The scion of a powerful family, Caleb, was pushed down the stairs by his sister and fell into a coma. Caleb’s parents demanded that his sister marry into their family and take care of Caleb for the rest of his life. His sister, dreaming of becoming the lady of a prominent household, eagerly agreed. Little did she know, she’d be tormented so relentlessly, she’d wish she were dead. In my past life, I enjoyed Mom and Dad’s doting affection, got into the State University, and after graduation, became an executive at a leading tech company, earning a multi-million dollar salary. My sister, consumed by jealousy, killed me. She sent me back to the day Caleb fell down the stairs. This time, she pointed a finger at me, accusing me of pushing Caleb. “She’s the one who hurt Caleb! Make her marry him!” She thought she had cleverly swapped our fates, unaware of who truly pulled the strings. My sister stood at the top of the stairs, her finger pointed viciously at me. “She’s the one who pushed Caleb! Make her take care of him and pay for her sins!” Before anyone else could speak, Scarlett lunged into Mom’s arms, tears welling up as she promised, “Mom, I’ll get into the State University, I’ll earn so much money, I’ll take care of you and Dad, I’ll make sure Blair honors you both.” Eleanor shot me a glare, then spoke the words Scarlett had been longing to hear. “Blair hurt my son, so she’ll marry my son and take care of him for the rest of his life. Otherwise, you’ll all face a lawsuit.” Mom broke down, sobbing, and nodded. Just then, the ambulance arrived, rushing Caleb to the hospital. Outside the operating room, Mom clutched my hand, tears streaming down her face. “Blair, even though you made a mistake, you’ll always be my child. Remember that Mom will always be thinking of you, even when you’re in the Lin household.” I nodded, meeting Scarlett’s triumphant gaze. She believed she had chosen the right path, but she had no idea a bottomless abyss awaited her.
The Lin family was incredibly wealthy; they certainly didn’t lack housekeepers. In my previous life, the Lin family tried to groom Scarlett as an heiress, but she was utterly incapable. Despite pouring endless resources into her, she never improved. Eventually, the Lin family gave up on her, making her serve them like a mere servant. Just then, Caleb woke up. Learning he’d never walk again, his personality completely transformed. He relentlessly tormented Scarlett, the sister who had caused his injuries. Caleb’s parents turned a blind eye, never interfering. Meanwhile, I enjoyed Mom and Dad’s affection, consistently ranked first in my class, received scholarships, and secured a spot at the State University. After graduation, I was hired as an executive at a leading tech company, earning a multi-million dollar salary. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to enjoy my wealth for long before Scarlett killed me. Reborn into this life, Scarlett didn’t hesitate to make me take the fall. She might not have had jewels, luxury goods, or a massive allowance, but she had Mom and Dad’s love, and a future full of hope. She leaned in, whispering with a smirk, “Sister, this time, it’s my turn to enjoy everything.”
Mrs. Eleanor, just like in my previous life, held high expectations for her future daughter-in-law. She scheduled me for grueling classes, hired countless top tutors, and packed every single minute of my day. “As a daughter-in-law of the Lin family, this is your duty.” Mrs. Eleanor’s strictness and displeasure were barely veiled. I simply nodded, accepting her arrangements. A flicker of surprise crossed Mrs. Eleanor’s eyes, as if she hadn’t expected me to agree so readily. But her surprise quickly turned to disgust. “Your teachers will report your progress to me. Don’t even think about pretending to comply while secretly undermining me.” Why would I ever do that? I wished I could split myself in two, devouring every bit of knowledge, determined to forge a beautiful future with my own hands. I didn’t even waste my breaks, either buried in a book or grinding on exercises. Scarlett, arm in arm with her boyfriend, Dylan, sauntered over to taunt me. “Hard work, isn’t it, sis?” she purred. “Your precious youth, all wasted on these dull, boring things. No time to relax, no chance for fun. But me? I have a boyfriend who adores me, parents who spoil me, and a brilliant future ahead.” I looked up and met Dylan’s eyes. I recognized him instantly. He was the same Dylan from my past life. He had pursued me back then, but I’d turned him down. Later, I learned he’d borrowed a ton of high-interest loans to fund his lavish lifestyle, constantly dating rich girls to find a sugar mama to pay off his debts. Back then, Scarlett was trapped in the Lin household, cut off from the outside world, so she naturally wouldn’t have known. I had no intention of telling her. Consider it a thank you for making me take the fall. “Congratulations, Scarlett, on getting everything you wished for.” Their love was fervent and thrilling. Dylan would sneak into the school radio room and declare his love for Scarlett over the loudspeaker. Scarlett would skip class, climb over the school wall, and buy Dylan his favorite snacks. They would share cigarettes on the rooftop, passionately kiss with no regard for anyone else. They would go to bars, get wasted, and couldn’t wait to be intimate. They documented it all, posting every moment on SnapChat. Scarlett, fearing I wouldn’t have time to check SnapChat, shoved her phone in my face, smugly telling me, “Look, this is what living your youth to the fullest looks like. Too bad you’ll never get to experience it again.”
As she said, I really didn’t have the chance to experience it. Because I had secured a spot in the provincial math competition by ranking first in the entire school, and I needed to focus entirely on preparing. This opportunity was mine in the previous life too; I even placed third in the provincial competition and successfully advanced to the national level. So, Scarlett rushed up to me, utterly bewildered, demanding, “Why? That opportunity should have been mine! Why are you stealing what belongs to me?” I paused my problem-solving, speaking calmly, “This was the school’s decision. If you think I stole it from you, feel free to try and take it back.” Scarlett confronted the school principal, intending to make a scene. Unexpectedly, the principal gave her a past competition paper, promising her the spot if she could score ninety points. Scarlett couldn’t solve a single problem. She just guessed on a few multiple-choice questions, then slunk away. For several days, Scarlett didn’t come to school. Rumors about her only grew, with whispers that she was now living with Dylan. I just felt a lot more peace. My hard work paid off; I achieved first place in the math competition. Victor and Eleanor were so delighted, they specially came home to celebrate with me. After dinner, Eleanor excitedly told me, “Blair, it’s time to set a date for your wedding with Caleb. We plan to hold the engagement party next week and announce your marriage.” I nodded obediently. “Thank you, Aunt Eleanor.” In my previous life, Scarlett had been with the Lin family for years, yet Victor and Eleanor never publicly acknowledged her as their daughter-in-law. This time, with the Lin family’s resources behind me, I would go much further. Victor and Eleanor booked the largest hotel in the city, hired a designer to remodel the venue, and invited all the prominent families in the area, along with many media reporters for coverage. I wore a custom-made gown, exquisite makeup, and confidently socialized beside Eleanor. After the banquet, I instantly dominated every headline. Yet, my life didn’t change at all; it was still endless classes and grinding on practice problems. A classmate, seeing my dedication, sighed, “No wonder Blair is so lucky to have the Lin family’s approval. She’s just so hardworking and exceptional.” Scarlett swaggered over to me, a smug look on her face, and touched her stomach. “No matter how hard you work, how obedient you are, the Lin family will only ever see you as Caleb’s stepping stone, his punching bag. But I have Dylan’s devoted love, and his baby. I’m going to marry him and live the pampered life of a powerful family’s young madam.” I couldn’t help but let a slight smile curl my lips. Well, congratulations to you. If I hadn’t subtly fed information to Dylan’s creditors, they wouldn’t have hounded him so quickly, and he wouldn’t have gotten her pregnant so soon. I fought to suppress my smile, forcing a calm expression. “So, your wedding with Dylan, is that on the agenda now?” Scarlett’s smile stretched almost to her ears as she proudly bragged, “Dylan said I’m newly pregnant and shouldn’t be stressed. All the tiresome things like wedding photoshoots and engagement parties can wait until after I’ve had the baby. He’s going to plan a grand,世纪 wedding for me, so I can marry him in style.” I feigned concern. “Dylan truly loves you; he can’t bear for you to suffer even a little.” Scarlett beamed, casually replying, “Of course he does.” I pressed the record button on my voice recorder and went back to my practice problems. After school that afternoon, Dylan personally came to pick up Scarlett. They walked out of class, arm in arm. At the school gates, I sat in the Lin family’s luxury car, watching through the window as Dylan and Scarlett were shoved into a minivan. The van swiftly disappeared into traffic.
In my previous life, before the Lin family gave up on her, Scarlett didn’t hesitate to bully me, leveraging their influence. She ordered her little crew to drag me into the bathroom, forced me to drink from the toilet, smeared glue on my chair, and tore up the practice books I’d saved money for ages to buy… She once told me directly, “Sister, why are you living so well while I suffer in the Lin family? Shouldn’t we, as sisters, share our joys and sorrows?” So, this time, I prepared a generous thank-you gift for her. That evening, I received a call from Mom. Crying, she said Scarlett and her boyfriend had been kidnapped, and the kidnappers demanded five million dollars, or they’d kill them. She hoped I could lend her some money, promising Dylan would pay me back when he returned. I didn’t give her money, but I pointed her in the right direction, advising her to seek help from Dylan’s family. Mom must have been quite surprised when she saw the tiny “Dylan’s family mansion,” built of mud and straw. Sure enough, around ten o’clock that night, Mom and Dad called me from a dark, remote village, complaining and demanding I send the Lin family’s driver to pick them up. “Blair, that con artist Dylan isn’t a powerful family heir at all! His house is practically falling apart, the windows and doors are rotting, and it’s colder inside than out! Your sister was completely fooled by him!” I feigned surprise. “Oh? Really? He was so generous with Scarlett; his family shouldn’t be like that, should it?” Mom kept complaining into the phone. I put my phone aside and continued grinding on my practice problems. Mom talked for a long time until Dad impatiently cut her off, grumbling, “Shut up already. Let’s just get Blair to send a car to pick us up first.” Mom finally reacted, urging me to send the Lin family’s driver. I put on a crying voice, sounding wronged and helpless. “Mom, Victor and Eleanor are out, probably at some banquet. All the family drivers went with them to pick up guests. They told me to study hard at home and didn’t take me.” “Mom, Dad, I miss you. Can you pay the Lin family some medical expenses and take me home?” Mom’s attitude immediately did a complete one-eighty. Her voice turned harsh and cold. “You good-for-nothing! Your father and I worked so hard to raise you for over a decade, and before you could even earn money to honor us, you became someone else’s property. Now you want money from us? Do you think we’re a printing press? I’m telling you, right now, immediately send a driver to pick us up, or when I get back, I’ll skin you alive!” I sneered. She finally couldn’t hide her true colors. In my previous life, after Scarlett went to the Lin household, Mom and Dad started living like royalty, quitting their jobs and idling around at home. They dumped all the housework on me, and I barely squeezed in time to do my homework. I scavenged cardboard and empty bottles from their drinks and alcohol, selling them to buy my practice books. A few times, they found out, snatched all the money, accused me of stealing, and tied me to a pillar, whipping me with a belt for ages until they were tired. Later, Scarlett struggled in the Lin family, unable to give them money or the life they wanted. But I won third prize in the provincial math competition. Neighbors who used to gossip about Mom and Dad now came to congratulate them. Mom and Dad found new jobs, feigned being loving parents, and started doting on me. Later, I certainly didn’t disappoint their expectations, becoming a multi-million dollar executive. Mom and Dad never showed their true colors to Scarlett. I guessed it was because of Dylan, her “powerful family boyfriend.” Now that their dream was shattered, could they still keep up the act?
A week later, Scarlett and Dylan returned, battered and bruised. I heard they’d managed to escape when their creditors weren’t paying attention. Scarlett, upon learning that Dylan was not only from a powerful family but also heavily in debt, came to confront me. “Blair, you b*tch, did you know all along that Dylan’s family was broke and he was drowning in debt? You deliberately pushed me into this hellhole, didn’t you?!” “I’ll kill you, you b*tch!” Scarlett’s palm hadn’t even landed on my face before the Lin family’s bodyguards had her pinned down. I spoke, feigning kindness, “Be gentle, please. My sister is pregnant; don’t hurt the baby.” I leaned in close, whispering in her ear, “Scarlett, I know it’s hard to believe, but you’re already carrying his child. You two need to figure out how to pay off the debt and be responsible for the baby.” Scarlett was dragged away by the bodyguards. No sooner had she left than Eleanor sent someone to say she was waiting for me in her upstairs room. Eleanor was as poised and elegant as ever. “You need to give me an explanation.” I understood. She was referring to Scarlett’s situation. My little manipulations might have fooled Scarlett and Mom and Dad, but not her. I explained that Scarlett used to bully me and even blamed me for pushing Caleb down the stairs. I was simply returning the favor. “I don’t want to interfere in your personal affairs, but you need to understand what’s truly important.” I nodded. Of course I understood. I wouldn’t let anything stand in my way. Most of my time was still spent in classes, grinding on practice problems, preparing for the national competition. Half a month later, Scarlett appeared before me, looking exhausted. She seemed to have lost weight, and her gaze towards me was fierce and unsettlingly familiar. In my previous life, she always looked at me that way. “Blair! Tell me, why has everything turned out like this?!” “Dylan extorted a huge sum of money from me before he let me go. Mom and Dad are like completely different people; they hit and curse at me, order me around, and all the chores are piled on me. I remember it wasn’t like this in the last life, why is all this happening!?” I stared at her with innocent, wide eyes. “You and Dylan broke up, so your child will be born without a father.” Scarlett gritted her teeth. “There’s no way I’m keeping that bastard child. I already had an abortion.” I took Scarlett’s hand, speaking gently and kindly. “Scarlett, Mom and Dad are just angry. They thought you were about to marry into a powerful family and live a life of luxury, only to find out you were tricked. You’re still young and beautiful; don’t waste it.” A flicker of light appeared in Scarlett’s eyes. By my calculations, my fiancé would be waking up soon. Don’t disappoint me, you two. Sure enough, Scarlett appeared at school the next day, meticulously dressed. She pretended to study diligently, as if she were determined to turn over a new leaf. She even made a point of asking me for help with problems. Of course, I couldn’t dampen her ambition, but I had to visit my fiancé at the hospital. So, I just had to trouble Scarlett to come with me. Coincidentally, Caleb woke up. Scarlett’s eyes welled with tears, and she covered her mouth, softly sobbing, whispering, “Caleb, you’re finally awake.” I made an excuse about asking the doctor about Caleb’s condition and quickly left the room, giving them space alone. Before his accident, Caleb and Scarlett had already been a couple. That day, it was because they had an argument that Scarlett accidentally pushed him down the stairs. Now that Scarlett had faced Mom and Dad’s cold shoulder, would she choose to rekindle things with Caleb, and continue her dream of being the lady of a powerful family? I was rather looking forward to it. In the days that followed, Scarlett often came to me with questions, but every time I explained something, her mind seemed elsewhere. I knew her heart wasn’t in her studies, but on Caleb. I decided to grant her wish. “Scarlett, I’m preparing for the national competition now, so I probably won’t be able to pay much attention to you. You can go ask Caleb to explain problems to you. You can also keep him company for me, so he doesn’t get bored alone in the hospital.” Scarlett hesitated for a while before reluctantly agreeing. She certainly didn’t disappoint my expectations. She visited the hospital more and more often, even taking time off school to be with Caleb during his check-ups. Through my daily efforts, I achieved first place in the national competition, securing guaranteed admission to the State University. When I brought fruit to visit Caleb at the hospital, I happened to see Scarlett nestled in his arms, looking up and passionately kissing him. I pulled out my phone and snapped several pictures, then silently handed the fruit to the nurse and left the hospital. Victor proactively brought me into the company to learn from him. Eleanor stopped many of my classes, giving me time to study at the company. At school, Scarlett, beaming, approached me, a triumphant look on her face. “Sister, you just keep learning from Victor. Later, you’ll work for the Lin family, helping Caleb and me manage the company. The lady of the Lin family can only be me. No matter how capable you are, Caleb doesn’t like you.” I nodded, feigning an appearance of knowing when to retreat. “Scarlett, you’re right. Caleb doesn’t love me, and forced love never lasts. I’ll make sure to tell Victor and Eleanor and step aside for you.” Would Victor and Eleanor choose the capable me, or the incompetent Scarlett? There was no need to even ponder it.
That evening, I showed Victor and Eleanor the photos of Scarlett and Caleb embracing, kissing, and being intimate. “Uncle Victor, Aunt Eleanor, Caleb has someone he loves. I think I should step aside.” Eleanor’s breathing quickened with anger. It took her a while to compose herself. “Blair, in a family like ours, feelings are the least important thing. The daughter-in-law of the Lin family can only be you. I’ll make Caleb break up with her.” I stopped Eleanor. “Aunt Eleanor, Caleb loves Scarlett. His body hasn’t fully recovered yet. If you suddenly separate them, it might upset Caleb, which isn’t good for his recovery. A gentle reminder should suffice.” After all, Scarlett still had a big task to accomplish; she couldn’t withdraw so easily. The next day, Scarlett stormed up to me, yelling, even raising her hand to hit me. I caught her wrist, then slapped her back. The sharp smack drew the attention of all our classmates, and a glaring red handprint appeared on Scarlett’s fair face. “Caleb and I are engaged. You, a mistress, dare to challenge me? You clearly don’t know your place.” Scarlett clutched her face, glaring at me, unable to squeeze out a single word for a long moment. Finally, she burst into tears and ran away. Within a minute, I received an angry call from Caleb. “Whoever I love will be the daughter-in-law of the Lin family. What right do you have to hit my sister? Apologize to her immediately, or I’ll sue you for assault. You pushed me down the stairs and caused severe injury; that’s enough to send you away for years.” I retorted calmly, “Caleb, aren’t you clear on who actually pushed you down the stairs? If you want your beloved to pay for hurting you, then go ahead.” Caleb hung up, fuming. The doctor told me Caleb demanded to be discharged and return to school. Not because he loved learning, but because he wanted to protect Scarlett. What surprised me was that this time, his legs could recover completely, just like a normal person’s. But this was even better for my plan. Victor and Eleanor were naturally overjoyed to hear their son wanted to go to school, thinking their precious boy had finally come to his senses and was willing to improve. Caleb knitted scarves during class, and during breaks, he and Scarlett were all over each other, hugging and kissing. During lunch, they went to the rooftop to make out. Scarlett taught Caleb how to smoke and drink with her, experiencing a passionate and thrilling youth. On the first day of school, Victor and Eleanor personally went to pick Caleb up, but they waited until the very end and Caleb never showed. Victor and Eleanor searched anxiously for a long time but couldn’t find him. It wasn’t until past midnight that Caleb finally returned home, thoroughly drunk. The next day, Caleb eagerly rushed back to school to see Scarlett. Soon, Victor and Eleanor learned of Caleb and Scarlett’s scandalous behavior at school and immediately had bodyguards forcibly bring Caleb home. “Caleb, I’m telling you, break up with Scarlett immediately, study hard, and after graduation, you’ll start training at the company.” Caleb violently stood up and protested, “What right do you have to control my life? I’m not a puppet you can manipulate at will! You can’t control me!” Victor threatened coldly that if Caleb didn’t agree, he would cut off his allowance. In the end, Caleb couldn’t stand up to Victor and Eleanor. Eleanor arranged many classes for Caleb, but he didn’t attend a single one. He secretly climbed over the school wall and disappeared. It wasn’t until past ten at night that he irritably called, saying he was out with friends for a party and it was too late, so he’d just stay at a hotel. But I knew that the so-called party was just him and Scarlett. Because Scarlett sent me several pictures in the middle of the night of her and Caleb lying in bed, wearing pajamas. I immediately saved the pictures and screenshotted the chat history. Just as I finished, Scarlett recalled the message and sent a new one: Sorry, sent it to the wrong person. I pretended not to see it and didn’t reply. Scarlett, you really need to step up your game. Don’t disappoint my expectations.
Victor and Eleanor stormed the school, personally tied Caleb up, and dragged him home. They even ordered someone to whip him a few times, but Caleb stubbornly refused to back down, insisting on being with Scarlett. When Scarlett found out, she was moved to tears, yet also incredibly smug. I sternly reprimanded Scarlett, then specifically chose a time when Victor and Eleanor were home to advise Caleb to break up with Scarlett. This precisely triggered Caleb’s rebellious streak. He adamantly stated that he would not only refuse to break up with Scarlett but also wouldn’t study hard and certainly wouldn’t take over the company in the future. News of Caleb’s falling out with his family over a woman quickly spread. This wasn’t my doing, as I knew Victor and Eleanor cared too much about appearances; they dreaded family scandals becoming public. It was Scarlett, eagerly wanting everyone to know Caleb’s favoritism towards her, who frantically spread the rumors. I heard Eleanor specifically went to the school to inquire about Scarlett’s grades and behavior. After she returned, she never again mentioned arranging classes for Caleb. Instead, she urged me to study hard and manage the company. After these incidents, Scarlett and Caleb’s relationship seemed to grow even stronger. Every time I saw them at school, they were joined at the hip, constantly intimate without a care in the world. Scarlett even seemed to have bribed Mom and Dad. Mom specifically called to lecture me, saying I was useless, and that the position of the Lin family’s young madam would eventually be Scarlett’s. She told me to defer to Scarlett and help her, otherwise, Scarlett wouldn’t make my life easy after marrying Caleb. Scarlett, emboldened by Caleb’s love and Mom and Dad’s support, started to provoke me. “Sister, Caleb told me he hates boring bookworms like you most of all. He likes me; I’m passionate and wild, and I bring excitement to his life.” I picked up the hot water on the table and splashed it in her face. “What are you being so arrogant about? Victor and Eleanor will always be on my side. Once I have a Lin family child, you’ll completely lose any threat to my position.” Scarlett seemed to realize something, throwing herself into Caleb’s arms for comfort. This time, however, Caleb didn’t come to bother me. He simply took Scarlett to a hotel room to comfort her. Aside from classes, most of my time was spent learning the business of the Lin Group. A little over a month later, Scarlett, predictably, bounced back into my life. Caleb said he had something important to discuss with everyone and summoned Victor, Eleanor, and me. Caleb wrapped his arm around Scarlett, placed a paternity test report in front of Victor and Eleanor, and solemnly announced, “Scarlett is pregnant. I’m breaking off my engagement with Blair and getting engaged to Scarlett.” Eleanor stated flatly, “Impossible.” I grabbed Eleanor’s hand, speaking gently and gracefully. “Aunt Eleanor, it is the Lin family’s child, after all. Your own grandchild.” She pulled me up to her second-floor bedroom, asking me with a hint of guilt, if I was truly willing to accept this child.
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298616”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic
Leave a Reply