I returned to my room and started packing my things, ready to leave. Before long, Regina Reyes barged in without knocking. Watching me packing, she sneered, "Miriam Reyes, you look like a beaten dog."

I didn't let her words get to me and continued packing, only giving a cold chuckle in response to her taunt.

Her expression changed, and she rushed over to snatch the items from my hands, violently throwing them to the ground. "Miriam Reyes! What is this supposed to mean? I’m going to be the heir of the Reyes Group, and you dare to treat me like this?!"

I kept my face impassive, watching her intently.

When she was first brought back, she often cried to my mother about how miserable her life was at her previous home. She claimed she barely had enough to eat, had endless chores, and was constantly beaten and scolded, treated like a slave.

But her story was full of holes. She’s an adult; she could have left and found a way to survive. Moreover, her flawless skin and soft hands bore no signs of years of hard labor. She was clearly trying to win my mother's pity. Each time she brought up her supposed suffering, my mother pitied her even more.

Feeling guilty under my gaze, Regina took a step back. I sneered, "This certainly wasn’t your attitude at the party."

She said nothing, her eyes green with envy. I continued, "Your long fingers and soft skin—can those really belong to someone who’s been abused and working hard every day?"

As soon as my words left my mouth, Regina’s face twisted in rage. "How could it not be abuse? I couldn’t even afford the bags and jewelry I liked and had to work for a living. I’ve had enough of that life!"

She opened my neatly packed suitcase, scattering my clothes everywhere. "All these things are from our family. They were just lent to you! You can’t take them!"

She reached for my jewelry, trying to snatch it off me. "These are mine, take them off!"

She was almost hysterical, but before I could react, we heard footsteps approaching outside.

The door swung open, and my mom walked in. "Gina, I heard you came to Miriam’s room..."

Before she could finish, Regina threw herself to the ground.

Crying, she accused, "Miriam, I just wanted to talk to you. Why did you push me? You even shoved me towards the table's edge. If I hadn’t dodged in time..."

Tears streamed down her face like broken pearls, and she looked up at my mom, sobbing, "Mom, it hurts so much."

Before I could explain, my mom rushed over and slapped me so hard that I staggered back a few steps.

"Miriam Reyes! How vicious can you be?!"

She looked at me with such disdain, as if I were some heartless monster. Her glare chilled my heart, and I knew then that nothing I said would change her mind.

She helped Regina up, glaring daggers at me. "I knew you wouldn’t give up the Reyes Family heir position easily! Now you’re attacking Gina behind my back!"

Even after all this, her words still cut me like a knife.

Cradling my swollen cheek, I replied coldly, "Regina Reyes came to provoke me in my own room, and that’s proof that I attacked her?"

My demeanor seemed to catch my mom off guard.

I had never spoken to her like this before.

Only then did she notice the chaos in the room, my clothes scattered everywhere. She seemed to understand what had happened but still said nothing.

I pulled a suitcase from the closet and threw it at Regina’s feet. "I’ll pay back everything I owe you!"

Opening another suitcase, I faced my mom and said, "I’ll repay you as well for all you've done for me!"

Inside the suitcase was neatly stacked cash.