline's."

Kevin frowned at me.

"It's not like she did it on purpose. You should've kept track of your own things instead of blaming her."

Then his voice softened as he turned to comfort Doreen.

"Don't cry. It's not your fault. Keep crying and you'll turn into a little spotted kitten."

Doreen nodded, nestling into Kevin's arms. Over his shoulder, she shot me a look of pure, smug triumph.

"Kevin, you're always so good to me."

Kevin laughed softly.

"So what exactly did you burn that's got Adeline so worked up?"

Doreen's voice was sweet and coy.

"That leather bag from the white suitcase this morning."