Chapter 2 Family Confrontation

"Anna, how dare you speak to my mother that way?" Megan shrieked as she lunged toward Anna, intending to teach her older half-sister a lesson.

The moment Megan came within reach, Anna delivered a stinging slap across her face.

The impact left Megan stunned, momentarily unable to process what had just happened.

"You hit me! You worthless bitch actually hit me!" she finally sputtered.

Anna shook her reddened palm, regarding Megan with cool indifference. "And what if I did? If you still want me to marry into the Sterling family in your place, you'd better behave yourself."

"You!" Megan's face flushed crimson with rage. She stomped her foot and turned to Penelope. "Mom, look what Anna did!"

Penelope's expression darkened as she saw the handprint blooming on Megan's cheek. She hadn't expected Anna to be bold enough to strike Megan.

"I got you released from Eden Valley, and I can certainly send you back there, Anna. Don't push your luck," she threatened.

Trying to intimidate her? Anna wasn't the least bit concerned.

She sat down casually, utterly dismissive of Penelope's words. "Go ahead then. Send me back."

"You!"

Penelope was livid. Megan, fearing her mother might actually return Anna to the mental rehabilitation center, quickly tugged at Penelope's sleeve and shook her head.

To spare Megan from a forced marriage into the Sterling family, Penelope had to swallow her anger.

"You're deliberately provoking me because you don't want to marry into the Sterling family in Megan's place," she said with a smug smile. "Unfortunately for you, your father has already agreed to it, and you have no say in the matter."

Looking at Penelope's self-satisfied expression, Anna smiled. "You want me to get married? Fine. But first, return what my mother left me."

"What things? What are you talking about?" Penelope's voice rose defensively. "Your mother has been dead for years. What could she possibly have left you?"

"My mother's jewelry collection. Don't pretend you haven't taken it all."

As Anna mentioned jewelry, Penelope's eyes constricted. She instinctively hid the jewel bracelet on her wrist beneath her sleeve.

Her movement, though quick, didn't escape Anna's notice. Anna stepped forward and grabbed Penelope's wrist, revealing an exquisite translucent jewel bracelet.

"After hoarding it for so long, isn't it time to return what rightfully belongs to me?" Anna asked coldly.

"How dare you!" Penelope blustered, trying to maintain some semblance of authority. "Regardless of everything, I am still your elder. Is this how your mother taught you to behave?"

She tried to pull her arm free from Anna's grip, struggling several times, but Anna held firm.

Seeing her mother restrained, Megan rushed forward to pry Anna's fingers loose.

Anna suddenly released her hold, causing both Penelope and Megan to stumble backward. After regaining their balance, Megan shouted furiously, "Anna, how dare you manhandle my mother! Do you have a death wish?"

"What's all this commotion about?"

Jonathan Rice walked in from outside, his gaze sweeping over everyone before lingering briefly on Anna. His expression remained impassive as he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Father, wasn't it your idea to have me return and marry into the Sterling family in Megan's place? Are you saying you're unaware of this?" Anna replied with a cold smile.

"Anna, how dare you speak to Dad like that!" Megan interjected, pointing accusingly. "Dad, look how arrogant she's being! She not only hit me but also tried to assault Mom!"

Jonathan raised his hand to silence Megan. "Anna, the Sterling family has business interests worldwide and considerable influence in Brighton Harbor. Marrying into their family would be a blessing for you."

"I see. So I should consider myself lucky," Anna responded with evident sarcasm as she stood up. "Fine, I'll marry. But my mother's belongings should be returned to their rightful owner."

As she turned to leave, she paused to add. "Remember, I expect to see those items by tomorrow morning."

"Dad, she actually dared to treat you this way!" Megan stomped her foot in frustration, but Jonathan silenced her with a glance.

"If you want her to marry in your place, then learn to tolerate her behavior," he said firmly.

Meanwhile, Penelope moved behind Jonathan and began massaging his shoulders, her voice honey-sweet. "Don't be too hard on Megan. It's really Anna who's being difficult. She's causing chaos the moment she returns."

Jonathan closed his eyes slightly. "Anna has always been difficult to manage, especially after growing up away from home. She's naturally a bit unstable. Don't take her words to heart. Just endure for one more day, and then we'll be rid of her."

Reassured by his words, Penelope relaxed.

"But what about the items she's demanding—her mother's things?" she asked carefully.

"You don't want to return them?" Jonathan inquired.

"I don't mean it that way," Penelope hastily explained. "It's just that Megan has grown accustomed to wearing those pieces. If they're all returned, she won't have any proper jewelry to wear in public. People might talk."

Jonathan looked at Megan. "Go select some new pieces tomorrow. And regarding Jason Worthington—put some effort into that relationship. I'm expecting good news."

Megan's face lit up at his words, and she eagerly took his arm, coaxing him affectionately.

Penelope forced a smile, but internally she was distraught. Those jewelry pieces were incredibly valuable—returning them would be like cutting out a piece of her heart. She wanted to refuse, but to ensure Anna would marry into the Sterling family in Megan's place, she had no choice but to comply.

Early the next morning, Anna awoke to find a chest filled with jewelry in her bedroom.

As her fingers brushed over the precious pieces, memories of her mother, Elizabeth Rice, flooded her mind.

"Mom, I've grown up now. I promise I'll avenge you," she whispered, blinking back tears.

Composing herself, Anna packed all the jewelry into her bag and headed out, passing by the watchful eyes of the Rice family members as she got into the car bound for the Sterling estate.

Halfway there, she instructed the driver to stop at a bank. Inside, she opened her safety deposit box and carefully stored Elizabeth's jewelry collection.

As she prepared to leave, her gaze fell upon a distinctive ring.

The double-layered band featured an intricately carved lifelike double-headed raven, far too large for her slender finger—clearly meant for a man's hand.

She caressed the ring thoughtfully. This was the only item the mysterious man had left behind that night. For years, while searching for her child, she had also been trying to locate this man. Strangely, all traces of him seemed to have been completely erased, as if he had vanished into thin air.

"Whoever you are, I will find you," she vowed, returning the ring to its place before departing.

The car soon arrived at the Sterling estate, gliding through the understated wrought-iron gates. After traveling a considerable distance along the driveway, it stopped before an ivory-colored mansion.

Waiting servants opened the car door and escorted Anna inside.

"Please make yourself comfortable, Ms. Rice. Mr. Sterling said he'll join you shortly," one servant said politely but distantly as she served tea before withdrawing.

As Anna surveyed her surroundings, a sudden gust of movement caught her peripheral vision. A massive white beast lunged toward her.

Anna's eyes narrowed. A Dogo Argentino!

She rolled away from the attack, but before she could fully regain her footing, the powerful guard dog charged at her again, baring its teeth.

Just as the dog's sharp teeth were about to make contact, Anna produced a thin silver probe from somewhere on her person and precisely targeted a pressure point on the dog's neck.

With a single touch, the Dogo Argentino whimpered and retreated several steps.

Applause sounded from behind her. A man appeared before Anna.

"Impressive reflexes," he said. "So you're Megan Rice?"