Chapter 13: The Beginning of a Nightmare

Looking at all these familiar scenes, Keira Leaf couldn't help but recall everything that happened back then.

She lost her mother at the age of three, and her father soon married the young lady from a family of scholars, who later became her stepmother-- Emma River.

Although the River Family could not be considered a wealthy family, that woman was young and beautiful, and she had already made a name for herself in the capital city at a very young age. Her excellent skills made her father give up on many wealthy family beauties, and ultimately married her.

After Emma River joined the Leaf Family, she took great care of Keira, pampering and loving her immensely. She not only looked after her daily life but also patiently guided and educated her, told her stories, and played games with her.

At the age of three, Keira quickly found comfort in Emma's presence, which made her consider Emma as her mother.

In less than a year, her stepmother Emma River gave birth to a baby girl named Olivia Leaf, followed by another baby girl named Abigail Leaf the next year.

Since they were lacking a boy to inherit the family business, Abigail was sent abroad to her grandfather's care when she was a little over a year old. The enormous Leaf Family's villa then became a playground for Keira and Olivia.

To Keira at that time, little Olivia seemed like an exquisite and well-behaved doll, incredibly adorable.

With her stepmother's deliberate teachings, Keira couldn't help but spoil Olivia, accommodate her, take care of her, and give her all her favorite toys and gifts. Even when Olivia grew up, as long as Olivia asked for something, no matter how much Keira loved it, she would concede it willingly.

Unfortunately, such kindness did not receive the expected rewards but instead fueled their greed.

Keira did not understand at that time that not everyone could easily afford a ten-million jade bracelet or a one-million crystal crown. Her innocence led to the tragedy that would later befall her.

Eighteen years old, the age when she should inherit her mother's estate and was supposed to be the best time of her life, but in reality, it was the beginning of her nightmare.

"Felicity, where is William? Hurry up and call him down to help your father entertain the guests," her father said to her affectionately.

"William accidentally wet his clothes. He went to my room to change. I'll go and see how he's doing now."

Wearing a white princess dress and adorned with a crystal crown custom-made by her father in Austria, she happily went into the villa to find her childhood sweetheart William and invite him to join her in entertaining the guests.

Her dazzling crystal shoes stepping on the bright red carpet seemed to foretell that she would become a princess who lost her crystal shoes.

As she held onto the handrail, only halfway through the staircase, she heard the intense argument coming from her stepmother's room.

"Mrs. Taylor! Your decision is too rash. Felicity is still young. Aren't you afraid that someone will take advantage of her if you announce her inheritance now, endangering her safety?" her stepmother said anxiously.

"Hmph, Emma River, Felicity's youth and naivety do not mean that I, an old woman, am blind! All these years, you have been occupying Felicity's property, profiting immensely from it. Don't think I don't know! I think you are not worried about Felicity's safety, but rather unwilling to let go of her property and afraid that it will obstruct your profit!"

"Mrs. Sidney, I have always treated Felicity like my biological daughter. How could I think about her property? Your words truly hurt my heart!"

"Enough! Stop pretending in front of me. Over the years, you have used my daughter's inheritance to gain many benefits. Now that Felicity has come of age, don't even think about laying a finger on her property ever again. Otherwise, the Sydney Family is not to be trifled with!"

The old woman was full of anger, and her walking stick kept banging on the ground as she spoke.