The Harvest of Vengeance Chapter 1

As a girl from the sticks, I used to envy the daughter of the richest man in town.

Why? Because once, the tangerines from our village fell on the ground and stained her designer heels.

With a single phone call, she had every tangerine tree in our village uprooted.

But then one day, the richest man personally came to find me.

Turns out, I am the real heiress.

I packed my bags overnight, grabbed my little yellow dog, and enthusiastically said goodbye to the uncles and aunties in the village.

The whole village waved goodbye with teary eyes:

"Little Lin, live that heiress life well! Don't come back to this hardship!"

I shook my head vigorously.

No way!

The billionaire's estate isn't even as big as one hill in our village; it's not enough space for me and my dog, Buddy, to run two laps.

I'm just going to collect my compensation.

But if they refuse to pay... well, things are going to get crazy.

* * *

On the way to pick me up, my billionaire father, Samuel Stone, set three rules for me:

First, I cannot publicly reveal my identity without permission. Second, I cannot kick out the fake heiress, Sarah. Third, I cannot compete with Sarah for affection.

So, when I walked into the living room and saw Sarah crying like a delicate pear blossom in the rain, I immediately turned around with Buddy in my arms and headed for the garden.

"Sarah, don't cry, you will always be my only daughter."

Mmhmm, that’s my biological mother, Mrs. Stone.

"Exactly, you are my only sister. That hillbilly doesn't deserve to call me brother."

I raised an eyebrow. That’s my brainless brother, Shawn.

I didn't bother listening to the rest.

I just ran two laps around the garden with Buddy.

Buddy stuck out his tongue in disdain.

I nodded. The Stone family's garden isn't even as big as a single hill back home. No wonder Buddy isn't impressed.

Estimating that Sarah's performance should be over, I took Buddy and walked straight into the living room, finding a single sofa to sit on.

Buddy obediently lay at my feet.

As soon as I sat down, my billionaire father, Samuel, who had been benevolent in the car, looked at me coldly.

"Did you forget everything I just said?"

My wonderful brother, Shawn, looked at me coldly, like I was something dirty that shouldn't be there.

I pointed a finger at Sarah. "First, I didn't reveal my identity. Second, I didn't kick her out. Third, I didn't fight for affection."

Samuel paused, choking on his words.

"Sister, do you dislike me?"

Sarah looked aggrieved, her eyes quickly reddening.

Mrs. Stone immediately patted her hand in comfort, then turned her sharp tongue on me:

"Lin, since you're back in the Stone family, you need to learn our rules. Don't bring your rough country ways here."

"And that dog, filthy. How can you bring it into the living room? Get rid of it tomorrow."

I slowly stroked Buddy's head before looking up at her directly:

"When he came to pick me up, he promised I could bring Buddy."

"As for rules, I followed the three he set. My rule is that people should keep their word."

I emphasized the word "he," turning my gaze to the silent Samuel.

Samuel looked a bit embarrassed and coughed.

Shawn, who hadn't spoken, snorted coldly:

"Dad was just placating you. But the family image is important."

"You need to adapt to high society quickly, instead of bringing village stuff here."

He paused, the disdain in his eyes deepening, "After all, your last name is Stone now."

"My last name is Lin."

I corrected him calmly, "Like the forest."

The atmosphere in the living room solidified.

Sarah's tears finally fell:

"Brother, don't talk to sister like that. It's all my fault. If not for me, sister wouldn't have suffered so much outside."

"Sister, you should blame me. Hit me, scold me, as long as you can vent your anger. Even if you kick me out, I..."

I watched this family of four. One playing the victim, one the protector, one the peacemaker, and one looking down from high above. A perfect performance.

They wanted to intimidate me, make me realize my place, make me grateful, and make me feel guilty towards Sarah.

Unfortunately, they got it wrong from the start.

I didn't come to claim kinship.

I came to collect a debt.

From my canvas bag, I took out a stack of A4 papers, neatly stapled, and placed them in the center of the coffee table.

"So, next, let's talk about the compensation."

Instantly, everyone froze.