Chapter 2

He stared at me in shock before suddenly bursting into laughter.

"Are you related to Runa Larson?" he asked.

I glanced around, noticing we were alone. I kept my guard up as I met his gaze.

"I heard Runa had a sister named Ruby, but I thought she was dead. Ever since Ruby’s death, Runa hasn't submitted anything that meets my standards." He sipped his Earl Grey and sank into an armchair. "She came to see me today. Any idea what she wanted?"

I shook my head. Having been in the hospital, I was out of the loop. From David's tone, it seemed something serious had happened.

"Please, have a seat. Care for some tea?" he offered, pouring me a cup.

"She wanted to help the Leedon Group buy all of my designs. Can you believe it? Every single one!" He chuckled, clearly amused.

"Did you sell?" I asked. If he had, my visit would’ve been pointless.

"Sell? Not a chance! A student buying out her mentor? Absolutely not!"

In a flash of anger, he knocked the teapot off the coffee table, sending it crashing to the floor.

"Ruby, I knew it was you when I saw those designs. Runa could never create anything like this. All she knows is how to copy and throw money around."

I extended my hand to him. The man, nearly sixty, looked like he was on the verge of tears.

"Mr. Harrison, it's an honor to work with you."

David grasped my hand firmly. "Ruby, the pleasure is all mine!"

"Mr. Harrison, please feel free to use all the designs in the portfolio. Runa has no idea about these."

I knelt before him, sincerely grateful. "Thank you for recognizing my talent, sir."

When I looked up, I saw that David’s face was already streaked with tears.

—

Dr. Bates introduced himself as Matthew Bates.

I made a mental note of the name of my benefactor who had given me a second chance at life.

As my wounds healed, Dr. Bates prescribed herbal supplements to detox my body. Runa and her mother had been spiking my food with hormones for years. On the outside, I just looked overweight, but inside, I was a mess.

Two months later, I felt like a new person.

"For the next ten months, you'll need to undergo intensive fitness training and weight loss. I'll closely monitor your health, diet, and daily routine," he explained.

I watched him fill a notebook with plans. I wanted to make a snarky comment but bit my tongue.

I didn't know how I could ever repay him.

Looking at the training plan, though, I felt overwhelmed.

The diet consisted of nothing but steamed vegetables, zero-calorie options, intermittent fasting, and weight loss methods I'd never heard of.

"Dr. Bates, is all this really necessary?"

He looked at me like I was clueless.

He set down the notebook and left. I thought he might be preparing an easier plan out of pity, but the next day, he returned with a dress.

"This is the engagement dress for your sister and your ex-fiancé. It's your choice whether to follow the plan or not."

My heart sank. It was a cruel reminder and a slap in the face. "I'll do it. I must bring these people to justice."

Those days were grueling and miserable.

My life revolved around taking supplements and eating bland food. When I wasn't at the gym, I was jogging in the park.

Life was monotonous, but my determination grew stronger each day.

Today, I had just finished training and was about to shower when there was a knock at the door.

"Ruby, something's happened," Matthew said, his eyes full of concern.

"What is it?" I asked, not grasping the severity of the situation. Surely Runa hadn't had a change of heart and confessed her crimes?

"Your father has passed away."

It felt like my world had shattered.

I had been planning to sort everything out once I was strong enough to confront Runa and her mother, then tell Dad the whole truth. But now, suddenly...