My Adopted Sister Tried To Kill Me For My House

Melissa kept up the performance, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. "If even my own sister won't help me, how can I expect compassion from Julian's mother? At this rate, I might have to start selling off my belongings just to afford somewhere to live..."

Many colleagues—who'd known me for years—perked up at Melissa's sob story, whispers spreading through the crowd.

"Isn't Jane an orphan? And her only family won't lift a finger for her? That's stone cold."

"She's pregnant, she's got nowhere to go, but instead of going to Julian's family for support, she comes to her sister?"

"And to think Jane's been Employee of the Year every year. Someone like that doesn't deserve it."

Before I could defend myself, a mocking voice cut in from behind.

"Jane loves to play the generous one at work, but now we're finally seeing her true colors!"

It was Vada Patel, the colleague who always butted heads with me. She never passed up a chance to stick the knife in, and smelling a scene, she hurried over.

"Jane, you have an empty house, and you won't even let your pregnant sister crash there?" Vada taunted.

Delighted to have backup, Melissa's eyes sparkled with satisfaction—though she kept her lip trembling, doing a damn good job of looking wounded.

"Sis, I know you're pushing thirty and still single, so maybe you're jealous of the love Julian and I have," Melissa added, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "But think about my baby. Can't you just help us—just this once?"

Vada immediately jumped in. "Don't worry, Melissa. Everyone here sees exactly what's going on. We've all got your back!"

I crossed my arms, giving Vada a cold look. "If you're that eager to help, why don't you pay her rent?"

Vada flushed, about to lash out, but Melissa stopped her with an overly sweet, practiced smile.

She sighed dramatically. "Thank you for your kindness, ma'am, but my sister has always blamed me for our parents' deaths, which is why she hates me. In that case, I won't stay where I'm not wanted. I'll just take my chances with my baby and leave it up to fate."

With that, Melissa pushed herself up stiffly, one hand pressed to her lower back, and slowly made her way out of the office building. Watching her leave, I frowned. Something told me this was far from over.

Before I could figure out her next move, my phone buzzed with a call from work: I was suspended. Someone had filmed Melissa begging outside the office, and the video had gone viral. Naturally, the internet had rallied behind the "poor victim" and flooded the company's complaint box with messages accusing me of being heartless. Now my transfer request wasn't just at risk—my entire job was hanging by a thread.

As I pondered what to do, my phone rang again. Melissa.

Her voice brimmed with triumph. "Sis, if this keeps up, it won't do either of us any good. Why don't we meet up and talk?"

She gave me an address for a café and hung up before I could answer. I didn't want to see the Tran family again, but I couldn't deny I was curious what new scheme they'd cooked up.

I arrived at the café right on time. The second she saw me, Melissa bounced over with a bright smile and slipped her arm through mine. "Jane! I was scared you'd be too upset to come!"

I pulled away and gave her a curt nod. Avayah Tran approached as enthusiastically as if nothing had ever happened.

"Oh, Jane, you're here!" she gushed.

Before I could sidestep, Avayah tripped. Her temple slammed into the table's edge, blood trickled down her face, and she crumpled to the floor like a stone, unconscious.

Julian's shout sliced through the air. "Jane, how could you push my mom?"