In my last life, Ethan was always stern with me. One misstep, and he made me kneel as punishment.

I always thought that was just his nature.

If I watched my words and actions, becoming the perfect Marsh family heiress, he would be pleased with me.

It was not until Thalia appeared that I saw the truth.

Ethan could be gentle. That gentleness just never belonged to me.

As Ethan and I locked eyes in a cold standoff, my father pushed the door open and returned.

Thalia immediately rushed forward with teary eyes. Her voice choked. "Mr. Marsh..."

But my father gave a distant smile and gently cut off her words. "I will handle Marsh family matters. Please leave."

When only Ethan and I remained, my father's face darkened. He spoke sternly. "Tell me what happened."

Father always cared about appearances. It was the same in my last life.

Even if he burned with anger, he would never punish me publicly.

He would only give a few mild warnings, just as he did with Ethan in my last life.

But in this life, I no longer cared about anything!

I began to take revenge on Thalia without restraint.

I splashed coffee on her face.

I made her tend to every lawn in the estate under the scorching sun.

At a banquet, I tore her dress in front of the male guests and sneered mockingly. "Don't you love to tattle? Go on, do it."

Thalia's eyes flashed with barely concealed hatred for a moment.

But the next second, she reverted to a timid, trembling act and cried as she bowed to me. "Miss Marsh, what did I do to upset you? I'll change right now."

I picked up a glass of red wine and splashed it on her face. "Change? If I told you to die, would you?"

I expected Thalia to run crying to Ethan and Matthew right away.

But strangely, half a month passed without a peep.

Until today, as I applied a face mask, Ethan suddenly pushed the door open. His tone betrayed no emotion. "It's Mom's birthday banquet. What gift did you get her?"

In my last life, Thalia, with Ethan and Matthew's help, performed an elegant ballet at my mom's birthday banquet.

My mom watched with a smile in her eyes and gave her the position of lead dancer in the top troupe.

Meanwhile, I was locked in a cold, damp basement. My nails broke from clawing, and my throat went hoarse from screaming.

Because I missed the banquet and the lead dancer position, my mom scolded me harshly.

In my last life, I was far too naive.

I glanced at him. "A gift? No need. Mom would rather see me than any gift."

Ethan's face darkened. He stepped in front of me. "I've been exhausted lately. Prepare the gift for me."

I scoffed. "In your dreams."

Ethan's eyes flashed with malice. "Melany, apologize to Thalia now while you still can. When the day comes... you'll regret it."

On the day of the banquet, as night fell, I saw Matthew approaching with a menacing air.

I suddenly understood what Ethan's warning meant.

Just as I was about to leave for the banquet, Matthew cornered me in the living room. It was just the two of us, and I felt uneasy. "Melany, don't blame me for being ruthless. You're the Marsh family heiress. Even if you were crippled, you'd live comfortably. But Thalia has nothing. Just let her have this!"

Matthew pulled a gun from his pocket and pulled the trigger.

Bang!

The bullet hit me. My bones cracked with a shattering sound!

The searing pain made my heart skip a beat. Unbridled anger burned in my eyes.

Thalia pushed the door open. Her face twisted with arrogance as she leaned close to my ear and whispered. "So what if you're the Marsh heiress? Your boyfriend shot you for me. Your brother schemed against you for me. Once Ethan holds all the power, how long do you think a cripple like you will last? I'm the true lady of the Marsh family. You're destined to be tormented by me until you wish you were dead!"

A surge of rage mixed with excruciating pain swept through my body. I glared at them with gritted teeth.

"Simp! Cunt!"

I raised my uninjured left arm.

I slapped Thalia across the face. Her cheek swelled red instantly.

She gasped in pain. She thought this showed my helplessness. "Wonder what your mother will think at her birthday banquet when her own daughter does not show up?"

Thalia looked at me provocatively with a cold laugh. She threw down her harsh words and turned to head to the birthday banquet.

I tried to grab the gun with one hand. Matthew stopped me.

I watched him protect Thalia like that. Hatred filled my heart.

In my last life, Matthew said something to my face when Thalia won my mother's favor.

He said. "Thalia saved your brother's life. Since you are Ethan's sister, you should be grateful to her too. If you made this public, not only would Thalia suffer, but your brother would... You know I do not like spoiled and willful girls."

The next second, I yelled loudly without caring about my image. "You knew Thalia long ago. If you like her, why pretend to be deeply in love with me? You used me while simping for Thalia! You are just like your scheming mother. Shameless and cheap!"

But Thalia reminded me unintentionally when she threatened me. Ethan would become the head of the Marsh family later!

My gaze darkened.

Even if Thalia tore her delicate act in front of Matthew, he still sided with her firmly.

As my words fell, the storm in his eyes turned to deliberate affection instantly.

"I will call someone to treat your gunshot wound. Otherwise, infection will ruin your arm." Matthew spoke. He carefully pulled me into his arms. "It is your mother's birthday banquet. A joyful day. You do not want to trouble her or drag your brother into this, right?"

He gazed at me with loving eyes. But his hand on my injured arm squeezed hard in secret.

Yes, my arm was shattered by the bullet now. The house cameras were all removed. Not a soul was around. Needless to say, my dear brother arranged it thoughtfully!

The three of them plotted to murder me!

I sneered. "Hilarious. Thalia saved you two. What does that have to do with me? You owe her your lives. Why sacrifice me and expect me to be grateful? Who do you think you are? Does the Marsh family heiress lack suitors? I have to marry a simp like you!"

My eyes filled with red veins. I shouted filled with hate. "Simp and Cunt! I will make you pay a thousand times over!"

Bang! Crack!!

I raised my uninjured left arm. I grabbed a vase from nearby and smashed it hard on Matthew's head!

Before Matthew reacted, the vase shattered on impact. Pain made him scream. Blood slid down his cheek and dripped to the floor. He clutched his head instinctively. His pupils shrank. He backed away quickly. Shock filled his eyes along with unconcealed resentment.

I composed myself. I leaned close to him with a calm face. "If you do not get to the hospital now and clear the shards, you will die."

Matthew wiped his face hard with his hand. His gaze swirled like a deep sea vortex. "Melany, what a vicious heart you have!"

"Vicious? What about when you shot me? Did you think of me then?" I exposed his lie. "If you delay me, your own life might end."

Matthew hardened his resolve to restrain me. "I will call my private doctor to treat our wounds."

My gaze turned ice cold. The next second, I lunged for his gun. This time he reacted fast.