Chapter 1 Rebirth

"How does it feel to wish for death, Angie?" Willow Yelton mocked.

Angie Yelton's breaths were shallow as she lay on her hospital bed.

A smug smile appeared on Willow's lips as she continued, "Don't keep holding onto your delusions about Zack. You know why he's never visited you, even when you were hospitalized. He's why I got to take your kidney, after all. Hahaha!"

No, this was impossible. Absolutely impossible. Zack Lockwood had promised Angie that he would marry her and that she was the only one for him.

"You're lying. He hasn't come to see me because he's busy with work," Angie protested.

"Your ability to lie to yourself is impressive. Though, let's say that I slash your face open right here, right now. Would Zack believe me, or you?"

Willow pulled out a knife and ran the edge of its cold blade against Angie's face. Then, she drove the knife through the skin and repeatedly stabbed Angie.

Angie's face was now a wounded mess as blood streamed down her face.

"Let's see how you're going to woo Zack now with that face of yours. I want to make you become a monster so ugly that people will scream just at the sight of you!"

Angie had been blind. When they were children, Angie's father saved Willow, and Angie treated Willow like her own younger sister.

She had been rather protective of Willow as Willow was diagnosed with failing kidneys. Angie had brought her to the Yelton Group, taught her how to run the company, and treated her like her right-hand man.

However, Willow usurped Angie's position in the Yelton Group and stole her boyfriend as well. Not only that, she even imprisoned Angie in the hospital so that she could get her hands on one of Angie's kidneys.

Willow monologued, "Do you know why Zack hates you so much? Why have you been here in this hospital ever since his parents passed away in that car accident?

"It's because he has already made up his mind that you're their murderer. I was the one who planted that heirloom bracelet that you're always wearing in the driver's seat.

"Do you know who actually killed them? I hired someone to ram into their car because I don't like how they saw you as the only one fit to marry Zack."

Thunder rumbled outside the window.

"No… no way… There's no way that Zack's parents are…" Angie's breaths were shallow. She was on high alert now after listening to Willow's confession.

"Oh, and your father too. I hadn't expected him to be still as lucid as he is after I nudged him toward drug addiction. That old coot still wouldn't hand his shares over to him. Pftt, it's rather tragic, actually."

Angie looked at her father in the video that Willow showed her. He lay there in bed, his figure looking skeletal while seemingly on the brink of death.

Angie saw red then. She picked up the dagger to stab Willow. "I'm going to kill you, Willow!" she yelled.

Someone kicked the door open then. Willow promptly pretended to stumble and fall to the ground.

"No, please! If you don't want to give me your kidney, that's perfectly alright with me. Please don't kill me."

"You insane witch, Angie! How dare you stoop so low as to kill Willow?" Zack barked out as he scooped Willow up from the ground. "You're just an incubator for the kidney that will save Willow's life. You wouldn't have stayed alive until now otherwise."

Zack's frosty tone seemed to assault Angie's ears. She could hardly believe that this was the same man with whom she was deeply in love.

"I wasn't responsible for your parents' deaths. It was her!" Angie yelled as she charged toward Willow like a woman possessed, but Zack kicked her into a chair nearby. Blood splattered around her.

"Angie destroyed her own face and severed her own tendons because she doesn't want to give me a kidney. I don't want it anymore. I don't want to see her like this."

Willow smiled eerily at Angie while Zack wasn't looking.

Zack eyed Angie with disdain. His gaze was like steel as he looked at her. "Get the doctors in. Get her kidney out of her while she's still alive and breathing. Do not use any anesthetics!"

"Don't do this to Angie. She'll die if there's nothing to numb her pain." Willow continued to smile even as she remained in Zack's arms.

"This is what she deserves!" Zack's words cut through Angie like a knife. Zack was the man that Angie was crazily in love with. She had been willing to do anything to marry him. However, he now wouldn't listen to any of her explanations. Instead, he straightaway handed her a death sentence.

"If reincarnation or life after death exists, I will never forgive you two! Not even if I become a vengeful ghost!"

Angie could barely open her eyes due to the strength of the lights above the operating table. As the surgical knife sliced through her flesh, Angie shook her through the immense pain. Despair and stubbornness shone through her gaze as blood ran from her eyes.

Angie wouldn't close her eyes. She would not lie down and breathe her last breath, not while she still had a lingering wish.

She truly had been blind to lead a wolf-like Willow into her life. She had ended up here on this operating table just because she fell in love with the wrong man.

If reincarnation was real, Angie would make them pay for hurting her.

…

"Urgh…"

Her head hurt. She felt completely devoid of strength. Her mind was hazy as well.

"I didn't think that Grandpa would marry you off to Peyton from the Groff Group, Xyla. He may not be as impressive as the eldest son, Anton, but he's still Oliver Groff's grandson. Who do you think you are to think that you're worthy of him?

"I deliberately picked up these two positively starving guys. Let's see how you'll still be able to marry Peyton once you're ruined."

Xyla's heart stopped for a moment. Her breaths quickened as her throat went dry.

Xyla?

Angie stared at the woman before her, but the memories that sprung to her mind belonged to another person.

They belonged to the original Xyla Moore, who was unloved by her family. Her mother had passed away when she was a young girl. Her father then married Margaret Gosling, and they had two children together—a son named Darius Moore and a daughter called Rena Moore.

The original Xyla couldn't take Margaret's and Rena's torment any longer and chose to end her life. The woman standing right before her now was one of the perpetrators, Rena.

Angie hadn't expected to be reincarnated as someone with similar lingering sentiments to her.

Instantly, Angie clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging so hard into her palms that she drew blood.

It didn't matter whether she was Angie Yelton or Xyla Moore. She would never let anyone who hurt her get away again! She would save Xyla from the Moore family and make those against her pay!

"This here is my dear older sister. You got yourselves a great deal. She's actually still a virgin."

The two stinky, dirty men drooled as they eyed Xyla. People always kept a wide berth from them whenever they begged for food. They never dreamed of having such a tasty "meal".

Rena was smug as she watched the two men slowly approach Xyla on the bed, celebrating Xyla's downfall. However, she then noticed an eerily cold and calm look in Xyla's eyes. It seemed to pierce right through Rena's soul.

This wasn't at all like Xyla before. Xyla had been a jittery woman. This time, however, her gaze was dark like a demon that had crawled straight from the pits of hell. It made Rena feel uneasy.

Chapter 2 To Become The Master of Her Destiny

However, Rena quickly regained her composure. Her older sister was lying helplessly on the bed after she had drugged her. There was no way Xyla was going to be able to fend off two starving perverts. All Rena had to do was sit back and enjoy the show.

Rena's mood took a turn for the better as Xyla's downfall would soon be broadcast on screen. It was their grandfather's 80th birthday today, and there would be a huge audience watching this. Rena wanted to let them all see how the esteemed Xyla spent her time by bedding questionable men.

"Aren't you going to give her a hand? She is your fiancee, after all," Rena said to the man standing at the side.

Peyton gave Xyla a frosty stare.

"Do you think that an empty-headed woman who would fall for a trap set by another woman is fit to be my wife?" Peyton scoffed. He fell quiet after that, shaking his head repeatedly as he read through the documents he had.

Xyla was a pathetic woman. He had no idea why Reuben Moore would choose her to become his fiancee.

"Anyway, have fun, guys!" Rena called out. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard a shrill yowl.

"Bring her over to me," Xyla snarled. She had grabbed a vase and smashed it over one of the men's heads. Now, she held a jagged shard at his neck.

"Hurry up and do as she said!" the man yelled to his accomplice.

Before Rena could process the situation, she was already being dragged back over.

"Rip her clothes off. You can have your way with her instead. How about that?" Xyla said to the two perverts.

The men exchanged looks. They didn't care who they got, so long as it was a woman.

"You better tell them to get their hands off me, Xyla, or my mother will hunt you down," Rena threatened.

It was the first time the man ever got to lay his hands on such a beautiful woman as Rena. He soon took Rena's clothes off.

"Let go of me! Get away from me—"

The man that Xyla held as a hostage stared as his accomplice ripped Rena's clothes off. He gulped at the scene.

"I'm just letting you get what you want," Xyla said. She led her hostage over to the door, kicking him out of the room before she herself left.

"No, please… Save me, Mom… No, don't…"

From now on, anyone who dared to mistreat Xyla would have to pay the price.

The corners of Peyton's lips quirked. "Interesting," he muttered.

Xyla looked around for a bathroom to ease the burning feeling inside her. As she rounded a corner, though, she ran into someone.

"Sorry," she apologized. She had been so hurried that she hadn't noticed this person.

"You were brilliant just now, Ms. Moore!"

Xyla couldn't discern the man's tone.

"Was he watching earlier?" Xyla wondered to herself.

Xyla looked up to meet a dark gaze. Fear ran through her. She couldn't figure out where this feeling came from.

She scoured her memories. But she couldn't recall anything about this man, not through her memories as either Angie Yelton or Xyla Moore.

"How much do you want?" she asked. If this were something that could be resolved with money, then Xyla wouldn't have to worry at all.

Seeing the man remain silent, Xyla figured that her hunch was correct. It was a pity that all this stunner of a man wanted was cold, hard cash.

Xyla snatched his phone from him.

"Here's my number. I'm a little preoccupied right now, but I'll give you a sum that I'm sure you'll be quite pleased with once I'm done."

With that, Xyla dashed off into a private room.

"Chester, do I look like some poor little village mouse in need of money?" Peyton asked Chester Giles as he watched Xyla leave. However, his lips curved up into a smile.

"Uh, I think… We do indeed kinda seem like that now, Mr. Groff…"

…

Xyla remained settled for a long soak inside her bathtub. She only got out of the tub and dressed once the burning feeling had left her. She looked at the foreign face in the mirror. Although Xyla's looks were not on the same level as Helen of Troy, she was still beautiful.

Xyla took out her phone and pulled up the news. There were scores of articles written about Angie from the Yelton Group. Angie had apparently passed away from a sudden illness. Distraught by her death, the CEO, Edgar Yelton, had handed over all the company's shares to Willow.

Meanwhile, Willow had become engaged to Zack, and her shares were a wedding gift to him. Their wedding ceremony was to be held next year. In a twisted way, she got to live out Angie's dream.

Everyone online had nothing but praise for Willow and called her a saint.

Xyla clutched her phone tightly with both hands, her hands turning pale from her sheer grip. Her expression at the news was terrifying.

"I will make sure that everything you two did to me in my past life will be repaid in full!" Xyla swore.

However, Xyla was currently the least favored child in the Moore family. Trying to exact revenge on Willow and Zack would be as futile as fighting a raging fire with a bucket of water.

Therefore, Xyla had to rise up and become more powerful than before. She had to gather power to go toe-to-toe with Willow and Zack. She would not let this new lease of life go to waste.

From the original Xyla's memories, she knew that it was her grandfather's 80th birthday today, and there was a birthday party as well. If she wanted to climb up the ranks in the Moore family, she had to make her grandfather change his views on her.

Xyla went through the motions and put on a dinner gown that outlined the curves of her body. An elegant young woman looked back at her as she studied herself in the mirror.

All of a sudden, Xyla recalled the man that she had run into earlier. The predatory gaze he had earlier sent shivers down her spine. Understandably, she felt uneasy since he had leverage over her.

"Still, everything can be resolved with money. And if it can't be resolved, that's because you aren't throwing enough money at it!" That was Angie's experience when she led the Yelton Group in her previous life.

…

The Moores were a renowned family in the city of Sascove. It was no wonder that there was a massive turnout for Reuben Moore's birthday dinner as guests arrived to celebrate.

"Happy birthday, Grandpa," Darius Moore said. His gift was a drawing of the entire Moore family, and he had drawn Reuben as gallant a man as he possibly could. However, Xyla was missing from the drawing.

Reuben was initially delighted until he spotted Xyla's absence in the picture. He then frowned.

"Darius, why isn't your sister Xyla in here?"

"She keeps calling me an illegitimate child. She's always picking on me for no reason. I've never had a chance to get close to her, so I don't know what she's like."

Reuben clenched his fists upon hearing his grandson's words. Anger could be seen on his face. "You are my grandson, not some illegitimate child."

Margaret Gosling beckoned her son Darius over. "Good boy, Darry. You managed to say everything as coached. I'll get you those Lego sets that you want."

Darius had no idea why his mother wanted him to say all that. However, he was just happy to get the Lego sets he had his eyes on.

"Where's Xyla? Why isn't she here?" Reuben asked.

"She probably overslept. Don't think about her; take a look at the present that Rena got you. She labored over this for over a month, putting her heart and soul into it."

Margaret nodded at the staff standing to the side. Immediately, he turned the projector on to display a video of Rena wishing Reuben a happy birthday.

"Rena has never let me down," Reuben said as he stroked his beard. At the thought of Xyla, he let out a sigh. She had always come in last in any kind of test she took. Even though she was set to marry Peyton, Xyla still embarrassed him.

The video cut to a different scene all of a sudden. It was certainly not something that was suitable for young children to see, and it certainly wasn't censored at all.

Margaret had been smiling until she noticed that Rena was the woman in the video. Instantly, her face drained of color.

"Turn it off! Now!" Margaret screeched.

The guests were all shocked at the sight.

"Isn't that the Moores' other girl, Rena?"

"Who would have thought that she would be involved in something like this? I need something to cleanse my eyes now."

"I guess you can't tell what people are really like. To think that such an upstanding young girl like her would degrade herself like this."

Some of the guests even recorded clips of the video.

"Turn the projector off. Get those two men and take them to the police," Rena's father, Zachary Moore, ordered. His face was dark with fury. This was a humiliating incident for the Moores. Reuben would never forgive him so easily, and the video was a huge blow to Reuben's reputation.

Xyla grinned at the sight. It was time for her to make her entrance.

Chapter 3 Isn't It Easy Being a Snake?

Many guests promptly left after the incident. Margaret quickly caught sight of Xyla.

"Why are you here? Were you behind all of this?" she accused.

The star of the humiliating video should have been Xyla. Why was it Rena instead?

Margaret was furious. She wanted nothing more than to tear Xyla into pieces.

"What are you saying, Ms. Gosling? I don't quite get it. It's Grandpa's birthday today. Why can't I be here? Where were you expecting me to be?" Xyla grinned innocently.

"But the one in the video should have been…"

"Me? Do you despise me that much? I've actually always treated you like my mother," Xyla said, a hurt look on her face.

The rest of the guests began to gossip. Had Margaret deliberately gotten some shady men to defile Xyla?

"Enough. Haven't you made the family enough of a laughing stock?" Reuben said as he slammed his cane into the ground.

At the sight of Reuben's anger, Xyla dashed over. "Let me help you back to your room, Grandpa. You should get some rest.

Reuben's eyebrow twitched. He never thought that he would be humiliated in his very own home, especially with his storied background.

"Look into Xyla's whereabouts for the last few days," Peyton ordered Chester as he watched from the crowd.

Xyla's actions today were completely unexpected. This wasn't the woman that his notes had painted her out to be.

"Got it!" Chester acknowledged.

…

"I really don't know how this could have happened, Grandpa. I didn't do it, really. My mother passed away when I was a little girl, and my father rarely came home.

"Ms. Gosling has taken care of me all this while, and you are my dearest grandfather. How could I have ruined your birthday celebration?" Xyla asked as tears streamed down her face.

Reuben's heart ached at the sight of Xyla's tears. Xyla was a quiet and responsible girl due to her mother's passing. Other than her poor grades in school, she was otherwise a good girl.

"I didn't mean to blame you, Xyla." Reuben let out a heavy sigh.

Reuben had always had a soft spot for Xyla's mother. It was simply unfortunate that her life was suddenly cut short.

Reuben actually hadn't viewed Margaret in a good light when she became part of the family after her marriage. He only began viewing her more favorably after Darius was born. She had given the family a boy, after all.

"Rena is still just a young girl. So please, forgive her this once!"

It was so easy to be a snake and pretend to be concerned for Rena's welfare.

"Do not bring up that little disrespectful wretch!" Reuben spat out, his breathing heavy.

"Please don't be angry, Grandpa. Here, this is for you." Xyla carefully handed the painting in her hands to Reuben. When Reuben looked at it, he teared up. It was a painting of his late wife sitting in a grassy field, smiling while she held Xyla.

It had been decades since Reuben's wife had passed away. Xyla had been their only grandchild then, and she and Reuben doted on her. It was the happiest time of Reuben's life.

The original Xyla had completed the painting in the final two months of her life. This part of her childhood had also been the happiest time of her life.

"I didn't want anyone to know about the painting, so I kept it with me. That was why I was late. I'm so sorry for that."

Reuben looked up and patted Xyla's head. "This is the best gift, Xyla."

Xyla immediately leaped into Reuben's arms. "I promise that I'll be a good girl and listen to you, Grandpa."

This was Angie's way of fulfilling the original Xyla's last wish. Margaret had been constantly undermining the original Xyla's relationship with Reuben, which was why the rift between them had grown.

The next day, Xyla woke up early to make breakfast. This was also one of the original Xyla's last wishes. Xyla could tell that Reuben's attitude toward her was already changing.

"Here you go, Grandpa. French toast, just the way you like it," Xyla offered.

Reuben realized that he had indeed been neglecting Xyla over the years, and their relationship had deteriorated because of that. If he hadn't witnessed Margaret's treatment of Xyla with his own eyes last night, Reuben wouldn't have known that Xyla was being mistreated.

"How has Margaret been treating you?"

Reuben would not allow anyone to mistreat his granddaughter.

"I've always been careful of my actions so that Margaret won't find any fault with me." Panic could be seen in her eyes.

Reuben felt his heart sink at the sight of Xyla's fear. Had Xyla's life been unpleasant all this while?

A thought suddenly struck Reuben. "I've actually arranged a fiance for you, Xyla. It's Oliver's grandson, Peyton Groff. I'll let you two meet in the next few days.

Reuben and Oliver Groff were as thick as thieves when they were younger. However, the Groffs were based in Rolchaster. They were a family with a long history. After Oliver retired, he took control of the Groff Group.

The Groffs were far more powerful and influential than the Moores, so Reuben did not treat this engagement lightly.

"But I haven't even finished high school yet. I think it's a little too early…"

Xyla's priority right now was to get revenge. Romance was not on the table. She wanted to make Zack and Willow pay.

"If you marry him, I will transfer ten percent of the company shares to you as a wedding gift."

Reuben held 45 percent of the Moore Group's shares, while Zachary held 15 percent. Margaret was awarded 8 percent of the company's shares when she gave birth to a son. Meanwhile, Darius immediately received 10 percent upon his birth.

Neither Xyla nor Rena held any shares in the Moore Group.

Xyla made a pained smile. It seemed that she would not be escaping this predicament easily. Still, who exactly was this Peyton Groff? Was she going to have to marry someone right after reincarnating?

"I have one more request for you, Xyla. If you can do it, I will give you another 5 percent," Reuben said resolutely while shaking his head.

Xyla was in dire need of money. She was willing to do anything as long as she didn't have to marry anyone immediately.

"I'm sure you know how the Groffs are. I promise to keep my word if you can get into Rolchaster University. I know that your grades could have been better, but you must not become an embarrassment to us!"

Reuben felt like he had a weight on his chest as he thought about Xyla's grades.

"Rolchaster University?" Xyla thought.

It was a university that Xyla would have picked even without Reuben's additional encouragement. She would only be able to exact her revenge on Zack and Willow if she got into Rolchaster University.

"You made a promise, Grandpa."

Angie was considered a genius in her past life. She had been at the top of her class ever since she was a child and got into the prestigious Svenn University at the tender age of 15.

All Angie needed to do was not mess up on the last few questions on her SATs.

Reuben smiled bitterly as he gazed at Xyla's confident visage. He simply hoped that there was enough time for Xyla to turn her grades around, or he would not be able to explain himself to Oliver.

"Pardon me, Mr. Moore Senior; Ms. Gosling and Ms. Rena are outside. They have requested to meet with you," Reuben's assistant, James Dalton, said as he dashed over.

Reuben's expression immediately darkened. "Why are they here? Tell them to see themselves out!"

He had been humiliated at his own birthday the night before. How dare they look for him before he sought them out himself?

"Ms. Gosling claims that Ms. Rena was framed," James elaborated.

A smile appeared on Xyla's lips. She knew that Margaret and Rena would appear today, so she had come prepared.

Chapter 4 Beware of That Man

"Do not run your mouth when you meet with Reuben," Margaret warned Rena.

Rena's face was pale as she nodded outside the room. Her knuckles cracked as she clenched her fists hard. She swore to drag Xyla down to hell with her!

Margaret followed Reuben's butler over to his study. Despite the previous night's events, she was still as composed and elegant as ever. When she saw Xyla next to Reuben, she dug her nails into her palm in a bid to stay calm.

"Reuben, please forgive Rena." Tears rolled down Margaret's face as she aired her grievances. "She's only 18. I have no idea what she had done to Xyla to deserve such wrath."

Xyla watched Margaret's performance with a dark gaze, but she didn't rush to defend herself just yet.

"I may have neglected Xyla because I was so occupied with Darius, but I never thought that she would be so evil as to cause her own sister to lose her innocence."

Margaret continued to cry. She could not let Xyla win over Reuben.

Reuben's expression was stormy as he clenched his cane tightly. Slowly, he hobbled over to the door.

When Rena caught sight of Reuben, she immediately stepped in front of him.

"Grandpa, please forgive me. Xyla had framed me." Rena suddenly tripped and fell, causing a gash on her forehead.

The entire extended family watched the spectacle from a distance. Xyla watched them with an impassive face. She knew that Margaret had deliberately called them here.

"What exactly happened, Rena? Explain."

"Rena has always been a good girl. How could she suddenly end up like that last night?" asked one of Rena's aunts.

"I believe Rena. Xyla must have framed her. Margaret once told me that Xyla wanted to kick Rena out of the house. She couldn't stand being in the same space as her younger sister!"

"It has to be a set-up!"

"How could you do this, Xyla? You cannot do something as evil as this, even if you dislike Rena! Do you know how much of an embarrassment this is to the Moore name?"

In an instant, Xyla was pushed to the forefront.

Reuben's expression darkened at everyone's words. With his cane in hand, he gave Xyla a quizzical look. Right now, he seemed imposing as he stood there.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself, Xyla?" he asked, voice frosty.

"I didn't do it, Grandpa!" Xyla said. "Why does Rena insist that I was the perpetrator?"

"I have proof that you wanted to hurt me! I have a video!" Rena cried out through her tears.

"Poor child!" said another aunt.

"Show us the proof. Reuben will certainly not blame you if Xyla is actually responsible!"

"Don't worry, Rena. If Xyla actually framed you, we will not continue to accept her as part of the family. She will be kicked out or arrested and sent to prison!"

Xyla had a mild smile as her relatives chattered.

"Are you sure you want to show us proof?" Xyla asked Rena without missing a beat.

The rest of the family started gossiping again at Xyla's question.

"Is Xyla scared now?

Margaret's lips were pressed in a thin line. These relatives were a huge help to her. It was the right move to ask them to come with her.

"Of course. I want Grandpa to know that I'm innocent! I want him to know just what kind of person you are!" Rena said determinedly, tears still running down her face.

The crowd gasped.

"James, bring me the camera footage from the hotel!" Reuben's expression was tense as he hobbled over to sit down.

"Get up!" he told Rena.

Everyone headed to the living room to wait for the camera footage.

Xyla could clearly sense the disdain and scorn her relatives held for her. She continued to stand there stiffly. She watched as they fussed over Margaret, and she filed each relative's face away in her mind.

The room fell silent when James returned with the requested footage. All the crowd wanted was Xyla's downfall.

"Here is the footage from last night, Mr. Moore Senior!" James stated.

"Are you going to play the camera footage, Grandpa?" Xyla asked. The sheer inappropriateness of the situation made the rest of the family even more sure of her involvement.

"Just play it!" Reuben's gaze was steely. Xyla noted that there was no warmth to it.

Margaret and Rena exchanged looks, grinning smugly as they did so.

The crowd broke the silence as they gossiped amongst themselves.

"She's probably afraid that she would be thrown out of the family or be sent to jail, so she's trying one last ditch effort to save her skin!"

James set up the projector, and everyone waited with bated breath. However, there was no trace of Xyla in the footage at all.

Margaret and Rena were stunned.

"Impossible! But how?"

Rena thought that she could claim innocence as long as the camera captured Xyla as she left the room. However, why was Xyla not in the video at all? She had clearly walked out of the room, past the camera.

The footage suddenly cut to Rena.

"Make sure that the camera is rolling. We can't let any moment go unrecorded."

Xyla had a cold smile on her face as Rena's assault played.

Margaret and Rena felt their hearts drop. How could the tables have turned like this? Why was Xyla absent from the camera recordings and Rena present instead?

"Turn the projector off! Everyone, go home!" Reuben said coldly. Even after watching the video, Reuben knew the truth, but he didn't want to make the situation worse and tarnish the Moore name further.

"No, that's not it, Grandpa!" Rena tried to talk her way out.

"That will be the end of this debacle!" Reuben was displeased.

"I seemed to have arrived at an inopportune time, Mr. Moore Senior," said a cold voice near Xyla.

Xyla whipped her head up to meet an equally cold gaze. She nearly stumbled and fell at the sight. This man knew what had happened last night. She was now worried that all her efforts were for nothing.

Chapter 5 Keep Pretending

Every step that Peyton took made Xyla's heart sink further.

"Xyla must have tampered with the footage. I'm sure of it!" Rena was not going to give up.

"Get her out of here, James. Do not let her take a step out of the compound until my say-so," Reuben ordered while pointing at Rena.

Rena's stunt yesterday had stained the Moores' reputation, and now, Peyton had witnessed the video as well. He would not have Rena running around and causing more trouble.

"Rena is still a child. She's about to take her SATs soon. She can't miss school." Margaret hadn't expected Xyla to do a complete transformation. Xyla had turned out to be a more formidable opponent than she thought. She had underestimated the girl.

"Do not make me throw you out as well!" Reuben slammed his cane into the ground.

"Please leave the room, Ms. Gosling, Ms. Rena. Mr. Moore Senior still hasn't calmed down," James said to Margaret.

It was Xyla's first time seeing Margaret and Rena so out of their element, and she reveled in it. They were the ones who insisted on playing the camera footage, and Xyla was not to blame.

Margaret's gaze was venomous. She looked like she wanted nothing more than to tear Xyla's flesh off her bones.

Reuben was getting on with his age. Once his time was up, the Moore family would be under her control. Margaret would then kill Xyla. She would not live another day under Margaret's reign.

Margaret and Rena still had time to bide.

The rest of the Moores left the residence. None of them had thought that Margaret and Rena would be the ones humiliated instead.

"Peyton! I hadn't thought that you two would meet under these circumstances. But here, this is my eldest granddaughter, Xyla. Xyla, come here." Reuben waved at Xyla.

"Who would have thought that we would meet so soon, Ms. Moore?" Peyton extended a hand toward her.

Xyla stood rooted to the spot. Was he about to tell on her?

"Have you two met each other before this?" Reuben looked at them.

"No, Grandpa. This is the first time we've met. Nice to meet you. I'm Xyla. Xyla Moore." Xyla reached out to shake his hand, worried that Peyton would speak up.

"Wow, I didn't take you for a forgetful person. Didn't we just run into each other last night?" Peyton had a mischievous smile on his face.

Xyla's mind was a complete mess. If Peyton let it slip, then she was as good as dead. Still, she had actually died once. She didn't have to be scared of him.

Xyla looked up to meet Peyton's eyes fearlessly with her own imposing gaze. Now that she was reborn, she would not let anyone get in her way for revenge.

"Could you think about it again? I don't think we've met at all last night," Xyla said to Peyton as she raised an eyebrow.

Peyton hadn't expected Xyla to be so defiant. He continued to smile.

"Didn't we meet during your grandfather's birthday party? How could you have forgotten that?"

Xyla could feel her heart in her throat. What was Peyton playing at? If Peyton continued to insist he had seen her last night, she would lose Reuben's trust. She would most likely lose whatever progress she had built up.

"Xyla rarely makes an appearance at events like this. She may have forgotten you due to the sheer number of people. Please do not think badly of her." Reuben hastily walked over, worried that Xyla had accidentally left a bad impression on Peyton.

With how powerful the Groff family was, even Reuben had to be careful despite his own influence. Becoming part of the Groffs through marriage was something that many young girls aspired to do.

"I still have some errands to run, so I will be out of your hair. I'll visit again another time." Peyton then turned to leave.

"Xyla, go see Peyton off." Reuben gave Xyla a look.

All Xyla wanted was to stay away from this jinx of a man, so Reuben's request had thrown her right off. She wanted to pretend that she hadn't heard him, but she had only just gotten back into Reuben's good graces.

She would have to do as he said since there were still things that she needed him for. Now was not the time to push her luck.

"Alright, Grandpa." Xyla nodded and reluctantly led Peyton out.

Peyton was tall, and he soon left Xyla behind. She had to jog to keep up with him.

He had to be doing this on purpose.

"Are you reluctant to see me off?" Peyton asked, suddenly stopping in his tracks to turn around. Xyla ended up crashing into his chest, as she had kept her eyes on the ground the whole time.

"You have to be doing this on purpose," Xyla groaned as she massaged her forehead, her eyes a little teary.

"Are you going to keep evading my question?" Peyton leaned against his car and grinned.

All Xyla could do was swallow her anger when she recalled that he had leverage over her. She forced a smile. "You're so funny, Mr. Groff. It's an honor to see you off."

Why did this jinxed man ask her that? Did he even understand the situation?

"As long as we're both on the same page. Maybe, just maybe, there may come a day when I might forget and let things slip." Peyton's lips curved up into a small smile, pleased. "I see what you're playing at. I can tell that the video had been doctored. You really are quite smart."

He had leaned down to whisper in her ear, his voice sounding dark and mesmerizing. Then, he laughed and got into his car.

Xyla watched as he drove into the distance before stamping her foot in frustration. She hadn't expected to run into such an infuriating man in her second life. And he had the nerve to threaten her, too.

Xyla let out a sigh. She wanted nothing more than to drag Peyton out of his car and beat him to a pulp.

Peyton watched Xyla through his rearview mirror and laughed at her antics.

"Hey, Mr. Groff, why have you laughed so much lately?" Chester felt that Peyton had been laughing rather often.

"Have I?" Peyton quickly returned to his usual cold, composed demeanor. But then, he watched Xyla again. He found her rather adorable. "I just find it amusing. There's been a little shake-up to this dull life of mine."

Chapter 6 Mommy Won't Let Me Play With You

"Mom, why did that part of the video disappear for no reason? Is even fate siding with that bitch Xyla now?" Rena asked angrily, unable to understand what had happened.

"Xyla isn't the weak little bitch we used to bully anymore. We need to be more cautious from now on. Rena, don't provoke her for now. Let me handle it," Margaret said as her gaze darkened. She hadn't expected to be outplayed by Xyla this time.

"But Mom, what will Sebastian think if he finds out about this?" Rena started to cry.

She knew Xyla secretly had a crush on Sebastian, so she tried everything to win his favor. Now, everything she suffered was thanks to Xyla. She would never let her off!

Margaret took Rena's hands, her voice hoarse as she said, "Don't worry, Rena. I've already asked your dad to deal with it personally. No one else will find out."

This should have been Xyla's burden to bear, but now her own precious daughter was paying the price.

After settling Rena, Margaret went to Darius' room. She couldn't allow Xyla to gain Reuben's trust. Otherwise, everything she had worked over the past ten years would go to waste.

"Darius, how about we go stay at Grandpa's for a few days?"

"I don't want to go there. It's so cold and boring. I don't like it at all," Darius replied while playing with his Lego set.

"Darius, it'll just be for a few days, and I'll come pick you up soon. How about I get you the newest race car when we return?"

Margaret wanted Darius to seek attention from Reuben. After all, Xyla was about to marry into the Groff family. She feared that Reuben might give a large portion of the family shares to that bitch as her wedding gifts.

She had planned to destroy everything Xyla had and have Rena marry into the Groff family, but Xyla had ruined everything.

Rena had already left a bad impression on Reuben, so it was time for Darius to step in. Although he was only six, he could at least pass the message.

"Mommy, you have to keep your promise. What do you need me to do at Grandpa's?"

Darius was already familiar with these kinds of deals. Whenever Margaret talked to him like this, it usually meant spying on Xyla or causing trouble. He was used to it by now.

"Darius, you're so clever. This time, all you need to do is make Grandpa happy. You're such a good boy," Margaret said, pulling him into her arms.

She didn't want to involve Darius, but she couldn't let her years of hard work go to waste. The Moore family would be hers!

…

In the afternoon, Darius successfully made his way to Reuben's side.

"Grandpa, have you missed me? I've been thinking about you a lot," Darius said as he ran into Reuben's arms.

Reuben couldn't stop smiling. Darius was the only grandson in the Moore family, and Reuben adored him. Darius had wholly won over Reuben's heart.

However, when Darius saw Xyla, his face showed displeasure.

"Grandpa, why is Xyla here? I don't like her," Darius said bluntly, pointing at Xyla with a look of fear on his face.

Reuben's expression darkened as he recalled what Darius had told him at the banquet.

"Xyla, go back to your room. Stay away from Darius from now on." He held Darius in his arms, unable to hide his fondness for him.

Out of Reuben's sight, Darius made a mocking face at Xyla. It was a look of triumph.

Xyla clenched her fingers tightly. Sure enough, Reuben still didn't fully trust her. He always listened to others and never allowed her to explain herself.

But for now, she could only swallow her anger. She needed time to change Reuben's perception of her completely.

She headed to her room, and memories belonging to Xyla flooded her mind. It became clear that this wasn't the first time her six-year-old brother had made things difficult for her.

There was no way a child this young could be acting on his own. Someone had to be instigating him.

It was obvious that Margaret and Rena were behind it. Their purpose was nothing more than to sow discord between her and Reuben.

Xyla couldn't help but feel sorry for Darius. Margaret was leading him down a path of no return. She didn't expect Margaret to go to such lengths to achieve her goals!

But Xyla had been reborn. How could she not handle a six-year-old?

A faint smile played on Xyla's lips. This time, she would make sure Margaret learned her lesson.

At dinner, Xyla personally cooked dishes that Reuben and Darius liked. Darius had always hated the sight of her, especially since Margaret had told him to make sure Reuben disliked her.

But when he saw the food Xyla had prepared, he forgot everything else. After all, he was still just a child.

"Darius, do you like this?" Xyla had spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen, studying recipes. She even shaped the food into his favorite race cars, instantly catching his attention.

Reuben watched as Xyla put effort into making their favorite dishes. His reservations toward her started to ease.

It seemed that Xyla didn't dislike Darius as much as he had thought. Otherwise, she wouldn't have spent so much time preparing his favorite foods. Perhaps there had been some kind of misunderstanding.

"And how about this? Do you like it?" Xyla asked as she brought out a rabbit-shaped jelly.

Darius had always loved small animals, especially rabbits. It was a detail Xyla had dug up from her memories.

He had previously raised a rabbit. But when it died, he cried for several days. Now, seeing the little rabbit-shaped jelly, he couldn't tear his eyes away from it.

"Bunny, is that you? Are you still alive?" Darius asked, his wide eyes glued to the jelly.

"Darius, do you like it? If you do, I'll make it for you often. That way, your little bunny can always be with you," Xyla said gently.

"But… but Mommy said I'm not allowed to play with you!" Darius blurted out without thinking.

Chapter 7 Embarrassing the Stepmother

Reuben was slightly angry when he heard this. "Darry, what did you just say?"

Darius seemed to realize he had said something wrong. Upon seeing the dark expression on Reuben's face, he was scared into tears.

"Darry, don't cry. I'm here." Xyla sat beside him, pulling him into her arms.

"Tell me, what's going on?"

Reuben hated seeing boys who cried like this. They seemed incapable of achieving great things. No man in the Moore family had ever behaved this way.

"Darry, tell Grandpa what happened. He won't be mad at you. Don't cry anymore."

Xyla felt sorry for him. After all, he was only six years old.

"Grandpa, Mommy won't let me play with Xyla." Darius glanced at Reuben and wiped his tears with his chubby hands.

In Darius' heart, he felt quite afraid of Reuben because no one in the family had ever gotten angry with him. Margaret had always warned him never to make Reuben angry. Otherwise, all his toys would be taken away.

Reuben slammed the table with such force that Darius broke down into uncontrollable sobs.

"Grandpa, please don't be mad. Let's eat first, and we can ask questions later."

Xyla wanted Reuben to know the truth, but Darius was innocent of all this. Margaret was merely using him as a pawn.

Darius had already begun to cry uncontrollably.

"I want Mommy! I don't want my toys anymore! I don't want to stay here! I want to go home! I want Mommy!"

Reuben's forehead veins popped with rage when he heard his words. "James, look into this and find out what's really going on!"

Reuben clenched his cane tightly, his anger palpable. Xyla had just learned from Darius' words that Margaret had been controlling Darius by threatening to take his toys away.

She shook her head helplessly, wiping away Darius' tears.

It turned out that no matter what status one held, there would always be people who wanted to bring one down—no matter when she was Angie or Xyla. The only solution was to make herself stronger, strong enough that no one could challenge her position.

"You're a bad grandpa! I don't like you! I want Mommy! I would rather have no toys than stay here!" Darius cried as he spoke.

Reuben's fury intensified upon hearing this.

"Get Margaret in here!" His voice trembled slightly with anger.

Margaret soon arrived. But to her surprise, when she opened the door, she saw Darius sitting in the chair and crying uncontrollably.

"Mommy, take me away! I don't want my toys anymore! I don't like it here! Please, take me home!" Darius ran toward Margaret as soon as she walked in.

Margaret panicked when she heard Darius' words. She didn't expect him to spill everything.

"Darius, what are you saying? This is your home. How could you not like it here?" she asked sternly.

"Mommy, didn't you say I only had to make Grandpa happy when I'm here? But I really don't like it here. Please, take me away."

Darius's eyes were swollen from crying.

"Nonsense!" Reuben's hands trembled uncontrollably as he heard this.

"Bring Darius to me." His voice carried an imposing authority.

"Mommy, I don't want to go! I want to leave now!"

Margaret saw Xyla, who was standing nearby. Her original plan was to bring over Darius, Reuben's favorite grandchild, to sow discord between them. But she didn't expect things to backfire this time.

Her gaze filled with venom as she looked at Xyla.

"Reuben, Darius is a good boy. Someone must be misleading him," Margaret said while glancing at Xyla.

She implied that Darius had said this because Xyla was behind it all. Xyla didn't expect Margaret to be such an expert at framing others. She calmly walked over to Darius' side.

"Darius, I can take you home soon. But you need to answer a few questions honestly, okay?" Xyla's gentle voice gradually calmed Darius's crying.

"Xyla, do you really want Darius to lie in front of Reuben?"

Margaret tried to take Darius back, but Xyla was quicker. She brought Darius right up to Reuben.

"Enough! I'll ask him myself!" Reuben would not allow anyone to twist the truth in front of him.

"Darius, tell Grandpa why you came to my house today." His tone softened considerably, given that Darius was just a six-year-old child.

"Darius, answer Grandpa's question properly." Xyla patted his head gently.

"Reuben, Darius is just a child. I'll take him home now," Margaret said anxiously, worried that Darius would say something he shouldn't.

"I… I just wanted to see Grandpa." Xyla didn't expect to hear such an answer. It seemed that Darius still wanted to keep something hidden on Margaret's behalf.

Hearing this, Margaret felt relieved.

"I don't like children who lie." Reuben stared at him. Darius was scared under his gaze.

"Grandpa, it was Mommy who told me to come here. She wanted me to make you happy," Darius admitted, his voice shaky as he avoided Reuben's eyes.

Reuben sat in his chair and glanced at Margaret. Although Darius' words seemed innocent, with all of Reuben's life experience, he knew exactly what Margaret was trying to do.

"Reuben, I just wanted Darius to spend more time with you. I didn't mean anything else," Margaret explained hastily.

"Wendy, take Darius away. From now on, I will raise him myself. He's not going anywhere else."

Upon hearing this, Margaret dropped to her knees. She couldn't bear to be separated from her son.

"Mommy, I don't want to stay here! Take me away!"

Xyla saw the anger emanating from Reuben. She understood that, in his heart, Darius was still the most important person to him. He wanted to raise Darius personally.

Although Reuben hadn't punished Margaret, this might be the greatest punishment he could inflict on someone as proud as she was.