It was raining cats and dogs in South Hampton City. Even the dark sky felt like it was going to crash on the city.

There was a woman covered in blood collapsed in the living hall of the Lawrence family’s manor.

After the tragedy unfolded, everyone left, leaving her alone.

She was hanging onto her last breath on the floor.

The harsh words of her father, her biological father, echoed in her ears.

“Jeanne, who do you think you are? Our family doesn’t condone your outrageous behavior! If you weren’t that close with Eden, I’d have thrown you out of the house when your mother died after giving birth."

“I, Alexander Lawrence, have only two children, Jasmine and Joshua, and you, Jeanne, are no longer my own!

“Whoever so much as helps her or sends her to the hospital will have to go through me! I want this girl to learn the consequences of defying me!”

Jeanne smirked. Her stepsister had snatched her boyfriend and yet it turned out to be her fault?

She squinted her eyes at Jasmine.

Jasmine squatted right in front of her face. She was no longer the cute and innocent girl. What replaced her innocence was a vicious grin.

“Jeanne, how does it feel now that you’ve been whipped by Father?”

……

Jeanne shut her eyes. She did not want Jasmine’s disgusting look to be the last thing she saw before she died.

“I thought you were the golden child of our family, the princess of the prestigious Lawrence family. I thought you said Eden loved you? But did you know he cares more about me than you?”

If Jeanne could stand or so much as lift a hand, she would strangle Jasmine and drag her to hell together.

“Jeanne, you’re a big fat joke! The biggest joke in high society. You lost your fiance and yet people abandoned and isolated you… You might as well just die,” Jasmine said with a smirk.

No, Jeanne’s will to survive was strong, she could not just die because Jasmine told her to. She had to stay alive regardless of the condition so that she could take revenge on this family.

Jasmine sized up the terrible injuries on Jeanne and it put an evil grin on her face. She grabbed a glass of water, mixed it with some salt, and sprinkled the salt water over the whiplash injuries.

“Argggh!” Jeanne squealed in pain.

Everyone in the Lawrence family was invisible at the moment. They simply watched the torture with crossed arms and soft smirks.

Jeanne’s painful squeal fueled Jasmine’s excitement.

“I thought you said you wanted to get into Fourth Master Swan’s pants?” Jasmine teased.

The excruciating pain on Jeanne’s body almost knocked her out cold a few times.

“What’s wrong? You didn’t get close enough to sleep with him?” Jasmine mocked. “You really think that your pretty face can get you whatever you want? To me, it’s an eyesore!”

Jasmine squinted her eyes as she pulled out a knife.

Right before she could slash Jeanne’s face with the knife, the door was pushed open with a bang.

“Jeannie!”

The sudden entrance startled Jasmine and she kept the knife away.

Monica came in and saw Jeanne collapsed on the floor. She ran over as her tears rolled down her cheeks endlessly. She did not know how to help her friend up so that she would not make the injuries worse.

“Jeannie, I’m taking you to the hospital,” Monica said as she sobbed.

“Don’t you dare!” Jasmine bellowed.

Monica glared at her.

“My father said no one is allowed to help her…”

Monica turned a deaf ear. Jasmine, to her, was just a b*stard. She came here not to argue with some b*stard but to help her friend.

“Stop right there!” Alexander came down from the second floor.

“I’m taking her to the hospital!”

“Put her down!” Alexander bellowed.

“Are you just going to let her die here?” Monica screamed.

“This is our family matter, and you’re just an outsider, Monica!”

“Anyone with a sane mind can tell that she’s dying! And yet as her father, you decided to turn a blind eye and let her die?” Monica screamed her questions at Alexander as her tears continued to roll down her cheeks.

“That is none of your business!”

“It is now! Or Jeanne will die right here, right now!” Monica then helped Jeanne up and wanted to bring her out of the house.

Two steps later, Alexander tossed a significant gaze at his servants.

The group of servants surrounded the girls and separated them, dragging Jeanne away from Monica.

Jeanne was badly wounded and the drag exacerbated her condition. Her face was emotionless and as pale as paper, and the pain had gotten so intense that it numbed her senses.

“Monica, if it’s not for your family, I’d have thrown you out forcefully!” Alexander bellowed. He threw another glare at his servants and said, “Bring that girl back to her room and see Ms. Cardellini off!”

“Don’t you turn your back on me!” Monica screamed.

Alexander glared at the girl.

“If I can’t take Jeanne away from this hellhole today, I’ll die here today with her!” Monica threatened Alexander with her life just to save her friend.

“You’ll have to answer to my father then!”

Alexander reacted bitterly to the threats.

“I MEAN IT!” Monica bellowed.

The situation came to a stalemate.

Monica dared not linger for long because she was worried about Jeanne’s condition. She turned around and rammed herself into the grandfather clock.

Clunk!

A loud clunk echoed throughout the living hall, which startled Alexander.

Monica felt dizzy. She endured the pain from her head and screamed at Alexander once more, “Alexander Lawrence! Make your choice now!”

Alexander glared at the girl coldly and said with a flat tone, “From today onward, Jeanne Lawrence is no longer my daughter. She shall never bear the name of Lawrence anymore!”

Leaving his furious remarks behind, Alexander left.

Jasmine smirked and followed her father away.

Monica took Jeanne away from the servants but Jeanne could barely stand on her feet.

“Jeannie!” Monica helped her up.

Jeanne could barely keep her vision clear and she mustered up all her strength to say, “Thank you, Monica. Thank you for saving me with your life.”

“There’s no need to thank me. If you die, I don’t want to live either.” Monica’s eyes were red. She squatted to carry Jeanne on her back.

“Hold on, I’ll bring you to the hospital.”

Jeanne leaned on Monica’s shoulder sickly. Her slender shoulder was probably the most warmth that she felt in her entire life.

Monica carried Jeanne out of the door. It was still raining heavily outside.

For some reason, Monica’s car was gone and she had lost her phone during or before the confrontation with Alexander.

However, she dared not linger because Jeanne was living on her last breath.

She carried Jeanne through the rain and on her feet. Even when her feet started to bleed, she dared not stop.

Her tears converged with the rain on her face. “Jeannie, don’t you die on me. I’ll bring you to the hospital…”

“Monica, I’m fine,” Jeanne consoled her.

She swore to herself to stay alive and she intended to keep the promise.

Monica managed to bring Jeanne to the hospital but before Jeanne could recover, Alexander sent his servants to the hospital.

The servants arrived with a plane ticket and they were tasked to send Jeanne away from Harken.

From that day onward, Jeanne disappeared from South Hampton City and the whole of Harken, and she was only 18 years old.

South Hampton continued to thrive and flourish for seven years after Jeanne left.

At the city’s airport, Jeanne came out from the arrival gate with a large luggage. There was a six-year-old boy with curly hair beside her.

The boy had black-framed glasses on his fair and cute face and he was holding a storybook in his hand.

She was like a fashion model walking on a runway with that fashionable coat on her. Her wavy hair and fiery red lips elevated her beauty. Wherever she went, heads turned.

Increased attention to her style was nothing new to her. She held the boy’s hand and walked further.

When she walked past a man, the man froze on the spot and turned around.

The man’s attendant turned to where his boss was looking. “Fourth Master, sir, I think she’s Jeanne Lawrence."

“She’s back?”

“I heard Master Lawrence has fallen ill and she’s back to see him for the last time,” the attendant said.

“Oh really?” The man, known as Fourth Master, grinned subtly for a moment.

“Is that her… son?” the attendant muttered softly.

Fourth Master glared at his attendant. The attendant reverently looked away and followed his boss away.

Meanwhile, Jeanne was walking toward a woman, who seemed to be searching for someone.

……

“Monica!”

Surprised, Monica turned around to find her best friend, looking great.

“Jeanne! You’re finally back! I thought you were going to spend the rest of your life eating pizza and pasta!”

It had been many years since the two met but Monica’s quips remained as sharp as ever.

Jeanne switched the topic and asked, “Who are you looking for just now?”

“Edward, Edward Swan. Did you see him? He just walked in your direction.”

“I don’t know the man,” Jeanne said with a lack of interest.

“You don’t? But you tried to get into his pants back then!”

It was just a joke when she was young.

Monica smirked. “If you really got into his pants, your father might not have thrown you out back then…”

“Your car is outside, right?” Jeanne cut her friend off by switching the topic again.

“Yeah. Come on, let’s go.”

Monica wanted to help Jeanne with the luggage and it was then she noticed a boy beside her friend.

“Is this your son? He’s so cute.”

“Yeah. This is George.” Jeanne nodded.

“Hello, George. Look at me, I’m Peppa Pig. Snort, snort…” Monica even mimicked a pig’s snort to tease the boy.

George stared at her blankly as he took his glasses off. His eyelashes were extremely long.

Things got awkward quickly and Monica’s snorting froze.

Jeanne mentioned that her son was an introvert and it seemed like she was not lying.

However, Monica had a different thought when she saw the look on George. She felt like the boy was looking at her like he was looking at an idiot.

At the next moment, George spoke with his meek voice, “Hi, Peppa Pig.”

“You can just call me godmother.” Monica ruffled the boy’s curly hair.

George looked at his mother and his mother nodded.

“Godmother.”

“Good boy. You’re in for a treat, my dear godson! You’ll get the best food to eat and the best place to stay. Even the best girls will be at your service!”

As Monica disregarded Jeanne’s luggage, she held George’s hand and strode forward happily.

George turned around to his mother with furrowed brows as if he was trying to ask if the woman was an idiot.

Jeanne sighed.

Despite being six years old, George had an IQ of 200, so everyone, to him, was an idiot.

The car drove off from the airport.

Monica was driving. Jeanne was in the passenger seat and George quietly sat in the rear seat alone.

The airport was a little far from the city center.

As the car drove onto the freeway, Monica asked, “Your grandfather told you to come back?”

“He’s seriously ill and he wants to meet one last time.”

“I heard the family is under your stepmom’s control now. Jenifer, was it? You better be prepared when you meet her.”

“Mhmm…” Jeanne hummed with a nod. There was a hint of menace behind her subtly squinted eyes.

“That b*tch, Jasmine, is going to marry Eden this month. They say an event of great joy can be auspicious and hasten the old man’s recovery.”

"I heard.”

“Then…” Monica had a cautious glance at her friend. “Do you still… You know… think about Eden?”

“You’re overreacting.”

“What? I’m overreacting? You guys were lovebirds then! If it wasn’t for that b*tch Jasmine, you’re the one who should be the bride, not her!” Monica said with gnashing teeth.

“If she’s able to ruin our relationship, then our relationship wasn’t that strong in the first place.” Jeanne was not overly concerned.

“I guess you’re right.” Monica nodded. “Then, who’s the father of your son?”

Monica only knew that Jeanne got pregnant after she was sent away by her father seven years ago. She had beep pressuring her friend for the past seven years and she still did not get the answer. It was driving her crazy.

“It’s just some man,” Jeanne answered nonchalantly.

She patronized Monica every single time.

Monica frowned. “I know it’s a man, come on! It wouldn’t be a pig, am I right?”

Jeanne giggled. “Yeah, it’s a pig. That’s why I named my son George.”

George widened his eyes.

Monica was speechless. Jeanne’s evasive attitude would drive her mad one day.

They chatted along the 40-minutes journey to the Lawrence family’s manor.

The car stopped in front of the gate.

Jeanne came down with George.

“Do you need me to go in with you?” Monica asked.

Monica could never forget what happened seven years ago at this place. Although she wanted her friend to be home, she respected Jeanne’s decision to stay away.

If she was Jeanne, she would never set foot in the manor again for the rest of her life.

“It’s okay.” Jeanne grinned.

Since she had decided to come back, she did not plan to leave like a coward.

She turned around and saw the plate with Lawrence’s name on it.

Her lips curled into a menacing grin.

She swore she would get her revenge. She left the manor at her worst and she ought to get back what was owed, 10 times more!

She looked at George. “Let’s go.”

The Lawrence family’s manor was one of the oldest residential manors in South Hampton City. It was located at the heart of the city and every inch of the manor was worth a lot.

The manor’s front was surrounded by man-made hills and rivers, and deeper inside was a little jungle with plenty of lush. The building itself perverse the traditional design of South Hampton, simple and elegant. It made the place look like an oasis in the concrete jungle.

After a quiet path, the main building of the manor appeared before them.

The tall gate with grand design did not capture Jeanne’s attention at all. She walked inside with George without pause.

Several elegant ladies were chatting at the couch in the living hall.

Jeanne’s arrival silenced them immediately.

One of the ladies scoffed. “Oh look, what do we have here? Isn’t this the princess of the Lawrence family? Oh, excuse me, ex-princess.”

Ex?

Jeanne grinned and was not bothered by the comments.

“Look at that. She even has a kid of her own. I thought it was just the rumors but it seems like she had a son while drifting abroad and she’s not even married. I feel ashamed for her,” said the other lady with a giggle.

The ladies started to mock Jeanne as the lady in the center got up. She was in a traditional outfit and despite being in her 50s, she maintained her body perfectly.

She walked closer to Jeanne and wore a warm and welcoming face. “Jeanne, you’re finally back. Your father is waiting for your return.”

The woman was Jeanne’s so-called stepmom. The woman Alexander had an affair with during his marriage.

……

Jenifer always looked innocent and harmless in front of others but in the dark, she had been doing all kinds of things to hurt others.

Jeanne grinned. “Jenifer, you don’t have to do this now. I clearly remember you’re also one of them who threw me out of the house back then.”

Jenifer felt embarrassed for a moment.

She knew Jeanne had been a feisty girl since day one and she thought the girl would have learned her lesson after so many years. To her surprise, the feisty temper remained and it seemed like she was back for more.

She smiled calmly and said, “It was your father’s decision. But, you know what they say, blood is thicker than water. It’s great to have you back.”

“Yeah, whatever you say.” Jeanne grinned.

Jenifer was good at masking dissension with her nonchalant attitude. Every problem would be nothing in front of her. She quickly called one of the servants over.

“Maria, bring Jeanne’s luggage to her room. Master Lawrence is waiting for her. Bring her to the master’s room after you’ve settled her down.”

She sounded soft but her words meant otherwise.

Maria came over. “Yes, madam.”

Maria then led Jeanne upstairs.

As Jeanne walked up the stairs, she could still hear the other ladies mocking her behind her back.

“Jenifer, you shouldn’t be this nice to that girl. She’s rude, shameless, and ridiculous. You shouldn’t let her set foot into this manor anymore.”

“I feel bad for Master Lawrence for having such a rude daughter.”

“I know she’s been a rude and feisty girl since young. She’s jealous of people’s achievements. When she learned that your daughter has gotten together with Eden, she even said that she’ll marry the fourth master of the Swans, so that Eden must call her aunt when they meet. Why would Fourth Master Swan marry someone like her?”

“Come on, ladies. She was just a child back then.” Jenifer stopped her friends from talking about Jeanne so that it would make her look generous and forgiving.

It was then someone came through the entrance with a clear voice.

“Mom, Eden and I are back.”

Eden?

Jeanne’s feet froze for a moment and George noticed the pause on his mother.

Jeanne ruffled her son’s curly hair and continued walking.

Back at the living hall, the young couple came in and greeted the ladies.

It was Jasmine and her fiance, Eden.

They looked perfect for each other and they were quite popular among the high society of South Hampton for being well-known lovebirds.

Having Jasmine’s hands curled around his own, Eden had a glance at the stairs and he saw a familiar figure.

Jasmine noticed Eden’s reaction and looked in the same direction. The look on her face changed swiftly when she recognized the woman. She said out loud, “Is Sis back?”

Jenifer nodded. “Go say hi to your sister later.”

“Okay.” Jasmine nodded obediently but deep down, ill thoughts were brewing.

She believed Jeanne had no idea why she was summoned back to the Lawrence family after seven years.

…

After Jeanne settled down her luggage, she told George to wait for her while she visited Master Lawrence’s room.

Master Lawrence, or Jonathan Lawrence, was the leader of the family and Jeanne’s grandfather.

Jonathan was bound to a wheelchair and had to spend most of his time in his room. He suffered a stroke 3 years ago and it left his lower body paralyzed.

Jeanne did not know if it was karma or not but she wanted it to be. To her, she believed God was having mercy on her grandfather.

She went into the room and saw Jonathan being pushed inside from the balcony by his personal servant.

“You’re back.” Jonathan’s voice sounded aged.

Jeanne nodded.

“Come to the study. I have something to discuss with you.”

Jeanne watched as the servant pushed the man into the spacious study. From the moment they met, it did not feel like a family reunion after so many years. It felt more like two strangers discussing business, or worse, enemies negotiating.

Jeanne sat opposite Jonathan.

Jonathan said, “You’ve been abroad for many years. It’s time to settle down.”

“Yes.” Jeanne nodded. She somehow was able to hold back her grudge at the man and did not voice her mind, saying that it was him and his family that threw her out of the manor seven years ago.

She had to maintain the least amount of respect for the man because he was the one in charge, the king that governed over his kingdom. She was no longer the young girl who believed she could take on the entire world without any consequences.

“You’re getting older. Your sister is getting married, so I believe it’s time for you to think about where you want to settle down.”

“So, you called me back not because you want me to see you for the last time but you want me to get married?”

“I’m still alive and kicking. You don’t need to worry about that.” Jonathan wore a gloomy look.

Jeanne smirked.

Jonathan added, “The second son of the Locke family, Thedus. He’s 5 years older than you and he used to be busy with his career and neglected his duties to his family. He’s 30 years old this year and I’ve talked terms with them. You’ll meet him tomorrow and you guys can start seeing each other before the wedding.”

Jeanne scoffed. “Career? I think you mean Thedus just got released because he caused someone’s death a few years ago right? There are so many rich girls in South Hampton but no one wants to marry him.”

“The past is the past now. He doesn’t mind that you have a child and you’re lucky enough to have this wedding arranged for you. Learn to be grateful!” Jonathan said sternly.

Grateful? The man wanted her to marry a criminal and she had to be grateful about it?

“If you’ve already talked to the Locke family, I’ll just go along with it,” she said.

“It’s great that you agree.”

“However, Grandfather, I heard the Lawrence family is having some financial problems lately. I wonder how much the Locke family has given you?”

Jonathan reacted bitterly to her questioning.

“I’m just asking, trying to find out how much I’m worth.”

“You should be grateful that I summoned you back for the wedding. I didn’t summon you back to question my arrangement for you.”

“You’re right, Grandfather,” Jeanne said.

Her lips curled into a sharp grin that made her beautiful face menacing.