I ripped the pendant from my neck and held it in my hand. Under the moonlight, the small white fish seemed almost alive, glowing with an unsettling red light. If I looked closely, I could see a thin red thread connecting it to me.

I dropped the pendant into a bowl of water. In my dream, I had seen Vanessa do the same after my death, trying to protect herself by severing the connection between us.

A surge of anger rose in me. How could she so easily take everything that was rightfully mine and live a life of comfort and joy?

Not only did she take my life, but she also spread lies about me after I was gone. This time, I was going to make sure she felt the pain of losing everything.

Tomorrow, she'd supposed to impress a professor, riding on the luck she stole from me. Even though she'd done nothing to deserve it, even though that opportunity should have been mine, one smile from her would make it hers.

But this time, I would take back what was mine.

The next day, I watched Vanessa, elegantly dressed, ready for the event.

She greeted me with her usual bright demeanor, but I knew better. Behind that cheerful exterior, she was calculating and ruthless, willing to destroy anyone for her own gain.

She had already ruined the lives of many girls, effortlessly taking what belonged to others and making it her own.

"Ella, are you going to that gala today? Can you take me along? I've never been to an event like that."

Before I could answer, Margaret appeared, showering Vanessa with compliments.

"Vanessa, you look absolutely stunning today! That's my favorite girl."

Then she turned to me with her usual look of disapproval.

"And you, what are you wearing? You're an embarrassment to this family."

I glanced at Vanessa's designer dress, then down at my own plain suit. Maybe she was right.

But they never gave me a cent to buy clothes. How could they blame me? Since coming back to the Carter family, I'd been treated like a servant while Vanessa took over my room and my life.

My parents handed her credit cards without hesitation, yet they couldn't bear to look at me, their own daughter.

I stayed quiet, my head down, but my silence only seemed to irritate my mother more.

"What's wrong? Are you sulking because I told you the truth? Why can't you be more like Vanessa? Look at her, smart, charming, and full of life. And look at you, always so dull and depressing. No wonder no one ever wanted to adopt you."

Her words made me look up, my gaze steady and unflinching.

"No one adopted me because I remembered I had a family. Plenty of people wanted me, but I waited for you. Now, I regret it. After all these years, I wish I hadn't."

Margaret's face twisted in anger. Feeling challenged, she raised her hand to strike me.

I lifted my chin and met her eyes without flinching.

At this moment, Vanessa caught Margaret's hand, pulling her close with a sweet smile.

"Oh, Margaret, don't be upset with Ella. You know how she is. It's not her fault. She's always been under my wing. Don't get angry, or you'll get wrinkles, and we can't have that, can we?" she said, her voice laced with mock concern as she leaned in affectionately.

The scene would've been convincing if I hadn't noticed the slight smirk.

How ironic. My temper had only changed because I was the one protecting her before. Back at the orphanage, she was the youngest and the smallest, always picked on by the others. I was the one who fought off her bullies. And now, she had the nerve to act like she was the one shielding me.

I could feel the anger bubbling inside me, so I turned to leave.

Sensing my escape, Vanessa quickly rushed over and grabbed my arm, trying to hold me back.

Suddenly, it hit me. Every time she touched me, she siphoned away my good fortune even faster than the pendant could. Without thinking, I shook her off, pulling my arm free.

Vanessa stood there, momentarily stunned. Margaret, catching the scene just in time, swooped in like a protective mother, stepping in front of Vanessa with a look of fierce disapproval.

"Why are you treating Vanessa like this? I've told you before, I'm the one who doesn't like you. This isn't her fault. If you've got an issue, take it up with me. Picking on Vanessa doesn't make you brave."

I noticed the fleeting glimmer of triumph in Vanessa's eyes and decided this was the moment I'd been waiting for. Reaching up, I tore the pendant from my neck.

"Vanessa, what were you so pleased about just now? Did you think this was funny? I thought you were my friend, but it turns out you've been trying to steal everything from me, my parents, my life. I guess we're done here."

With that, I threw the pendant to the ground and walked away without looking back.

I didn't bother to see their reactions. All that mattered now was securing that professor's approval, and I wasn't going to let anyone stand in my way.

I arrived at the gala early, determined to make a strong impression. I spotted Professor James Lawson and without hesitation, approached him with my proposal. Though he seemed a bit surprised, our discussion went smoothly.

My project was focused on advanced game development, aiming to create a virtual world where people could connect mentally and experience a high degree of freedom.

I spoke confidently, and we ended up signing the contract right there and then, to ensure everything was secured before any changes could occur.

As I looked around, I noticed Vanessa arriving late. She was scanning the room, clearly searching for something.

I made sure to stand tall and catch her eye. As expected, she made a beeline for me, her high heels clicking sharply on the floor.

"Ella, you rushed off so quickly and didn't wait for me! Look, I've got blisters from running," she complained, showing off a foot covered in a bandage.

Then, as if just noticing James beside me, she exclaimed, "Oh, there's someone else here! I was so focused on you, Ella, I didn't see him!"

She gave me a playful wink before continuing, "Ella, are you really mad at me? Aren't you going to introduce us?"

I met her gaze, my voice calm as I said, "This is my partner, Mr. James Lawson."

Vanessa flashed one of her dazzling smiles at James.

"Ah, Mr. Lawson! Ella has mentioned you so many times. I'm really interested in gaming too. Do you think I could sit in on one of your classes?"

Vanessa was undeniably beautiful, with an exotic allure that could captivate anyone. Coupled with the fortune she'd stolen from me, she usually got whatever she wanted with little effort.

But this time, things wouldn't go as she planned.

"I'm afraid you're out of luck, miss. I only had one spot left, and I've just signed a contract with Ella. We're partners now. If you want a favor, you'd better ask her."

Vanessa's expression faltered. She hadn't expected to be turned down, let alone find out that I had already secured the deal.

Her eyes flashed with frustration as she tried again, only to be met with the same refusal.

Turning to me, she put on her most pitiful look.

"Ella, could you..."

But I cut her off before she could finish.

"No, that spot is reserved for someone else. It's already been decided."