Chapter 2

Brittany clutched her face, staring at Eleanor in disbelief.

“Mom! How could you hit me for *her*?! I’m your own daughter! What kind of spell has that little brat, who knows where she came from, cast on you?!”

Eleanor seemed not to hear her cries, not even sparing her a glance. She simply turned to me, her voice calm as she instructed.

“Alice, go get all your documents ready. I’ll take you to process the paperwork tomorrow.”

Seeing that her crying and screaming had no effect, the hurt on Brittany’s face was replaced by venomous resentment. She spun around abruptly, glaring at me through gritted teeth.

“Alice Vance, you just wait! You think you can steal what’s mine? No chance in hell!”

She then shrieked at Eleanor again, attempting a final threat.

“Mom! If you really give everything in the Vance family to this outsider today, I’ll… I’ll disown you! I’m leaving right now!”

A flicker of heartache crossed Eleanor’s eyes, but she merely pressed her lips together, ultimately saying nothing to stop her.

She didn't even look at Brittany as she slammed the door and left. Eleanor just softened her voice when she spoke to me.

“Alice, don’t take it too hard. I’ll talk to Brittany later.”

I nodded obediently on the surface, but a sense of dread filled me.

I knew Brittany’s personality better than anyone. In the past, without direct conflicts of interest, she enjoyed tormenting me. The bruises and scratches that appeared on me every other day were already commonplace.

Now that I had snatched away the inheritance she considered her birthright, how could she possibly let it go?

I took a deep breath, putting on a sensible facade, and walked towards Eleanor.

“Mom, the Vance family has raised me for so many years. I’m already so grateful; I never dared to dream of inheriting anything.”

“That study abroad spot, and the inheritance, rightfully belong to Brittany. Please, don’t let me ruin your mother-daughter relationship with Brittany.”

Eleanor turned, her gaze lingering on my face for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She sighed, her tone, however, was firm.

“Alice, you’re just too sensible. Brittany, she’s been spoiled by me. I know in my heart that you are the one truly suited to carry the Vance family’s legacy.”

“Since destiny decreed that you draw the slip, this is your fate, and the Vance family’s fate. Accept it with peace of mind. I’ll handle everything else and won’t let Brittany mess things up.”

Seeing her resolve, the words I was about to say died in my throat.

I truly didn't care about the Vance family’s vast wealth, but that study abroad spot was the only key to escaping my suffocating life.

In the Vance household, I was ostensibly a glamorous foster daughter, but in reality, the hidden bullying and exclusion were harder to bear than in the orphanage.

With this study abroad spot, I could leave the Vance family openly and legitimately.

At most, I would just go along with Eleanor’s wishes for now, leave this place, and once the plane landed, I could find an opportunity to explain to her and give up the inheritance. It wouldn't be too late.

Thinking this, I lowered my eyes and meekly agreed. At Eleanor’s urging, I went back to my room to pack my essential documents.

Just as I opened the drawer and took out my passport, my door was violently kicked open.

Brittany stood in the doorway, her eyes bloodshot, but those eyes were fixated on the passport in my hand.

“Alice Vance, are you actually planning to take my family’s money and go live it up overseas? Don’t you have any shame? Any decency? How can you feel so smug about stealing someone else’s things?!”

As she spoke, she rushed over and snatched my passport.