Chapter 4

"The family doctor said Victoria has a concussion from you hitting her with that glass. Go apologize properly!"

Victoria was lying in bed, her head wrapped in gauze, still playing peacemaker.

"Richard, don't blame her. I'm sure she didn't mean it, right?"

Victoria looked at me with that soft, challenging gaze. Normally, I would have been provoked.

But now? I could out-manipulate her. I put on my most pitiful expression:

"I'm sorry, Dad. I was just so angry that I threw a glass. How was I supposed to know Victoria would walk right into it?"

My father was so caught off guard by my response that he actually laughed, his anger fading.

He patted my head and said: "I've spoiled this child too much. Victoria, please don't be upset."

Victoria's face darkened, but she forced a smile and said it was fine.

As long as they could stay here, she wasn't worried about winning over a man's heart.

When it came time to choose bedrooms that evening, Megan immediately set her sights on my room on the second floor.

My room was spacious with great natural light, plus it had its own bathroom and walk-in closet.

Victoria quickly said: "That's Emma's room. Do you really think you deserve to stay there?"

"Richard, Megan isn't used to such big rooms. The guest room downstairs is fine. We don't want to be any trouble."

Megan started crying pitifully, and I could see my father starting to soften.

I spoke up immediately: "Dad, I think Victoria has a point. What if Megan has nightmares in such a big room?"

"Our guest room is perfectly nice. Once it's tidied up, Megan will feel right at home."

My father's furrowed brow relaxed: "You're right. I wasn't thinking. Since she's not used to big rooms, the guest room will do for now."

Victoria couldn't maintain her smile any longer.

But the smile didn't disappear—it just moved to my face.

Back in my room, I pulled up the hidden camera feed I'd installed in the guest room earlier.

Megan was crying and throwing a fit about not wanting to stay in that room. She wanted my big room.

"Mom, you said I was going to be a rich heiress! Why am I still being stepped on by Emma?"

Victoria's face was dark with anger: "What do you know? This is called strategic retreat. Does that little brat really think she can outplay me?"

"Your Uncle Richard doesn't have a son. Once I get pregnant with his baby, we'll see how smug Emma is then!"

With that, Victoria walked out the door, ready to bring tea to my father in his study.

And I had already slipped the sterilization drug into the kettle.