"Release them first," Arabemanded, her voice as cool and detached as ever.


    Serena’s smile vanished, reced by a venomous re and the thunderous fury of a storm brewing, "You dare to bargain with


    me now? Open your eyes and see clearly. Those bound up here are your grandparents, your parents! And soon, your five


    brothers will join you in death."


    As the thought crossed her mind, Serena''s twisted smile returned, "You still have a chance to beg for mercy."


    Arabe curled her lips in a mocking smile, saying dismissively, “Beg for mercy? For a quick death?"


    "Well, that''s not guaranteed." Serena''sughter grew even more jubnt, "But if I''m in a good mood, | might make their deaths


    quick."


    Arabe''s gaze shifted to her grandparents beside her. There were only two men guarding them, one named Stinger, the other


    unknown, but probably with average skills.


    "Don''t even think of ying tricks." Serena seemed to read Arabe''s thoughts, chuckling, "I''m confident enough to guard them


    with just two men because today, none of you will escape."


    "You''re quite confident," Arabe looked at her nonchntly, asking calmly, "So, what do you want to talk about?"


    Without any hurry to save her family, Arabe stood there casually, looking up at the towering figure of Serena on the altar.


    “When you first left me with the Collins family, did you want to outshine me, or was it a show for your family, to make them think


    you were kind and understanding?"


    Under normal circumstances, Arabe wouldn''t have wasted a breath on such a foolish question, but today, she patiently said, "I


    just didn''t want to break my family''s heart. They''ve lived with you for eighteen years; there''s bound to be deep affection."


    If Arabe hade home and immediately pushed Serena out, her parents might not have said anything, but they would have


    felt for Serena, experienced sorrow and loss. And that''s human nature.


    “For this reason, you agreed to let me stay in this family? To treat me as an equal with you, as a Collinsdy?" Serena was


    incredulous.


    “Otherwise?" Arabe met her gaze, "Not everyone is like you, fussing over such trivial matters. Whether you''re here or not,


    whatever expensive clothes or jewelry you wear, it doesn''t affect me. As long as my parents are happy, | consider them having


    one more daughter.”


    “And now you''re still lying?" Serena didn''t buy it, "Would you swear on your family''s lives that what you''re saying is true?"


    "Why wouldn''t |?" Arabe''s words were heartfelt.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    Half convinced, half skeptical, Serena pressed on, "If you really thought that way, why oppose me at every turn?”


    "Isn''t it you who opposes me at every turn?? From the first day | returned to this home, did you show any kindness?"


    Arabe''s response irked Serena, "So you''re saying I''ve never given true affection? Back when you were at Westerly College,


    didn''t | realize my mistake, regret it, and try to reach out to you? You were the one rejecting me, the one not epting my


    sincerity. If not for you, how could our family''s rtionship have fallen to such a state?"


    "l''ve said it before; you don''t need to


    try to appease me. Just live quietly in


    this family, and you can stays Ing


    asyounline awHatever material or


    emotional investments the family


    has made in you, | don''t care," These


    were Arabe''s true feelings. Please


    read the original content at


    .


    As long as Serena didn''t y dirty behind her back, she could stay in their home indefinitely.


    Arabe didn''t mind.


    "It''s you who''s been swayed by nder, acting erratically, one moment sane, the next hysterical."


    "How dare you call my mother''s


    words nder." Serena pleded as


    landeniree radader higgered,


    "You have no idea how much | regret


    not listening to her." Please read the


    original content at .


    “Not listening to her? While the Collins family still held affection for you, to use them as a stepping stone to another wealthy


    household?”


    Serena''s eyes widened in astonishment; how did Arabe know what her birth mother had said?


    "While the family still adored and


    trusted you, you aimed to milk thi


    household for allt gueorth tSrhise


    your awl Status. or perhaps, to find


    an opportunity to kill me and return to


    your life of unrivaled adoration and


    unlimited glory?" Please read the


    original content at .