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Novel Catalog
Chapter 9
Veronica stood at the gate, her chest tight with frustration. They’ve gone too far this time, she thought, feeling a sting deep in her heart as Rachel shut the gate with cold efficiency.
“He’s not at home. Come back later,” Rachel said, her voice sharp, clearly eager to avoid any further conversation.
But Veronica had anticipated this move. Without hesitation, she pushed the gate open and stepped inside before Rachel could shut it.
Rachel’s face turned red with fury. “What are you doing, Veronica? Get out right now!”
At that moment, Tiffany came down the stairs. Seeing Veronica standing there, she couldn’t hide her annoyance. “What are you doing here, Veronica? This is my home!” Her words were like daggers aimed straight at Veronica’s heart.
They’re my closest kin, Veronica thought bitterly, yet they loathe me so much. Her chest ached, but she forced herself to remain calm, her expression unreadable. “I just came to collect my compensation for saving Young Master Matthew’s life,” she said nonchalantly.
Rachel scoffed, crossing her arms. “What does that have to do with you? Tiffy’s the one who saved him.”
Veronica couldn’t help but sneer as she glanced at Rachel. “You two have really outdone yourselves. You lie with such ease, you’re like mother and daughter in that regard.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
Tiffany’s face flushed with rage. “Shut the fuck up, Veronica!” she spat. “I don’t want you here.” She turned to Rachel, disgust dripping from her words. “Mom, she’s here for money. Just give her 50,000 and tell her to leave.”
Rachel nodded, not bothering to look at Veronica. “Fine, I’ll get the money. Stay here.”
But Veronica had something else in mind. “Since the Larsons have so much money, I think it’s only fair you give me 100 million for saving Young Master Matthew’s life. That way, we’ll be square, and we’ll never have to deal with each other again.”
Tiffany’s eyes went wide with disbelief. “Don’t be insane, Veronica!”
“You’re asking for too much,” Rachel added, raising her voice in exasperation. “100 million? What nonsense are you talking about?”
Veronica smirked. “I’m not insane, I’m just being fair. Or if you’d prefer, I’ll settle for 10 million.” She paused, letting her words hang in the air. “But make it 10 million. I’ll give you a 90% discount for being my real family.”
Rachel was furious. “10 million? Are you out of your mind?”
Tiffany’s face twisted with rage. “You think we’re going to bow to your threats, Veronica?”
But Veronica remained unmoved, her eyes cold. “If you can’t afford it, I’ll go to Old Mrs. Kings. She’s the matriarch of the Kings Family, and I’m sure she’ll see things from my perspective. She knows how much I helped Matthew.” She turned to leave, her back straight, her voice firm.
“Wait,” Tiffany called out, her voice tight with frustration. She grabbed Rachel’s hand and tugged her toward the stairs. “We need to discuss this with Dad. Stay here.”
Rachel and Tiffany headed upstairs, leaving Veronica standing alone in the foyer. Veronica’s anger flared, but a deeper feeling of dread began to settle over her. What are they planning? she wondered, her mind racing. She couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was off.
The old villa was poorly soundproofed, and as she stood near the door, she could hear the muffled sound of their conversation drifting through the cracks. She leaned in closer, straining to catch the words.
“Veronica’s so greedy, and she’s the spitting image of me. If we keep her around, she’ll become a threat. Plus, Old Mrs. Kings likes her too much. How am I supposed to marry Matthew with her around?” Tiffany’s voice was filled with disdain.
Veronica’s heart froze in her chest. Threat? The pieces started to click in place.
Rachel’s voice was lower but no less venomous. “Tiffy, we already took care of her adoptive father in that car accident. Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about keeping her alive?”
Veronica’s blood ran cold. The memories of that fateful day—the car accident that had left her adoptive parents in critical condition—flashed through her mind. They’d always seemed suspicious, but she had never dared to fully consider the truth.
Tiffany’s voice rose, anxious and furious. “Are you stupid, Mom? As long as Veronica’s alive, she’ll ruin everything. She’ll always be in the way. The only way to get rid of her… is if you make her a vegetable!”
Veronica stood frozen, her hand gripping the doorknob. Her mind raced as the horrible truth sank in. They had orchestrated the car accident. It wasn’t a random event. It had been planned—a cruel tactic to force Veronica to donate her bone marrow to Tiffany’s brother. The realization hit her like a punch to the stomach. They tried to use me—no, they almost killed me—for their own gain.
Her hands shook with rage, her body trembling. How could they? How dare they?
I was so naïve, she thought bitterly. They never cared about me. They just saw me as a pawn, a tool to get what they wanted.
A torrent of fury surged through her, and her body burned with the need for retribution. I won’t let them get away with this.
Veronica turned the doorknob, her heart pounding in her ears. She was about to burst in, to confront them with the truth—but she stopped herself, just for a moment. Her mind raced, calculating the best course of action. If she revealed what she knew now, they would only cover their tracks, lie, and deny everything. No, she needed a plan—a way to make them regret underestimating her.
With clenched fists, she stepped back from the door, taking a deep breath. This isn’t over, she swore to herself. I’ll make them pay for everything.
