The Heiress’ Return & Revenge

In the courtyard, after everyone had freshened up, they returned to their rooms to rest.

Jodic lay on her bed, her mind consumed by thoughts of the day. She wondered if anyone outside was

ying to expose their complicated relationship. This thought filled her with anxiety and fear.

As she dwelled on it, she felt increasingly aggrieved. Therefore, she picked up her phone to message Aaron. When he saw the message, he got up and opened the door to find Jodie standing beneath the persimmon tree in the courtyard. “Jo, what’s going on?” he asked as he walked to her.

Seeing Aaron approach, Jodie took the initiative to throw herself into his arms. “Aaron, I’m scared.”

Aaron was taken aback, puzzled. “Scared of what?”

With teary eyes, Jodie tightly embraced his waist, looking at him. “I’m afraid our relationship will be exposed. I’m afraid I’ll be a burden to you, and people will–criticize you. After all, you’re Simone’s biological brother, and I’m nothing.”

Saying this, she burst into tears. “I’m so scared that Mom and Dad, and all of you, will no longer want

me.”

Ever since Simone was found and returned, this fear had been haunting her.

Having grown accustomed to being the pampered daughter of the Gray Family, she had no desire to return to her old life.

Thus, she often subtly sowed seeds of discord against Simone when she was alone with the Grays. She created a narrative that implied Simone’s return meant not only taking away her identity but also harboring ill will toward her.

Simone wanted to take everything from her and push her out of the family.

Over this past year, she had been quietly making her moves, and it had been quite successful. Sure enough, the entire family still doted on her while growing increasingly dissatisfied with Simone.

So what if Simone is their biological daughter? She still can’t measure up to the adopted one.

Whenever she coveted something of Simone’s, all it took was a subtle, indirect suggestion,

Those from the Gray Family would willingly snatch it from Simone and hand it over to her.

She had been in control and manipulating everything all along. But since the previous incident, everything had spiraled out of control.

lashed out at the family,

thinking she had finally gotten rid of

things were not going

members of the Gray Family complained and scolded Simone,

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54 The

displayed a strong desire for her

for example, used to be the

he

gave rise to a sense of crisis. She had a

today, Simone nearly exposed their relationship on the internet by mentioning the three taboos. This

that driving Simone away might not be the

they themselves pushed her out. Thus, she needed to persuade the family to

and would expel her. This was the only way

shoulder. With the other, he gently stroked her head. “Silly girl, that won’t happen. You’re the little princess of our family, our cherished treasure. How could we ever not want you? As for the issue of your identity, you don’t need to worry anymore. It hasn’t been exposed yet, and

he regretted his impulsive actions earlier. He also felt a bit resentful toward Simone

everyone about their

acknowledge Simone as his sister, but it just wasn’t the right time for a public announcement. They should wait until Jodie

and had firmly established herself in the entertainment

so impatient and unhappy waiting this little bit

Jodie looked at him pitifully, as if

this

her. “Of course, we’ll never not want you. You’ll always be our precious one. Don’t

“Then, once this variety show is over, you guys better coax Simone. After all, she’s the true daughter of the Gray Family. I don’t want her to leave the Gray Family because of me. I’ve been feeling really uneasy lately. If she doesn’t come back, I’ll feel like it’s my fault, and I’ll want

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Wed, 29 NOV

The Shocking

do with you. Don’t overthink it. Of

hoped to see Simone and Jodie coexist peacefully in the family. Perhaps after this incident, once Simone had caused enough trouble and returned home, it

this, Jodie felt

planting a kiss on his cheek.

had been working to ensure her brothers‘ affection and closeness. From a young age, she purposefully engaged in intimate gestures with them, even coaxing them to plant kisses on