Chapter 4---Outsmarting Her Schemes
1146 Words
After hanging up the phone, Alice Casey couldn't sleep. She stretched lazily and headed downstairs.
In the main hall, she saw her uncle Walter Casey and his family had arrived. This family never came with good intentions. Her grandfather had passed down most of the Casey family's enterprises to her father, and Walter had harbored resentment ever since, constantly looking for excuses to cause trouble. He had even colluded with Zachary Hawkins to seize the family fortune, hastening the Casey family's downfall.
Alice observed the people in the living room with calm detachment and noticed Walter had brought his illegitimate daughter today. If she remembered correctly, Walter's goal was to get his daughter a position at Casey Group. Since her father ran the company, approval was required, especially for a desirable role.
In her previous life, her father had given in to Walter's pressure and allowed the girl in. But that girl had ambitions far beyond her station and wreaked havoc within the company. Now, reborn, Alice would never let them succeed again!
She strolled over with feigned nonchalance.
"Cousin, please have some tea," Ava Casey said, eagerly offering a cup, appearing perfectly respectful.
Alice reached out. The instant she took it, Ava pretended to slip—scalding tea nearly drenched Alice's hand. But Alice, reborn, knew her tricks too well.
In her past life, Ava had played the innocent, tearful victim, yet behind the scenes was vicious and deceitful—constantly framing Alice, even sleeping with Zachary Hawkins! For such a white lotus, Alice would tear one apart if she came alone, two if they came together.
In a flash, Alice seized Ava's wrist just as she tried to pull away. The tea spilled—straight onto Ava's own hand. The move was so swift, no one could tell it was intentional.
A sharp scream pierced the air. Then the teacup crashed to the floor, shattering.
"What happened?" Walter asked, alarmed.
"I know cousin didn't mean to," Ava quickly said. Now sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming like rain on petals—how fragile she looked. No wonder, despite being a mistress-born daughter, she still enjoyed Walter's favor.
But the next moment—*Slap!* Alice struck Ava's tear-streaked cheek with full force. The blow was so hard, Ava froze in shock. Ava stared at Alice, who now radiated fierce authority.
She knew Alice too well—she was supposed to be gentle, rule-abiding, someone who would never do this. Someone who couldn't stand to see her cry. Her tears had always softened Alice, softened the entire family. Yet now, Alice had slapped her.
"This tea set was Grandpa's most cherished possession in life! Now you've shattered it—can you afford to replace it?!" Alice thundered, her voice commanding.
Ava's cheek burned red; her tears flowed harder. She whimpered, "It wasn't me—it was cousin who didn't catch it, it was—"
"Didn't catch it, or did you let go before I could?" Alice cut her off. "Now you're lying?"
"No, it was clearly you—" Ava shook her head desperately, eyes brimming with injustice.
"Still denying it!" Alice's face darkened. "No wonder you weren't raised in the Casey family—you have no decorum at all. Can't even hand over tea without breaking the cup."
Walter's expression twisted at Alice's insult to his daughter. But unsure of the truth and knowing Ava's status as a mistress-born child—looked down upon in high society—he had no words to defend her. He could only swallow his rage.
"Cousin," Alice turned to Zoe Casey, Walter's legitimate daughter, "your sister truly doesn't compare to you."
Zoe and Alice didn't get along. After all, Zoe was the true heiress of the Casey family. But because Grandpa had left the fortune to Alice's branch, Alice had become the rightful young lady, while Zoe was reduced to a side branch—something she deeply resented.
Yet now, hearing Alice insult Ava, she felt a surge of satisfaction. That wretched Ava—had it not been for her father's favor, she should've been beaten out with sticks long ago.
"She learned nothing but playing the victim from whoever raised her," Zoe sneered. "I've told my father not to bring her here—it's shameful. Now she's broken Grandpa's tea set. Not even death could make up for this!"
"Enough!" Walter roared, face contorted. "Say one more word!"
Zoe rolled her eyes in disdain.
"That's enough," William Casey said, rising from the sofa, playing the peacemaker. "Though it was Father's legacy, I'm sure he wouldn't want a broken cup to spoil family harmony. ‘Broken' sounds like ‘peace'—after all, a little break brings blessings. I'll have the staff clean it up."
"Yes, yes," Nora Casey quickly added. "Ava's hand is already red from the burn—she should go to the hospital right away." Though kind-hearted, she pointedly ignored the half of Ava's face that her daughter had slapped.
Alice couldn't help but smile. Her mother still had her little tricks!
"If we've brought joy to Brother-in-law's family, we'll take Ava and leave now," Fiona Casey said. Clearly not truly invested in Ava joining Casey Group, she had only tolerated Walter bringing the illegitimate daughter home—never truly accepting her, merely performing for Walter's sake.
As she spoke, she tugged at Walter's arm. Walter's face was dark. He had come to negotiate Ava's job, but now, after such humiliation, he couldn't utter a word. He yanked his arm away in fury and stormed out. The entire family followed.
As Ava left, she couldn't conceal the fury in her eyes. She never expected Alice to turn on her like this—almost as if reborn. She had planned to use her vulnerability to scald Alice, someone she deeply envied, knowing Alice would never retaliate. But instead, she'd shot herself in the foot—slapped, and her chance at Casey Group ruined.
No. She *would* enter Casey Group! Why should she, as an equal Casey, be mocked like this? She would make them all look at her in awe—and then make them all pay!
Alice watched them leave, a cold smirk on her lips. She knew exactly what Ava was thinking. She'd just wait for Ava to dig her own grave.
"Alice," William called. "Why so fierce today?" In the past, they'd always given in to keep peace. They never expected their gentle daughter to suddenly become so bold. And strangely, it felt good.
Alice snapped back and smiled sweetly. "Finally understood—horses are ridden because they're kind, people are bullied because they're good."
"You even claimed it was Grandpa's last treasure—where did you come up with that?" William scolded lightly, though his eyes sparkled with affection.
Alice stuck out her tongue. When dealing with a white lotus, morality has no place!
- Writer
