Chapter 3

I slept in the soft bed until I woke naturally.

Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the entire room with warmth and brightness.

I ordered the hotel's most expensive room service.

Exquisite silver tableware, fresh ingredients---everything proclaimed the taste of money.

After breakfast, I walked into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror---haggard, with dull eyes.

This face was written all over with pleasing others and humility.

It was time to say goodbye to the old Emily.

I took a taxi to the city's most upscale luxury shopping mall.

This was a paradise for the rich, and a place where I'd once needed courage just to step inside.

I walked into a top luxury brand store.

"Welcome."

The sales associate wore a standard smile, but when her eyes swept over my faded T-shirt, a flash of contempt crossed them.

I ignored her.

I walked straight to a row of new season items, pointing at a sleek black dress.

"This one, and this one, and this one---wrap up everything I point to."

My voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough.

The sales associate froze, seemingly not processing this.

"Miss, are you... sure?" Her tone carried doubt.

I pulled a black card from my wallet and gently placed it on the glass counter.

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

When the sales associate saw that unlimited black card, her expression changed instantly.

The contempt and doubt vanished without a trace, replaced by extreme deference and flattery.

"Yes, yes, please wait a moment. I'll wrap these up right away!"

Her waist bent almost ninety degrees.

Over the next few hours, I became the queen of the entire mall.

Without batting an eye, I bought all the designer clothes, bags, and jewelry I'd once been reluctant to buy or even look at.

The sales associates who'd once treated me with indifference now followed behind me, competing to introduce products, their faces full of ingratiating smiles.

For the first time, I clearly felt the power that money brings.

It could make proud heads bow, could make hypocritical faces seem sincere.

After my shopping spree, I went to the city's top styling salon.

"Cut it off," I told the style director, pointing at my long hair I'd kept for years.

In the crisp sound of scissors, all that past docility and humility, along with those split ends, were cut away and scattered on the floor.

An hour later, a brand new me appeared in the mirror.

Sharp, stylish shoulder-length hair, exquisite yet cool makeup, eyes that no longer held any trace of timidity---only calm and detachment.

Strange, yet familiar.

This was the real me.

Leaving the salon, I went straight to the Porsche dealership.

"I want that red 911. Full payment."

The sales manager almost thought he'd misheard, but after confirming my bank account balance, he immediately processed everything with the most enthusiastic service.

Driving the brand new red sports car, I returned to my parents' home.

They'd already moved to a high-end gated community in the suburbs.

When I appeared before them in the car, my mom's tears immediately flowed.

She rushed over and hugged me tightly, her palm repeatedly stroking my short hair.

"My poor daughter, from now on Mom will never let you suffer again."

My dad stood to the side, his eyes red, repeatedly saying, "It's good you're back, it's good you're back."

Seeing their heartbroken yet relieved expressions, the emotions I'd been holding in all day finally threatened to break through.

In front of family, I could always let down all my defenses.

That evening, our family seriously discussed the future.

We established a family trust fund, with me in full management.

My parents knew nothing about business. They just wanted to live peacefully.

And I had to use this money to build an impregnable fortress for our family.

Never again would anyone have the chance to hurt us.

Outside, the night was deep. Inside the villa, lights blazed.

A new era for Emily was beginning.