defiant manner was intimidating, forcing others to back off. "This is a family matter between this wretch and me.

dren, all of whom were frightened by

estioning, "What's going on? How could someone just walk in? Is this how an

" Sophia Smith, being pointed out and criticized,

hold of her, exchangi

ving Emily and Sophia Smith inside while she went

her eyes. "I won't go back with you! Don't come

sudden defiance. Furious, she retorted, "What do you mea

rd, a pang of sorrow w

r, valuing her far less than her brother. P

use me to exchange dowry with the Johnsons!" Emily tried to lif

Who have yo

ne of your

a shameless bitch, getting married. Hmph, you wretched woman, if

ther could be. If she didn't hand over the money

obile phone, opened her account balance for her mother to see, "I only have two

g her grip, having verified that Emily's bank account was indeed sparse

money, watching her mother's depa

arents and their kin

a tight grip by a massive hand, unable to

to the parents, led the children inside, and tried her bes

lthough they were frightened earlier, Lily had cal

the task of tidying up the art room. After all,

ed, she left the school of arts, not ru

watched Emily depart, silen

work, but hopped on a bus to the nearby

counted prepared food. She meticulously picked through the offerings

n as she unlocked her door, a figure unexpectedl

mother angrily staring at a man sitting on

h!? Did you think that hiding from me, I would

d, pulling a

cold as ice, and with a swift motion of his hand, he push

't have time to react. She hit her head o

aside and rushed to help her mo

rength to get back up, p

quick reflexes, James caught her around

wave of fear washed over her and i

rse uncontrollably: "You little bastard! How d

, "But if you marry Emily, we can consider your dowry of $600,

in shock, "Mother! Ha

up, you little bitch? Do you

handsome face, "Go ahead and sue m

an made Sophia flinch, her lips tremblin

azen fury were like two towering mountains,

-respect to shreds, Emily's expression gre

ent into James' room, now she was already ma

ad never considered Emily's feelings, nor had she considered that Em

merely contractual

y, whispering an apolo

I beg you, please leave. As soon as I h

dowry? It's already shameful to be pregnant before marriage, and now you want t

idating gaze of that youngster earlier, her fac

said to her, "If you cannot handle your family matters, I

h offensive, wer

o someone else. If you don't leave, I'll cal

took her phone and ope

ad started to dial,

; she didn't have the gall to get invol

ng up, then, with an effort, she grabbed

win over Emily, Soph

his, this isn't ov

ames's indifferent gaze. She stood awkwardly

ok at her, slightly lifting h

ross from him. She picked up the warm cup on the table,

of pressure, as if he was an authoritative

re trying to say,

ehave in this manner, once the child is born, I will take hi

em to be bartered. Such thoughts swirled t

ic welling up inside her. She shook her head

ring the ten months of your pregnancy, I will shoulder all the expe

d his words when she

bear the thought of he

's visage, a hint of pai

d her, his e

le. Even though she had managed to escape from that house,

kers by the look of them,

hes, satisfy his grandmother, the mere existence of the c