Chapter 1
I was born with a gift—whatever I said came true.
When I was just learning to talk, I blurted out with my toddler lisp that my dad was going to strike it rich. That very night, he hit the jackpot and won 30 million dollars in the lottery.
When I was six, I told everyone the old village chief's missing grandson would come home safe. The next day, the boy was found at the edge of the village, dirty but safe.
At 18, I posted online that Sanchez Group, which was about to go bust, would bounce back against all odds. Just two weeks later, their stock soared, and they were back at the top of the game.
Because of my golden tongue, Linwood Group treated me like an honored guest.
But the moment I stepped into Linwood Manor, someone grabbed my long hair from behind and dragged me across the floor.
A voice roared, "You bitch! First, you threw yourself at my fiancé outside, and now you show up at his home? You must have a death wish!"
I tried to explain myself, but they wouldn't listen. They just kept kicking and punching me, insisting I was desperate for him.
As my emerald bracelet shattered with a sharp crack, I tasted the faint metallic tang of blood between my teeth.
What they didn't know was, besides my golden tongue, I was also born with a curse. Anyone who made me bleed would be cursed with endless misfortune.
Looks like the Linwood family was about to go downhill for good.
*****
"Ms. Summers, please have a seat. Mr. Herman Linwood is already on his way back from the office," the housekeeper said, giving me a respectful, eager smile.
I waved my hand. "No need for any trouble, really."
I was born with a gift—whatever I said came true.
Herman, the head of Linwood Group, was skeptical at first.
Two years ago, he decided to test me. So I just said their stock would rise.
That same night, it soared.
The Linwood family, which was on the verge of collapse, managed to survive for two more years, all because of what I said.
After that, Herman knew I was exactly what he needed.
He pulled out all the stops just to get me to make another favorable prediction for the family.
He promised that my contribution would be memorialized in the family's foundation, with my name etched alongside the founders. Only then did I finally agree.
After settling me in, the housekeeper went to the kitchen to prepare some fruit.
The other staff were super respectful, looking at me with real admiration in their eyes.
I sat quietly on the couch, waiting for Herman to come back, when a throb of pain pulsed through my scalp.
Annoyed, I turned around—just as a glass flew straight at my head. It shattered on impact. Blood instantly streamed down, turning my scalp into a sticky, bloody mess.
I clutched my forehead, and through the blur of blood in my eyes, I saw Chloe's face contorted with rage.
The moment they saw me hurt, the two servants nearby instantly panicked.
"Ms. Summers is an honored guest invited by Mr. Herman Linwood. Who do you think you are?" one of them demanded.
Chloe gritted her teeth. "Go ahead. I dare you to touch me. I'm Ryan's girlfriend."
"You really have some nerve, chasing after Ryan, and now you show up at his house? You're just asking for it," she snapped.
Her squad all gave me dirty looks, their faces full of contempt.
"Just look at her, so broke and pathetic. She's nowhere near Chloe's level." One of them scoffed.
"Anyone can see who the real catch is," another snarked.
"You trashy bitch, we're gonna put you in your place today," a third hissed.
They all took turns tearing me down, dragging my name through the mud like I was worthless.
I frowned, with a cold edge in my voice. "I'm chasing after him. Stop making stuff up."
As I turned to leave, Chloe slapped me hard across the face.
"You shameless bitch. Did you think I wouldn't notice you hanging all over my boyfriend?" she spat.
"I bet you're plotting to get his attention every single day," she sneered at me.
She thrust her long fingers right at my eyes, screeching at me.
Wait, Ryan Linwood. It clicked.
He was the one who showed up every single day, fawning over me, desperate for a favorable word for the Linwood family.
And Chloe was his girlfriend? You've got to be kidding me.
The servants quickly caught on, forming a protective circle around me and tending to my injuries with extra care, shielding me at the center.
I replied in a frosty tone, "Mr. Herman Linwood asked me here to help. I have nothing to do with your boyfriend."
One of the staff spoke up nervously in my defense. "Ms. Summers has a golden tongue. Whatever she says always comes true."
The moment the servant said that, Chloe nearly doubled over, clutching her stomach as she burst out laughing, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Hah. If your words are magic, then I'm the queen of heaven," Chloe mocked.
"All this talk, and I've yet to see a single miracle," she sneered.
I sighed inwardly, a wave of weary frustration rising inside me.
Yeah, my words came true, but the catch is, I could only make it happen once a year. Just once, no more.
So I saved it. For absolute necessity.
Chloe let out a cold laugh, crossing her arms. "Do I look like a fool to you? You think I'd fall for that crap?
"You dare try to steal him from me? You'll pay for this."
She looked at me with the cold, killing intent of a viper.
Her crew stepped closer, their eyes glinting with mockery as they stared me down.
She was clearly gunning for me.
I took a step back, my voice rough. "Touch me, and the Linwood family will make you pay."
Chloe lunged at me first, grabbed my hair, and slammed my head against the floor.
"You dare threaten me? You little bitch," she snarled.
"Get her, girls. Show this homewrecker the price of crossing us!" she yelled.