My daughter hired someone to kill me after her college entrance exams. Before I died, I asked her why. I’d dedicated myself to getting her into a top university, helped her smoothly inherit the family business, and cared for her more than her own mother ever did. Her gaze was venomous: “You’re just a home-wrecker who replaced my mom! I hated you constantly meddling in my life!” “I’ll only be happy when you’re dead.” Then I opened my eyes again. I was back on the first day of her senior year of high school. Gorging herself and getting fat? Fine by me! Refusing to study? Absolutely! Even skipping classes to hang out with a punk and getting pregnant early? Whatever she wanted! This life, all I wanted was to be an “indulgent” stepmom. “I’m still growing, and you give me *these* leafy greens to eat!” “Mrs. Jenkins, you really are the perfect nanny for that dead mistress—you just want to abuse me!” I woke up in a haze to Chloe Miller slamming the table and throwing a tantrum. To vent her anger, she grabbed a glass nearby and hurled it at me. The glass whizzed past me, shattering into pieces at my feet. I was fully awake now. Seeing my silence, Chloe thought I was an easy target. She stormed right up to me and snarled: “I’ll never accept you as my stepmom, so stop telling me what to do!” “I’m my dad’s only child! Once I inherit Miller Corp, I’m kicking your worthless ass out immediately!” It was then I realized I’d been reborn to the first day of Chloe’s senior year. It was also our very first meeting. And this arrogant, spoiled stepdaughter, Chloe Miller, was the very ungrateful viper who would later hire someone to murder me. I quickly forced a smile and gently soothed Chloe: “Chloe, don’t be angry, sweetie. Aunt Eleanor wasn’t thinking. Eating such light food late at night will definitely leave you hungry. You’re young, your metabolism is fast. It was silly of me to talk about weight control!” “Mrs. Jenkins, please order some fried chicken, cake, and milk tea right away.” She’d just thrown a fit, and I suddenly became submissive. Chloe thought I was scared of her, and looked at me with a mix of triumph and disdain: “Now you know not to be a busybody, huh?” “My mom said it’s all your fault, you home-wrecker, for seducing my dad and causing my parents’ divorce!” I didn’t argue. I continued to play the part of the bullied, meek wife. Because I knew perfectly well that if I explained even one more sentence—even if I revealed that Chloe’s biological mother divorced her dad because she cheated with a foreign millionaire—Chloe would twist the facts. She’d run to her dad, Robert Miller, and tell him I was bullying her, which would only sour my relationship with him. So, I simply said nothing. I let Chloe stuff her face with fried chicken and milk tea, grease dripping from her mouth. She wasn’t exactly obese, just a little chubby. But teenage girls, if they’re not careful, can blow up like a balloon overnight. In my previous life, I meticulously managed her diet. Controlling her weight while ensuring she ate enough and well. I spent a lot of time just researching recipes. This life? Let her do whatever she wanted. I glanced at the clock behind me. Chloe’s tantrum had dragged on until almost nine in the evening. Eating this kind of food now would be impossible to digest and would just turn into fat on her body. But I just smiled, pushing a small cake slathered in cream toward Chloe. “Chloe, try this. It’s so sweet!” Seeing my fawning attitude, Chloe snorted, clearly looking down on me: “I’m telling you, don’t think a few bites of food will buy me off.” “You’re incompetent, trying to make yourself look good to my dad by ‘educating’ me. And that high school success plan you gave me? I’m never going to follow it. Constantly meddling in everything I do, who do you think you are?!” I gave her an ingratiating smile and explained: “Chloe, please don’t be upset. Aunt Eleanor was wrong before.” “Now that I think about it, you’re the only child of the Miller family. You’ll inherit Miller Corp someday, you’ll have everything you could ever want. There really isn’t any need to study so hard and make yourself miserable!” Afraid Chloe wouldn’t believe me, I called and canceled all the arranged tutoring sessions right in front of her. Chloe looked even more triumphant, convinced she had this spineless stepmom wrapped around her finger. “That’s more like it.”
International high school let out early. Chloe was home by three in the afternoon. According to my plans in my previous life, she should have continued studying, preparing to apply to top universities abroad upon graduation. But now that I wasn’t controlling her, Chloe was going wild. She stayed up all night on her phone, watching TV, and playing video games. Far from being annoyed, I seized the chance to bring her snacks. Without exception, they were all high-fat, high-sugar—anything that would make her gain weight, I brought it. Chloe was happy. And I was content. At the dinner table, I no longer pursued balanced nutrition or maintaining her figure like before. Grilled meat, barbecue, burgers—junk food was on rotation. After just one month, Chloe had gained fifteen pounds. But that was secondary. On Friday evening, Chloe’s teacher called me directly: “Mrs. Miller, the results of our introductory test are in. Chloe received an F.” “You see… perhaps you should encourage her studies a bit more. At this rate, let alone going to university abroad, she might even struggle to pass her graduation exams.” I glanced at Chloe’s room. It was ten-thirty, and the sound of the TV was still blasting. I chuckled softly and replied: “Teacher, I’m Chloe’s stepmom. If I interfere too much with her studies, it might not be good. For Chloe’s sake, perhaps you could give her father a call. Some things are better coming from him than from me.” Of course, I wasn’t sincere. Chloe had been enjoying herself for so many days; it was time for Robert, her biological father, to deal with it. Sure enough, the day after receiving the teacher’s call, Robert, who was on a business trip, still rushed back. After all, Chloe was his only child, and he certainly had high hopes for her. At the dinner table, Robert’s face turned grim as he addressed Chloe: “What’s wrong with you?!” “I heard from your teacher that your entrance exam results were a disaster. When I came back, you were still watching TV. How old are you? This is the age to be focusing on your studies!” “And your figure—I’ve told you before to watch your weight. How could you be so careless!” Chloe was scolded until she burst into tears. Wiping her eyes, she blurted out everything in her emotional state: “Anyway, when you get old, Miller Corp will be mine sooner or later. What does it matter if I study or not? Even if I don’t study, I can still live a life of luxury.” “I knew you wouldn’t even let me eat, I should have just left with my mom!” Robert was so angry he slammed his fist on the table: “Chloe Miller, I’m doing this for your own good!” But a teenage Chloe couldn’t hear him: “Who needs you to be good to me!” She then turned and lashed out at me, standing by the stairs, shoving me to the ground and cursing: “Get out of my way, you bitch!” “It’s all your fault, you home-wrecker, seducing my dad! Why don’t you just die!” With that, Chloe stomped up to the second floor and retreated to her room. Robert looked at Chloe’s retreating back with disappointment. He quickly helped me up from the floor, saying apologetically: “Eleanor, I’m so sorry. Chloe’s temper is getting out of hand, you’ve been wronged.” “I heard from Mrs. Jenkins that while I was away, Chloe was really awful to you. She wouldn’t eat the meals you prepared, insisting on junk food. And she spoke to you so disrespectfully.” After hearing Robert’s words, I immediately put on a loving façade: “What are you saying? Chloe is young, it’s inevitable she’d have her moments. How could I hold it against her?” “It’s just… with her temper, I’m truly a little worried about entrusting Miller Corp to her later. You’ve worked your entire life; you shouldn’t have to worry about the company when you’re old.” My words seemed to strike a nerve with Robert. His heart stirred, and he slowly placed a hand on my stomach: “Eleanor, how about we don’t use protection tonight?” “Let’s have another child!”
Actually, it was my idea to use protection in the first place. Back then, I genuinely loved Chloe as my own child. I was afraid she’d feel resentful if I got pregnant, and I truly believed that with all my careful nurturing, Chloe would treat me well once she grew up and succeeded. I just never imagined that all my meddling and managing in my last life wouldn’t result in a grateful daughter. Instead, I raised an ungrateful viper. The moment she gained power, she hired someone to stab me to death. The agonizing pain of the blade piercing my flesh is still vividly etched in my memory. So this life, I absolutely wouldn’t give Chloe any chance to rise again. But if I had abruptly brought up the topic, I feared Robert might suspect me of having ulterior motives. So, I shrewdly used the teacher’s call to make Robert, in his disappointment, suggest it himself. It was a win-win. Miller Corp was busy with its IPO, so Robert, after just one night back, flew to Hong Kong for a business trip the next morning. Once again, it was just Chloe and me at home. But Chloe was still a Miller, after all. Before he left, Robert had taken action. He re-enrolled her in tutoring and enrichment classes, confiscated all her phones and computers, and even hired a yoga instructor to monitor Chloe’s diet and weight. Having grown accustomed to luxury, Chloe, who had enjoyed so much freedom, couldn’t endure such hardship. After her class, when she saw the salad the yoga instructor had prepared for dinner, She was so furious she almost threw the plate at the instructor’s face. Thankfully, I intervened, quickly ushering the yoga instructor out. Seeing a fuming Chloe, I gently persuaded her: “Chloe, don’t be angry. If you don’t like these classes, we won’t take them.” “I know you didn’t eat enough. I secretly ordered your favorite fried chicken and milk tea for you in your room. You’re still growing, how can you not eat enough?” Chloe looked at me suspiciously: “You’d be that kind?” It made me inwardly sneer. Last life, I painstakingly nurtured her to success and was called a busybody. This life, I intentionally harmed her, and she called me kind. What a fool, she couldn’t tell good from bad. Chloe went back to her room and saw that I had indeed kept my word. She sat down and ate non-stop. While she was in a better mood, I flatteringly handed her a card from my pocket: “This internet cafe card was a gift from a friend, I don’t need it. But I saw the address, it seems to be near your school. High school can be really stressful, so if you have time, you can go and relax.” Chloe’s eyes lit up, and she snatched it immediately. If she couldn’t play on the computer at home, couldn’t she go out and play? After a quick meal, Chloe pocketed the internet card and said she was going for a walk. Did I not understand her intentions? If she wanted to ruin herself, I was more than willing to push her along. “Here’s some money. Your dad cut off your allowance recently. But a girl needs some cash on her, right? Be careful, and call me if anything happens.” Chloe excitedly left the house. I instructed the staff to keep an eye on her. Don’t worry about where she goes or what she does, just make sure she’s alive. Otherwise, I, the stepmom, would be deemed negligent. As soon as Chloe stepped out, she used the money I gave her to buy another phone. Then she immediately went to the internet cafe. The place was full of all sorts of people, often including spoiled rich kids from the international high school who skipped class and pulled all-nighters. Seeing Chloe, some of them, who recognized her, approached her to chat. A group of them teamed up to play games. It wasn’t until past eleven that I, feigning motherly concern, called to urge her home. “Chloe, it’s very late. You should be back by now after your walk.” “Do you want me to drive and pick you up?” She was in the middle of her game, naturally in no mood for me, her meddling stepmom: “Why do you care so much! You’re just a stepmom, just focus on pleasing your man. Don’t bring your desperate act to me. Stay out of my business from now on. Just keep giving me money.” “Otherwise, I’ll tell Dad bad things about you!” “Let’s see if he’ll protect you, an outsider, or me, his own daughter!” Beep-beep-beep. Chloe hung up quickly. I conveniently saved the phone recording. After all, faced with the threats of a difficult stepdaughter, a weak and kind stepmom like me could only obey. Most importantly, I was pregnant. The Miller family now had a second heir.
To prevent Chloe from causing trouble, I kept my pregnancy a secret from everyone. And for the rest, I didn’t need to be involved anymore. Birds of a feather flock together. Chloe quickly learned to skip class without a trace after meeting those trust fund babies at the internet cafe. The international high school used a university-style lecture system, meaning students moved to different classrooms for each subject, and attendance was taken via roll call. The foreign professors teaching there barely recognized anyone. If you were studious, you were an elite. If you slacked off, you were trash. The spoiled rich kids taught her, and Chloe quickly learned to pay others to answer for her during roll call. She, meanwhile, spent her days indulging in lavish meals, drinks, and games, frequenting internet cafes, bars, and even nightclubs. The teachers, seeing nothing amiss in her attendance records, assumed Chloe had buckled down after her father’s reprimand. A few days later, Chloe started coming home later and later. As a spineless stepmom, I could only feign concern and offer a few words of advice: “Chloe, don’t stay out too late. You should come home early and study. Even if the pressure for overseas university applications is low, you still need a good English foundation.” Chloe saw that I was completely subservient to her. Her attitude grew even more brazen. She pointed at me and started cursing: “What the hell do you care?! Who do you think you are, a stepmom?!” “I’m out of money, give me some allowance.” Seeing me hesitantly holding my wallet, Chloe snatched it directly, stuffing the cash into her pocket. “This is all Dad’s money, Miller family money.” “It’s rightfully mine, what are you, an outsider, trying to protect it for?!” In short, she cursed at me, and I endured it. She wanted something, and I gave it to her. I maintained the facade of a good stepmom, so much so that even the villa staff felt sorry for me. I had initially thought I’d have to endure this for a year to completely ruin Chloe. Until this morning, when Mrs. Jenkins quietly told me. While cleaning Chloe’s room, she accidentally knocked over her trash can, and inside was a used pregnancy test. Two lines. Chloe was pregnant too. Perhaps due to the pregnancy, Chloe was unusually quiet today, returning home by 5:30 PM. I smiled and greeted her, but she ignored me, hurrying upstairs with her head down. I had planned to cut some fruit and bring it up to her. But then I heard Chloe in her room, speaking in a hushed voice on the phone: “It’s definitely positive. I saw a doctor this afternoon.” “Give birth? No way! If Dad finds out, he’ll kill me! This baby has to go!” “I’m already eighteen, I don’t need a guardian for an abortion. You’re the father, you’ll come with me!” “This Saturday morning, 9:30 AM, at St. Jude’s Hospital.” I tiptoed away. Back in my bedroom, I eagerly called Robert: “Honey, I think I’m pregnant. Can you come back and accompany me for a prenatal check-up?” “I’ve already booked the appointment.” “This Saturday morning, 9:00 AM, at St. Jude’s Hospital.” Hearing this, Robert on the other end of the phone was ecstatic. He readily agreed. Even with his busy work schedule, he promised to go straight from the airport to the hospital to be with me. I was very happy too. After all, a joyous event like becoming a grandfather should be personally discovered by Robert. On Saturday morning at nine, a travel-worn Robert arrived precisely on time. After a series of checks, he was beaming, holding my ultrasound results. Suddenly, I nervously tugged on his sleeve, pointing forward: “Honey, look!” “Isn’t that Chloe? Why is she at the hospital at this hour?” Robert looked in the direction I was pointing. Indeed, he saw Chloe sitting in the hospital corridor, looking around, as if waiting for someone. He instinctively wanted to go up and ask. But I held him back. “Wait, if you just go up to her suddenly like that, she’s a teenage girl, what if it’s something private, a gynecological issue? Wouldn’t it be embarrassing for her to tell you face-to-face?” “Let’s observe for a bit and see what’s happening.” I pulled Robert to sit a short distance away. After a few minutes, a boy with dyed blonde hair entered our view, walking straight towards Chloe. Without a word, he grabbed Chloe’s hand. At that moment, Robert’s face beside me turned as dark as storm clouds, looking like it could drip ink. He couldn’t even bother to speak to me. He stood up and walked quickly towards them. Chloe, completely oblivious, was still complaining to the blonde-haired punk: “Why are you so late!” “Mrs. Jenkins said Dad might be back today.” “If he finds out I secretly came to the hospital for an abortion, everything will be ruined!” Before the boy could respond, Robert’s furious roar suddenly erupted behind her, echoing through the entire corridor. “Chloe Miller!” “You’re… carrying some bastard child?!” The moment Chloe heard that voice, her entire body stiffened. The blood in her veins seemed to instantly freeze. She didn’t dare to turn around, instinctively wanting to run. But Robert, in his fury, grabbed her shoulder tightly and spun her around:
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