However, in the face of this obvious differential treatment, Sloane’s heart, which had already been shattered and scarred, still throbbed painfully, catching her off guard.
Although she was the biological daughter of the Rivers family, from the beginning, Samantha Rivers had always been the family’s beloved daughter.
Samantha lived in a luxurious room, while Sloane lived in a cramped servant’s room.
Samantha wore custom-made haute couture dresses from famous international designers, while Sloane only had a few faded, outdated clothes, all of which were leftovers discarded by Samantha.
That year, when Samantha fell into the water, she couldn’t swim. Sloane, desperate, jumped in to save her, but in the end, they accused her of pushing Samantha into the water out of jealousy and locked her away for three days and nights.
In the five years she spent in the asylum, she regretted it—regretted that, upon overhearing the truth about the swap from her adoptive parents, she had rushed to the Rivers family to claim her identity. She regretted that, for that cheap sense of family, she had endured repeated humiliation and schemes without speaking up. She regretted believing their so-called excuse to lay low, only to be sent to this asylum and tortured for five long years.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm the turbulent emotions in her heart, and a sarcastic smile once again curled at the corner of her mouth, its bitterness standing out sharply in the dimly lit car.
The car still sped toward the so-called “home,” and Sloane knew that was where her real battle lay—except this time, she had returned for revenge!
As the car entered the Rivers Residence, Sloane got out and looked up at the familiar yet unfamiliar luxurious house, no warmth stirring in her heart.
Along the way, the servants pointed and whispered about her clothes.
On the way back, Adrian tossed her a bag of clothes, saying it was a gift from Samantha, who, fearing she didn’t have anything to wear after being released, had kindly sent them to her and insisted she wear them home.
Sloane didn’t even glance at it. With a flick of her hand, she threw the bag into the sea.
“You!” Adrian, furious, raised his hand to strike her.
Sloane seized his wrist, and with a light squeeze, his arm went numb instantly.
Adrian stared at her, shocked. Why can’t I feel my hand?
“Adrian, I’m not the same person who would let you hit and scold me anymore,” she said, her voice cold as if it carried shards of ice, her eyes radiating a terrifying light.
She tightened her grip, and Adrian, in pain, collapsed to his knees.
Ignoring the whispers of the servants, Sloane straightened her back and walked with firm steps into the villa.
Inside the living room, her father, Marshall Rivers, her mother, Helen Ashford, and Samantha were chatting and laughing. As soon as Helen saw Sloane, a look of disgust appeared on her face, as though she had seen something filthy. But after Samantha lightly touched her arm, Helen quickly replaced it with a smile.
“Sloane, you’re back. You must have suffered these past years,” Helen said insincerely, her tone lacking any trace of concern, instead blaming her. “This is all your fault. You shouldn’t be so reckless back then, hitting people…”
Cough! Cough!
Marshall suddenly coughed several times, interrupting Helen.
Realizing her slip, Helen quickly changed the subject. “Now that you’re back, you need to behave properly. In a few days, we’ll take you to the Hawthorne family’s banquet. Don’t cause any more trouble. This marriage is something we worked hard to secure for you. If you dare make a scene, don’t blame us for sending you back.”
Sloane looked up at her coldly and sarcastically said, “Oh? Something you worked hard to secure for me? I think it’s for the benefit of the Rivers family, isn’t it?”
Samantha, surprised by Sloane’s boldness, guessed it was because she was harboring resentment. She said in a soft tone, “Sloane, you’re hurting Mom and Dad with what you’re saying. Besides, marrying into the Hawthorne family is something many people would envy. It’s a blessing everyone would want!”
Sloane looked at Samantha, her gaze piercing as if trying to see through her. “Is that so? Well then, you can have this blessing. Do you want it?”
Samantha’s face changed slightly, and she nervously glanced at Marshall and Helen, too afraid to speak.
Marshall slammed his hand on the table and shouted, “Sloane, stop being unreasonable! This matter is settled, and you have no say in it.”
His gaze turned threatening as he looked at her. “If you don’t want those videos to be made public, you better behave.”