Chapter 2

I took the settlement agreement, glanced at it, then tore it into shreds.

Then I went to the closet in Wendy's bedroom and dug out an inconspicuous little box. I tucked it into my jacket and headed for the door.

Lily blocked my path:

"Zoe Mitchell, I don't know what you're trying to pull."

"Wendy was heartless enough to send you to juvie, yet you want to risk your life fighting the Hayes family for her? With this toy-like little box? How stupid."

"You'd be better off doing what Mark and Jacob did---sign the settlement and take the million. Using Wendy's life to get a fresh start, isn't that worth it?"

I asked myself the same question. Was it worth it?

Mark and Jacob definitely thought it was very worth it.

Since I got home, I haven't seen them once. They didn't ask which funeral home Wendy was sent to or when the cremation would be.

The two pinned profile pictures in our family chat sat there like they were dead.

If Wendy knew that her death only benefited these two cold-blooded animals, would she ever be able to rest in peace?

Faced with my undisguised mockery, Lily uncomfortably avoided my gaze.

"But you're still here, aren't you? Being able to help you settle things with the Hayes family makes it worth it."

She'd probably come on the Hayes family's orders, doing everything possible to get me to sign the settlement.

She pushed her phone in front of me:

"Zoe, you need to be more reasonable. Actually, Wendy's death has no direct connection to the Hayes family. It was just an accident. You're just an ordinary student---don't go up against the Hayes family."

"If you don't believe me, watch the surveillance footage Serena sent. When Serena left, Wendy was still alive."

I tapped the video open.

In the footage, the woman knelt before a girl twenty years younger than herself.

Begging her not to hold it against me.

Then after Serena left laughing, she slowly pressed her head to the ground and never lifted it again.

I dragged the progress bar back and forth several times:

"Serena cut Wendy one hundred and eighty-seven times?"

Lily's hand trembled, goosebumps breaking out on her arm.

"What are you talking about?"

"I counted. Serena cut her at least one hundred and eighty-seven times."

I lowered my lashes.

Hiding the darkness in my eyes.

The injuries on her body were definitely more than what showed on the surface. They said Wendy died of a heart attack, but she actually died from the pain.

She was so stupid.

Usually she'd hit me or scold me. If I ate one more piece of Jacob's fried chicken, she'd twist my ear.

But when it came to something life-threatening, she'd rather send me to juvie than let me go herself.

And she let Serena abuse her without running away.

All just to hear those words: "Fine, then I'll let your daughter go."

Even when she was covered in wounds from the torture, she was smiling.

I had just dragged the progress bar back several times.

I saw her collapse on the ground, struggling several times but unable to get up.

Before she died, there was no light left in her eyes, her lips constantly moving.

Even though there was no sound, I recognized what she was saying.

Zoe, I'm sorry.

Zoe, don't avenge me.

Zoe, run away.

She really was a complete and utter fool.

I traced my fingers across her pale face on the screen:

"Wendy, when have I ever listened to you?"

"Don't worry. I won't run. There's no reason in this world for a murderer to live peacefully."

"I'll make the Hayes family pay with their blood."

Lily's whole body trembled. She quickly snatched her phone back.

Even her voice was shaking:

"Are you crazy? Going after the Hayes family is suicide!"

"You're going to throw away the rest of your life for a dead person?"

I gripped the little wooden box in my hand.

If this was three days ago, I really wouldn't have had any way to deal with the Hayes family.

But now it's different.

I pushed past her hand and hailed a cab to the Hayes estate, not letting Lily see the cold gleam in my eyes.

She'd witnessed Serena's bullying of me at school for three years without stopping it once.

Now she wanted to smooth things over and force me to give up investigating Wendy's death.

Once I dealt with the Hayes family.

I wouldn't let her off either.

The car slowly stopped. The Hayes family villa loomed before me.

Someone in a security uniform came over and knocked on the window.

"What do you want?"

"Got an appointment? You think you can just barge in? If you don't have an appointment, fuck off."