At eighteen, Katherine was a college freshman, living the dream with a little business venture her dad had funded for her. The
modest profits from the shop were her spending money, usually blown on life's luxuries.
"Our law grants us the right to demand a cessation of infringement, remediation of its effects, and compensation for losses." The
representatives from QY spoke with grave seriousness, "Preliminary estimates put your compensation in the seven figures. Our
lawyers will discuss the specifics with you."
Seven figures??? Who just casually drops seven figures???
Even if Maureen wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, she could tell that Arabella cfrom serious clout. She turned to Carol,
"Aren't you going to handle this? If we have to pay up, it's coming out of your dad's pocket! Don't let outsiders dip their hands in
our cookie jar, get it?"
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Carol bristled at her haughty tone and whipped out her phone, pulling up her payment app, "19 bucks. Pay up, then we'll talk."
Maureen was flabbergasted by her pettiness over the money. It just proved that Carol was not ready for the big leagues. She
gestured for Katherine to settle the debt.
With a reluctant scowl, Katherine stepped forward, transferring twenty bucks to Carol's account, "Here's a little extra for your
troubles!"
Carol promptly sent the one-dollar surplus back. They had each other's contacts on WhatsApp, and she replied coolly, "Keep the
change. You might need it more than | do."
"How dare you!!" Katherine and Maureen shouted in unison, fuming with the urge to tear her apart.
"Make sure QY gets every penny they're owed. | want a public apology from you!" Arabella dropped this bombshell and strode out
with Carol.
Perhaps they hadn't expected things to spiral this far, both Maureen and Katherine were livid. That untrustworthy Carol, they'd see
how to deal with her later!
Once Arabella and Carol were alone, Bella inquired, "Is that your stepmom and stepsister?"
Carol nodded, "And there's a twin brother born alongside Katherine. He's a real piece of work too."
Arabella had never expect that Carol had finally found her way back to her family, only to encounter such a household. It made her
appreciate the Collins family even more. At least there she had loving parents, and five protective brothers.
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"Dad really wants us to stay, but that his not the hit used to be." Carol's smile was tinged with bitterness, "The family
nmight suggest we're kin, but | know better. Dad isn't just mine anymore."
"Does your dad know they bully you?"
"At first, Dad thought we got along fine. But then Katherine and the rest couldn't keep up the act for long and showed their true
colors. Whenever they clashed with me, Dad would scold them a bit much, which only made them despise my brother and me
even more, especially the stepmom. She's always whispering in Dad's ear, trying to ensure my brother and | don't cback to
claim an inheritance."
Truth be told, Carol couldn't care less about the inheritance, and her brother was equally indifferent. But the antics of her
stepmom, stepsister, and stepbrother were just too absurd for words.
"They keep thinking Dad's givena lot of money. Indeed, on the day | cback, he handeda bank card, but | never took
it."