Chapter 6

With that, I shoved Megan aside and pulled the heels off her feet.

Her hands landed on the broken glass, and she let out a shriek. She glared at me through gritted teeth.

I didn't even look at her. I just wiped the stains off the shoes with disgust.

"Congratulations. You two finally got what you wanted—getting me kicked out."

My father was about to lecture me again, but I looked up at him, my voice breaking: "This was the last gift Mom ever gave me. I'm not leaving it for them."

My father froze. I walked past them and headed downstairs without another word.

The driver was already waiting at the door. I got in the car and closed my eyes.

I'd already sold off or swapped out everything valuable in the house. After what happened in my past life, I understood one thing clearly: money is the only thing you can count on.

As for Victoria and her daughter? There was plenty of time to deal with them.

The apartment my father arranged was near my school.

It was one of those fancy prep schools where money could buy your way in. When I showed up the next day, I found out Megan was enrolled there too.

She was wearing my clothes, carrying one of the fake designer bags I'd swapped in, surrounded by classmates showering her with compliments.

"Oh look, isn't that our former heiress? Got kicked out and still showing up to class?"

The group burst into mocking laughter.

Megan sauntered over to me and said sweetly: "Don't listen to them, Emma. Even after the baby's born, you'll still be part of the family."

I pulled my hand away coldly: "'Our' family? Are you even a Whitmore?"

Megan's expression stiffened. She pouted: "Do you still hate me, Emma? It's not like I asked Uncle Richard to kick you out."

Some of the social climbers quickly jumped in: "Megan, don't apologize to her. She's just stuck up!"

"Exactly. Acting all high and mighty when she won't even get a cent of the inheritance."

I said nothing, just looked down at my book.

I'd been through enough in my past life to know how fickle people could be. Their mockery didn't faze me.

Megan basked in the attention and announced loudly: "When my little brother's one-month celebration comes around, you're all invited!"

I gripped my pen tighter, smiling coldly to myself.

Oh, let them all come. I couldn't wait.

Ten months passed in the blink of an eye, and the day of the baby's one-month celebration arrived.

My father called me personally and told me to come home.

"Enough with the attitude. This is your baby brother. What will people think if his big sister doesn't show up?"

I agreed immediately and grabbed the folder sitting on my desk, tucking it into my bag.

When I arrived in my plain school uniform, my father—who was busy greeting guests—frowned at me.

"Emma, do you have any sense of dignity? You couldn't even find a decent outfit?"

I glanced at Megan and tilted my chin toward her: "All my nice clothes went to the new heiress, didn't they?"

My father went silent. He waved over his assistant to take me to change.

But Victoria appeared, cradling the baby: "Emma, you're here! Would you like to hold your little brother?"

Before I could react, she was already placing the baby in my arms.

I reached out to catch him—but it was too late.

The swaddled infant slipped from the blanket and hit the marble floor.

The baby's agonized wails echoed through the hall.

I stared at her in disbelief. This woman was ruthless enough to use her own son as a pawn!

All eyes turned to us. Victoria sobbed dramatically: "Emma! Even if you don't like your brother, how could you drop him like that?"

My father's face went dark. Without even letting me explain, he slapped me across the face.

My head snapped to the side, my cheek burning.

It took me a moment to process it. My father had hit me.

This was the first time in my entire life.

A wave of humiliation and fury exploded in my chest.

My father clutched his chest, glaring at me with raw disappointment: "I really misjudged you! You heartless, ungrateful girl! You couldn't even hold onto your own brother!"

Victoria clutched the baby, wailing: "He's just a baby! Can't you stand him that much? Are you that afraid he'll take your inheritance?"

Everyone was staring at me now.

Some with contempt. Some with disdain. Some just enjoying the show.

"The Whitmore heiress is vicious, huh? Dropping a one-month-old baby like that!"

My father was trembling with rage. He spat out: "Do you think I'm too old to do anything? Let me tell you—you won't see a single penny of my money!"

The room erupted in shocked murmurs.

Victoria and Megan couldn't hide their glee.

This meant the entire Whitmore fortune would be theirs!

I touched my stinging cheek and let out a bitter laugh.

But I didn't break down or cry like they expected.

Instead, I pulled the document out of my bag.

"Dad, why don't you take a look at this gift first before you make any decisions?"