"Aah!"

A sharp, throbbing pain burst through my earlobe as blood slid down my hair and dripped onto the floor.

Completely unfazed, Vivian tossed the earring to the ground and crushed it under her heel. Her voice dripped with arrogance.

"Let's see if our delicate illegitimate Alice bleeds to death."

Warm liquid kept sliding down my neck. Panic surged through me—followed instantly by pure rage.

"You're insane."

I stepped forward, desperate to make her pay, but someone pulled me back.

It was my only friend from high school—my former deskmate.

Vivian spotted who stopped me and smirked, her expression full of triumph. She lifted her chin and laughed provocatively.

"Hit me? Hahaha. Go ahead—look around. Who here would ever help you?"

She deliberately walked up to me and tapped her own cheek. "I'm a wealthy heiress now. If you're so tough, go ahead—hit me, loser."

I clenched my teeth and looked at my high school deskmate, who didn't even have the courage to meet my eyes. A bitter laugh escaped me.

"You're all equally wicked. You'll regret this."

"Regret?" Vivian scoffed. "What a joke. Why would I ever regret it? But you… I'm not so sure about you."

She waved her hand slightly and turned to the group of former classmates, amusement in her voice.

"Beat her. Whoever satisfies me will get a business opportunity from my dad.

"Oh, and remember—our little princess here has a bleeding disorder. Draw blood and I'll give each of you ten grand."

At that, my old classmates didn't care whether they knew me or not—they swarmed me with fists and kicks.

"Just because we tore out your earring, you think you can fight Vivian? She's the daughter of the legal wife. You, an illegitimate brat, actually think you compare?"

"A bleeding disorder? Good. I'm afraid you won't die fast enough. People as vicious as you should've been strangled at birth."

"Trash stays trash. Come on, put your back into it. Look at her—she still thinks she's above us."

"Hahaha, look at her now. Pathetic. Record it. Post it online—‘The legal daughter teaching the illegitimate bastard a lesson.' That'll feel good."

My high school deskmate suddenly pulled out a nail knife from God knows where and stabbed it into my thigh. She yanked it out—then stabbed again.

"Alice, don't blame me. I need the money to get into the Hawley Group. You won't hate me for it… right?"

Vivian stood with her arms crossed, watching them torture me like entertainment.

"Regretting it yet? Tsk tsk… how pitiful. Just like a stray dog."

She lowered her gaze to me, voice dripping venom. "Remember this—you and I are not the same. Some people are born noble. People like you can keep dreaming about a life like that."

The others chimed in instantly.

"She's just a useless illegitimate child without a home."

"Exactly. And now, even illegitimate kids can inherit. Honestly, I hope she dies today so she won't try to steal Vivian's inheritance later."

"That's nothing. My neighbor just divorced his wife. When this party ends, I'll send her over to him as a bride. I heard he's into special… tastes."

"Hahahaha, Carl, you always have the best ideas. Trash like her deserves a man like that."

"You gotta admit… Alice's got the body for it, though—"

Filth and cruelty flooded my mind as blood loss drained every ounce of strength from my limbs.

Vivian stepped closer. Her heel ground into the puddle of blood around me as she gripped my chin, forcing my face up. Her voice was ice-cold.

"Doesn't feel so good now, does it? Didn't you say your earring would trigger an alarm and send out your location? Funny… I don't see anyone coming to save you."

The moment her words fell, the sound of an engine roared to life outside.

Someone shouted from the hallway, "The owner of the villa is back!"

I lifted my head toward the door.

Was my mom finally here?