Elowen had always hated studying and had refused to go abroad to get a degree, seeing it as too much effort.


    She preferred to stay at home, living the life of a pampered heiress.


    As a result, her education wascking, and she had never held a job. Many people in their social circle secretly called her a brainless socialite, abel that had sparked more than a few arguments between Elowen and her peers over the years.


    "How dare you mock me, Amara?" Elowen sneered. "I''m a legitimate daughter of the Sullivan family, just like you. What right do you have to look down on me?"


    Amara gave her a look one might reserve for an idiot.


    "Your logic is wed. I''m mocking you because you''re brainless, not because of your status. Try to organize your thoughts before you speak to me."


    The insult hit its mark. Elowen was about to erupt into a stream of curses when Fiona stopped her. "That''s enough."


    She doted on her daughter, but even she had to admit that Elowen was not the sharpest tool in the shed. She often wondered how she and Larry, both shrewd individuals, had produced such a dim-witted child.


    Her gaze shifted to Amara, her eyes glinting with malice. "Don''t get toofortable. You won''t be the oneughing in the end."


    A hint of disdain touched Amara''s lips. "I hope next time you have some actual action to back up your threats instead of just empty words."


    Fiona gritted her teeth, wishing her re could kill. Amara had changed. The meek girl from before was gone, reced by someone who knew exactly how to provoke her.


    Unfazed, Amara met her gaze and said, each word deliberate and clear, "Was it youst night?"


    Fiona scoffed.


    "You''ve made plenty of enemies. Just because someone came after you, you want to pin it on me? You''ve got some nerve."


    Amara studied Fiona''s face, searching for any flicker of emotion, but she was like an old fox, her expression unreadable. Amara looked away without another word.


    Just then, Larry returned. He nced at the three silent women before turning his attention back to Amara, asking about her condition.


    Amara answered his questions honestly, neither exaggerating nor downying her injuries. She knew he could easily find out the truth from the doctor.


    After sitting for a while longer, Larry stood up. "I have to get back. You rest up. I want you toe home in


    a few days. There''s something need to discuss."


    At his words, Elowen and Fiona both looked up, a flicker of shock in their eyes.


    Amara, who had been watching them closely, noted their surprise. It meant that they hadn''t known about Larry''s ns.


    Larry and Fiona had always been


    close, and he usually discussed


    important matters with her


    beforehand. The fact that he hadn''t this time suggested their


    ve


    rtionship was not as solid as it once seemed.


    A small smile yed on Amara''s lips before she quickly smoothed it away.


    "I understand, Dad," she replied.


    Larry nodded and left with Fiona and her daughter in tow.


    After they were gone, Amara thought she would finally have some peace. But half an hourter, another unexpected visitor appeared: Emma.


    Amara waspletely taken aback. Seeing her stride into the room with an air of superiority, Amara''s defenses immediately went up. "What are you doing here?"


    Every encounter she''d had with


    Emma had ended in a fight. Thest time, Emma had shown up at her dressing room and screamed at her in front of the entire film crew.


    ***