The tears on my cheeks were not even dry. The staff pitied me for losing my parents, and when they saw what was happening, they immediately stepped in front of me to defend me.

“Sir, what are you doing? This young lady just lost both her parents in a natural disaster. She even had to come here herself to close her family’s records. She is hurting more than anyone.

“And you, her friend, can’t even comfort her? You’re actually shouting at her? If you keep this up, we will throw you out!”

Matthew’s curses died in his throat. His face turned red as he jabbed a finger at me.

“Fine! I never thought you could be so heartless. The funeral hasn’t even been held, and you already erased their names from the registry! I was wrong about you.”

I turned my back to the staff and gave Matthew a mocking smile.

“So? What’re you going to do about it?”

His face froze. Panic flashed in his eyes.

He glared at me one last time, then walked off to make a phone call.

I already knew who he was calling.

It had to be Jane, my adopted sister and the favorite daughter. It was the same girl who had taken everything from me in my past life.

I did not care what they planned in secret. I hummed a tune as I called the funeral company. I opened the gates of the Jameson villa and held a grand funeral with no bodies.

The funeral had barely begun when several tattooed men stormed in.

Their leader grabbed my collar, lifted me, and glared as he threw down a thick stack of IOUs.

“Lucky that you didn’t die in that typhoon. If you don’t pay back the Jameson family’s debt, you won’t stay lucky for long.”

In my past life, I had been terrified by these thugs. With Matthew’s urging, I had accepted the ten-million debt in tears.

But not this time. I sank my teeth into the hand that was holding me.

“This is my parents’ funeral. Outsiders can leave. If you have something to say to me, we can talk later.”

The man cried out in pain. His face twisted in rage as he slapped me across the face.

“You brat! You really are just like your father said you were. You have no respect at all! Look closely. I’m your family’s creditor!”

My cheek burned and swelled, but I kept my eyes on the IOUs.

“Ten million? Do you take me for a fool?”

My calmness made their arrogance falter.

“What do you mean? The IOUs spell everything out clearly!”

It was true. The notes listed the dates, times, and amounts, and even had my parents’ signatures on them.

But I was not about to admit that.

“Show me the bank records then. Once I see them, I’ll pay.”

They all drew in sharp breaths.

Of course, they had no records.

The IOUs were fake. My parents had arranged everything with them in advance. They planned to split the money fifty-fifty.

The money I earned through hard work had been spent on Jane’s jewelry, her handbags, and her bragging rights overseas.

The leader finally said, “What records? We gave cash.”

I laughed.

“Is that so? Then, show me the withdrawal slip for ten million in cash.

“You think I’m an idiot? Ten million in cash weighs three hundred pounds. Are you telling me you carried three hundred pounds of money just to lend it to someone?”

The men were stunned into silence.

I sneered and waved them toward the door.

That was when a furious shout came from the entrance.

“Serena, you ungrateful girl!”

The man rushed in so fast that he appeared in front of me in an instant. He struck me across the face twice. The impact was hard enough to draw blood from the corner of my lips.

I narrowed my eyes and glared at him.

It was not anyone else. It was my parents.

“Mom, Dad, I was just dealing with those thugs. They were trying to scam us! Why’re you angry?

“Wait… I thought you were dead?

“Matthew, you broke the news of their deaths. You even put it in the papers and online. What’s going on?”

My barrage of questions froze their raised hands in midair.

“Well, we…”

“Serena, shouldn’t you be glad Mom and Dad are alive? Why’re you questioning them?” Jane said as she walked over and gave them a way out of the situation.

They nodded.

“That’s right. We ran into the typhoon, but Jane stayed calm and saved us!”

I did not answer and just stared at the three of them.

It was no wonder they had faked their deaths so easily.

Lying was like second nature to them. Their faces did not even change as they did it.

My mom looked around and covered her nose in disgust.

“Get rid of this mess and apologize to Jane! This is sickening!”

My dad scowled.

“Serena, you’ve really disappointed us. Go restore our records at the registry office. Without an identity, how am I supposed to run my company?”

Jane smiled as she helped them sit and turned to me.

“Come on, Serena. Don’t tell me you’re not happy to see us alive!”

I stayed where I was.

“Sorry, but in the eyes of the law, the three of you no longer exist.

“And Dad, don’t worry about the company. Since your death, I inherited everything as your heir. I am already the new shareholder.”

The funeral hall went silent at my words.

My dad clutched at his chest and gasped for breath.

My mom’s face twisted in rage. She looked at me as if she wanted me to drop dead on the spot.

Jane screamed and pulled out his heart medicine.

“Dad, are you all right?!

“Serena, how could you be so cruel? The Jameson family company belongs to me! When Dad recovers, you’ll have to hand everything back!”

I crossed my arms and stepped back. I looked at the three of them with a cold smile on my face.

“That depends on whether you have the talent.”

Relief surged through me as I sipped my tea.

This particular tea really did taste better than the tap water I once poured into used bottles in my past life.

As Jane and my mom fussed over my father, I said to them, “You’d better go to a smaller clinic. Hospitals can’t treat people who don’t have legal identities.”

Jane cursed at me. I ignored her and thought about the houses, cars, and shares I had inherited. I was about to walk away when I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned and saw Matthew’s twisted face. Then, everything went black.

When I woke up again, sunlight filled the room. My head throbbed. I tried to move, only to realize that my hands and feet were tied up.

The four of them sat on the couch nearby. They had not noticed that I was awake. They were talking loudly.

“Jane, your idea was perfect! We saw Serena’s true colors.

“She dares to covet what belongs to me? She can keep dreaming! Don’t worry, Jane, I’ll make her give everything back.”

“Mom, Dad, you’re the best! But owning the world means nothing if I can’t get into a good university.”

“Don’t worry. We already decided. Once we’re done with Serena, we will give you her identity. You will get into a top school and officially become our daughter.”

Hopelessness surged inside me. I stayed quiet and struggled to reach the kitchen for scissors.

Unfortunately, I bumped into a vase. It fell with a heavy thud.

My parents and Jane rushed over.

“Serena, you think you’re clever trying to take over the Jameson family? You failed the test. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

Their fists and kicks rained down. My mom’s heel slammed on my face. I turned my head, and pain tore through my ear.

Jane stood above me with an elegant smile and watched me suffer.

“Serena, you have only yourself to blame for being so greedy.”

Then, she handed my dad a boning knife.

“Dad, your health isn’t good. Use this. Be careful not to hurt yourself.”

Furious, my father grabbed the knife and raised it high. At that moment, there was a heavy pounding at the door.

“Does Serena live here?”