Upon hearing that her mother was sick, Ruth's heart ached. "Mom...how did she get sick?""Because you pissed her off!" Her father snapped.Ruth's voice trembled. "Dad, what exactly did I do wrong? Are you doing this to me simply because I refused to help my cousin? I can understand that you want to be nice to her because she lost her parents when she was still a child. I've never protested that you favor her over me. But she went as far as to attack me with sulfuric acid, and mom is angry at me instead? If you don't want me as your daughter, just say so, dad. I'll just stay away from now on. Don't worry, though, I will still pay every penny to support you and mom."Ruth had never been so determined before until now. She was devastated!Her father's tone softened at her words. "You have always had your parents right by your side for your entire life, do you have any idea how frustrating life could be for a kid without parents? Try putting yourself in her shoes. What if both of your pare

"What are we doing?" Ruth's mother stepped out of her room and kicked at Ruth. "You little skank! Where is your conscience? How dare you step over our sister to get into the elite community? Huh? How could you be this cheap? Do you really want to really be a part of the elite society that badly? Do you want to take your sister's resources from her that badly? Aren't you sisters? How could you be this cheap? How shameless!"Her mother kicked Ruth a few times, more viciously. Ruth wailed in pain, she couldn't see a thing with her head in the sack, so she could only plead. "Mom, can you please just take this off me first? Let me out and-and you can scold me or beat me however you want, okay?""We can let you out!" said her father. "But not until we take your phone and every last penny you own from your bag. We have to tie you up before we remove the sack."Her parents immediately leaped into action after that to go through her bag. Her phone, cash and the shopping card Sabrina had given h

"Say, Sabrina..." Ruth's eyes were swollen from all the crying at this point. "Are they really my parents? I've always cared for them, I even plan on giving them most of my salary once I get it, keeping only a small part to cover my own expenses. They were supposed to be my family, but now..."After narrowly escaping a fate worse than death, Ruth didn't know whether she was supposed to hate them. All she knew was that her heart was filled with nothing but pain. Sabrina didn't know what she should say. She, too, was doubting if Mr. and Mrs. Mann were actually Ruth's parents. But who was she to comment on this? Her own father was merciless towards her as well. Sabrina handed a tissue to Ruth and comforted her. "Don't cry, Ruth, you survived it. It's always darkest before dawn, you know? You are an adult now, there are still going to be a lot of obstacles that await you in the future, but you will have your own family after marrying Ryan and having your own children. You have no idea how

On the other side of the line, Ryan explained carefully, "Babe, I'll tell you but promise me you won't beat me up for it."For a moment, Ruth was amused by Ryan's mannerism. Why would she beat him up? She couldn't treasure him enough. "Just tell me already.""That cousin of yours...she is asking me out.""What?!" Ruth exclaimed, almost dropping the phone. She finally realized what Ryan had meant by 'something urgent'. Tears began welling up her eyes. “And...and how do you feel about that?"Before Ryan could reply, Sabrina snatched the phone from Ruth. Sternly, she asked into the phone, "Young Master Poole, are you saying that you want to date Mindy?""As if!" Ryan snorted in contempt. "She is nothing but an Emophila! Let me tell you, Aunt Sabrina, I finally know where my Ruth inherited the Emophilia, it's from her cousin! I've been telling Ruth to chase her cousin out!"Sabrina smiled bitterly. "She will have to have support from her parents first to do that.""What do you mean?""It d

Sabrina's expression remained composed. Next to her, Aino had just finished dressing herself up. She looked at her mother, doe-eyed. "Mommy, who is calling? Where is daddy? Daddy hasn't been having breakfast at home lately, he doesn't have time to play with me at night either, so I'm mad at daddy now. Is daddy calling to tell me he is sorry? If he is, tell daddy I forgive him. But he still has to come home at night to have dinner with me. I also want to see him in the morning, then only I will forgive him! Hmph!"The little princess was proud. Though she said she was not forgiving her father, in between every word were her thoughts and love towards the man.Hearing what the little girl had said, the person on the other side of the call had only grown more smug. "Aha! Sabrina! You pretend like the three of you are one sweet harmonious family on the outside, when actually your man isn't even home days and nights! Sabrina! You have been faking it! I've finally caught you red-handed!"Sabr