Chapter 47 Scarlett put on her innocent little act, tears welling up as s she looked at me. "Sis, I know you hate me. You bully me alone, but why does Mom have to join in?" Mom held Scarlett, crying with her, "Scarlett, stop it. It's all Mom's fault." They clung to each other, crying in unison. I watched the two of them, cold and detached-nothing but a pitiful show. Just then, Kael and Dad came out of the study. Dad didn't hesitate. He snarled at me, "You ungrateful brat. You come home and start causing trouble again. When you were in the hospital, your mother and sister worried themselves sick, unable to eat or sleep. Do you have no heart?" I looked Dad dead in the eye, no respect, only endless contempt. My cracked lips curved into a smirk that said more than words could. Dad's face darkened with rage; veins bulged on his forehead. He stormed down the stairs, raising his hand to strike me. Kael quickly stepped in, blocking him. "Dad, calm down. Let's talk." Dad glared fiercely at me, "Kael, let go. I have to teach this disrespectful girl a lesson today!" Kael held Dad tightly, not letting him get closer. I stared at Dad with utter disgust-the man was the epitome of "bite the hand that feeds." He'd been scared witless when I fought him with a knife, yet just days later, he dares to raise a hand again. I could feel the pure hatred radiating from him. Unlike Mom and Kael's controlled coldness, this was raw, visceral loathing. He was supposed to be my father, but he looked at me like a sworn enemy. Dad shouted, "Apologize to your mother and Scarlett now!" "Apologize? Why should I?" I shot back. Dad's eyes bulged, "You hurt Scarlett and made your mother cry. Don't youthink you owe them an apology?" "I hit Scarlett because she deserved it. As for Mom crying, that's her problem-she's done plenty of shameful things, not mine" Dad trembled with rage, lunging at me again. Kael held him back desperately, "Riley, can you just say less?" I crossed my arms and sneered, "Dad's about to hit me. I can't even talk back? "Riley," Kael frowned, disapproving. "He's still your father." I scoffed coldly, "My father died a long time ago. I'm an orphan." Dad's fury exploded like a volcano. His eyes wide, veins pulsing, cheeks puffed out like a toad. He shook his finger at me, screaming. "You curse upon this house. Ever since you came back, there hasn't been a single peaceful day. You're just here to collect debts!"