Chapter 5

At her words, the men's faces twisted into grim smiles as they closed in on me.

My heart pounded. I turned to run, but they quickly surrounded me, blocking every exit.

Seeing no escape, I steeled myself, curled into a ball, and clutched the document bag containing my ticket and papers tightly to my chest.

I was pressed to the ground. Someone yanked my hair, and slaps rained down on my cheeks. The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth.

I bit down hard, not making a sound, enduring the punches and kicks raining down on me, my vision blurring.

Brittany stood a few steps away on the stairs, arms crossed. Seeing me curled up, protecting the document bag, her voice was petulant.

“Alice Vance, aren’t you so capable? Daring to snatch things from me, daring to process paperwork behind Mom’s back. Why aren’t you so tough now?”

“Keep hitting her until she lets go. I want to see just how hard this wretch’s bones are.”

I don't know how long it lasted, but the one-sided beating finally stopped. My whole body ached, and I could only lie on the ground, gasping for breath.

Brittany squatted down, nudged my shoulder disdainfully with the tip of her shoe, then snatched away the document bag.

She casually flipped through the ticket and papers inside, then pulled a lighter from her pocket.

“No!”

My eyes burned with fury. I found a burst of strength from somewhere and desperately grabbed her pant leg.

Just as Brittany kicked me away and was about to ignite the folder, Eleanor finally arrived.

She rushed over, panting. The bodyguards following her quickly subdued the thugs and Brittany.

“Brittany Vance! You’ve even learned despicable tricks like faking suicide by jumping?! I’m telling you, from today on, none of your schemes will work on me!”

Back at the Vance home, Eleanor dragged a crying and struggling Brittany into the study for a lecture. I, dragging my aching body, returned to my room.

The next morning, I sat in the car, waiting.

After a long time, Eleanor finally emerged with a red-eyed, swollen-faced Brittany.

“Alice, Brittany knows she was wrong. I specifically asked her to see you off today and apologize properly. After all, you two are sisters, you’ll always need to support each other in the future.”

Saying this, she nudged Brittany.

“Go, help your sister with her luggage. Consider it an apology.”

Under Eleanor’s unwavering gaze, Brittany grudgingly walked over, snatched my backpack, and deliberately slammed her elbow into yesterday’s wound.

I gasped in pain, a cold sweat instantly breaking out on my forehead.

But I bit down hard, swallowing my cry of pain. No more complications, I told myself. Just endure a little longer, everything would be over soon.

At the airport, Brittany seemed to have adjusted her mood. She was laughing and chatting with Eleanor as if she hadn’t been the frantic person of yesterday.

And I, seeing the boarding gate so close, couldn't help but let out a faint smile.

Finally, the announcement for my flight to begin boarding echoed through the speakers.

I took a deep breath, stood up, and extended my hand to Brittany for my backpack.

However, at that very moment, Eleanor suddenly stood up.

She clamped one hand tightly on me, holding me in her embrace.

With her other hand, she used all her strength to push Brittany forcefully towards the boarding ramp.

Eleanor’s voice suddenly rose, her eyes filled with reluctance as she looked at Brittany.

“Alice! Study well over there! Mom will wait for you to come back and inherit the family business!”

Before I could react, a group of fully equipped police officers surrounded Eleanor and me.