Chapter 6 After the family conflict erupted , Mom Victor la temporarily moved out with Rolle . But when it came to divorce , she was absolutely refusing to compromise . Dad sat at home looking at brother Kai's portrait , tears of regret flickering in his eyes . He turned to look at me and said : " Nina , Dad was wrong to you before . I admit I sunderstood you and neglected you . " " But from now on , I'll definitely take good care of you . " I nodded expressionlessly , but inside I was already numb . This belated family affection was nothing but fake to me . I knew very clearly this was just temporary peace . There was no way Mom would just let this go . She'd definitely find a way to turn things around . Sure enough , when I came back from school that day , what awaited me was an angry slap from Dad . " You vicious creature , you actually watched your brother collapse and didn't go help him ! " Dad's eyes were bloodshot , his finger trembling as he pointed at me . I touched my burning cheek and looked up at the sofa . Mom and Belle were sitting there coldly , their eyes full of contempt and hatred . A developed surveillance photo lay on the coffee table . In the photo , my brother lay in a pool of blood , while I stood not far away , my back clearly visible as I turned to leave . Mom grabbed the photo and threw it hard at me : " If Belle hadn't suggested checking the surveillance to find out how Kai died , I never would've I stared directly into Mom's cold eyes , suddenly feeling an uncontrollable surge of anger . " Am I really your biological daughter ? " Mom's face changed instantly , a flash of panic in her eyes . " What … what are you talking about ? " I laughed . " If I really was your daughter , how could you bear to treat me like this ? " known how vicious you really are ! " " Since I was little , you've only had eyes for Belle . Now you're even pinning my brother's death on me ? " " What , did I shoot him or something ! " Mom stared at me hard , lips pressed tightly together . After a few seconds she spoke " Yeah , I gave birth to you . " " But how the hell did I end up with something like you ? " She pointed at me , screaming hysterically , n.mad It All Down ! Jealous of your sister since you were little , now you won't even save your own brother's liini- *** You're bad luck ! A disaster ! Why wasn't It you who diedr Her words stabbed metellessly into my heart . The physical pain was nothing compared to the hurt her words caused . I thought the mother daughter hond between us should end here and now . Without any attachment , I turned and left . Behind me came Belle's fake comforting voice and Mom's shrill cursing . I walked aimlessly along the street , the hot afternoon summer sun making me dizzy . Without realizing it , I'd walked near the library , and my feet stopped as if possessed . I stood at the library entrance and heard two security guards talking in low voices . " That killer's aim was really accurate , not like someone shooting randomly at all . " " No kidding , I've watched the surveillance footage several times . It's like he was specifically targeting that student . " My heart jumped . My brother's death wasn't accidental - it was premeditated . I walked into the lobby and asked the front desk to see the surveillance footage . The receptionist looked troubled : " That requires police approval . " I'd expected this . Taking a deep breath , I tried to appear calm : " I know , but I already cleared it with Detective Miller who's handling this case . " " He told me to take a look first and let him know if I find any clues . " I gave a name - the officer who'd handled this case in my previous life . The receptionist hesitated , but finally agreed . " Alright , I'll take you to the monitoring room . " I stared intently at the screen , my heart racing . The killer's face was completely covered by a hat and mask , impossible to identify . But I noticed the pendant he wore looked familiar . Suddenly , a thought flashed through my mind . I'd seen this necklace in the photo of Mom and Belle's father ! It was around Belle's father's neck ! This was absolutely absurd ! Was Belle's biological father not dead ? I immediately asked security to copy the footage , planning to take it to the nearby police station . As soon as I left the library , I felt like someone was following me . I quickened my pace , trying to lose them . But they seemed to speed up too , staying right behind me . I turned into an alley , trying to shake them off . But they quickly caught up and cornered me in the alley . Who are you ? What do you want ? " Ttried to stay calm , but my voice was trembling . " Listen here , brat , mind your own damn business ! " ge ? You got a death wish ! " " Who told you to watch that surveillance footage ? With that , he lunged to grab me . I struggled desperately , but was no match for them . He dragged me toward a van , cursing the whole time : " Wasn't gonna touch you , but you just had to be unlucky ! " " Let me go ! Get off me ! " I used all my strength to kick and fight , digging my nails into his hands . " You won't take the easy way , huh ! I'll show you what's what today ! " He pulled me even harder . Just as I was about to be dragged into the van , a familiar figure suddenly rushed out . " Stop ! What are you doing ? " It was Dad ! He threw himself at the masked man , wrestling with him . " Dad ! " I cried out , ignoring my pain as I scrambled up to help . Though Dad had a wooden stick , the other guy was clearly more agile . In the struggle , I saw the masked man pull a knife from his coat ! " Watch out ! " The blade flashed as the masked man stabbed viciously at Dad ! Dad couldn't dodge in time and let out a muffled grunt , his body swaying . In that instant , Dad endured the severe pain . He grabbed the masked man's collar and used all his strength to rip the mask from his face ! That face was exposed to the air , and both Dad and I saw clearly . It really was him ! Belle's father ! He looked at Dad , then at me , panic and fear flashing across his face . tumbled toward the van behind him . Chapter 6 I turned into an alley , trying to shake them off . But they quickly caught up and cornered me in the alley . " Who are you ? What do you want ? " I tried to stay calm , but my voice was trembling . " Listen here , brat , mind your own damn business ! " " Who told you to watch that surveillance footage ? You got a death wish !" With that , he lunged to grab me . I struggled desperately , but was no match for them . He dragged me toward a van , cursing the whole time : " Wasn't gonna touch you , but you just had to be unlucky ! " " Let me go ! Get off me ! " I used all my strength to kick and fight , digging my nails into his hands . " You won't take the easy way , huh ! I'll show you what's what today ! " He pulled me even harder . Just as I was about to be dragged into the van , a familiar figure suddenly rushed out . " Stop ! What are you doing ? " It was Dad ! He threw himself at the masked man , wrestling with him . " Dad ! " I cried out , ignoring my pain as I scrambled up to help . Though Dad had a wooden stick , the other guy was clearly more agile . In the struggle , I saw the masked man pull a knife from his coat ! " Watch out ! " The blade flashed as the masked man stabbed viciously at Dad ! Dad couldn't dodge in time and let out a muffled grunt , his body swaying . In that instant , Dad endured the severe pain . He grabbed the masked man's collar and used all his strength to rip the mask from his face ! That face was exposed to the air , and both Dad and I saw clearly . It really was him ! Belle's father ! He looked at Dad , then at me , panic and fear flashing across his face . Not caring about Dad's grip on his collar , he broke free forcefully and stumbled toward the van behind him . I collapsed weakly beside Dad . He was clutching his abdomen , blood gushing through his fingers , instantly staining the ground beneath him red . " Dad ! Dad ! How are you ?! " Chapter 6 Looking at his pale face , my tears burst like a dam . I fumbled for my phone , my hands shaking so badly I had to dial 911 several times . Dad looked at me , his gaze carrying unprecedented tenderness and remorse . " I'm sorry … Nina … " " Dad … didn't mean to hit you… " 1 grabbed his ice - cold hand , crying : " Dad ! Don't talk ! Hang in there ! The ambulance is coming ! Chapter