The Price of Assumptions

I watched in shock as the priceless painting was shredded to pieces. I felt numb all over.

When Julia's gaze landed on the eight-million-dollar piano afterward, I shot her a glacial stare. She walked up to the piano, her gaze fixated on its glossy surface. Then, she ran her hand over a row of keys. The melodious sound of the piano echoed through the room.

Julia's face contorted with fury as she came over to me. She yanked my hair and kicked me repeatedly.

"You wretch! This is my favorite piano. Claude said he'd buy it for me, yet here it is in your place!" Julia screamed.

I fell to the ground again as her high heels dug into me. The only thing I could do was curl up in defense. I gritted my teeth, wondering what kind of look would appear on Julia's face once she knew she was destroying her new marital home and piano.

Then again, she didn't need the house anymore. I vowed not to let her become a part of the Stark family.

"How do you like the act of the mistress being torn apart by the fiancée? It's very satisfying, isn't it? Remember this tramp's name, everyone—it's Silvia Felton. Feel free to dig up her details," Orla said in her annoying voice.

I thought I couldn't be humiliated any further. But then, they found my most treasured possession upstairs.

"Julia, take a look at this. What is it?"

When I saw them holding the velvet box, I forgot all my pain instantly. In fact, I was so panicked that my speech failed me.

Julia opened the box, lifted the cover, and took out the glass trophy I usually handled with the utmost care.

"It says 'First Prize for Information Science.' What's so special about this cheap trophy? It's in such a fancy box. Let's smash it!" Julia said.

I cried out, "No! Don't smash it!"

As Julia raised the trophy over her head to smash it, I ignored my pain and scrambled to my feet while shouting, "You can break anything else. Give that trophy back to me, please."

My mom and dad had won this trophy together. It was the country's most prestigious award for scientific research.

Due to differences in their academic pursuits and conflicting views on family and love, my parents divorced later on. My father took my brother and went into business. He took advantage of the booming economy to establish Stark Group.

Meanwhile, my mom left with the trophy and moved to Devenia. There, she dedicated herself to science. She would sometimes hold this trophy and gaze at it, lost in thought. I knew it reminded her of my dad, as this trophy symbolized their love.

My mom never remarried. She raised me alone while pursuing her research. My mom passed away the year I became a freshman in the academy. This trophy wasn't only a testament to my parents' achievements—it was a symbol of their love and my mother's last keepsake for me.

Julia glanced at the trophy in her hand, then at my trembling, desperate expression. Her next words were laced with venom.

She said nonchalantly, "Oh, you seem to value this a lot. Then I definitely have to destroy it."

Upon seeing her raise her hand again, I couldn't think of anything else and hurriedly blurted, "Julia, that's Claude's most treasured item! If you break it, he'll kill you."

Julia hesitated and gave the trophy a careful once-over.

"Why would a scion like Claude be involved in anything scientific? You lied about being his sister earlier. Now, you're trying the same trick again," Orla said as she looked on in amusement.

Julia frowned and bellowed, "You almost fooled me again!"

"I'm begging you. I'll do anything if you don't smash it," I pleaded.

At that moment, I thought of countless ways to stop this madwoman. Sadly, none of them seemed to work.

Julia weighed the trophy in her hand as a smug smile formed on her lips. "You'd do anything? Alright, then get on your knees and bark like a dog."