Back home, as expected, no one welcomed me.
But the housekeeper warmly greeted me at the door.
I often gave them food and clothes, so I had a good relationship with the housekeepers and the butler.
"Where are my parents?" I casually asked.
She awkwardly smiled, "They are inside, accompanying Grace with her piano practice."
I nodded and walked towards the dining table.
"I'm hungry. Could you make me something to eat?"
I silently ate at the table; the meals during this period were sent by Edward, and I couldn't eat them.
This was the first full meal in days.
But some people just didn't want to see me comfortable.
"Why didn't you greet your mother and me when you came back? Do you still respect your parents?"
The familiar scolding came.
I pretended not to hear and continued eating.
"Bang!"
A pair of large hands slammed on the table beside me, startling everyone around.
I looked up at the man I should call my father.
He was glaring at me angrily, as if I were his enemy, not his daughter.
"I haven't had a good meal for a while, and today, on my first day out of the hospital, I didn't see any concern from you, so I thought I wouldn't disturb you two."
I responded with a fake smile.
"You ungrateful child! How can you blame your parents? We were just worried that your sister wouldn't perform well at her birthday party in a few days and were urging her to practice well, that's why we didn't have time to pick you up."
"Yes, mom and dad were very worried about you. You should have at least reported your safety."
I looked at Grace and the woman she was holding onto, who was technically my mom, but hers.
They both took turns putting me in the position of an unreasonable and ungrateful child.
But I no longer fell for that.
"Is she in elementary school? Does she not have hands or a brain? Does she need someone to watch her practice the piano? Is watching a fully capable person practice the piano more important than picking up a patient who has lost an arm?"
I looked at their embarrassed expressions with sarcasm.
"How dare you speak to your parents like that!"
I looked at the furious man, remembering that he had never spoken loudly to Grace.
"Because both of you have poor health, ever since I was recognized, I have been researching nutritious meals with the cook every day. Has your precious daughter ever gotten up early for you? I didn't want to spend too much family money, so I started working on my own early, and even when I started my business, I used my own money, giving half of my earnings to you each time. Can she do that?"
Looking at the three speechless people across from me, I shook my head in self-mockery.
"But you're her older sister, and Grace isn't well. It's only natural to take care of her more."
I stared at my mother and shook my left arm.
"Look at us, who is in worse health situation now?"
The atmosphere fell into a heavy silence. I put down my utensils; I couldn't eat anymore anyway.
Before leaving, I looked at the two bewildered middle-aged people and said softly, "Overindulgence will ruin a person. You will regret it soon."
I turned and went back to my room, starting to officially prepare the materials for my plan.
I no longer cared, no longer wished for family or love.
Nothing was more reliable than holding my destiny in my own hands.
The days of recovering at home passed quickly, as Grace's birthday approached, she and my parents were never home, so I chatted with the housekeepers and took care of my injury.
Watching Grace return full of energy every night, I looked forward to the day as much as she did.
Chapter 12
On Grace's birthday, I was awakened by the noise outside.
The Sterling family rarely had such a lively atmosphere; my birthday celebrations were just family gatherings.
My parents said it was because I didn't know those people, and they would be embarrassed if they came.
How could I know them if I was never given the chance?
The obedient me didn't get angry and hardly participated in Grace's birthday parties.
But today was different.
I put on the brightest red lipstick, changed into the custom-made dress from the other day, and fully exposed my injured left arm.
With the prepared USB drive, I went downstairs directly.
Everyone was surprised to see me, especially Grace.
She immediately got up and came over when she saw me.
"What are you doing down here?"
"Celebrating your birthday, dear sister."
I smiled at her, but my eyes were cold.
Seeing my well-dressed appearance, Grace could barely hold her smile, especially with the occasional discussions around us.
"Is this Mr. Sterling's biological daughter? She's so beautiful."
"No wonder she's the biological one; she's really elegant."
Grace tried to control her expression.
Before she could say anything, the birthday party host called her name.
She could only give me a fierce look and turned to the stage, returning to her sweet and innocent appearance.
A beautiful piano piece won the applause of all the audience.
She looked at me proudly.
I smiled and plugged the USB drive into the computer controlling the big screen.
"By the way, do you know that I was the one who found the kidnapper?"
The voice came out of the expensive speakers, exceptionally clear.
On the screen was a scene of Grace and Edward face to face.
The first video I played was the night she admitted to finding the kidnapper.
The audience began to murmur.
Grace's face turned pale as she watched a few seconds of the video, covered her ears, and screamed.
She rushed off the stage to the computer, trying to stop the video.
Unfortunately, the USB drive had been tampered with, and once played, it could not be stopped.
"Delia! What are you doing?"
Seeing the video, our parents immediately knew I was behind it.
"You want to ruin your sister? Stop it right now!"
I patted them and urged them to keep watching.
The video had just reached the moment when Grace threatened me.
Hearing her transfer company funds, our father immediately called the financial staff to investigate, and within minutes, they got a confirmation.
The two hadn't accepted this reality yet, and when Grace cried for help, our father, with a dark face, slapped her hard.
Grace fell to the ground crying and suddenly looked at me fiercely.
"It's all you! You're the bitch!"
I took a step back; the video wasn't over yet.
Turning my head, Edward stood in front of me.
His eyes were slightly red as he grabbed my hand, glaring at Grace.
"I never thought you were such a person, framing Delia, trying to drive a wedge between Delia and me. You're the real bitch!"
Then he turned to me.
"Honey, I didn't mean to hide it from you. You have to believe me."
I raised my eyebrows, indicating for him to look at the screen.
It was playing the night Grace was drunk and what happened between them.
The scene became chaotic.
But I felt it wasn't enough.
I made a gesture, and Edward immediately received a call.
The other side quickly finished and hung up. Edward's hand trembled, and the phone fell to the ground with a thud.
"What's wrong?" I kindly picked up the phone and returned it to him.
He seemed to suddenly realize, grabbing my shoulders.
"You destroyed my company!"
I freed myself from his grip.
"If you hadn't evaded taxes, deducted employee wages, and done these ugly things, I wouldn't have had the chance to destroy you. If I have to thank anyone, I should thank you."
I raised my glass and toasted to Mr. Mill in the corner.
Thanks to his help in mobilizing the company's staff to jointly report Edward and assisting me in acquiring the scattered shares of Edward's company, which I then gave to him.
He was the only one who didn't ignore me at my recognition banquet and even helped me when my father divided the shares between Grace and me.
Now, the favor was repaid.
Looking at the chaotic scene.
I had never felt so refreshed in my heart.
Finally, I could live for myself once.
Chapter 13
After that birthday banquet, Grace was disowned by The Sterling family and publicly cut off all ties. Influenced greatly by the Sterling family, she was ostracized to the point of having no choice but to leave and disappear without a trace.
Edward's company, after paying countless fines and settling employee wages, was on the brink of collapse and soon declared bankruptcy. Unable to withstand the blow, he lost his mind, wandering the streets until the government placed him in a mental institution.
I also left The Sterling family, with no more longing or attachment to those so-called parents. Despite their desperate attempts to retain me, I left without looking back and went abroad.
Years have passed, and I have successfully established my own business, building my own commercial empire with my own hands.
In my new life, there are no more people or events that cause me pain. I live for myself and no one else.
[end]