Cut the Saint, Keep the Life

Uncle Adrian's face darkened, thunder rolling across his expression.

"You…"

Hazel was taken aback by the sudden wickedness in my expression. Her voice shook as she said, "Dad, you can't go to jail. I'll never be able to hold my head up in front of my classmates again after that."

I said, "It's fine if you don't want to move out. You can purchase this villa instead. Based on the current market value, this villa should be worth about ten million dollars."

Aunt Katie immediately flew into a rage. "Ten million dollars? Why don't you just go rob a bank instead?" she exclaimed.

I grinned and said, "Don't be hasty, Aunt Katie. Since we're family, I'll give you a 50% discount and sell it to you for just five million dollars.

"You can transfer the amount to this bank card. If I don't see five million dollars before 8:00 pm tomorrow, I'll go to the police station to make a report then."

It was just five million dollars. Given Uncle Adrian's current financial situation, he could definitely afford it.

As soon as I stepped out of the cool and comfortable air-conditioned villa, I immediately felt the heat engulf me like a thermal blanket I could never get rid of.

The sweat that had just dried quickly returned, drenching my skin, clinging to my clothes, and leaving me feeling sticky and uncomfortable.

I decisively walked into a hair salon and asked the hairdresser, Tony Green, to shave all of my hair off.

Tony immediately had a look of understanding on his face as he tried to gently talk me out of it. "Miss, there are plenty of fish in the sea. You don't have to do this to yourself just because of a man. It's not worth it."

I chuckled and told him the truth. "I can’t help feeling that my long hair is adding to the heat. It's going to be very inconvenient during the apocalypse."

Tony just assumed that I was talking nonsense. Ultimately, he sighed in exasperation before shaving my hair off and giving me a buzz cut.

When I got home, Scarlet was nearly shocked to see that all my hair was gone.

"Vi! What did you do to your hair? Why is it now a buzz cut?"

"It's more convenient that way," I said.

The comments suddenly popped up on the screen.

"As expected of the main character's sister. She's a step ahead of everyone else."

"Exactly! Who would want to waste precious water to wash hair instead of drinking it?"

"Everyone's going to get a buzz cut next time, regardless of their gender!"

After a few days of observation, I realized that I could only see these comments if I was near Scarlet. I guess she really was the movie's main protagonist after all.

Scarlet recovered from her shock and began speaking like a saint once more.

"It's so hot today, and Mrs. Thompson will be staying with us tonight since her house doesn't have air conditioning. Vi, you're cooking for her tonight."

I turned my gaze and saw a dirty old woman suddenly appearing before me, smiling at me with her gaping, unkempt teeth.

Scarlet had a habit of bringing any Tom, Dick, or Harry home with her—including those who couldn't afford food or had no place to stay for the night.

However, this old woman, Betty Gray, or Mrs. Thompson as we all called her, had food and lodging at home and loved freeloading off other people whenever she could.

I had already told Scarlet about it many times, but she refused to listen and instead chided me for being disrespectful to the elderly.

"I don't know how to cook," I replied simply.

Scarlet frowned again. "You've always been the one doing the cooking. How can you say you don't know how? Don't be stubborn, Vi."

I almost couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes at her.

It was one thing for her to be a saint, but another to expect me to be the one doing the brunt of the work.

In the past, I used to feel sorry for her because she worked hard to support my education, and I would automatically assume the household chores as a way to show my gratitude. But after what happened that day, I couldn't find it in myself to pity her anymore.

"You brought her back, so you can cook for her by yourself," I said. "Aren't you the kindest person on earth? Why can't you even cook for Mrs. Thompson then?"

I sneered lightly at Scarlet, and Betty immediately pursed her lips together in a pitiful manner.

"It's fine, Lettie. I know that I'm an old woman, and there aren't many people who like me anymore. Since I can't even get a meal here, I think I'll just leave now."

Despite saying that, she didn't look like she was trying to leave at all.

Still, Scarlet never noticed it and quickly went over to comfort her.

"How could that possibly be, Mrs. Thompson? It's just dinner. I'll cook for you instead.

Scarlet then glared at me before turning to walk toward the kitchen.

I grinned when I heard the pots banging.