"The traffic police have confirmed it was your father's fault for the accident. Our car was completely wrecked, yet we haven't even demanded compensation from you."

"But since our Monica has a kind heart, and considering you grew up together, we'll let this slide. Though let's be clear—a toad will always be a toad. Don't delude yourself into thinking you can turn into a swan."

Chandler turned deathly pale at my parents' words.

He stared at me in disbelief, but I had already opened the car door and slipped inside.

When my parents mentioned that Chandler might come with debts, his relatives became even more reluctant to take him in.

In the end, it was a distant aunt—who half-believed his grandiose claims of future wealth—who grudgingly agreed to take him.

The day after the funeral, Chandler showed up at school.

He had swapped his secondhand clothes for a brand-new uniform.

Spotting me, he strode over with his chin held high.

"Some people will resort to anything just to get my attention. Monica, did you really think I couldn’t survive without you?"

"See this uniform? My aunt bought it for me. You know what I realized after leaving your house? Your family treated us like slaves!"

"My parents worked for you for years—and even died because of you! Yet the wages your family paid were so measly I couldn’t even afford a new uniform. And when they died, you didn’t compensate us a single cent!"

The surrounding classmates erupted in shock.

It was no secret that Chandler’s parents had worked for my family. Just days ago, when the accident happened, our class had even held a fundraiser for him.

"Wait, isn’t Monica’s family super rich? She rides a luxury car to school every day, and her shoes are designer!"

"Chandler’s got it so rough. His parents slaved away for Monica’s family, and he couldn’t even afford proper clothes? And no compensation for their deaths? That’s disgusting!"

"How can Monica flaunt her wealth like this? She’s practically feasting on their suffering!"

Their harsh words stabbed at me like needles.

I looked up and saw Chandler smirking triumphantly.

But the truth was, his parents had worked for my family for nearly a decade—and my parents had always paid them the highest market wages. There was no exploitation whatsoever.

As for the accident? That was entirely their own fault.

And the reason Chandler couldn’t afford a new uniform? Because his own parents had never thought him worthy of one.

With a cold snort, I raised my phone and played a video—footage from the car’s dashcam on the day of the accident.

On the screen, Chandler’s mother ran her fingers greedily over the car’s interior.

"Wow, this luxury car really is something! Look at all these decorations—they must’ve cost a fortune!"

"Of course they did. That spoiled brat Monica wasted her family’s money on this useless junk. They should’ve given us a raise instead!"

"There’s so much here. Do you think she’d notice if we pocketed a couple of these? Is this figurine made of gold?"

"Definitely not. And this brand looks expensive—we could pawn it for some quick cash."

Completely absorbed in their theft, they neglected to watch the road—until a deafening crash.

The car smashed into the guardrail, triggering a chain collision involving over a dozen vehicles.

Chandler’s parents died on impact.

Watching his own parents lose their lives over petty theft, Chandler’s face twisted in horror.

The classmates who finally learned the truth realized they had wronged me. They exchanged uneasy glances and fell silent.

Just then, Jessica—the class monitor and the impoverished student I sponsored—stepped forward.

She snatched my phone and said with a fake smile, "Oh come on, it’s all just a misunderstanding! Monica, why be so petty?"

"I’m sure Chandler didn’t mean it. His parents just died—he’s grieving! Can’t you forgive him?"

"Besides, if it weren’t for delivering your exam papers, his parents wouldn’t have been on the road. Since your family’s so rich, why not just have your parents compensate him?"

I clenched my fists, staring at Jessica’s sickeningly sweet expression.

She was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

In my past life, during a charity trip to the mountains with my parents, I’d seen her being beaten by her own family.

She had knelt before me in tears, showing off her bruises, claiming her parents favored sons over daughters and refused to educate her.

Moved, I convinced my parents to sponsor her schooling in the city.

Only later did I learn the truth—Jessica had targeted my family’s wealth from the start.

Her parents hadn’t beaten her out of sexism.

That day, she had stolen the family’s entire food budget—just to buy makeup.

In those impoverished mountains, where even filling one’s stomach was a struggle, she had squandered their survival money on vanity.

The fact that her parents hadn’t killed her for it proved their kindness—not hers.

And now, her "defense" of Chandler? Just another scheme. They were already colluding to milk me for money.

Without hesitation, I raised my hand and slapped her—twice.

Twin red marks bloomed on her cheeks. Jessica clutched her face in shock.

Tears welled up instantly. "Monica, I was just worried your temper would make people talk! Why would you hit me?"

The class erupted in outrage at her performance.

"Monica, how dare you slap someone in front of everyone?"

"What, just because your family’s rich, you think you own the school?"

"Disgusting! Only someone as kind as Jessica would still defend you!"

I scoffed at their baseless accusations.

"My family’s wealth is our achievement. Who are you to judge?"

"The video proves Chandler’s parents died because of their own greed. What good could come from thieves’ blood?"

"And Jessica—if you love defending him so much, stop taking my money. Or have you forgotten? I’m the reason you’re even standing here."

The class fell into confused murmurs.

My parents gave Jessica the same monthly allowance as me—so she’d quickly adopted lavish habits.

With her parents never attending school events and Jessica dodging questions about her background, everyone had assumed she was some hidden heiress.

Now exposed, her face drained of color.

"W-What nonsense! I’m here because of my parents!" she stammered.

I just smirked, gathered my things, and turned to leave.

Seeing Jessica cornered, Chandler immediately blocked my path.