Chapter 2

The moment Zoella walked in, all eyes turned to her.

She met their gazes with an unreadable expression, her face a perfect mask of indifference.

She wore a simple short-sleeved shirt, but atop her head sat an ornate golden phoenix crown. An emerald necklace rested against her collarbone, gold bracelets adorned her wrists, and a massive pink diamond ring sparkled on her finger.

Laughter erupted around the room.

"God, Zoella looks so tacky. Did she really put on every piece of jewelry she owns? She looks like a nouveau riche disaster."

"She totally did that on purpose. She wants to flaunt her wealth and humiliate Jasmine."

Zoella strolled right up to Jasmine, her voice calm and composed. "Congratulations. You're officially part of our family now."

In her past life, the moment Jasmine became part of the Finchman family, Zoella's nightmare had begun.

No matter how much she tried to please them—how obedient, how considerate she was—her brothers always took Jasmine's side. Even Bobby had once said that he wished Jasmine was their real sister instead of her.

This time, she wasn't going to waste her breath chasing after something as ridiculous as family love.

Jasmine's eyes flickered with jealousy at the sight of all the expensive jewelry Zoella wore, but she quickly schooled her expression into something meek and innocent.

She shrank back slightly, then spoke in a careful, almost timid voice. "Zoey, I know you're upset, but please don't worry. I won't try to take your brothers away from you. No matter what, I'll always be an outsider. You're their real sister—I could never compare to you."

Her voice trembled, and her eyes turned red, brimming with unshed tears.

Zoella's lips curled into a smirk, thinking, 'What a pretentious faker.'

In her past life, she'd fallen for this act, deceived by Jasmine's harmless facade—right up until the moment of her own death.

Dennis immediately stepped forward anxiously. "Jasmine, don't cry. Who said you're an outsider? From today on, you're my real sister."

Jasmine lowered her eyes, just enough to hide the fleeting glint of triumph.

Bobby pulled out a box. "Jasmine, this is for you."

Jasmine's expression shifted to one of surprise and hesitation. "Bobby, isn't this supposed to be Zoey's gift? How could I accept it?"

Zoella wasn't the least bit surprised when she saw what was inside—a limited edition figurine.

In her past life, Bobby had also made the decision on her behalf, giving the figurine she had waited so long for to Jasmine as an apology gift.

Bobby pressed the box into Jasmine's hands. "Take it. She owes you."

Dennis frowned. "Zoey, even though Jasmine isn't holding it against you for pushing her into the water, and Bobby already gave her a gift on your behalf, where's your apology?"

Zoella nodded. "I know. That's why I brought my own apology gift."

She calmly removed every piece of jewelry she was wearing and placed them, one by one, onto a tray.

"This antique phoenix crown was a gift from Aaron."

"This emerald necklace—Bobby's gift."

"This hundred-year-old herb—Carson's."

"This rare pink diamond ring—Dennis's."

"This gold bracelet—Eugene's."

"This championship trophy—Fred's."

She laid them all out in front of them. "Every single one of these is something important to me. As an apology, I hope this is enough."

She had already known Dennis would demand an apology, so she had come prepared.

Ever since Jasmine entered the Finchman family, her brothers had stopped giving her any meaningful gifts. These were the only valuable things she had left.

Not that it mattered—sooner or later, they'd find a way to take them back and give them to Jasmine anyway.

Dennis's expression froze as he stared at the tray.

Those were all the things Zoella had treasured the most.

What was she up to?

Bobby's lips tightened. "Zoey, what are you trying to say?"

"Bobby, I already said this is my way of apologizing. Dennis, do you think it's enough?"

Zoella's voice was cool, her face devoid of emotion.

Jasmine's fingers clenched slightly as she looked at the jewelry, her mind racing. What game was Zoella playing now? Was she trying to manipulate the situation—pretending to surrender in order to gain sympathy?

She quickly put on her usual gentle, self-effacing expression. "Zoey, these are gifts from your brothers. They're too valuable. I can't possibly accept them."

Dennis's anger flared. "Exactly! We gave these to you! How can you just turn around and give them away?"

Jasmine's smile faltered slightly, and she bit her lip as though struggling with something. "You're right, Zoey. I'm just an outsider… How could I ever deserve such precious gifts?"

Realizing his mistake, Dennis rushed to correct himself. "Jasmine, that's not what I meant! I'll personally pick out something new for you. You shouldn't have to accept hand-me-downs from someone else."

At that, Jasmine's eyes glistened with fresh tears. "Thank you, Dennis."

Dennis's heart softened instantly. Now, this—this was what a proper, well-behaved little sister should be like.

Bobby sighed. "Zoey, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Zoella had always cherished these gifts. She had never let anyone else even touch them.

He never expected her to give them all away like this.

Was she trying to sever ties with them completely?

Or… was she lashing out because he had taken her figurine and given it to Jasmine?

Bobby was sure of one thing—Zoella had no real intention of giving those gifts away.

"Bobby, she's just using this as a way to vent her frustration. Does she really think we can't see through it? Zoey, when are you going to grow up and be more like Jasmine?"

Zoella's face remained expressionless. "These gifts are worth a few million. As an apology, I'd say that's pretty sincere. Dennis, don't tell me you can't bear to see me part with them?"

Dennis choked on his words. Was she serious right now?

With Jasmine standing right there, he fumbled for a response. "Do I look like that kind of person?"

"Then let's make it official—these gifts will serve as compensation," Zoella stated.

Bobby was starting to lose his patience. "Zoey, stop messing around."

How could she just give away something so important? Even if she was upset with Dennis, that didn't mean she should be dragging their gifts into it too!

"Bobby, do I look like I'm joking?"

Without another word, Zoella shoved the tray into Jasmine's hands. "It's all yours now."

That included her six brothers—she didn't want any of them either.

Jasmine stood there awkwardly, sensing that both Bobby and Dennis weren't too happy about this. The tray in her hands felt scorching hot, and she hadn't expected Zoella to go this far.

If she didn't handle this carefully, she was sure to stir up resentment from the Finchman brothers.

When did Zoella become so hard to deal with?

Before Jasmine could say anything, Zoella turned and walked away.

"Zoella Finchman! You stop right there!"

Dennis was livid. She was using the gifts he had given her to apologize? What kind of apology was that?

But Zoella didn't even look back.

Bobby frowned. "She's getting more and more out of hand."

His own gift—an emerald necklace he had bought with the first real money he ever earned—had meaning beyond its price.

Dennis felt like he had punched a cloud. All his frustration was going nowhere. "I swear, she did this on purpose just to piss us off."

Jasmine bit her lip as she listened to their conversation.

Zoella's little stunt had worked. If she didn't play this right, Zoella might actually come out on top.

Clutching the tray, she looked up weakly. "Bobby, Dennis, did I do something wrong again? I could never take something so precious from Zoey. What should I do?"

Damn that Zoey, setting her up like this!

Dennis's expression was cold. "Since it's an apology gift, just keep it. I give her three days before she regrets it."

Oh, he was waiting for that moment—when Zoella came crawling back, he was going to make sure she never lived it down.

Bobby sighed, his tone much gentler. "How about this, Jasmine? Just hold onto it for now. Once Zoey cools down, she'll come back for it."

Zoella had thrown tantrums before. And in the end, didn't she always come around?

There was no way she'd actually give these things up for good.

"Alright, I'll take good care of them," Jasmine said sweetly, flashing an obedient smile.

Bobby let out another sigh. Zoella used to be this well-behaved too. Hopefully, she'd come to her senses soon.

Glancing at the demure Jasmine beside him, he felt a sense of relief. At least Jasmine wasn't like that.

…

Back in her room, Zoella collapsed onto her bed, feeling dizzy. Maybe it was the lingering cold from when she fell into the water.

She shut her eyes.

She needed to figure out how to leave the Finchman family and stand on her own.

In her past life, after scoring high on her college entrance exams, she could've gone to a top university. But because of a single comment from Dennis, she had chosen the same second-tier university as Jasmine.

She ended up being Jasmine's personal maid, taking the fall for every mistake.

If she ever disobeyed, her credit cards were frozen. Despite being a wealthy heiress, she had lived worse than a scholarship student.

And in the end, Jasmine had even stolen the research paper she had worked so hard on, framing her for plagiarism and getting her expelled.

Not this time.

She was going to a top university.

As for tuition and living expenses, she'd earn them herself.

She could enter esports tournaments and win prize money. With her skills from her past life, she could definitely make a living off it.

…

After the party, Bobby walked up to the second-floor bedroom.

He hesitated for a moment before knocking.

No response.

The door was locked.

Just then, Dennis called out to him. "Bobby! I think Jasmine has a fever. Come take a look!"