Chapter 2

2.

In my last life, Dante Sterling had been furious because everyone was busy trying to save the kiln.

He had even called in a thousand bodyguards to hold us accountable.

I was the one who risked my life while the kiln was collapsing to rebuild the walls overnight.

Under the scorching heat, the flesh on my hands had been torn and bloodied.

Dante was satisfied enough to sign a long-term contract, and the whole village cheered.

It wasn't until I was swallowed by the flames that I finally understood.

They didn't care about my sacrifice; they only cared about how much profit I could bring them.

In this life, I would never help them again.

Without my help, I wanted to see how they would turn things around.

The breakroom door was suddenly pushed open.

"Elena, why are you locked in here?" Vivian pretended to be shocked and hurried over to support me.

"Here, take your medicine first." She pulled a bottle of asthma medication from her bag and held it to my lips.

I stared at her perfectly made-up face, and my stomach turned.

For thirty years, she had used this fake persona to play the role of the "sweet sister-in-law."

And I was always the difficult, stubborn, and old-fashioned "relic."

"Vivian, you're too kind, even carrying medicine for her."

"She just has a mental problem!"

Caleb stood at the door glaring at me, but he immediately forced a flattering smile when Vivian looked his way.

Vivian gave him a playful, scolding look.

Looking at his pathetic, fawning behavior, I suddenly found it hilarious.

For thirty years, he had been arrogant in front of me, yet he acted like a lapdog for Vivian.

"Elena, don't blame him."

Vivian turned back to me, her voice gentle.

"He's doing this for everyone. The new technology I developed can increase the value of the porcelain tenfold. Everyone in the village will live a good life then."

The surrounding craftsmen nodded one after another.

Their eyes were full of gratitude as they looked at Vivian, as if she were some kind of savior.

"Please don't worry. I won't take all the credit. Once we sell the pieces, everyone gets a cut!"

Vivian looked down at me with pitying eyes.

Just then, Dante Sterling's secretary arrived in a hurry.

"Mr. Sterling is arriving at the site now. How much longer are you going to stall?"

Everyone's expression changed instantly.

Caleb immediately piled on the smiles. "Right away! Right away!"

They scrambled outside, terrified of wasting a second and angering Dante.

Before leaving, Vivian didn't forget to give me a "thoughtful" instruction. "Elena, you rest well. Don't worry, I've got this."

I turned my head away and snorted.

You've got this?

Then you can wait to take the fall for everything.

They all ran toward the Phoenix Kiln.

But I turned around without hesitation and ran in the opposite direction.

"Elena! Where are you going?"

Caleb turned back and shouted at me, his tone frantic.

I ignored him and kept moving.

"Mr. Sterling doesn't have time to wait for you!"

The secretary's cold voice cut him off. "Keep wasting time, and the contract is void!"

Caleb bit his lip and ultimately chose to follow Vivian.

I watched their retreating figures, a cold smirk touching my lips.

This time, I wasn't going to stop them from destroying themselves.

I wanted to watch them suffer the consequences with my own eyes.

I turned and walked away from the kiln area.

My fingers quickly tapped a number into my old burner phone.

"Hello? Lee?"

"Find something for your sister Elena. And make it fast."