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PERSON_PROFILE

🔥😎 No longer hiding herself, her various identities were revealed one by one. She was a multi-billionaire, superb doctor, Genius girl, and renowned designer.

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Chapter 1 The Return
The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the desolate mountainside. The air was thick with tension as a middle-aged man approached the lonely grave. "Ms. Chapman, I'm here to take you back," he said, his voice polite but his face betraying his discomfort.

He complained in his mind, 'This place is a mess. The roads are so tough that I almost tipped the car on the way here.'

Sheila Chapman stood up from the tombstone, her eyes calm but cold. She was dressed in rough, plain clothes, but they were clean. There was something about her that didn't fit the poor, remote area.

"Didn't Chester come to pick me up?" she asked, her voice as cold as the mountain air.

"Mr. Larson is busy with work. He sent me instead. Everyone's waiting for you at home," the man replied, trying to hide his impatience.

Sheila curled her lips into a cold laugh and thought, 'Clearly, work is more important than family in his mind, but I don't care. I have no feelings for that family anyway.'

She glanced at the tombstone one last time. She was going back for one reason only: to find the person who had killed Nina Chapman, her mother, and get revenge. Even though Nina wasn't her biological mother, Nina had been kinder than any blood relative.

Sheila picked up the tattered bag beside her. "Let's go."

The man looked at the bag in Sheila's hand but didn't say anything. 'She's from a small town, and it shows,' he wondered.

After they walked to the car, Sheila sat in the back seat, her slender fingers playing on an old-fashioned phone. It was a card game. Three hundred and sixty cards with the system picking numbers for her to draw. Sheila's error rate: zero percent.

"Ms. Chapman, Mr. and Mrs. Larson don't like people wasting time on games. You should put your phone away," the man said, trying to sound stern.

Sheila looked up, her eyes flashing with a cold light. The man, seeing it in the rearview mirror, was startled. He thought, 'She's just a teenager, but her gaze is so terrifying.'

"Shut up and drive," Sheila said coldly. Just then, she noticed something was wrong with the car's speed. "Hit the brakes," she shouted calmly. She knew the area well; speeding downhill could easily cause an accident.

The man reacted and hit the brakes, but it was too late. "The brakes are failing," he yelled.

With a howl, the car careened out of control. In three seconds, Sheila reacted swiftly, opening the door and leaping out. The car and the driver plunged into the valley.

Sheila rolled on the ground, landing on a small platform. Her knees were scraped and bleeding through her pants, but she didn't even glance at them. She looked into the valley, her face cold. The man sent to pick her up was probably dead.

As Sheila got up, she heard a muffled groan. She looked up and saw a man leaning against a tree, his head drooping, a pool of blood on the ground. He had a national emblem on his arm.

Sheila concluded in her mind, 'He's a soldier.' She walked over, knelt beside him, and reached out to check his condition.

Feeling someone touch him, the man, Harold Foley, opened his eyes immediately, a flash of wariness in them. With years of experience, he quickly grabbed Sheila's slender wrist.

"Let go if you don't want to die. There are bullet fragments in the bone. If you don't get them out in time, you'll lose your leg at best. You could bleed to death," Sheila said.

Harold knew how strong his grip was. If he tightened it a bit more, he could break Sheila's wrist, but she didn't react at all. Her calmness was terrifying. Harold coughed and released Sheila's wrist, knowing her analysis was accurate.

Sheila took out a knife from her tattered bag, disinfected it, and swiftly cut open the wound. She used tweezers to remove the bullet fragments from the bone. The whole process took less than a minute.

Sheila raised an eyebrow, a flicker of admiration in her eyes. 'The man hasn't even winced,' she thought. Harold noticed her gaze and felt a sense of helplessness.

He had been through so many battles, with countless scars and bullet wounds. This time, he had been ambushed and ended up here. The pain was nothing to him.

Sheila tore a strip of cloth from her clothes and wrapped it around Harold's thigh to stop the bleeding.

"What's your name?" Harold asked. Watching Sheila's fluid movements, he had a feeling she was no ordinary person.

Sheila's eyes narrowed slightly. "Mind your own business when it comes to names," she said. As she spoke, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Mr. Foley!" a voice called out, getting louder as it neared.

Sheila knew Harold's people had arrived and he would survive now. She stood up and disappeared into the valley.

"Mr. Foley, are you okay?" A group of special forces soldiers followed the trail of blood to find Harold.

Harold looked at the spot where Sheila had vanished and slowly curled his lips into a smile. He glanced down to see a pink diamond necklace in his palm, which Sheila must have dropped when she bent over. 'We'll meet again,' he muttered inwardly.

*****

After a night of walking, Sheila put on a thin layer of a human-skin mask and rang the doorbell of the Larson residence.

"Who are you looking for?" Linda Carter, a nanny, asked, wrinkling her nose at the sight of the ragged girl standing at the door. 'Where did this girl come from?' she thought.

Sheila looked up lazily and replied, "I'm Sheila Chapman. You can call me Ms. Larson."

"What a joke! Ms. Larson is upstairs playing the piano right now. I think you're some kind of scammer," Linda sneered, her lip curling in disgust.

Sheila played with her old-fashioned phone and sneered, "And who are you?"

"Me?" Linda raised her chin proudly. "I've been with the Larson family for two years, serving Ms. Larson personally."

"Oh, so you're just another one of the Larson family's lapdogs," Sheila said nonchalantly.

"What did you say?" Linda was instantly furious. "Who are you calling a dog?"

"Whoever barks the loudest," Sheila retorted, her brows lifting slightly. She wasn't one to back down from a fight. If they wouldn't let her in, she had other ways.

Just as Linda was about to start yelling, Sheila glanced at the keypad lock beside her. Her fingers moved swiftly, and in a few seconds, the lock clicked open.

"You... you..." Linda's eyes widened in astonishment as the villa door swung open automatically.

"How did you...?" Linda was so shocked that she could have swallowed an egg whole. The Larson residence's security system was top-notch, with state-of-the-art locks. However, in the blink of an eye, the door had opened by a stranger.

"You're trespassing, you filthy beggar," Linda shouted.

"What's all the fuss about?" Yvonne was about to leave the villa when she heard the commotion at the door and frowned.

Linda quickly went to support her and explained, "Mrs. Larson, some beggar came out of nowhere claiming to be Ms. Larson. I'm going to drive her away right now."

"Yvonne." A cold, clear voice reached Yvonne's ears.

Yvonne looked in the direction of the voice, her perfectly maintained face showing a crack. 'Where did this ugly girl come from?' she thought.

Just as Yvonne was about to have Linda throw the intruder out, Sheila slowly took out a pearl pendant and said, "Mrs. Larson, you should recognize this, right?"

Chapter 2 The Outcast
Yvonne stepped forward, her expression a mix of shock and confusion. "How... how do you have this?"

Sheila let out a scornful laugh. "I've kept it since I was a kid. As far as I know, the Larson family gave it to me."

"Aren't you supposed to be..." Yvonne's face drained of color. She took a step back but caught herself mid-sentence. The word "dead" hung in the air, unspoken.

"What happened to me?" Sheila narrowed her eyes, pressing the question.

The sight of Sheila's disfigured face nearly made Yvonne faint. She wondered, 'How could my daughter have ended up like this? After fifteen years apart, she looks unrecognizable, giving off the smell of a rough, small-town life.'

"Linda, get her out of here now. I don't know her." Yvonne pointed at Sheila, trembling. She was desperate to rid herself of the embarrassing daughter.

She thought, 'How could a high-society woman like me have such an ugly, vulgar child? It's impossible. I have only one precious daughter, Eunice.'

Sheila stood her ground, her gaze icy and distant. She understood the car accident in the mountains wasn't an accident at all—it was intentional. There were people who wanted her gone for good.

Just then, a warm voice broke the tension. "Sheila, my precious granddaughter, are you back?" Amanda appeared, leaning on her stick, her steps shaky.

"Mom, why did you come out?" Yvonne quickly shifted her tone as she noticed Amanda.

Amanda shot Yvonne a complicated look and said, "This is your own daughter."

"Sheila, come here and let me see you," Amanda said, her eyes filling with tears.

Sheila's icy demeanor softened a bit. It was Amanda who had sent for her.

"Grandma." Sheila walked over and took Amanda's hand.

"You've suffered so much these years," Amanda said, her voice shaking with emotion. "Come on, let's go inside."

As Amanda led Sheila inside, Yvonne wanted to protest but held back, intimidated by Amanda's stern look.

Inside the grand hall, Sheila looked around. The lavish foreign-style decor and the elegant spiral staircase were impressive, but that was all they were to her—nothing more.

Sheila didn't care much about luxury. As long as she had a roof over her head, she was fine.

Just then, Eunice Larson came down the stairs, and upon seeing the so-called "real" heiress, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. She thought, 'The accident worked; Sheila was indeed disfigured.

'Dressed in shabby clothes and looking far from ideal, Sheila can't compete with me, not even in the slightest.'

"Is it really Sheila?" Eunice asked sweetly, her voice dripping with false charm as she descended gracefully.

Yvonne's face softened at the sight of her beloved daughter. "Eunice, why are you coming down? Did we disturb your piano practice? I'm so sorry."

"No, Mom, I wanted to meet Sheila too." Eunice approached Sheila, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. She extended her hand and said, "Hi Sheila, I'm Eunice."

Sheila studied her seemingly angelic sister. On the surface, Eunice looked gentle, but Sheila caught a flicker of malice in her eyes.

"Sheila, Eunice is talking to you," Yvonne said, her irritation with Sheila's rudeness growing.

"Oh," Sheila replied, nodding absentmindedly.

Eunice's eyes swam with tears, making her seem almost pitiful. "Do you not like me, Sheila? I'm sorry. It's my fault for taking your place. If it weren't for me..." Eunice's voice trembled.

"Please don't blame me, Sheila," she added, tightening her grip on Sheila's wrist.

Feeling pain shoot through her, Sheila was about to shake Eunice off when suddenly, Eunice feigned a stumble, falling to the ground with a muffled groan. Tears streamed down her face.

"Eunice," Yvonne yelled and dashed over, panic in her eyes. "My baby, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Mom. Don't blame Sheila. She's been through so much in that small town. It's only normal she'd be upset with me," Eunice said, playing the martyr.

But Yvonne was having none of it. "Sheila, you lived in that small town for your health. This has nothing to do with Eunice. Don't take your frustrations out on her."

"I didn't push her," Sheila said coldly, her gaze distant.

"You didn't push her? So Eunice just fell on her own? I can't believe you're not just heartless but a liar too." Yvonne's disdain for Sheila deepened. 'Clearly, raising Sheila outside the family has been a huge mistake. She has no manners whatsoever.'

Yvonne held Eunice close, patting her back and comforting her gently.

"Yvonne, Sheila has just come back and isn't used to our lifestyle yet. Please watch your words," Amanda said firmly.

Then, she beckoned Sheila closer. "Come here, Sheila. Let me get a good look at you."

Just then, Chester walked in from work, surprised to see an extra person in the villa. "What's all the noise about? I could hear the commotion from outside. Who's this girl?"

"Sheila, your daughter," Amanda huffed, her frustration clear. "She's been out there all this time, and you and Yvonne haven't even checked on her."

Chester's expression shifted from surprise to concern. "She... how..." He nearly blurted out "ugly" but caught himself.

He remembered the fire in that small town years ago. Sheila had barely survived. It was clear she had been through a lot, but her current appearance... it could damage the Larson family's reputation.

"Dad," Sheila called softly, shifting her gaze. If she wanted to fit into the Larson family, she needed to play nice. Chester was the head of the family and had the final say. She couldn't afford to clash with him.

Chester grunted in acknowledgment and nodded. "Since you're back, you might as well stay for now."

"Chester, all the guest rooms are full. There's no space for her," Yvonne quickly jumped in, hoping to banish Sheila again.

Chester frowned, "There must be an available room in this big villa." Yvonne pursed her lips and stayed quiet.

Linda chimed in, trying to ease the awkwardness, "There's one in the basement."

Deep down, she muttered, 'Everyone knows the basement is where the help stay—dark, damp, and messy. Perfect for someone like Sheila, who came from a poor, small town.'

Yvonne nodded along. "Maybe she could stay down there for a few days while we clean up a guest room for her."

Chester shrugged, feigning indifference. "Fine. Sheila, since you showed up out of the blue, how about you stay in the basement for now?" he said, trying to sound concerned.

Sheila nodded obediently. "Okay."

Chapter 3 She's A Pretty Good Doctor
Eunice sneered, wondering how a girl from a small town thought she could compare herself to her. She thought, 'So what if she is the real daughter? She still has to stay in the basement.'

"By the way... is it true that you never went to school, Sheila?" Eunice asked, pretending to be surprised. The question made Chester furrow his brows again.

Sheila smirked. 'School? What's the big deal? Is it really necessary?' she wondered. "No, I never did," she answered honestly.

Hearing that, Eunice sat up straighter, feeling a strange sense of pride.

"How will you manage without schooling?" Amanda got worried from the side. She thought, 'After all, she's part of the Larson family. People might talk if they find out.'

"Chester, make sure Sheila goes to the same school as Eunice, so they can support each other," Amanda suggested.

Eunice chuckled softly, "Grandma, our school is the top one in Bryerton. Not just anyone can get in. Someone like Sheila... might find it a bit tough."

"Yeah, she can't just get into Lynwood Academy through connections. They really focus on grades. Someone like Sheila, without a strong foundation, is going to have a tough time," Chester agreed.

"But hey, there's a exam coming up at our school. If you pass, you could get a special invitation. Why don't you give it a try, Sheila?" Eunice suggested cleverly.

It was just a trick. Eunice wanted Sheila to embarrass herself. 'Lynwood Academy's scores are announced for the whole school. Someone as clueless as Sheila is bound to be at the bottom. Getting in would be as hard as climbing Mount Everest,' Eunice thought.

Sheila felt Lynwood Academy sounded familiar, like she had heard it somewhere before.

"Sheila, what do you think? Are you going to take the exam?" Chester asked casually. Everybody knew the outcome would be the same either way.

"Sure," Sheila agreed without hesitation.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'll definitely help Sheila," Eunice said with fake sincerity.

Sheila glanced at Eunice with indifference. She wondered, 'Help me? Eunice just wants me to leave the Larson family sooner, so why would she offer any help?'

Sheila knew very well that Eunice had too many schemes in her mind but couldn't be bothered to expose them. As long as Eunice didn't push her limits, Sheila could overlook it.

*****

At night, the basement was cold and damp, with cockroaches crawling back and forth. Sheila sat in the corner, seemingly unconcerned. Only the movement in her eyes showed she was still awake.

She had just taken out a black gadget when the room's door suddenly swung open. Hearing the noise, Sheila narrowed her eyes swiftly.

"A bumpkin from a small town dares to compete with Ms. Larson? Just wait and see how I handle you." Linda's harsh voice echoed. As she entered, Sheila noticed a disciplinary cane in her hand.

A cold glint flashed in Sheila's eyes as the disciplinary cane came down. Linda was stunned... she watched, wide-eyed, as the disciplinary cane broke into two pieces and fell to the floor at her feet.

"You..." Linda was even angrier now. "You little brat, how dare you fight back? You'll see how I deal with you today." With that, Linda rolled up her sleeves, ready to use her hands.

Sheila's lips curled into a cold smile. "You? Really? What a joke!"

The next moment, before Linda could move, she found her legs wouldn't work. Sheila pushed her into the corner, bending down as spoke coldly, "Are you looking for trouble?"

Linda shivered. For some reason, she suddenly felt Sheila's presence become overpowering. "What... what do you want to do?"

Sheila held Linda's chin, speaking softly, "If you don't want any trouble, stay put and don't bother me. I'm in a bad mood. If I get upset, who knows what might happen?"

Linda shook like a leaf when she heard that. She couldn't figure out why Sheila's gaze was cold as if it came from a nightmare, even though Sheila was so young. Linda felt as if the air around her was getting thin.

Feeling like her jaw was about to be crushed, Linda quickly begged, "I'm sorry, Ms. Chapman. Please have mercy on me."

Sheila gave a slight scoff, released her grip, and stood up. Then she took out a tissue to wipe her fingers, looking very disgusted, as if she had just touched something dirty.

After breaking free, Linda took deep breaths of fresh air—it felt like she was alive again.

"I'm staying in your room tonight," Sheila said casually and confidently headed toward Linda's room.

Linda's room was spacious with soft cushions. Most importantly, it was quiet. Sheila sat on a chair and opened a sleek laptop, a model not seen on the market, small and light but incredibly fast.

She glanced down at the messages. A group chat called "Love-Hate" had several new messages.

Doofus: [Hey Puppy, there's a 25 million-dollar task on the site. Are you taking it?]

Doofus: [This is your specialty. The surgery can get you 25 million in just a few minutes.]

Doofus: [No one's taken it yet. Go for it, Puppy.]

Sheila glanced at them and replied coolly, [Not taking it.]

Doofus: [Seriously? Puppy, are you out of your mind? You're turning down 25 million dollars?]

Sheila looked up and yawned. [Not interested.]

Doofus: [Either you're crazy or I am. You're really turning your nose up at 25 million dollars?]

Sheila rested her chin on her hand. [I don't need the money.]

The group chat went silent. Everyone knew their boss only took tasks when she was in the mood.

*****

"The miracle doctor isn't taking any cases," Troy Sawyer said, pursing his lips in frustration with an anxious look on his face. Meanwhile, Harold sat calmly in his wheelchair, holding a pink diamond necklace with an unreadable expression.

"Harold, say something. The doctors said if you don't start treatment for your leg right away, it might be too late," Troy added, feeling irritated and running a hand through his hair. It was like one person staying calm while another panicked.

"It's just a leg," Harold replied slowly.

Troy was both confused and surprised. He asked, "Do you really not care about yourself? How are you going to settle down or have kids without a leg?"

Harold smiled, though his charming eyes showed no hint of a smile. "Just being alive is a blessing. How can I ask for more? Besides, when did I ever say I wanted to get married?"

Deep down, he muttered, 'I'm not interested in marriage, let alone having kids.'

"I'm done talking to you. I'm going to find the doctor," Troy said, waving a hand and refocusing on the task of finding the doctor.

Harold lowered his gaze, rubbing the pink diamond and thinking, 'She's a pretty good doctor. Just not sure where she is now.

'I've checked; not too many people live in the town, and only one person matches her age. She's Sheila Chapman, eighteen years old. Her mother died for unknown reasons, and now she's already left the town.

'That's all the information available; nothing else could be found.' Harold let out a laugh.

"Sheila..." Harold murmured, "Well hidden, but... shouldn't be hard to find." He wondered, 'For anyone I want to find, I always can.'

Chapter 4 Want To Hit Him
The annual major exam at Lynwood Academy began. Sheila shoved her hands into her pockets, confidently walking through the campus with a straight back. Her deep eyes were mesmerizing. Judging by her posture, she was impressive, but her face...

"Wow, where did such an unattractive woman come from?"

"Seeing someone like that is sure to give me nightmares. Oh my... she's really not attractive."

"Even though she has a pretty good figure, her plainness is quite unforgettable."

"She's not here to take the exam, right? We better not end up in the same room, or it'll just ruin our concentration."

The students around Sheila openly expressed their disdain. Sheila pretended not to hear and walked with confidence toward her exam room.

The exam seating was open. Those who arrived early could pick their seat. Sheila scanned the room and planned to go for a seat in the second row.

A girl quickly stood up, saying, "This seat is reserved."

"This one's reserved too."

"Hey, move to the back. Don't ruin our vibe here."

The sound of taunts filled the room. Sheila looked up, her face blank. She eventually moved to a seat in the corner in front of the trash can.

She had just set her backpack down when a hefty boy approached and flipped the desk. "Who let you sit here? Piss off. You're blocking my view."

It was Chad Leach, and he wasn't much to look at himself. He had a temper and used his family's wealth to bully others.

He happened to want to sit next to Sheila and was bothered by the sight of someone he found unattractive every time he turned his head.

As Sheila watched her things being scattered all over the place, a cold glint appeared in her eyes. She looked up, her gaze as icy as frost.

"Wow, your appearance is really something else. How do you even have the nerve to show up? And you dare take the Lynwood Academy exam," Chad shouted and exaggeratedly pretended to gag.

"Just leave already," Chad added, pointing toward the door.

Unfazed, Sheila replied coolly, "I'm here for the exam. If I bother you, deal with it."

Chad was surprised that Sheila dared to talk back. He stomped on Sheila's backpack, hands on his hips arrogantly. "Girl, what makes you think you can sit next to me? You aren't even worthy of being near me."

Everyone who witnessed that couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Sheila looked up with disdain. It had been a long time since her last fight, mainly because no one had dared to provoke her for a long while. Seeing Chad acting so annoyingly made her want to hit him.

Sheila rolled up her sleeves, and in the next second, she kicked Chad. The voice of Chad's scream echoed through the classroom. He was kicked right into the trash can, covered in garbage, and a foul odor filled the room.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Someone thought, 'This unfamiliar girl actually took down Chad. And what's more... I didn't even see her move. She was so fast. I have no clue what just happened.'

"How dare you?" Chad shouted, clutching his stomach in embarrassment and anger. "Do you even know who my mom is? You dared to hit me? I'm warning you, you're in big trouble now," Chad added, struggling to get back on his feet.

Eunice walked in just at the right moment to catch the entire scene. She paused briefly and then got the full story from her neighbor at the desk.

Eunice grinned slightly and thought, 'Well... Sheila's in trouble. She hasn't started school yet already caused a huge mess. There's no way she'll get into Lynwood Academy now.'

*****

Sheila casually picked up her backpack from the floor and set the desk upright. "Your mom can do whatever she likes, but let me ask you this—can I sit here or not?" Sheila was a polite girl and didn't intend to offend.

Chad looked at Sheila's stern expression and was taken aback. Remembering the kick from earlier, he felt a bit uneasy. He trembled and said, "You're just a weirdo. I won't let this slide." With that, he rushed out of the classroom like he was escaping.

The commotion came to an end. Sheila lowered her eyes and repeatedly wiped the desk. She had a strong dislike for germs, particularly disliking things touched by others and considering them dirty.

*****

Meanwhile, at the Foley Manor, Harold quietly painted with a brush in hand, as warm amber light cast gentle shadows on his handsome face. But... it was just an illusion.

The painting depicted various types of bullets. The last one was the one lodged in his bone, which was why he was now using a wheelchair.

There was a cold glint in Harold's eyes as he remembered his final mission: to be the first to find Nightingale and acquire the cutting-edge weapon manufacturing techniques.

But unexpectedly... he was ambushed halfway by foreign Celestians. He fought off a dozen men alone. Eventually, he escaped, but... not without some injuries.

A man in black said respectfully, "Mr. Foley, we've found out. Sheila Chapman is from the Larson family. When she was three, she was constantly sick, so the Larsons saw her as a bad omen and abandoned her in a small town.

"Now, her grandmother wants to restore her to her rightful place and has sent someone to bring her back."

'Larson family?' Harold thought and narrowed his eyes. 'Who would have thought someone so remarkable would emerge from the Larsons? It must be the culmination of good deeds earned over generations.'

"Where is she now?" Harold set the paintbrush aside.

"At Lynwood Academy. Ms. Chapman is taking the exam."

Harold slightly squinted, a faint smile appearing on his lips. 'Still in school? Quite young. It's only right to repay her for saving my life. I should go myself,' he thought to himself.

*****

Thirty minutes into the third test, the classroom door suddenly swung open. "Who's messing with my son?" a heavyset woman demanded angrily.

Everyone looked up at the door. The proctor was briefly taken aback, then smiled and quickly walked over. "Mrs. Leach, what's happening? Who's bothering Chad?"

Joanna pulled Chad in front of her, frustrated. "I should be the one asking you what happened. Chad got hit by some weird kid, and I'm going to make sure he gets the fairness he deserves today."

The proctor felt a nervous sweat on her forehead as she watched Joanna's domineering attitude. Joanna had just been promoted to dean of students and was said to be well-connected in the school—certainly not someone an ordinary teacher could confront.

"Mrs. Leach, don't worry. I'll take care of this right away," the proctor quickly reassured Joanna. Then, with a serious expression, she looked at the students taking the test. "Who did it? Stand up right now."

Sheila glanced at her test paper; there was just one question left. She thought, 'What bad timing. Some clueless people have shown up, and I won't be able to finish it now.'

Sheila extended her long legs, stood up at a leisurely pace, and lazily leaned against the white wall, her big eyes lifting slightly. "Looking for me?" she asked.

Chapter 5 Teaching Him Some Manners
Joanna glanced over to the corner. Seeing the face that displeased her, she pretended to gag. "How could you show your face in public like that?" she said.

Sheila shot her a sharp look and snorted, "You're one to talk, acting like you're superior. We're both not perfect..."

Joanna's face turned red with fury. "How dare you insult me?" she shouted. She was furious about the comment on her weight. With the whole class watching, she needed to handle the situation if she wanted to maintain her authority at school.

"So, it was you who hit my son, wasn't it?" Joanna narrowed her eyes, a flash of ferocity crossing her face.

Sheila barely lifted her gaze and replied, "I was just teaching him some manners."

"How dare you? You've got the nerve to upset my son? I'll teach you a lesson," Joanna said, rolling up her sleeves and picking up a wooden stick nearby.

"Mrs. Leach, please calm down. Let me call Mr. Emerson to handle this," the proctor said, worried about how things were escalating. If something really happened in her testing room, it would be a disaster.

Joanna shot an annoyed look at the proctor. "What? Do I need Mr. Emerson's approval to discipline a student now?"

"That's not what I meant at all," the proctor replied, almost in tears.

"Get out of my way." Joanna pushed the proctor aside and walked straight toward Sheila.

Sheila stood calmly in place, not moving at all. If someone was so eager to get into trouble, she was more than happy to watch it happen.

"How dare you mess with my son? You're going to regret it today." Joanna stood in front of Sheila, her angry expression obvious.

Chad was all smiles, knowing that with Joanna around, he didn't have to worry about anything. 'That rude girl dared to hit me, huh? My mom is definitely going to teach her a good lesson,' he thought.

"Mom, beat her up and make her regret it," Chad said as he casually picked up some sunflower seeds and settled in to watch.

The other students watched with a similar attitude, since they didn't like Sheila either. 'She looks so odd that just looking at her for a moment longer might haunt my dreams,' someone thought.

Joanna swung the stick down hard toward Sheila's body. Sheila remained unfazed. Just as the stick nearly brushed her hair, Sheila's eyes narrowed, and the stick snapped in mid-air.

One piece fell to the ground while the other stayed in Sheila's hand. She turned the stick and gave Joanna a firm smack on the backside.

The whole sequence of moves was so smooth and fast that it left everyone stunned. Even those close to Sheila couldn't catch it clearly—she was moving so quickly that there were afterimages.

Joanna let out a loud scream, completely losing her cool.

The instigator, Sheila, smirked with a hint of disdain in her eyes. She thought, 'Is that all she's got? What gives her the nerve to act so arrogantly in front of me?' She folded her arms and looked down at Joanna.

"You... you actually dared to hit me," Joanna said, clutching her butt. It hurt so much... She was sure it was swollen, but that spot was just too embarrassing.

Sheila nodded calmly. "You were trying to hit me, so why shouldn't I hit back? I'm not stupid."

Sheila was speechless, feeling Joanna was not only useless but also stupid and slow-witted.

Joanna's face turned red with anger. It was the first time she'd encountered a student brave enough to stand up to her. "You're finished. Don't even think about getting into our school. We don't accept students who aren't up to standard," she shouted furiously.

Sheila's gaze turned piercing. She curled her lips and spoke coldly, "What? Planning to throw your weight around?"

Getting into the academy would be a breeze on Sheila's own merit. But if Joanna started playing dirty, things could get complicated. Sheila might actually miss out on her spot.

Joanna glared at Sheila with gritted teeth. "As long as I'm here, I'll make sure you never step foot in our school. Let me tell you, I have a lot of influence at Lynwood Academy."

"I see." Sheila nodded thoughtfully. "So you think you're more important than the principal?"

Just then, a middle-aged man strolled over. "Who's calling for me?"

The man was Charles Emerson, the principal of Lynwood Academy. He was one of the key figures in Bryerton, had considerable influence, and his role as principal was well-deserved.

Beside Charles was Harold in a wheelchair. His eyes were deep and intense, and his striking features carried a hint of chill. Even with a wheelchair, his impressive presence was hard to overlook.

Sheila glanced over and then casually looked away. 'What a coincidence. I didn't expect to see my patient here,' she thought.

Sheila was somewhat bad with faces and usually didn't bother remembering people. She remembered Harold probably because his exceptional features made him stand out from others, leaving a lasting impression.

At the same time, Sheila noticed Harold's gaze. She wondered, 'He probably hasn't recognized me; after all, I now have a noticeable scar on my face.

'However, whether he recognizes me or not doesn't matter. He's just a passerby anyway.' Sheila lowered her head without any further reaction.

Harold played with the ring on his thumb, his smile growing wider. 'That scar is quite intriguing,' he thought to himself.

Joanna beamed when she saw Charles. "Mr. Emerson, this... uh, this candidate maliciously hurt others. I wanted to give her a talking-to, but she even hit me. A student like this should be immediately disqualified from the exam and banned from entering Lynwood Academy forever."

Joanna was quick to accuse, acting like the victim. She wondered, 'I'm the dean of students, so Mr. Emerson has to show me some respect. As for that plain student, well... she's in real trouble.'

Joanna let out a cold laugh, thinking that she would definitely stop Sheila from entering the school since Sheila dared to hit her.

Charles stood there, not saying a word—his presence alone was enough to make everyone feel the weight of the moment. He was waiting for Sheila to speak.

Sheila showed respect to Charles. She raised her head, her expression gentle but her voice strong and determined. "I just want to take the exam peacefully, but her son insulted me and doesn't want me sitting here."

"She's making it up." Joanna immediately denied it. "My son is so well-mannered. How could he have insulted her? I think she is just jealous of my son and is fabricating this on purpose."

Sheila scoffed, "Jealous of an idiot? He failed math in sophomore year, was caught cheating in a foreign language the next year, and was disqualified from competitions. Without a supportive mother, he wouldn't even be in school right now. Do you think I'd be jealous?"

Sheila spoke quickly without making a mistake. Even the students nearby were surprised. Someone wondered, 'This girl isn't from our class, so how does she know everything so well?

'Moreover, Joanna has already brushed the cheating incident under the rug long ago. Very few people know about it.'

When Joanna heard Sheila state the facts accurately, she panicked a little. "Mr. Emerson, don't listen to this girl talking nonsense. You... you know, my son always follows the rules."

Chapter 6 In Return
Charles rubbed his forehead and replied, "What's this about the fight then?"

Sheila stood her ground confidently. "I did hit her, but she deserved it. You can check the surveillance camera footage and see who's right and who's wrong."

As soon as Sheila finished speaking, Harold handed his electronic tablet over to Charles.

Sheila's eyesight was quite good, and she could see the image on the screen clearly. It was exactly what had just happened in the classroom. She was curious about why Harold was helping her.

A few minutes later, Charles finished watching the video, and his expression immediately turned serious.

"Mr. Emerson, let's handle this later. We shouldn't interrupt the students' tests." Joanna, realizing she was at a disadvantage, tried to smooth over the issue.

But Sheila wasn't going to just let it go. If Joanna managed to bluff her way out, Sheila might really lose her chance to enroll in the school.

"I heard your school is known for being fair. Whether it's the principal or a staff member, if they make a mistake, they're held accountable. Is that true?" Sheila straightened up, staring directly at Charles, her eyes filled with resolve.

She was young, yet when facing someone as important as Charles, she showed no fear—in fact, she seemed to have the upper hand in presence.

Harold had been watching the whole time. 'The look in her eyes matches the one she had that day,' he thought. 'This girl is anything but ordinary. She's a hidden gem.'

Charles was taken aback too. He had noticed Sheila's plain looks and thin frame, figuring she'd be the shy, meek type. But she wasn't holding back at all.

Charles nodded. "What you said is indeed one of our school's rules. I just watched the video, and it's clear that Chad was at fault first. Chad, now apologize." With a serious expression, Charles turned to Chad.

Chad's eyes widened in frustration. He didn't want to apologize. With the dean of students as his mother, he always got his way, so he didn't feel he had to back down. Chad remained defiant.

Joanna gave a slight grin. "It's just a small issue. Let's not blow it out of proportion." Joanna naturally took her son's side.

"And anyway, that girl just hit me, and I haven't even addressed that yet," Joanna spoke with confidence because she had someone backing her up. She didn't even notice she was being disrespectful to Charles.

"Joanna." Charles's expression changed at Joanna's boldness. "Chad was the one who started the issue, and you went too far with your words earlier; you should apologize."

Joanna rolled her eyes. "I didn't do anything wrong, so I'm not going to apologize." Joanna blatantly ignored Charles's authority; after all, he couldn't kick her out over something so trivial.

Sheila remained calm and walked over to Joanna. "Mrs. Leach, are you so confident because you have some strong support behind you?"

"What are you talking about?" Joanna reacted as if she'd been startled, almost jumping in surprise.

Sheila shrugged her shoulders, pretending to be helpless. "I just happened to overhear some juicy gossip." With that, she played a recording.

"Mr. Lennon, I just want the position of dean of students. Isn't that something you can arrange with a few words?"

"Sure, as long as you keep me happy tonight. Not only will you secure that spot, but your son's graduation will be guaranteed."

Before Sheila arrived, she had already unearthed all the secrets of the top executives, just in case. But who would've thought... the first test would lead to this? She felt quite helpless. The info she had just found came in handy.

Meanwhile, Harold's expression changed. He thought, 'Every top executive at Lynwood Academy has some real skills, and their information is so well-encrypted that even hackers can't access it. Yet, how did she manage to have such a clear recording?'

Harold pressed his lips together, suddenly feeling like things were getting more interesting. At first, he was just curious about her, but now he wanted to know more.

"Turn it off. Turn it off now!" Joanna lunged at Sheila, desperately trying to snatch the recorder, but before she could reach Sheila, she tumbled to the ground, landing awkwardly at Sheila's feet.

"These are all fake. I didn't say any of it." Joanna loudly defended herself.

Sheila handed the recording directly to Charles. His face grew darker; he could tell if the recording was real or fake.

"Well, Joanna, I never expected you to team up with the vice principal. From today on, the school will terminate both you and Shawn. You are no longer qualified to teach at Lynwood Academy," Charles declared firmly.

"Mr. Emerson, I've been wrongfully accused. I—" Joanna hadn't finished her sentence when she saw a woman angrily marching toward her.

The woman, Shawn Lennon's wife, yelled, "Well, well, so that's why Shawn's been coming home with a woman's hair on him. Turns out you're trying to seduce him?

"If Shawn had been dating a nice girl, I wouldn't be this upset. Just look at you, not much in the looks or figure department, what exactly does he see in you?"

Shawn's wife stood there, hands on her hips, furious. Her mocking words echoed in Joanna's ears. Before Joanna could respond, she felt a chill run up her spine as Shawn's wife started pulling her hair.

"You shameless homewrecker, just watch how I'll teach you a lesson today for daring to flirt with my husband." Shawn's wife wasn't someone to be trifled with. Grabbing Joanna's hair, she slapped her face repeatedly, each slap sounding loud.

Charles had already fired Joanna, so technically she was no longer part of their school, meaning he had no authority to intervene in what happened now. 'Everything is a result of Joanna's own choices,' he thought.

Sheila listened to the screams, her expression unchanged; she was used to it. Those who got on her bad side always ended up the same way.

"Thank you for helping me gather evidence," Charles said as he approached Sheila, genuinely expressing his gratitude.

Sheila wasn't hesitant; she nodded slightly. "Glad to help."

Charles was a bit surprised; he didn't think it was the typical response from a student. Nonetheless, he didn't say much, considering she wasn't a student at Lynwood Academy just yet.

Charles turned back to Harold. "Mr. Foley, let's discuss the investment in my office."

Harold nodded. "Sure, I'll meet up with you later."

"Sounds good. I'll be waiting in my office," Charles said and left ahead.

Sheila toned down her intensity, her expression becoming calm. As she passed by Harold, she caught a faint whiff of tea, which seemed to calm her nerves and ease her irritation a bit.

Curious, Sheila deliberately slowed her pace and finally stopped. "Thanks for before," Sheila said with a neutral expression. Harold's help was obvious, so Sheila wanted to show her appreciation.

A soft chuckle escaped Harold's throat. "A little something in return."

"What?" Sheila tilted her head in confusion, not getting what he meant by those words.

"I couldn't just stand by while so many were picking on you," Harold said softly.

Sheila gave a slight smile. 'This guy seems different. Everyone else seems to dislike me, but he thinks I'm worth helping?' she wondered. "Oh," Sheila responded coolly.

Harold watched Sheila walk away with a hint of resignation and a smile on his lips. He felt the school was really holding her back.

Chapter 7 I Helped You Again
Sheila took a few steps and then suddenly stopped. Harold slowly raised his eyes, wondering what had made her change her mind this time.

"The medication you're using might be expensive, but it has some serious side effects.

"It can ease the pain for a while, but eventually, your leg muscles might weaken, making it hard for you to walk again," Sheila said calmly. She figured it was her way of repaying his earlier kindness.

"Oh?" Harold smiled. "Do you know about medicine?"

"Not really. I'm just guessing," Sheila replied and then continued walking toward the nearby small grove. It was a faster route.

Harold pondered this, surprised that Sheila could identify the medication just by its smell. When he looked up again, she was already out of sight.

But in the next moment, Harold's expression suddenly sharpened. The small grove was always a bit sketchy.

*****

"Hey there, all by yourself?" A guy with red hair whistled, checking Sheila out. He thought, 'Her face isn't the best, but... as long as her figure is good, I can just ignore the face later.'

"Get out of my way," Sheila said coldly.

"Wow, pretty feisty. What are you gonna do if I don't let you go?" The red-haired guy looked at Sheila's body with a creepy grin.

"Hey girl, how did you manage to have such a different face and body?" The guy's tone was becoming more inappropriate.

The group of guys behind him couldn't help but laugh. "Boss, can you actually go for someone you find unattractive?"

"Let's see," the red-haired guy said, swallowing hard.

Sheila listened to their crude remarks, her expression growing colder. She'd been disillusioned with men her whole life, especially those who couldn't think beyond their impulses.

"I'm telling you again, move aside," Sheila said, giving them a chance. But if they blew it, well, it would be their problem.

The red-haired guy, fueled by Sheila's challenge, got even more hyped. "You want me to move? Maybe I've been too easy on you?" he said, stepping forward and trying to grab Sheila.

He wondered, 'The girl isn't very attractive, but her exposed arms... her skin looks soft and inviting to touch.' He swallowed again, even more tempted.

But before he could reach out to Sheila, Sheila's lips curled into a chilly smile. Just a few inches from her, she suddenly raised her hand, and with a sharp snap... the red-haired guy's wrist hung limply. It was broken.

The guy was shocked, his eyes wide open. Her speed was so fast; he didn't even realize it until he felt his wrist snap.

"Boss!" The guys behind him immediately got fired up, seeing their leader in trouble. "Come on, everyone. Let's get her back for what she did to the boss. She dared to break his wrist. Let's teach her a lesson," someone said.

"Never mind me. Just restrain her first," the red-haired guy said, furious. He had never been put in his place by a girl.

Sheila calmly wiped her fingers. As the group rushed at her, she didn't even bat an eye. In the next moment, Sheila's hair moved a little as a guy's fist swung straight at her face. If that punch connected, she'd definitely be in trouble.

Sheila quickly moved her feet, dodging out of harm's way. She narrowed her eyes, a chilly glint at the corners. 'Five guys at once? That's really low,' she thought.

"You've got some moves," one of the guys admitted between breaths after a few exchanges, surprised they couldn't handle a single girl.

Harold, who had just arrived, paused at a short distance when he saw the scene, squinting slightly as he kept his eyes on Sheila. Her speed was amazing.

But then he noticed a man in the distance holding a knife and running toward Sheila from behind.

"Look out," Harold shouted and quickly steered his motorized wheelchair toward Sheila. Just as the knife was about to reach her, he grabbed her, pulling her safely into his arms.

Sheila lost her balance and ended up sitting on Harold's lap. He grunted but quickly turned his wheelchair, stretching out his good leg and knocking two men to the ground.

Seizing the moment, Sheila flicked two silver needles from her hand, dropping two more men to the ground.

Throughout the entire episode, they didn't exchange a single word, but their teamwork was flawless. The men were sprawled on the ground, unable to rise.

Sheila shot a cold glance at them. "Want to try again?"

The guys exchanged looks. The red-haired one gestured at them. "You just wait. One day, I'll settle this score," one of the guys declared, and after that, they shuffled away, leaning on each other.

Harold looked down, a smile playing on his lips. "Hey girl, seems like I helped you again."

That familiar scent hit Sheila once more, her eyes darkening slightly. She stood up, masking her unease with a calm demeanor. "Thank you."

"This time it was a life-saving favor," Harold remarked, twisting the ring on his thumb with a smile.

Sheila furrowed her brow, thinking for a moment before she slowly said, "I can fulfill one request for you."

"Anything I want?" Harold asked, intrigued.

Sheila let out a small sigh, casually saying, "Yes."

She thought, 'In this world, there's nothing I can't accomplish. Plus... I'm somewhat interested in this man. When I was sitting on his lap, I confirmed once more that his scent actually had a calming effect on me.

'My mania has become quite severe. If it continues, it will start affecting my sleep and that's troublesome. But this guy... he can help calm me down.'

"Alright," Harold nodded, his smile widening when he saw Sheila. "I'm Harold Foley. How about we exchange numbers on WhatsApp? That way, I can get in touch with you."

Sheila nodded, thought for a moment, and then said slowly, "I don't have a smartphone with internet access."

It sounded like she was making an excuse, but it was true. She was almost completely disconnected from the outside world. When she received assignments, they were always via a private network.

"But unless something unexpected happens, I'll be taking classes at this school, so you can find me here," Sheila added, realizing her previous words might have seemed a bit distant.

Harold gave a slight smirk. "Okay."

Sheila brushed the dust off her clothes and looked down. "I've got some things to take care of, so I'm leaving now."

"Don't take this route next time. It's not safe," Harold advised her from behind.

Hearing the voice momentarily distracted Sheila, but she quickly pulled herself together and walked away.

"Hey Harold, what are you doing here?" Troy had asked around before finally finding Harold. "Seriously, did you come here alone for a walk in this small grove?" Troy's lips curled slightly. He was confused.

He muttered in his mind, 'This place is clearly a popular spot for young couples on a date. What is Harold, a single guy, doing here? I just can't figure it out.'

Harold raised an eyebrow, feeling pretty good. "I ran into an interesting girl."

"Interesting? Girl? I can't believe I'm hearing you say something like that." Troy was amazed.

Harold chuckled quietly but didn't continue talking. The gem he discovered himself didn't need to be widely advertised. "Why are you looking for me?" Harold asked.

Troy slapped his forehead. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Mrs. Foley's heart problem flared up again. She asked me to get you to come back home."

Harold's brow twitched a couple of times. He thought, 'It's the third time this month. This excuse has been worn out.' He sighed, "Heading back now."

Chapter 8 Sheila's The Hero
Sheila walked to the door with her backpack. She didn't have the keys to the villa yet, but as she reached the entrance, the lock automatically recognized her face, and the door swung open.

She had already modified the lock's system, so it could recognize any of her features. For her, it was a breeze.

As Sheila reached the hallway, she heard voices coming from inside.

"When Sheila was about to hit him, I wanted to stop her, but I didn't get the chance," Eunice sighed. "Sheila was too impulsive. That was the son of the dean of students; it would have been fine to just let it go."

"What? She dared to hit the son of the dean of students, huh?" Yvonne frowned immediately. "Of course, she's a kid from a small town, no sense of decorum at all. It's only her first day at school, and she's already causing such trouble."

"Mom, don't be upset. I bet Sheila didn't do it on purpose. She grew up in a small town, never got a proper education, and spent time with tough kids. It's no wonder she'd be influenced," Eunice said, sneaking a glance at Yvonne's reaction.

Seeing the disdain on Yvonne's face, Eunice was in a great mood. Just then, Sheila walked in looking expressionless.

"Hold it right there," Yvonne said angrily when she saw Sheila come in without greeting anyone.

Sheila stood tall, her posture perfect. Even the noticeable scar on her face didn't take away from her presence at all.

"What happened at school today?" Yvonne asked with a tense face.

Sheila lifted her eyes, her clear gaze mesmerizing to anyone who looked, but Yvonne already had a poor view of Sheila, dismissing everything about Sheila.

Sheila looked at Eunice. "Didn't Eunice already tell you everything about what happened at school? Do I really need to go over it again?"

Sheila's cold demeanor only made Yvonne's anger grow. 'Anyone could see her lack of manners,' Yvonne thought.

"Sheila, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I just talked to Mom about this and hoped she could help you find a way to get back to school," Eunice said, her voice shaking a little as if she was nervous talking to Sheila.

"Eunice, you don't need to say all that to her." Yvonne pulled Eunice's hand, with a look that made it clear Eunice was her real daughter, while Sheila was like a stranger.

Sheila had seen through the distant family bond long ago, so she didn't mind anymore.

"Sheila, Eunice only said those things for your own good. Otherwise, we would still be in the dark. How can you be so uncaring, blaming Eunice like this?" Yvonne glared at Sheila, speaking with frustration.

Chester had just returned from work, already in a bad mood. Hearing the commotion made him even more agitated. "What's going on here? Why is everyone shouting?" he asked.

"Chester, perfect timing! Your wonderful daughter is the reason for this mess. She offended the dean of students during a test today. Let's see how you plan to handle this." Yvonne crossed her arms, coldly staring at Sheila.

Whenever Yvonne saw that face, she felt embarrassed. She wondered, 'I'm quite attractive, so how did I end up with a daughter like this? Not as sweet and sensible as Eunice.'

"Is that true?" Chester furrowed his brows, questioning further.

Sheila kept a straight face, her eyes downcast. "It was the son of the dean of students who started it first."

Chester's tone grew more serious. "Sheila, I wanted you to take the exam to get into the school, but now, with all this trouble, how will you manage?"

"With her grades, it would have been tough for her to get in even without all this," Yvonne said sarcastically. "I didn't agree with her taking the exam in the first place. Isn't she just bringing shame to the Larson family?"

Chester gave Yvonne a glance. "Say a bit less. Remember, she's our daughter."

Yvonne went silent. She wouldn't admit that Sheila was her daughter, and she would look for another chance to send Sheila back to her small town.

"Sheila, what you did was wrong. Go apologize to the dean of students right now," Chester said, as he was about to take Sheila out.

Sheila didn't move. Just as Chester was about to scold her, his phone suddenly rang. Chester pressed his lips together. "It's a call from Mr. Emerson."

Yvonne hurriedly leaned in. "It must be about Sheila. She's just returned and already caused such a big issue."

Eunice stood by, enjoying the show. She didn't have to do much, just waiting for the right moment to stir things up.

Chester gave Sheila a deep look before answering the phone. Sheila slumped her head; her emotions were hard to read, but her whole demeanor gave off a "don't bother me" vibe.

"Hi, Mr. Emerson. Is Sheila in trouble? I'm... I'm currently having a talk with her about it." Chester quickly tried to cover for Sheila after picking up the call.

But to his surprise, Charles's voice was unexpectedly warm. "I wanted to thank Sheila on behalf of our school."

When everyone in the living room heard that, they were shocked. 'Mr. Emerson himself is thanking Sheila? What for?' Chester wondered.

Charles's voice came through again. "Thanks to Sheila, we found out about a lot of hidden stuff. The vice principal was taking advantage of his position, doing things I didn't know about. Sheila is a real hero for our school."

Chapter 9 The Marriage Contract
Chester looked at Sheila, his face puzzled. Sheila stood there quietly, seeming distant yet calm. Chester gave a nervous smile. "Mr. Emerson, are you sure you're talking about Sheila?"

"Absolutely, it's the girl you just brought back from that small town," Charles replied, his voice confident.

"I just sent some awards from the school to the Larson residence. They should get there soon. Make sure to sign for them," Charles added politely.

"Okay," Chester replied with a smile. After some more small talk, he hung up the phone. He turned to Sheila, his expression softening. "Sheila, why didn't you tell us about the great thing you did at school?"

Sheila responded calmly, "I thought it was no big deal. I didn't expect Eunice would tell you all about it."

Yvonne's expression shifted slightly, her eyes narrowing.

"I didn't know what happened next," Eunice said innocently. "Sheila, you're amazing for taking down the vice principal."

Yvonne snorted, "Eunice, there's no need to show off. Just focus on your piano practice. You're a high-class lady around here. No need to copy Sheila."

"Okay, Mom. My piano teacher praised me again, saying I'm picking things up quickly. I'm sure I can win first place at the next piano competition," Eunice bragged, lifting her chin proudly.

Yvonne beamed with delight, glad to have such an ambitious daughter.

As they chatted, the gifts Charles had sent arrived. There was a banner with Sheila's name on it and some rare herbs. Sheila's eyes lit up as she thought, 'This principal knows how to give gifts. I love these things.'

"What kind of mess is this?" Yvonne couldn't help but cover her nose, showing her distaste for the smell of the herbs.

"Dad, just put these in the basement and I'll deal with them," Sheila said. The basement was dark and perfect for storing the herbs.

"Okay." Chester nodded. He was slowly warming up to Sheila. As for the future, he'd just have to see how things go.

"The room upstairs is all set, Sheila. You can move in," Chester said calmly.

"Chester, the rooms upstairs are already being used," Yvonne said, feeling a bit uneasy at the sight of Sheila, not wanting her to move in upstairs.

Chester looked at Yvonne and replied, "What use could they really have? The villa is huge. Surely we have an extra room. If word got out, what would people think?" Yvonne was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Dad, if there's truly no room, I can keep sleeping in the basement," Sheila said politely, her head lowered.

Yvonne curled her lips, thinking that Sheila was already fortunate to be sleeping in the basement.

"I make the decisions in this family. Sheila will move upstairs tonight," Chester declared before heading straight to his study.

"Yvonne, come in. I have something to tell you," Chester added, walking directly into his study.

After they left, Sheila's expression turned a bit colder. She snorted in her mind, 'It's just a place to sleep.'

*****

"Chester, what's going on with you today? Why are you standing up for Sheila all the time? She's just a small-town girl. Can't she stay somewhere else?" Yvonne crossed her arms, speaking with annoyance.

Chester sat in the chair and tossed aside the paper he was holding. "This is the marriage contract between the Foley and Larson families."

"Foley family? You mean the most influential Foley family in Bryerton?" Yvonne asked in surprise.

"Yeah." Chester nodded.

"This marriage contract was made by Mrs. Foley and my mother years ago. I thought it was just a joke and didn't pay attention to it. But guess what? Today I got a letter from Mrs. Foley," Chester said, rubbing his forehead helplessly.

Yvonne quickly opened the paper and looked through it. Sure enough, it was about the marriage between the Foley and Larson families.

"How dare the Foley family say such things? Everyone in Bryerton knows Harold came back alive, but he's in a wheelchair now and probably will be for life.

"There were even rumors before that... Harold isn't capable. How can a man like that be worthy of Eunice?" Yvonne spoke angrily. She had carefully raised Eunice and wouldn't let a man like that ruin her.

"Don't get all worked up." Chester remained calm.

"How can I not be upset?" Yvonne huffed. "I will never agree to let Eunice marry a man like him. That would just ruin her."

Just as Yvonne finished speaking, there was a crash. The two of them heard the sound of a cup hitting the floor.

"Eunice." Yvonne felt a pang of worry when she saw Eunice standing at the door.

"Eunice, when did you get here?" Yvonne quickly pulled her inside.

"Mom, I don't want to get married. I'm still in school. I can't imagine getting married so soon. I can't stand the thought of leaving you guys." Eunice's face was pale, tears streaming down, making her look heartbreakingly pitiful.

Eunice wondered, 'I don't want to marry a disabled man. There are rumors that Harold is unpredictable and tends to be aggressive. Plus, he's quite secretive—whenever he leaves Bryerton, nobody knows what he's doing.

'Now he's returned with a leg injury. A man like that isn't right for me. I certainly won't marry him.'

Chester glanced at Eunice, his expression softening a bit. He had invested a lot in Eunice's upbringing, and now that she finally had the poise of a well-bred young lady, he wasn't about to let the Foley family have her easily.

"Eunice, don't cry. Rest assured, I don't agree with this either," Yvonne said.

She caught a glimpse of someone outside, a smile forming on her lips. She turned to Chester. "We don't have just one daughter, you know? We still have Sheila. When they made the engagement, it didn't say who had to marry."

Deep down, she added, 'A plain girl with someone who's disabled. Isn't that just a fitting match?'

Chester took a sip of coffee. He felt the same way. That was why he was acting different today and wanted Sheila to move upstairs.

He wondered, 'It was surprising that Sheila was praised by the principal today, but after all, she grew in a small town. What future can she have?

'Eunice, on the other hand, has had a top-tier education from the start and is bound to marry a successful guy.'

"Is this okay?" Eunice stopped crying and asked uncertainly. "Would Sheila agree to it?"

"Why wouldn't she? Having someone willing to marry her is already good fortune," Yvonne scoffed.

Eunice pursed her lips. "Thanks, Mom."

Yvonne straightened Eunice's hair. "This way, we kill two birds with one stone. We haven't upset the Foley family, and we've also sent her away."

The thought of no longer having to see Sheila's striking looks improved Yvonne's mood considerably.

Sheila stood outside the study, her keen hearing catching every word inside.

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