Chapter 3

Evelyn Laurent had always possessed extraordinary strength, but today she deliberately held back, using less than thirty percent of her power.

Since childhood, she had been far stronger than her peers. Years of roughhousing with village troublemakers and manual labor had only honed her raw power.

Even at thirty percent, it was enough to make the Lowell family suffer.

She didn’t dare use her full strength—she might have sent their heads flying.

Slap!

The sharp crack of her palm echoed through the living room. Vincent Lowell clutched his rapidly swelling cheek, lips trembling. "Y-you—"

Slap!

Another strike silenced him. Evelyn’s voice was icy. "Stuttering? Can’t speak properly?"

Sophia Lowell trembled, her bravado thin. "Evelyn, assault is illegal!"

Evelyn turned sharply. The coldness in her gaze made Sophia instantly recoil, shrinking back in terrified silence.

Brandon Lowell had already hidden behind his father, wishing he could vanish. He shook uncontrollably, praying Evelyn wouldn’t notice him.

If even his parents couldn’t fight back, what chance did he have?

Since when had this bitch become so dangerous?

A flicker of venomous hatred crossed Brandon’s eyes. If only they’d known she wasn’t blood-related back then—

"Ah!"

Agony erupted across his scalp. Brandon screamed before a flurry of slaps left him dazed, blood streaming from his nose.

"Shut up," Evelyn snapped.

Margaret Hill and Vincent, seeing their precious son attacked, finally lost control and lunged at her.

Thud! Thud!

They were kicked away before they could even touch her, crumpling to the floor in pain.

Sophia muffled a whimper behind her hands.

Evelyn’s sharp gaze locked onto her—and the hatred in Sophia’s eyes.

Slap! Slap!

Two more strikes left Sophia’s hair disheveled, her face marked with vivid handprints, tears and slick smeared across her cheeks.

Surveying the ruined family at her feet, Evelyn finally felt a sliver of satisfaction.

She crossed her arms, looking down at them. "Now. Have you learned to speak properly?"

Her gaze landed on Brandon first.

He nodded frantically. "Yes!"

Slap!

"Did I say you could speak?" Evelyn flexed her hand.

Brandon clutched his face, trembling. This wasn’t a woman—this was a demon.

"Speak. Why did you call me here?" Evelyn’s lips curled in mocking amusement.

Vincent spoke through gritted teeth. "You’re not our real daughter. Sophia is."

"Ah." Evelyn nodded. "Makes sense. All four of you share the same stupidity."

Vincent’s face twisted. "We called you to sever ties. We’ll give you money—"

"Where is it?" Her voice turned lethal.

Vincent shakily pulled out a card. "There’s a hundred thousand—"

"Pocket change?" She cracked her knuckles.

"F-five hundred thousand!" Sweat dripped down his face.

"Last chance." Her tone was glacial.

"Ten million!" Vincent shrieked. "And—information about your real parents!"

He rushed on. "They live in Cloudhaven’s Everpeace Village. Six unmarried brothers, all farmers."

Evelyn tapped her chin, watching the transfer complete before grabbing her shovel. "If I see any of you again, I’ll beat you every time."

The family seethed with humiliation—but what could they do? Their bodyguards were down, and together, they were no match for this madwoman.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

"Officers!" Margaret cried like a drowning woman clutching at straws. "She broke in and attacked us! Arrest her! Trash like her belongs in jail!"

With the police closing in, she grew bolder. "She threatened me too!"

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. In a flash, she broke through the circle—her shovel whistling toward Margaret’s face.

"Aaaah—!"

Margaret screamed as the blade stopped less than an inch from her skin, embedding in the floor.

A dark stain spread beneath her.

She fainted on the spot.

Evelyn released the shovel and slowly raised her hands, smiling coldly at the remaining three. "Just say the word if you want to die."