After Being Exploited by My Wealthy Parents, I Fought Back

That was the cheapest place I could find to live.

At first, I had been so desperate to save money for their ransom that I slept under a bridge. But one night, a homeless man stole all my money. Terrified that the kidnappers would hurt my parents if I couldn’t send the funds, I reluctantly rented a room.

Looking back now, I realized how laughable I was.

I returned to my tiny room, curled up on the bed, and buried my face in the pillow, crying until my chest hurt.

Suddenly, a loud bang sounded, and the door was soon kicked open.

Startled, I looked up in horror to see Julian barging in with several bodyguards. Following close behind was Rianne, her face filled with malicious glee.

“What are you doing here?” I asked in panic.

Julian’s tone was icy. “Our parents have made their decision. They’re cutting all ties with you.”

“And since you’ve lived in our house for ten days, enjoyed top-tier food, clothing, and accommodations, let’s settle it at two million dollars.”

“Now it’s time for you to pay your debt,” he added.

My chest tightened with anger. “What did you just say? You want me to repay you?”

Julian glanced around my room with disdain. “Judging by this dump, it’s safe to say you have no savings. Then we'll take everything here.”

Rianne pinched her nose in disgust. “Brother, do we really want this garbage?”

Julian thought for a moment and sneered. “Smash it, then.”

The bodyguards stormed in, wreaking havoc, breaking everything in sight.

I tried to stop them, but one of them shoved me hard. My head slammed against the wall, and blood trickled down my forehead, warm and sticky as it seeped into my collar.

Standing by the doorway, Rianne suddenly said, “Brother, there’s a jade pendant around her neck. It looks pretty nice.”

I struggled to get up, but Julian grabbed my neck and pinned me against the wall. With one swift motion, he yanked the jade pendant from my neck.

“This jade looks decent,” Julian muttered to himself.

I snatched it back desperately, shaking my head. “No, you can’t have it. It’s not yours.”

This pendant was a gift from Aunt Zamara.

When the Sanders family took me away from the small town, pretending to care, Aunt Zamara had sobbed as she hung her family heirloom around my neck. It was the only valuable thing she owned.

Through her tears, she had said, “Yanna, when I'm not by your side anymore, let this pendant stay with you.”

“If you ever miss me, just hold onto this pendant.”

Julian slapped me across the face. “Hand it over.”

I clutched the pendant tightly, shaking my head with all my strength.

Julian smirked coldly. “So, you’re willing to die for this junk, huh? Fine. Break her fingers.”

Two bodyguards stepped forward, grabbing my hand and forcing my fingers apart.

I heard the dull crack of bones breaking, followed by an unbearable, searing pain.

The pendant slipped from my grasp. Julian held it up and handed it to Rianne. “Here, do you like it?”

Rianne wrinkled her nose in disgust, shaking her head. “It’s filthy. I don’t want it.”

Tears streamed down my face. “Julian, she doesn’t want it. Please, give it back to me. Take anything else you want, just not this.”

Julian toyed with the pendant, smirking. “Oh? It’s important to you? That bathhouse woman gave it to you, right?”

I nodded desperately. “Yes, I’m begging you. Please, give it back.”

Julian nodded thoughtfully. “Sure.”

Then, with a sudden swing, he smashed the pendant against the ground.

The sharp sound of shattering jade echoed through the room.

I watched in utter despair as the only keepsake from Aunt Zamara was reduced to fragments.

“Julian!” I screamed his name, my voice breaking with anguish.