I couldn't be bothered with them. As I turned to go back to my room, I caught a glimpse of Jocelyn's triumphant smirk.

She really thought she had it in the bag, that her place in the Vance family was secure.

She couldn't wait to flaunt how much my brother and my friends cared for her.

In my past life, whenever I was wrongly accused, I would desperately try to defend myself. But Kian and the others were always convinced I was the cruel one.

All because I had no proof. Even my own father was eventually swayed by her lies.

This time, I would be patient. I would gather evidence, and then I would crush them all.

That evening, Kian came into my room.

"Elara, I'm sorry. I was too harsh earlier. I came to apologize."

I ignored him.

He continued, "Let me take you to an auction tonight. You can have anything you want, my treat."

It was all happening just like last time. I knew his apology wasn't sincere.

The auction was a lie.

In my past life, my appendix burst, and Kian was driving me to the hospital.

But halfway there, he pulled over and left me on the side of the road.

All because the bakery Jocelyn wanted pastries from was in the opposite direction of the hospital.

I almost died on that road.

This time, I got out of bed and smiled. "Okay, sounds great."

Kian thought I'd fallen for it, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.

Little did he know, this was all part of my plan.

Before we left, I made sure to share my location with Holt Lennox.

If he came to save me, he would see me at my most vulnerable. That pity could become a powerful tool for me later on.

And even if he didn't come, making a big scene about being trapped on the mountain would still make him feel guilty.

Either way, it was a win for me.

As the car wound its way up a mountain road, I feigned fear, my voice trembling.

"Kian, where are you taking me?"

A loud crack of thunder echoed through the sky, and I instinctively covered my ears.

Kian stopped the car. "We're here."

He dragged me out of the car, then turned around and got back inside.

"You dared to make Jocelyn run out in the rain for a new dress? Now you can see what it feels like to be soaked in a storm!"

Lightning flashed across the desolate landscape. Terrified tears streamed down my face as I pounded on the car window.

"Kian, please, I'm begging you, don't leave me here…"

But he just stomped on the gas, and the car vanished down the road.

I huddled on the ground, wrapping my arms around myself as the torrential rain poured down. Tears mixed with the rain on my cheeks.

Because out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. Holt Lennox's car was parked just a short distance away, silently watching the entire scene unfold.

Sure enough, a moment later, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan pulled up in front of me.

When I saw who it was, I cried out his name. "Uncle Holt…"

Then, my vision went black, and I collapsed into a strong, waiting embrace.

When I woke up again, I was in fresh clothes, lying in my own bed. Uncle Holt was gone.

A maid brought me a bowl of hot ginger tea.

I pushed it away coldly. "Where's my father?"

"Sir Vance flew out for a conference. He won't be back for a few days."

My dad always turned his phone off during conferences. Kian knew that, which is why he was bold enough to do this to me.

The maid sighed. "You should drink the tea. Mr. Kian specifically asked me to make it for you, to help with the chill."

He dumps me on a mountain in a storm, then has someone bring me ginger tea.

A slap in the face, followed by a piece of candy.

Disgusting.

"I'm not drinking it. Throw it out."

The maid hesitated. "Mr. Kian also asked me to tell you something…"

"He said this was just a small lesson. If you ever dare to bully anyone like that again, it will be much worse."

I let out a cold laugh. Was my dear brother really going to kill his own sister for a sponsored student?