Chapter 3 The crowd was filled with various voices and opinions . [ ] Listening to their discussions , I could only manage bitter smiles . [ ] How could they know that when Mother learned they'd used her debts to force me back , she fell ill from guilt ? ] And during her illness , they used unpaid medical bills as an excuse to kick both of us out of the hospital . [ ] If not for Stone Corporation's debt crisis growing more dangerous , would they have ever thought of me again ? I stared at the bright red blood dripping onto the white marble tiles , my lips curling coldly . [ ] That company was my life's work - countless sleepless nights building it up , and it was finally gaining momentum . Just a few more days and it would have gone public successfully ... ] But on the eve of victory , they destroyed everything I'd built for their own selfish interests . [ ] These years at the Stone house , thanks to my dedicated management , they'd lived incredibly well . [ ] After escaping financial crisis , Iris became obsessed with protecting her status and lifestyle . Terrified of falling from grace , she engaged in revenge spending and flaunting wealth . ] This fostered an increasingly arrogant personality - she'd slap even the most powerful people . The Stone family cared most about their reputation , and Iris's behavior would obviously affect public perception and cause stock prices to plummet . ] After repeatedly failing to control her , the Stone family simply dumped Iris on me . [] They claimed they wanted me , as her sister - in - law , to properly discipline her . ] But really , they just wanted to use my PR skills to clean up her image . [ ] To handle her messes , I constantly followed her around cleaning up after her , crafting her perfect public image . [ ] But unexpectedly , Iris came to hate me for it . She'd point at my nose and warn me : [ ] " Vera , even my parents don't dare control me like this ! What are you to boss me around and order me to do this and that ! " [ ] " You're just a dog my family keeps ! Does a dog think it can discipline its master ? " ] " If you dare try to control me again , I'll have someone kill you ! " ] So her destroying my eye today didn't surprise me at all . ] This was revenge she'd planned long ago . [ ] Even as I fell , I saw that smug smile curl at her lips . [ ] 87 Пире Sharp pain shot through my eyeball again . [ ] A desperate cold laugh flickered across my lips and vanished . [ ] Facing the aggressive Stone family , I maintained my composure and said calmly : ] " I'm not angry with Iris , nor do I need to be . " [ ] " It's simply that my contract with the Stone family has expired . I've fulfilled my promises to you , and since Miss Iris hates me this much , there's no point in staying ... " " How can there be no point ? " ] Old Mrs. Stone approached with her usual fake warm smile , grasping my hand : [ ] " Vera , we know your greatest hope has always been gaining the Stone family's recognition and becoming our true daughter - in - law . " " If you're willing to stay , I guarantee you'll be the Stone family's only daughter - in - law . As long as you continue caring for Iris , I promise to grant whatever you ask . " [ ] " From now on , you'll run this household . " [ ] Mrs. Stone spoke gently , but every word was emotional manipulation . [ ] She positioned herself on the moral high ground , inciting everyone to condemn me . [ ] This was what she did best . [] I shook my head firmly . " No thank you , Old Mrs. Stone . None of that is necessary . " ] " Please honor our contract . Please let me go as agreed . " ] After I said , Old Mrs. Stone's facade instantly cracked , her gaze turning ice cold . ] " The Stone family leads this entire city countless people want in but can't get in . Don't you understand gratitude ? Have I been too lenient with you ? " ] ( 0 )