Unable to Borrow Money

"Ah!!!" Luis screamed, hopping on one leg and cursing angrily, "Your phone fell on my foot. It hurts like hell. You can't even hold a phone properly, no wonder you had to rely on others to get into Windsor Academy."

"What did you say? Say it again."

Suddenly, Rhea shoved the chair beside her away, glaring at him with a fierce look.

It was the first time Luis had seen her look at him like that. His heart tightened, and his voice stuttered, "I-I was just telling the truth."

"Crash..."

Rhea swept the teacup off the table, the harsh sound startling Luis into silence.

"Shut up. If it weren't for me, you'd have starved to death long ago. What right do you have to criticize me?" Rhea glared at her useless brother.

Though she was only ten minutes older than him, she had to bear all the burdens of the family. Why?

Luis was terrified by her, though he felt resentment, he dared not retort, muttering under his breath, "It's all because of Zuri."

Rhea shot him a fierce glare before storming out. Ignoring the strange looks from those around her, she left the shantytown and fled to a corner of the demolition area, where she cried softly.

After crying for a while, as the sky grew darker, she wiped away her tears and lifted her head, noticing the ghost money at her feet. Looking around, she realized with horror that this was where Manuel had encountered a ghost.

Terrified, she scrambled to her feet and fled in a panic, tripping and falling along the way.

"Caaw... Caaw..."

The sudden cawing of crows startled Rhea, who clambered to her feet, ignoring the scrapes on her knees and elbows, and hurried away.

Out of the demolition area and onto the main road, she breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing people.

Walking down the street, watching others laughing and smiling happily, Rhea's resentment and hatred grew.

Suddenly, she remembered something Zuri had said to her at the school gate.

"If you can't survive, come find me. Maybe I can give you another chance."

Can't survive!!!

Wasn't she barely surviving now?

Could it be...

A terrifying thought began to form in her mind.

Had Zuri predicted today's outcome long ago? Was this all part of her plan?

Once the idea took root, it was unstoppable.

She had always known Zuri was smart and cunning, but she never imagined her to be so scheming.

The more Zuri wanted her to bow down, the more she refused to give in.

Grinding her teeth, Rhea muttered, "Dream on if you think I'll bow down."

Not bowing down made life hard for the Liu family, so Rhea had to go out and work. And when life was hard for Rhea, it was equally hard for Saira and Christian.

Christian greeted his friend Qian Jiajun warmly, "Have a seat. I was just thinking about calling you, and here you are."

"Jiajun, what would you like to drink?" Saira asked gently.

"Just some plain water."

Saira got up to fetch it from the kitchen, also pouring a glass of juice for Christian. She had mostly recovered from her injuries, but the lack of money meant she couldn't buy anything she liked, making life difficult.

"Jiajun, I don't have enough money on hand. Can you lend me another 200,000 yuan?" Christian asked bluntly, not at all like someone asking for a loan.

Qian Jiajun felt uncomfortable at Christian's immediate request for 200,000 yuan.

His family wasn't as wealthy as the Lin family. His monthly allowance was only 100,000 yuan, and the previous 100,000 yuan he gave Christian was from his New Year's money.

Now Christian was asking for 200,000 yuan, treating him like a goldmine.

Christian, seeing no immediate response, frowned impatiently, "What's the problem?"

"Lin, my distant relatives are coming over, and my dad wants me to give up this room. You see..." Qian Jiajun said awkwardly.

Christian's face darkened instantly, anger surging within him.

He treated Qian Jiajun as a brother, yet he wanted to kick him out.

Christian's pride couldn't tolerate this.

"No need to trouble yourself. Saira and I will leave. We won't stay in your house any longer." Christian's tone was sharp.

"Bro, I don't mean it like that. It's just that my relatives are coming for a long stay," Qian Jiajun explained.

"Say no more." Christian interrupted him, turning to Saira, "Saira, pack our things. We're leaving."

Saira glanced at Qian Jiajun, then at her angry brother, and went to pack their personal belongings.

Watching them leave, Qian Jiajun wanted to say something but remained silent.

He didn't want to do this, but his father had given him an ultimatum to get them out. The reason was simple: the real heiress of the Lin Group was too powerful, and the Lin family would likely pass on to her.

As for Christian and Saira, they were destined to be tragic figures.

It was obvious to everyone that Zuri's relationship with the adopted children was poor. The Qian family wouldn't risk offending Zuri for two useless people.

Christian, fuming, called a friend as soon as they left.

"Hua, it's Christian."

"Lin, what's up?" Jiang Hua asked casually.

"Hua, didn't you say I could stay at your place for a few days? I happen to be free now. Is that still okay?"

Jiang Hua pushed away the girl beside him, "Lin, bad timing. I'm on vacation in the South Sea. I'll pick you up when I get back. Oh, gotta go, busy here. Talk later."

Without waiting for Christian's reply, he hung up.

Who would want to associate with a discarded pawn?

Christian, seeing his call cut off, dialed another friend's number. Each call was met with excuses: no time, poor signal, or family inconvenience.

Christian was bewildered!

Just half a month ago, things weren't like this. How had everything changed so drastically? Now everyone treated him like the plague, avoiding him.

Saira also tried calling her girlfriends, all of whom were vague and evasive.

"It must be that brat instigating our parents. They're trying to force us back," Christian said, his face dark with anger.

He had never been this humiliated before.

"Brother, what should we do now?" Saira asked helplessly.

"Don't worry, we'll stay at a hotel."

They still had some of the money Qian Jiajun had given them, enough for a few days' stay.

To save money, they booked the cheapest room in a four-star hotel.