Chapter 2

Simone couldn’t care less about her biased parents and brothers, treating them as if they had no blood relation to her. When she was young, Aaron lost her, and human traffickers intended to sell her as a child bride in the mountains. Thanks to her master saving and adopting her, her life wasn’t as miserable as it could have been. Her words successfully changed the expressions of the Grays. They never expected her to decide to cut ties and leave them. Jodie, leaning against Salma, glanced at Simone with a subtle expression. She looked at her while her face showed an apologetic and guilty expression.

“No. The one who should leave is me. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to snatch your opportunity. I just liked that variety show, so Titus went to talk to you.

I don’t want to participate in that variety show anymore. You don’t need to be unhappy. I don’t want to anger and worry you.” On the surface, she appeared guilty, but in reality, it was a strategic retreat. This way, she could distance herself from accusations of intentionally competing with Simone for resources while also showcasing her considerate and generous nature. She was playing her act in front of the Grays, subtly implying that Simone was using the threat of cutting ties and leaving the Gray Family. As expected, the family members’ expressions turned unpleasant. Simone looked at Jodie and retorted without reservation, “Don’t try to act innocent and pitiful in front of me with that look. I won’t fall for that.”

She spoke her mind without holding back after completely giving up on family affection. “You say you want to leave and have been saying it for a year, but you’re still here. I’ve long been tired of your act of strategic retreat.

Only fools would believe it.” She intentionally exposed the truth. “Of course, you wouldn’t actively ask me for resources. As long as you say it, these lackeys will naturally present you with whatever you want. You don’t need to put on a show for them. I don’t care about your thoughts since I’ve already stopped caring about what you guys think.” These words successfully darkened the faces of the Grays.

Jodie’s expression changed slightly. She suppressed the anger in her heart and hugged Salma with a touch of grievance. “I’m not. Don’t say such things about our family.” In her heart, she wondered if Simone had gone crazy by choosing to confront her head-on and speaking so harshly. Although being rebuked by Simone left her feeling quite displeased, the fact that Simone had created such a scene today would only make everybody dislike her even more. So, she endured her sarcasm. As expected, Salma was infuriated. “What are you saying? Where are your manners?” Simone shrugged. “I was born to my parents but not raised by them. My manners have long vanished.” The family was speechless.

Salma looked at Simone with disappointment. “Are you still blaming us?

It seems we made a mistake bringing you home. We’ve compensated you a lot this year. What more do you want? Why do you have to compete with Jo? Can’t you just peacefully be sisters?” She emphasized. “Although you are our biological daughter, Jo has been by our side all these years in your place. In our hearts, she’s an important part of the Gray Family; she’s my daughter.” Simone used to find these words piercing and heart-wrenching, but she truly didn’t care anymore. “What did I compete for? Since I returned to the family, you two have been clinging to me. Everything I do is interpreted as vying for favor and wanting things that don’t belong to me. If you have paranoid delusions, seek therapy. I won’t play along.” She took the bank card from her bag and threw it onto the table in front of them. “This is the compensation you gave me, and I haven’t used a single penny from it.” There were 150 thousand on this card, barely the amount of Jodie’s monthly allowance, but that was the compensation for Simone over the years. “I won’t take away the things the housekeeper bought for me, but for the things I’ve used, I will pay you in cash.” Then, she placed the written paper on the table. “In the year plus that I’ve been here, I’ve spent less than 15 thousand, including living expenses. Here’s the list. I just transferred 15 thousand to this card. From now on, we settle our accounts.” What could be solved with money was not a problem. So, on her side, she and the Grays were even, but what they owed her would be forever outstanding. Simone’s actions made the Grays feel as if she were serious, rendering them somewhat embarrassed. Salma couldn’t accept that her daughter, who had been obedient all those while, would do such a rebellious and disobedient thing.

She slammed the table with her hand, her face full of anger. “Fine. Go ahead. But once you step out of our gate today, don’t think about coming back.” She believed Simone wouldn’t act on it. Just as Jodie said, this was a tactic of strategic retreat by threatening them with leaving. If Simone succeeded this time, who knew how she would stir things up in the future? Salma let Simone leave, not because she wanted her to but to warn her not to cause trouble again. The others didn’t speak, unanimously sharing the same thoughts. Of course, Simone knew what they were thinking. I look like I’m bluffing, don’t I?

“I’m leaving for good.” After saying that, she grabbed her suitcase while showing no attachment and turned to leave. Seeing this, Steven Gray, her father, spoke, “Stop making a fuss. Jo won’t want that variety show opportunity anymore. In the future, I’ll have Titus fight for some good gigs for you.”

Regardless of the circumstances, she was still his biological daughter, and he couldn’t let her leave just like that. Moreover, leaving home after just over a year since returning would make their family a joke in the eyes of others. Simone turned around and looked at her father indifferently. “You think I’d stay for your so-called gigs? How insulting.” He frowned. “I didn’t mean that. All I’m saying is that you are now part of the family, so we will naturally compensate you.” She found it ridiculous. “Thank you for your compensation. For the past year, I have deeply experienced your emotional abuse, complaints, and disdain. So, I’ll pass on that.” Steven was taken aback as he looked at Simone, who seemed unyielding and unapproachable. “What do you want, then?” He was usually busy and had neglected his biological daughter for more than a year. She affirmed, “I want to sever ties with you. It’s as simple as that.

There’s no need to contact each other in the future. Goodbye.” He was infuriated by Simone’s attitude, while the Gray brothers also appeared displeasing.

Especially Aaron, who regarded her with a complex and indignant expression. “Are you still blaming me? Are you trying to make us compromise and compete for Jo’s favor?” Simone stared at him icily.

“Are you suggesting that I shouldn’t hold you accountable? Back then, you lost track of me and allowed human traffickers to abduct me. I was almost sold off to the mountains as a child bride. Should I express gratitude for losing me back then?” Aaron’s face flushed and then paled. “I didn’t mean to do that, and I wasn’t even aware that you were almost sold off to the mountains.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Does saying that erase the fact that you lost me and changed the course of my life?” Upon her return to the Gray Family, he exhibited more kindness and concern compared to her four brothers and her parents, but it all seemed like an attempt to make up for his past mistakes.

However, whenever she had conflicts with Jodie, he always sided with the latter. Therefore, I don’t need a brother who doesn’t truly love me.