Chapter 3
Sometimes, turning the tide only takes a single spark.
The first person to reply to me was Anna Miller, who lives downstairs.
[Emily, this is outrageous. That family is no better than a bunch of thieves.]
Soon, the tone in the group chat began to shift.
One of the neighbors who had previously sided with Mary posted a message.
[I just looked into it, and it seems different from what they said. Maybe we should not jump to conclusions.]
A small spark can start a wildfire.
When I felt the timing was right, I uploaded the full, unedited surveillance footage of Mary throwing a tantrum at the entrance, shouting insults and causing a scene, directly into the group chat.
In the video, every one of her harsh insults came through clearly.
"A barren woman.
"Ungrateful wretch.
"Why don't you just die?"
Each word landed like a sharp slap across the faces of those who had told me to "be kind."
The group chat fell completely silent for three minutes.
Then it exploded.
[Oh my god, that is way too harsh.]
[That is not a mother-in-law. That is an enemy.]
[She twisted everything. This is disgusting. I actually felt sorry for her earlier. I must have been blind.]
Several of the neighbors who had spoken up for Mary came forward to apologize.
Mary had clearly seen the video. She sent furious voice messages into the group, screaming in rage.
"You bitch, how dare you post that video.
"I will tear you apart."
Her hysteria and loss of control became the final straw.
The group admin, likely fed up, removed her from the chat without hesitation.
I had won the first round of this battle for public opinion.
But I felt no sense of relief. This was only the beginning.
Sophie called again, her voice carrying a hint of laughter.
"Well done. With people like that, you have to tear off their facade and grind it into the ground.
"But do not celebrate too soon. They will not give up that easily. A cornered rat will always bite back."
I knew that.
"What do you suggest?" I asked.
"Cut them off at the root," Sophie said. "Expose everything online and ruin their reputation completely.
"But we have to handle it carefully. You organize the material, and I will find someone to package and release it."
I agreed, already starting to plan.
That afternoon, I went out to take out the trash.
At the elevator, I ran into the man who lives across the hall from me.
His name is Ethan Cole. He is an architect who moved in not long ago. We had only crossed paths a few times in the elevator.
He was dressed casually today, tall and well-built, with a calm and refined presence.
When he saw me, he gave a slight nod and spoke in a gentle tone.
"You went through a lot yesterday."
I paused, a little surprised.
"People like that are not worth your anger," he added. Then he took a bottle of mineral water from the bag in his hand and offered it to me. "Here, have some water."
His eyes were clear, carrying a simple, genuine kindness.
After everything that had happened, he was the first stranger to show me any warmth.
Caught off guard, I accepted the water and thanked him.
"I'm Ethan."
"Emily."
When I got home, my phone lit up with a message from Adam.
[Emily, I am giving you one last chance.
[Sell the house and split the money fifty-fifty. Otherwise, I will come to your company and make a scene, and I will ruin your reputation.]
It was a naked threat, with no attempt at disguise.
I looked at the message and, instead of feeling afraid, I laughed.
I laughed so hard my eyes almost watered.
Then I calmly typed a reply.
"I will be waiting."