Chapter 7
I never thought Jess would actually come to
Ashley’s house with her mother–in–law the
same afternoon, along with her family.
“You’re Ashley, right?”
Jess had her hands on her hips, looking
angry.
“You laid your hands on my mother–in–law
today. I’m going to need an explanation, or
I’m going to press charges for assaulting an
elderly person.”
“Okay,” Evelyn clapped her hands together.
Suddenly, four or five burly security guards
appeared. They were terrifying just by
standing there.
“I’ve already hired a lawyer and gotten the
security footage from the park downstairs.
When the cops show up, we’ll all see who
started it.”
Jess’s mother–in–law backed up nervously.
L
Jess, not knowing the whole story, wanted to
defend her mother–in–law, pointing at me
and yelling.
“Chloe, you little snake! You dare to harm an
elder, what kind of upbringing do you have?
I’m going to call my aunt and get her to teach
you some manners!”
When she brought up my parents, a fire was
ignited in my gut.
I stormed into the kitchen, grabbed the first
knife I could find, yanked Jess inside, and put
the blade to her throat.
“What’s with the foul mouth? Who has no
く
manners? I’ll give you one more chance to
say it again!”
Everyone was shocked.
Especially Jess, who was trembling. “Cousin…Chloe, let’s talk about this, okay?”
I kept the cold blade against her puffy neck
and repeated the question.
“Well, Jess, who has no manners, huh?”
The old witch outside was panicking, like a
chicken whose neck was being strangled.
“Shut up!”
<
Jess was smiling, but tears were in her eyes.
“Not you, it’s me, I have no manners, I
shouldn’t have talked to you that way.”
“Good, now get that knife away from me. It’s
dangerous.”
No way I was putting it down. I pushed her
further. “You said you have no manners.
Show me.”
“How do I do that?”
I pointed towards the door. “You said that
harming an elder means you have no
manners, right? Give me a performance.”
く
“Your mother–in–law’s standing right there.
Go slap her, and I’ll believe you.”
Jess was about to cry. “That’s not a good
33
idea.”
The old hag, realizing things were going
south, tried to run. Evelyn nodded at her men,
and two security guards grabbed her by both
arms.
She couldn’t get away and started spewing
insults.
“Chloe, you little bastard, let me go!”
“Daughter–in–law, don’t listen to her, killing
く
someone is a crime, she wouldn’t hurt you!”
“That’s right, killing someone is a crime,”
Evelyn said, and Jess and her mother–in-
law’s eyes lit up.
But her next words crushed their hopes.
“You should know that I have the best legal team of the Sterling Group at my disposal. If Chloe makes a mistake protecting my sister, I will get her out of jail no matter what.”
“As for you,” she turned to Jess with a smile, “if you die, you die. No one’s going to be able to save you.”
<
Sterling Group was famous in the entire city.
I knew they were legit, and wouldn’t go
against the law. Evelyn was just saying all of
this to scare Jess’s family.
Jess was petrified. She didn’t think she would
be dealing with such a scary group of people.
With support like that, I straightened my back,
acting tough.
Jess, I’m giving you one last chance. Your
life depends on it.”
Jess gave up. She closed her eyes and yelled,
“Fine, I’ll do it!”
L
<
Two security guys brought her mother–in–law
over. Jess swung and slapped her as hard as
she could. Her dentures flew out.
“Good job, you’re definitely the one with the
bad manners here.” I put down the knife and
pushed Jess outside.
“I’m telling you, I have powerful connections
now. Don’t come bothering me again!”
Jess grabbed her mother–in–law and they ran
away, sobbing.
That was the first time I’d ever threatened
anyone. I was so weak that I collapsed on the
floor, my hands shaking.
<
floor, my hands shaking.
“Ugh… That was terrifying.”
Evelyn squatted in front of me, pinching my cheek playfully. “Not bad. You’re getting
braver.”
Even though I was scared, I had to admit it felt great to act like I had all the power. I sat there on the floor and patted my shaking legs. Evelyn laughed at my ridiculousness. “Alright,
go stay inside and keep my sister company.
I’ll handle the rest.”
I really liked having a powerful, protective big
sister.
