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The heavyset woman pushed forward,furious.“Speak,or we’re calling the cops!”
I sneered,meeting her gaze.“Call them.I’d love to know who your son is and why you think my house is his!”
The woman,skeptical,glanced at me,then checked outside.“No mistake—this is my son’s house!”
“Sweetheart,don’t bother.It’s a burglar!Look,he’s holding a fancy gift box—obviously stolen!”
Her eyes locked on the box in my hand. She suddenly flew into a rage, charging at me and raising her hand.
Slap!
A sharp slap landed on my face,her long nails scratching my skin.
“You filthy thief,stealing my daughter-in-law’s jewelry!Do you know who she is?She’s the CEO of Carter Enterprises!You’re messing with the wrong people!”
My face stung,blood pooling in my mouth.As I turned,the man punched my stomach,then my face.
The woman kicked over my suitcase,flinging out its contents.
“Let’s see what else you stole from our house!”
“Don’t touch my stuff!”I gasped,blood dripping from my mouth to the floor.
“Still talking back?Sweetheart,call security.Some high-end complex,can’t even keep out thieves!”
“Dear,call our son and daughter-in-law.They don’t even know their house was broken into!”
Caring for my father had left me sleepless and weak.Otherwise,I wouldn’t have been so helpless against them.
Seeing my pathetic state,the couple smirked,rummaging through the house while waiting for Fiona.“Who bought this ugly painting?Toss it!”
The man,disgusted,picked up the painting to throw it out.
My eyes widened.“You can’t throw that!”
“Shut up,thief!”He stomped on my face,his filthy sole grinding against my skin.
“Don’t throw it!I’m the owner of this house!”My cheeks burned,swollen and numb,my words slurring.
“Pfft,dreaming of riches?Think anyone can luck out like my son,marrying a rich wife?Look at yourself—do you measure up?”
He hacked up phlegm and spat it on my face.
“Ugh,so gross!What if our daughter-in-law sees?Bad impression!”
The man grumbled,heading out with the painting.I crawled after him,limping,desperate to reclaim it.
“Do you want it that badly?”He stroked his chin,a malicious glint in his eye.
“Kneel and beg.”
I gritted my teeth.
If only…if only he’d return the painting.
But he didn’t.He raised it high and smashed it on the ground.
“No!”I screamed.
The protective glass shattered.He grabbed the canvas and tore it to shreds.
It was my grandmother’s final work,meant for her future granddaughter-in-law.
A renowned painter,her works were worth fortunes.
Drained,I collapsed,despair swallowing me.
Headlights suddenly illuminated me.
“Honey!”
