The door opened.

The girl who had killed her in her past life stood right outside, smiling sweetly.

Nineteen-year-old Sandra was undeniably beautiful. She strongly resembled her mother, Melinda-large, watery eyes, a delicate nose, pale pink lips, and a small, refined face. Dressed in a white wool dress that hugged her figure just right, she moved with effortless grace, every gesture calm and composed.

Like a lily in full bloom-pure, quiet, and seemingly untouched.

Everyone was fooled by that appearance.

Everyone except Andrea.

Andrea's smile brightened, but her eyes were icy.

Sandra... we meet again.

"Andrea, are you feeling better?" Sandra asked, concern written clearly across her flawless face.

Andrea studied that beautiful expression-every trace of worry carefully rehearsed. For a brief, violent second, she wanted nothing more than to rush forward and tear her throat out.

But no.

She couldn't rush this.

Every ounce of pain she had suffered-she would return slowly, piece by piece.

Digging her nails into her palm, Andrea forced the storm inside her back down and smiled. "I'm much better now. Sorry to make you worry, Sandra."

Sandra visibly relaxed, the tension leaving her brows. She spoke gently, almost reproachfully. "You really scared me. Falling into the lake in the middle of winter-do you know how dangerous that was? Thank goodness someone passed by and saved you. Otherwise..." She trailed off, eyes full of lingering fear.

Every word sounded sincere. Caring. Exactly like a devoted younger sister should.

If Andrea hadn't already lived one lifetime, she might have believed it again.

A trace of mockery flashed through Andrea's eyes, though her smile remained soft. "Alright, alright. I know I was careless. Stop embarrassing me-Darius already gave me a long lecture."

Darius stood off to the side, watching Sandra's performance with thinly veiled irritation. Remembering his sister's earlier warning, he held himself back instead of snapping like he usually would.

He snorted. "Next time, don't tell people I'm your brother. I don't have a sister this dumb."

Andrea huffed twice, pretending to be offended.

Sandra immediately stepped in to smooth things over, seamlessly changing the subject-though in her heart, she wished nothing more than for the siblings' closeness to crack.

"Oh, right," she said as if suddenly remembering something. "Andrea, Senior Steven came to see you. We should go downstairs."

Andrea blinked, looking genuinely confused. "Steven? Who's that?"

Sandra stepped closer and linked arms with her, smiling gently. "Andrea, Steven is quite well-known at our school. How could you forget him? Besides-he's your lifesaver."

A lifesaver?

More like a carefully staged trap.

Andrea remembered that day clearly.

She had been sitting by the lake, reading, when she suddenly felt a heavy shove against her shoulder. Before she could react-splash-she was in the water.

She struggled. Screamed for help.

No one answered.

Icy water flooded her lungs. The suffocation had been unbearable. She had truly believed she was going to die-until a hand grabbed her arm.

In her previous life, she had dismissed it as an accident.

This time, she was certain.

She had been pushed.

And the one behind it was Steven-carefully setting up a hero-saves-the-girl scene to get close to her, to earn her trust.

Andrea lowered her gaze, as if thinking hard. After a moment, realization slowly spread across her face.

"Oh-no wonder the name sounded familiar," she said softly. "He's the student council president, right?"

Her lashes fluttered, a hint of shyness appearing on her face. "Sandra... are you saying Senior Steven is the one who saved me?"

Sandra's perfect smile stiffened for the briefest moment.

"Yes," she replied gently. "He's been very worried about you. That's why he came to check on you personally. Let's go downstairs-he's been waiting."

"But I haven't changed yet," Andrea said, glancing down at herself. She shook Sandra's arm playfully. "Why don't you go keep him company first? I'll change and come down in a bit."

"Alright," Sandra said with a soft laugh. "Hurry up, okay?"

She turned and left.

Her lowered lashes hid the thick jealousy burning in her eyes.

...

In the living room, a young man and woman sat at opposite ends of the sofa, chatting softly. From time to time, Sandra's gentle laughter drifted through the air.

Andrea steadied herself, forcing down the tidal wave of hatred threatening to break loose, and slowly descended the staircase.

Hearing her footsteps, Steven looked up.

A flicker of unmistakable amazement flashed through his deep-set eyes.

The woman walking down the stairs moved with unhurried grace. Her long, wavy hair spilled naturally over her shoulders, catching the light with a soft sheen. She wore a red dress-bold, vivid, like flames licking through the air-so striking it made people instinctively hold their breath.

Every movement carried a quiet allure.

Yet her dark, gem-like eyes were cool and distant, an unsettling contrast-like an angel wrapped in a devil's skin. Beautiful in a way that stole the air from one's lungs.

Andrea studied Steven in return.

That face-truly handsome. No wonder she had been so completely captivated in her previous life. Even now, looking at him with nothing but hatred in her heart, she had to admit it.

A beautiful shell.

Only twenty-two years old, yet already composed and self-assured beyond his years. His smile was warm, almost springlike-but in those deep eyes, Andrea saw it clearly.

Ambition.

Greed.

A faint smile curved her lips.

'Steven... you like taking from others, don't you?

Then wait and see how I destroy everything you want.'

Steven rose to his feet with perfect manners, his smile flawless, voice gentle and smooth.

"Andrea, how are you feeling now?"

"Much better," Andrea replied softly, a faint blush blooming across her pale cheeks. "Thank you for your concern. Senior... I still haven't properly thanked you for saving my life."

"It was nothing," he said modestly. "Just a small effort. As long as you're safe, that's what matters."

Andrea casually glanced at Sandra.

Catching sight of Sandra's stiffened smile, Andrea's own grew deeper. She blinked playfully, her voice carrying a hint of light teasing.

"To you, it may have been nothing-but to me, it was an enormous favor. Senior, if you don't mind, I'd like to treat you to dinner to show my gratitude."

Steven declined politely.

Andrea tilted her head, feigning mild indignation. "If you refuse, it'll feel like you're looking down on me."

"...In that case," Steven said with a soft chuckle, "I suppose I have no choice but to accept."

His smile remained warm, his tone gentler now-almost indulgent.

Clatter.

Sandra accidentally knocked over her teacup. Tea spilled across her dress. Her face paled as she forced an awkward smile.

"Sorry... you two continue talking. I'll go change."

Andrea watched her hurry away, mockery flickering through her eyes.

So Sandra had already liked Steven back then.

In her previous life, she had even foolishly asked Sandra for advice on how to pursue him.

Stupid beyond saving.

After Sandra went upstairs, she never came back down.

Andrea had no interest in staring at Steven's hypocritical face any longer. They agreed on a dinner time, exchanged a few polite words, and Steven soon took his leave.

Andrea stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, watching his tall figure disappear into the distance.

In her previous life, she had watched him leave like this too-only back then, her heart had been full of anticipation for their next meeting.

Now?

There was nothing left but hatred.

A cold smile curved Andrea's lips.

She whispered to his retreating back: "See you soon, Steven."

Outside, the deciduous trees in the yard stood bare and desolate. In the garden, a lone rosebush bloomed stubbornly against the cold, its deep red petals sharp against the winter gray.

"Andrea, why are you dressed so lightly? You'll catch a cold."

Charles had just returned home and immediately spotted his daughter standing by the window. Concern filled his eyes.

Andrea's heart jolted. Tears instantly welled up. It was her father-the man who had loved her the most.

She spun around and threw herself into his arms. In her previous life, she had ignored his objections and insisted on marrying Steven-breaking his heart completely.

"Dad... I missed you so much. I'm sorry..."

"Silly girl," Charles laughed, stroking her hair. "Didn't we just see each other this morning?" Then his tone turned serious. "Andrea, no more dangerous behavior. Dad's getting old-I can't handle scares like that."

She nodded vigorously. "Dad, from now on, I'll listen to you. I won't make you angry anymore."

"My Andrea has grown up." He sighed with relief, then deliberately put on a stern face. "Go upstairs and put on something warmer. You're still recovering."

"Okay, okay-I'll listen." She hugged him tightly, then ran upstairs.

From the second-floor landing, Melinda watched the scene with barely concealed jealousy. Her usually stern husband rarely smiled at her or Sandra-but with Andrea, he never held back his warmth.

Had he ever truly cared about her, his wife?

"Good evening, Auntie," Andrea greeted sweetly as they passed on the stairs.

Melinda smiled gently. "Go change and come down for dinner."

Once Andrea disappeared upstairs, Melinda's smile slowly faded. A chill crept into her eyes, replacing the warmth with something cold and calculating.

At dinner, Charles kept adding food to Andrea's plate until it formed a small mountain.

"Dad, if you keep feeding me like this, I'm going to turn into a little pig."

"A pig would still be adorable," he laughed. "You've lost weight. Here, have some soup."

He filled half her bowl with chicken soup, then poured some for Sandra and Darius as well.

"Thank you, Uncle Charles," Sandra said softly as she accepted the bowl.

Inside, bitterness surged through her chest.

No matter how hard she tried, she would never compare to his biological daughter.

...

The next day was Sunday-and also the day Andrea and Steven had planned to go out together.

She woke early, dressed herself beautifully, and calmly took in Sandra's barely hidden jealousy.

Just after nine, Steven arrived to pick her up. Dressed in a black overcoat, he looked refined and striking.

Andrea skipped toward him, her expression bright and innocent.

"Good morning."

"Good morning," he replied, his gaze so gentle it almost seemed to melt.

She smiled sweetly. With the nanny's help, she slipped on a white cape-like coat, looking like a porcelain doll. Grabbing her purse, she turned to Sandra.

"Sandra, are you sure you don't want to come? He's not a stranger. It'd be more fun with more people, right?"

She tilted her head toward Steven, eyes curved in a smile. "Don't you think so?"

For some reason, he felt the urge to ruffle her hair. But as his gaze swept over the Reed family's understated luxury, the thought faded.

He smiled politely. "Andrea's right. Sandra, why don't you join us?"

Sandra's eyes lit up.

'He called my name.'

Her heart raced. She wanted to shout yes-but when she saw Andrea secretly blink at her, looking almost pleading, she forced herself to calm down.

She smiled stiffly. "I already have plans with a friend. You two go ahead and have fun."

"That's a shame," Andrea said lightly, waving. "We'll be off then."

Steven nodded politely.

The moment they disappeared through the gate, Sandra grabbed a vase and smashed it onto the floor. Porcelain shattered as her beautiful face twisted with rage and jealousy.

"How long do I have to endure this?!" she screamed in the master bedroom.

"I liked him first! Why should I give him to that bitch Andrea?! I'm not willing-I'm not! He likes me too! We're meant to be together!"

Melinda pressed a finger hard against her forehead, furious.

"That poor boy again? What's so special about him? You're going to marry into a wealthy family someday. Stop wasting time on nobodies!"

"You can't say that!" Sandra shouted back.

"He may be poor now, but he's capable and ambitious! He'll succeed! I like men with drive!"

"Foolish!" Melinda snapped.

"No connections, no capital-no matter how hard he works, the best he'll ever be is a middle manager. He already lost at the starting line compared to real heirs."

She frowned, her patience wearing thin.

"Listen to me. With your stepfather's position, marrying into a wealthy family will be easy. Why cling to a poor man and make life harder for yourself?"

She paused, then added casually, "That Frederick Brown-he's interested in you, isn't he? He'd be much more suitable."

"Mom, Fredrick may be decent, but I don't like him!" Sandra clung to Melinda's arm, her voice soft and pleading. "The one I love is Steven. Please-help me..."

She lowered her voice, eyes glinting.

"Mom, if the Reed Corp were ours, we'd have money ourselves. Why would I need to marry into wealth and live under someone else's thumb?"

That sentence struck Melinda right in the heart.

After remarrying, she had married into money-but Charles was never the extravagant type. He wouldn't indulge her vanity or let her flaunt wealth recklessly. More than once, she'd been humiliated in front of other rich wives.

Once upon a time, she'd been a proper socialite herself. If not for her family's downfall... if not for her ex-husband's failure... why would she be reduced to reading another man's mood just to spend money?

Her expression darkened.

Sensing it, Sandra pressed harder.

"Mom, you've seen it yourself. No matter how hard we try, Uncle's favorite will always be Andrea. She's his biological daughter. He'll never leave us the inheritance."

She paused, then added softly,

"It used to be fine-Andrea was spoiled and reckless. We always thought she'd mess up eventually. But now? It's like she suddenly woke up. Look how happy Uncle is around her. Sometimes I even wonder... what if she's figured something out?"

Melinda's gaze sharpened. Her crimson nails dug into the edge of the table as she sneered.

"If we want to defeat Andrea, the first step is stripping her of Charles' protection. Once she loses his favor, what can she possibly do?"

Sandra's eyes lit up. "Mom... you have a plan?"

Melinda's nails scraped slow, deliberate lines across the tabletop. She leaned in and whispered into Sandra's ear, her eyes cold and venomous.

Sandra's lips curled into a delighted smile.

'Andrea... let's see how long you can stay so smug.'

The woman they were plotting against was currently dining with Steven at an upscale restaurant.

Andrea lowered her gaze, gracefully slicing into her steak. In her mind, each cut landed on Steven himself. Strangely enough, her mood lifted.

Love and hate really were separated by just a single thought.

In her previous life, she'd loved him to madness. If he so much as scraped his hand, her heart would ache. Now? Imagining how she might destroy him had become her favorite pastime.

"Andrea," Steven asked gently, "what do you usually like to do?"

She replied calmly, "Eat, sleep, study. Sometimes shop. Nothing special."

He froze.

He'd assumed this spoiled heiress was already interested in him-that she'd try to show off her charms or talk about refined hobbies. Even if she had none, she should've at least pretended.

Her answer was too straightforward.

Andrea neither noticed nor cared. She focused on her food, treating him as if he barely existed.

He tried again, bringing up a few more topics, but each one was met with a lukewarm response. The more she brushed him off, the more intrigued he became.

'So she's not the brainless, temperamental rich girl everyone talks about...'

When it came time to pay, Steven reached for his wallet, insisting on covering the bill.

Andrea stopped him and handed the waiter a gold card instead, smiling lightly.

"I said I was treating you. I can't very well let you pay."

He didn't push it further.

"It's still early. How about a movie?"

Her lips curved into a cool smile.

Last life, it had gone exactly the same way. Dinner, then a movie-a sentimental romance about childhood sweethearts. She'd cried her eyes out, and he'd gently wiped away her tears with a tissue.

That was the moment she'd fallen for him.

This time?

"I'm sorry," she said evenly. "I'm not feeling very well today. Maybe another time."

"Then let me take you home."

"No need. My driver's waiting outside."

He picked up his coat, intending to drape it over her shoulders. She took it from him casually and put it on herself.

Men were all the same.

The easier something was to get, the faster they got bored. The harder it was, the more obsessed they became. Especially men with ulterior motives-men who approached her with calculation.

Of course she wouldn't make it easy.

Distance. Temptation. Just enough warmth to keep him hooked.

That was how you drove someone crazy.

...

She returned home before four. Melinda and Sandra weren't around. The housekeeper said they'd gone out shopping after lunch.

After changing clothes, Ruby came in.

Ruby was the nanny's distant niece. Under her aunt's influence, she was fiercely loyal to Andrea. The two were close, calling each other by name in private.

"Andrea," Ruby whispered, lowering her voice. "I was cleaning Madam's room today and accidentally overheard her talking with the second young lady..."

She then repeated-word for word-everything she'd heard while hiding in the walk-in closet.

Andrea showed no reaction after hearing everything.

She'd expected Sandra not to give up on Steven so easily. In fact, that was perfect. The deeper Sandra's feelings ran, the harder she would fall.

In her previous life, Ruby had never overheard this conversation. Maybe her rebirth had already altered the course of events in subtle ways.

Seeing Andrea remain silent, Ruby grew anxious, thinking she'd been too shocked to speak.

"Andrea... are you okay?"

Andrea felt a flicker of warmth in her chest. She smiled gently.

"I'm fine, Ruby. Thank you for telling me."

"That's only right," Ruby said indignantly. "But those two are absolutely shameless. Should we tell Mr. Reed?"

"No." Andrea shook her head calmly. "We don't have concrete evidence. Even if we told my dad, he wouldn't act on it. And more importantly-I don't want to alert them."

Her eyes shifted slightly, and the smile at her lips turned chilling.

"I'm not afraid of them making a move. I'm afraid they won't."

Because when they strike, I will bury them alive.