Chapter 3

I reached out to grab it back, but Brittany shoved me with even greater force. My back slammed against the wall, and I gasped in pain, sliding to the floor.

She loomed over me, clutching the passport in her hand.

“You want to steal my things to study abroad? Alice Vance, I’m telling you, dream on! You dirt-poor wretch, rotting in the mud, how dare you compete with me?!”

To my horror, she tore the passport in half with both hands.

I endured the pain and questioned her, my voice trembling.

“Brittany Vance! Mom decided this herself! Aren’t you afraid Mom will be angry if you tear up the passport?!”

Brittany casually tossed the torn passport pieces onto my face and sneered.

“Angry? I’m her only biological daughter! No matter what I do, she’ll always side with me in the end! Didn’t she say nothing when I treated you like that before?!”

Although I had suspected it for years, Eleanor probably wasn't entirely unaware of Brittany’s bullying. Perhaps she simply thought an adopted child could serve as a useful punching bag for her biological daughter.

But hearing her say it so bluntly still sent a chill down my spine.

Tearing up the passport wasn’t enough for Brittany; she started rummaging through my room, determined to destroy all my documents.

I didn't want to lose this opportunity. Enduring the pain, I struggled to my feet and stood between her and the cabinet.

“Get lost! You dare block me?!”

Seeing my defiance, Brittany’s rage intensified. She raised her hand, ready to slap me across the face!

“Stop that!”

Eleanor’s sharp shout suddenly came from the doorway.

My body instantly froze.

Brittany’s action paused for only a moment, then she ignored Eleanor, not only failing to pull back but even escalating, slapping me hard to the ground.

Eleanor stormed into the room, her eyes immediately falling on the pile of passport fragments on the floor. Her face darkened instantly.

“Brittany, you’ve gone too far! I’ve made my decision on this, and I won’t change my mind, no matter how much you fuss!”

She wasted no more words, directly calling the servants outside the door to take the still-raging Brittany back to her room.

Quiet returned to the room, leaving only me, a displeased Eleanor, and the mess scattered across the floor.

Eleanor’s gaze fell on me, her tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.

“Alice, you’re going to lead the Vance family someday. How can you not even hold onto a passport?”

“Forget it. I’ll have someone fast-track a replacement passport for you. Keep your other documents safe, and be ready to leave with me tomorrow, don’t mess this up.”

I lowered my head, not offering any explanations, just quietly agreeing.

Eleanor gave a few more instructions, telling me not to provoke Brittany further, and to be more yielding with her, before turning and leaving.

I slowly knelt, tidying up the mess on the floor, silently counting down the days until my departure.

Just a little longer, just a few more days, and I would be free.

Before the appointed time, I locked myself in my room, doing my best to avoid any potential contact with Brittany.

My door was locked, and even my meals were delivered directly to the entrance by the servants.

However, the next day, at the agreed-upon time, as I tried to quietly leave the house, I found my door wouldn't open.

My heart sank. I twisted the doorknob harder, even tried to ram the door with my shoulder, but the lock didn’t budge.

I pounded on the door, screaming for help.

But the servants passing by outside seemed not to hear a thing.