Chapter 1The Lottery Lie

I received $20 million from a property buyout.

My roommate blackmailed me for $2 million, threatening to tell my dad.

Out of desperation, I agreed.

She kept her word and didn't tell my dad—because the moment she got the money, she told my mom instead!

My mom tore our family apart over that money. I endured her tantrums and guilt trips until the very end.

But the last time, she faked a terminal illness to lure me home.

They locked me in and starved me. Then my dad walked toward me with a knife. Begging didn't work. I finally gave up my bank password.

But the knife still came down on me...

I was reborn on the day I received the buyout check.

I told my roommate my dad stole the money.

And she lost her mind.

* * *

After hanging up the phone, I saw my roommate, Zoey, looking at me suspiciously.

"Lily, who were you talking to? I heard something about a buyout and compensation?"

Looking at her, memories of my past life flooded back.

In college, I hustled like crazy and bought a small 800-square-foot apartment in Brooklyn right after graduation.

I didn't live there long before moving out to rent a place with Zoey, a college friend, closer to my new job.

But as luck would have it, that small apartment was in a redevelopment zone. The buyout offer was a staggering $20 million.

Zoey found out and threatened to tell my dad unless I gave her a million dollars.

Back then, I was terrified of my dad, so I actually agreed.

She kept her promise and didn't tell him. Instead, she told my mom, gloating:

"Who asked you to be so stupid? A brainless idiot."

From that day on, my mom harassed me relentlessly for the money.

I withstood the pressure and even applied for a job transfer to escape.

But then my mom suddenly fell "gravely ill." I couldn't ignore it.

I took leave to visit her, only to find out she was faking it.

And I...

I never walked out of that house again.

To get the money, my own father held a knife to my throat.

I begged for my life. In despair, I gave him the bank password.

I saw a glimmer of hope for survival, but then Zoey called and said I would definitely call the police if I escaped. She suggested they finish the job.

So, my dad did.

The knife he used to carve Thanksgiving turkeys...

Ended up in my chest.

After I died, Zoey married my brother, becoming the daughter-in-law my parents always wanted.

The buyout money I worked so hard for became my brother's glorious wedding fund.

In this life, I don't need a handout. I'm starting my revenge plan right now!