Chapter 3
Now I was calling Harper "Ms. Smith".
I said, "According to Article 42 of the Public Security Administration Punishments Law, sending threats or intimidating someone can get you up to five days in detention or a five hundred dollar fine.
"If it's more serious, that's five to ten days locked up, plus another fine.
"If you go out and cause trouble, that's public disorder, and the consequences will be even worse. Also, I'm recording this conversation."
Her wailing stopped dead.
Silence at last.
Harper hung up.
I set my phone down and rubbed my temples.
This was what my life had been like for the past eighteen years.
There were just nonstop arguments, endless demands, and constant guilt-tripping.
I had been exhausted for a long time.
Passing the civil service exam was my only way out—the only lifeline I could cling to.
I had to get out of here, find a place where they couldn't track me down, and finally start living my own life.
The Harrison family was just an unexpected side note in my escape plan—a glamorous, unpredictable surprise.
I took a deep breath, pushed all the chaos out of my head, and zeroed in on the mock exam in front of me.
*****
The next morning, I headed to the library to study, just like always.
As soon as I got downstairs, I saw that same Bentley parked out front.
Maddox was leaning against the car door, holding a sleek insulated food jar.
When he spotted me, he walked over.
"Hey, Anastasia, I brought you breakfast," he said.
He opened the food jar, revealing steaming millet porridge and a few fancy little side dishes.
The aroma was seriously tempting.
But I was used to just grabbing two pieces of bread in the morning. It only took me five minutes.
"Thanks, Maddox, but I've already eaten," I said.
I brushed past him, heading straight for the building.
"Anastasia," Maddox called out again. "I spent all night thinking about this."
"I spent all night thinking about this," Maddox said.
He looked at me, completely serious. "I respect your decision. If you don't want to move back home, that's your call.
"But this building just isn't safe. I've already rented you a place in the nicest complex nearby. It's newly renovated, really quiet, and you can move in today.
"Whatever you need for your exam prep, I'll make sure you have it."
He was being sincere.
But I still shook my head.
I said, "I don't take handouts I haven't earned. We're basically strangers, just related by blood. I have no reason to accept such an expensive gift from you."
With that, I walked into the apartment building.
Maddox didn't follow me.
I knew he wanted to make it up to me.
I also knew the Harrison family was loaded.
But for me, taking gifts from others so easily just meant giving up control over my own life.
I had always relied on myself.
At lunchtime, while I was grabbing a bite in the cafeteria, Harper called again.
This time, her voice was much softer.
Harper said, "Anastasia, I was just too anxious yesterday. Don't take it to heart.
"It must be so hard studying all alone out there. Why don't you just move back home?
"I'll cook you all your favorite dishes and make sure you're well fed and healthy."
I just listened quietly.
Something was off. When things got strange, there was always trouble lurking.
"Your brother went through all your study stuff in your room. He says he's waiting for you to come home," Harper said.
My heart sank.
"Tell him to keep his hands off my stuff," I said, my tone sharp.
"Oh please, we're all family here. What's the problem if he touches your things?" Harper shot back, acting like it was no big deal.
"Hurry up and come home. Your brother needs to discuss something with you," she demanded.
I hung up and hurried home, anxiety gnawing at me.
My books, my notes, and my practice exams—those were my only weapons.
When I finally got back to the place I called home, out of breath, I found my room totally cleared out.
My desk and bookshelf were nowhere to be seen.
Instead, there was a brand-new gaming desk and some fancy gaming chair that probably cost a ton.
Michal, my deadbeat brother, was glued to the screen, headphones on, gaming like he owned the place.
Harper was sprawled out on the couch, snacking on snacks.
When she saw me, Harper gave me a self-satisfied smirk. "Oh, you're back?"
I was out of breath, my voice trembling from the sprint.
"Where are my books?" I demanded.
Michal took off his headphones and gave me an impatient look.
"All that junk of yours? I sold it for scrap," he said. "The money was just enough for this new keyboard."
He said it so casually, as if he'd just thrown out a pile of trash.
In that moment, I felt my blood rush straight to my head.
I stared him down, not blinking for a second.
He squirmed under my stare, looking nervous.