Chapter 3

3

As soon as I escaped the house, I headed straight to the lottery office and the real estate agency.

First, I bought a winning ticket that would net me fifty million, then I snatched up a patch of abandoned land that had been left unfinished by a failed developer.

This land would soon be acquired by the government to build the city's landmark skyscraper.

The future appreciation would be worth over a billion.

I put down the thirty-million deposit, and with the lottery win, I bought the lot for a bargain eighty million.

I also kept an eye on the emerging live-streaming e-commerce industry.

I planned to launch a company to incubate influencers and sell goods directly to the public.

I wasn't as stupid as Jade, blowing cash on useless designer bags and luxury junk.

Every cent I spent was an investment, making money work for me.

Jade was marrying into a billionaire family, but I was going to become the billionaire family myself!

As the wedding approached, Jade spent every day fussing over gowns and diamonds.

She plastered photos all over the family group chat, soaking in the envy and flattery.

All the distant aunts and cousins came crawling out of the woodwork.

"I always knew little Jade was born for wealth!"

"Look at the size of that diamond ring! Her fiancé really dotes on her!"

"Jade is so gorgeous, she's a perfect match for the son of the richest man."

I knew these people all too well―total sycophants.

In my past life, after I got married, they either begged me for loans or tried to get me to find jobs for their college-dropout kids.

They were like leeches, impossible to shake off.

Jade was completely intoxicated by the praise when she called me, sounding smug.

"Sister, did you see my ring?"

I feigned shock, dripping with fake envy.

"I did. Is that a pink diamond? I've never seen a ring so beautiful."

Jade swelled with pride and gave a haughty hum.

"You grew up in the sticks, of course you've never seen a rare diamond like this. And that's not even the half of it. My wedding is going to be incredibly lavish. You should come so you can see what true wealth looks like."

"My goodness, that wedding must cost a fortune!" I gasped, playing along.

"Well, of course. My husband told me he wouldn't blink even if he spent a hundred million to make me happy. I'm even planning to hire some A-list celebrities for the reception."

"Sister, don't go saying I stole your chance. Even if you had married into the Graves family, do you really have the luck to enjoy it?"

I nodded frantically. "You're right, you're right. I truly don't have that kind of fortune. And besides, you're my sister―it doesn't matter who married him, right?"

Jade was clearly satisfied with my answer. "You've finally learned to talk like a smart girl, Clara. Don't worry, once I'm the lady of the house, you can carry my bags. I'll bring you along to all the high-end parties."

I pressed my hand over my mouth, pinching my leg to keep from laughing out loud.

I put on a worried tone. "They say marriage into a rich family is deep as the ocean, Jade. Please, be careful."

My "good intention" was a joke to her.

She laughed out loud. "Don't worry! My husband adores me. Once I give birth to our child, who could possibly shake my position?"

Jade hung up, feeling invincible.

I stared down at my stomach, lost in thought. The child was the most painful memory of my past life.

Silas had done unspeakable things to me―chaining me in the basement, feeding me dog food, and stuffing all sorts of things inside me.

But none of that compared to the conversation I overheard between him and his father: they wanted to use the baby to create a cursed spirit.

I was three months pregnant then, and I made the heart-wrenching choice to tumble down the stairs to let that little life slip away.

I wondered if Jade would have such luck this time.