This news was thest thing Layna wanted to hear.


    When Anastasia first adopted her, Layna already had to share half of Anastasia''s love with Paradise. Jealousy gnawed at her so badly she''d tricked Paradise into going to the train station-and left her there, abandoned.


    Back with the Stranz family, Layna had been Juliana''s darling, basking in all her affection. But now that Juliana was pregnant, it was clear: someone new would soon be stealing the spotlight, someone who might take away everything Layna thought was hers.


    Layna Crystal stered on a sweet smile, eyes wide in fake surprise. "Auntie, you''re having a baby? That''s amazing! I''ll have a little sister soon!" She bounced up and down, pping her hands, her delight a wless act for Juliana''s benefit.


    "Not a sister, a brother,” Juliana gently corrected. "I just know it''s a boy. You''ll have to call him little brother, okay?"


    Layna nodded, her performance seamless. "A brother! Auntie, you must be right." She reached out, giving Juliana''s belly a gentle pat. “Be good in there, little brother. Your big sister''s waiting for you. I''ll y with you all the time when youe out.”


    Hearing Layna call the baby "little brother” made Juliana beam, as if she truly believed she was carrying a boy.


    "Layna, I''m not feeling so great and need to rest more. From now on, the housekeeper will take you to and from school. Tonight, you should go to bed early too, okay?"


    Juliana still cared about Layna, but early pregnancy was exhausting, the muggy weather making things worse. She needed to put herself—and the baby-first now. Layna wouldn''t be picked up from school by her anymore.


    But to Layna, those words just piled on more jealousy and bitterness toward the baby in Juliana''s belly.


    It was only the beginning, and already Auntie was sharing her love with that unborn child. What if, one day, she stopped caring about Layna at all?


    Layna knew perfectly well that her cushy life with the Stranz family was all thanks to Juliana''s protection.


    Of course, she didn''t let any of this show. She just smiled, sweet as honey. "Sure, Auntie. You should rest and take care of yourself. Don''t overdo it."


    "What a thoughtful girl." Juliana reached over and ruffled Layna''s hair. "Go on, then." "Okay. You rest, Auntie, I''ll go do my homework."


    Layna headed to her bedroom. The second the door clicked shut, her happy mask dropped. Her face twisted with rage as she swept everything off her desk-books, pencils, stuffed animals-sending them crashing to the floor. She couldn''t scream, so she growled quietly, shaking with frustration.


    She didn''t want Auntie to have a baby. If Auntie did, she''d stop loving her. Layna would lose her ce as the Stranz family''s little princess.


    For a moment, a venomous, almost cruel look-far too harsh for her young face— darkened her features.


    "Miss Layna..."


    The nanny appeared with a te of fruit, but froze in the doorway at the sight of the mess—and at Layna''s chilling stare. A shiver ran down her spine.


    Layna smoothed her expression in a sh, face nk and innocent as if nothing had happened. She stood up and said coolly, "Next time, knock before youe in."


    Even at her age, she acted every inch the spoiled rich girl—arrogant,manding.


    The whole staff knew Layna was a troublemaker, sly and mean-spirited, though she always yed the angel in front of Juliana For Sonteone, young she was a master actress, and it kept the servants on edge, constantly tiptoeing around her.


    "I''m sorry, Miss Layna. I''ll remember," the nanny murmured. "These are strawberries, blueberries, grapes... all imported. Mrs. Stranz wanted you to have them."


    Juliana always made sure Layna got the best treats.


    “Just leave them." Layna''s tone was bossy. "And clean up the room."


    "Yes, Miss." The nanny set down the fruit and quietly started cleaning.


    Layna strolled out.


    Once the room was tidy, the nanny left too, heading downstairs to help with dinner.


    The Stranz family had four or five housekeepers, each with their own jobs. Still stinging from Layna''s tantrum, the nanny grumbled to the others in the kitchen Miss Layna''s temper is a nightmare. What''s she going to be like when she grows up? Who''d want a girl like that?"


    "Even when Mr. Stranz sent her to that fancy private school, she didn''t change a bit," another whispered.


    "And now the fady of the house is pregnant. Once she has her own child, she won''t care about Layna anymore She''s not even her real daughter. I bet they''ll send her away Things will be a lot easier for us then." .


    Outside the kitchen window, Layna was making her way through the backyard. She stopped in her tracks, catching every word as she passed by.