By the time I woke up, it was already past 2 PM.

Lucy was sitting in the living room playing with her phone, wearing a spaghetti-strap nightgown. When she saw me come out of the bedroom, she looked up, malice gleaming in her eyes.

"How was the old man's taste?

"Someone dark like you who only writes horror stories—did you actually enjoy it?"

I often wrote mystery novels, and since Lucy discovered this, she frequently used it to mock me for being mentally disturbed.

I paused, instinctively recalling the man from last night.

Broad shoulders, long legs, narrow waist—my hands still remembered the feel of solid muscle.

Hmm... not bad, actually?

Lucas Channing had been sent abroad in middle school. Apparently, Mrs. Channing spoiled her younger son terribly, and he had developed quite a reputation for his bad behavior.

He'd been back for nearly two years but never went to the Channing publishing house.

"I heard Lucas Channing looks particularly creepy," Lucy said lazily. "His body's been wrecked by drinking and women. Perfect match for you, Nina, don't you think?"

Yes, this handsome guy was indeed perfect for me.

"Sure thing."

"Lucy, that fiancé of mine is all yours now. Just remember I’ll be your Aunt-in-law in the future."

Not seeing the tears and misery she expected, Lucy's face darkened as she spat through gritted teeth, "Still playing tough, huh? Go ahead and serve that old man for the rest of your life!

"I'm the one who's going to marry Alex and spend my life with him!

"You're nothing. Now that the old lady is in hell, let's see who backs you up!"

I didn't care how Lucy insulted me, but when she started badmouthing my grandmother, I couldn't stand it anymore.

I stepped forward and grabbed her hair, snarling, "Don't you dare insult my grandmother!"

Lucy grabbed my collar and shrieked, "I will! That old hag should have died sooner! She belongs in hell, boiling in oil and being eaten by demons!"

Furious, I shouted, "Shut your mouth!"

I swung my arm and slapped her face several times.

Lucy had been pampered all her life—she was no match for me in a fight.

I was slamming her head against the wall when the front door opened and our dear parents finally returned.

They rushed over and pulled us apart, but not before I managed one final kick at Lucy.

Mom held Lucy, whose face was swollen like a pig's head, and screamed so loudly my eardrums nearly burst.

Dad didn't even ask what happened. He just came over and slapped me, his eyes full of rage.

"Nina Sanders, have you lost your mind? Beating your sister like this over some man?"

I held my cheek and stared at him. My voice was defiant, but tears filled my eyes. "I hit her because she said Grandma should rot in hell!"

Lucy, who had been sobbing in Mom's arms nearly to the point of passing out, somehow managed to cry out, "I didn't!"

Mom pointed at me, seething, "You're lying! Lucy has always been gentle and polite.

"No wonder Alex prefers Lucy over you!"

Dad clearly believed them more. His gaze grew colder—to him, the truth meant nothing. He only wanted to maintain good relations with the Channing family.

I snorted coldly, picked up my phone from the corner, and played the recording I'd just made.

Mom and Lucy never expected I'd recorded them. Their faces instantly turned ugly.

After hearing the recording, Dad turned to Lucy in disbelief, “Do you realize that Mrs. Channing and your grandmother were childhood friends?

"If she heard what you said, how could you ever marry into the Channing family?"

Only when it came to their interests did Mom feel any concern, but she still doted on Lucy too much, “She's injured so badly. Hurry and take her to the hospital. Can't whatever you have to say wait until she's better?"

I closed my eyes briefly, feeling only bleakness in my heart.

Their hearts were so filthy. Even their own daughters were just a tool for social climbing.

What chance did I have as the unfavored daughter?

A week later, my parents took both of us to a reception hosted by the Channing family.

The party was incredibly boring. I didn't know a single person, so I huddled in a corner thinking about new mystery plots from my writers' group.

My parents used their status as the Channings' future in-laws to network with everyone.

Lucy came over with Alex on her arm. I glanced at them once, then went back to eating and puzzling through my plot ideas.

Alex called to me reluctantly, “Hey, Nina."

I paused with my fork midair and looked up at him.

Lucy pouted and tugged at his sleeve. Alex cleared his throat, "Lucy's still young. Please be more understanding when she makes mistakes."

"But you can't get physical with her. Your temper is too volatile—you really need to work on that."

I set down my plate and laughed coldly. "She's older than me.”

Alex's face froze. He said, displeased, "Nina, I know you're upset.

"But seeing you sisters fighting over me doesn't feel good either."

Feeling nauseated, I replied, "Funny, I never realized how narcissistic you were before.

"My grandmother told me about the tradition of corsets to bind the waist, but today I've had the privilege of witnessing brain binding.

"Don't flatter yourself."

After my string of insults, both their faces darkened.

Lucy was about to curse me out but remembered she needed to maintain her image in front of Alex. So she whimpered and leaned against him, ”Alex, now you see how vicious my sister is?

"She's been bullying me since we were little. I'm so scared and hurt."

Alex held Lucy protectively while glaring at me, his face ashen, "Nina, what happened to you? I'm so disappointed in what you've become!"

I was just about to fire back when a voice—familiar yet strange—came from nearby,” My girl doesn't need your disappointment."

A man with tousled hair sat up from the couch behind us.

He held a glass of red wine, eyeing Alex with a sideways glance. "Talking to your future aunt this way? Where are your manners?"

Alex gasped, "Uncle Lucas?”

Uncle?

Lucas Channing!