Chapter 3

The next day, Tammy excitedly handed her workbook, marked with As, to Shirley. "Mom, I got ten As!"

But Shirley didn't even spare her a glance.

Instead, Shirley turned to Michelle, her face full of affection. "Let me see how many you got, Michelle," she said, her eyes soft.

I hesitated, cheeks flushing, and mumbled, "I... I only got one." Instantly, Shirley swept me up into a tight hug, her excitement obvious. "Michelle is the best!"

Tammy blurted out, refusing to give up, her eyes glued to Shirley, desperate for a bit of praise. "Mom, I got ten! Why won't you hug me?" she pleaded, her voice trembling with disappointment.

Shirley just snorted, barely glancing her way. "So what if you got ten? Someone like you, it doesn't matter how much you study."

At that moment, Mom heard the commotion and walked over.

When she saw my workbook, there wasn't even a trace of disappointment on her face.

Instead, she smiled and said, "Looks like our King family finally has someone special."

My seven brothers were all grinning from ear to ear, their eyes sparkling with amusement.

Kit said he'd get me a limited-edition Labubu.

My second brother, Basil, promised to have a diamond-studded little dress custom-made just for me.

Harry said he'd give me all his pocket money for the rest of his life... The whole King family was overflowing with joy because I got just one A.

Only Tammy stood there, her face stormy with frustration. She pushed her workbook toward Shirley and yelled, "Mom, I got ten! I'm ten times smarter than Michelle."

Before Mom could say a word, Shirley snatched the workbook and ripped it to pieces. "You little brat, trying to show off that you're better than Miss King? Hoping Mrs. King will praise you?"

She snapped, twisting Tammy's ear and dragging her off to the basement. "Don't even think about pulling that kind of stunt." The heavy iron door slammed shut, muffling Tammy's screams beneath the cheerful sound of the piano.

I was in such a good mood that I stopped playing and turned to Kit, my supervising big brother, pouting, "Kit, the weather's perfect today. Let's go to the amusement park!"

But Kit's face stayed serious, not budging an inch.

"Not until you've practiced for two hours. No exceptions," he said, totally firm.

Still not giving up, I tried my luck with the other brothers, but they all shot me down, too.

"Whatever, I'll just go by myself," I huffed, hopping off the piano bench. I stuck my tongue out at the brothers and stomped away.

As I walked past the basement, Tammy stumbled out, holding her stomach.

When she saw me, she straightened up, gritting her teeth as she confronted me, "Michelle, are you heading out?"

I replied, "Yeah, I'm going to the amusement park. What, you want to come too?"

"Brat, I'll go with you, but you have to do what I say!" Tammy barked, clearly scheming.

I nodded. "Sure."

Let's see who ends up dead first. I thought, my eyes narrowing. Sure enough, as soon as we snuck out, Tammy grabbed my hand and started dragging me recklessly across the busy street.

If I hadn't reacted fast, I would've been roadkill under a car. I threw a fit on purpose. "Why aren't we at the amusement park yet? I'm exhausted. I'm not going anymore, I'm going home."

Tammy glanced around, making sure there were no people watching, then yanked the little hair bun on top of my head.

"You little brat, I finally got the chance to put you in your place!" she spat. "Why is everyone so nice to you? Even my own mom treats you better than me!"

"Once you're dead, I'll be the one your brothers adore, and Mrs. King will treat me like her real daughter.

"And the entire King family fortune will be mine!"

Tammy grew more agitated, her expression becoming downright unhinged.

When she wasn't paying attention, I used her hand to push myself right into the oncoming traffic.

"No... it's not my fault!" Tammy panicked, bolting the moment she saw me fall.