Reborn Heiress, His Worst Nightmare

I was reborn at age twenty, on the night of Ethan's birthday party.

In my previous life, to prove I hadn't driven Mia away, I stood in the rain until I collapsed. I begged Ethan for one glance.

Ethan's reply? Cold mockery. Victoria, you make me sick.

This life, I'm done revolving around Ethan.

Right in front of him, I left the Hayes family without looking back.

He watched helplessly as I stood under the spotlight as the Sinclair family heir.

When he knelt before me at the top-tier charity gala, begging me to show mercy and withdraw the investigation into Hayes Corporation, I stood arm-in-arm with my fianc and sneered:

"Ethan, now you're not even worthy of being my servant."

Victoria POV

"Miss Victoria Sinclair, you're not on the guest list."

The security guard stopped me, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Ethan gave specific instructions. Tonight's a private party. The main entrance doesn't welcome people who aren't on the list."

I shuddered, the cold jolting me fully awake.

I had been reborn!

Back to when I was twenty, on the night of Ethan's birthday party.

In my previous life, to explain that I hadn't driven Mia abroad, I stood humbly in the pouring rain until I collapsed with a high fever and pneumonia, just begging him to look at me once.

What I got in return was Ethan's cold mockery. "Victoria looks just like a beggar who won't go away."

I looked up toward the floor-to-ceiling windows on the villa's second floor. The rain blurred my vision.

But I knew that inside sat Ethan and his friends, waiting to watch me kneel and beg for mercy.

They were making bets on how long I could last this time.

After all, I used to be Ethan's follower.

At age ten, I was brought to the Hayes family as a sponsored child. Ethan took my hand and announced in front of everyone, "Victoria is the most important person to me. From now on, this is her home."

At twelve, when I was sick and mentioned wanting red velvet cake from downtown, he braved a typhoon and searched half the city for it.

When he brought it back, the cake box was perfectly protected in his arms, not a drop of rain on it, though he was soaked through.

At seventeen, at his birthday party, he made a public wish, saying he hoped that year after year, Victoria would be safe and happy.

Back then, his eyes were only for me.

But all that warmth ended abruptly one night five years ago.

Mia was forcibly sent abroad by Ethan's grandfather because of my testimony.

At the airport, Ethan grabbed my throat, his eyes bloodshot as he roared, "Victoria, you drove away the person I love most. You'll spend the rest of your life paying for it!"

From that day on, the boy who promised to protect me forever disappeared.

In his place was the demon before me now, finding every way to humiliate me.

"Victoria, Ethan says if you stand in the rain for two hours, you can enter through the side door." The security guard notified me impatiently.

The side door was for garbage workers.

In my previous life, I had gratefully waited at the side door.

But now, I was completely clear-headed.

"No need."

I pulled out a special access card from my bag.

To demonstrate their benevolence, the Hayes family had issued identity cards to sponsored girls. In my previous life, I treasured it like gold.

The guard froze. "What do you mean?"

I walked over to the storm drain by the roadside and loosened my grip.

The access card dropped into it.

"Standing in the rain and all that. No need. I'm an outsider anyway. It's time I left."

I looked up toward the floor-to-ceiling window. I could imagine their shocked expressions.

My lips curved upward involuntarily.

The Hayes family's threshold was too high. I wasn't worthy, and I no longer cared to be.

I turned and walked into the rain.

In this second life, I didn't need to cross that threshold.

When I returned to the Hayes house, I was dripping wet all over.

In my previous life, I had lived in the servants' quarters next to the main villa.

My room was at the shadowy end of the second floor. When I opened the window, I faced the passage where garbage trucks went by.

I used to think this was character-building, the humble station I had to accept as someone being sponsored.

But I remembered when I was little, Ethan had pointed to the large suite across from the master bedroom and said, "When Victoria grows up, she'll live there. I'll hang all the stars in the window for you."

Later, that room was occupied by Mia when she returned from abroad.

And I spent twenty years having nightmares in that cold room next to the housekeeper's quarters.

I had long since repaid everything I owed for being his assistant all these years.

Victoria POV

Mia had a large south-facing suite in the main villa. Even the Hayes family dog had a dedicated climate-controlled room.

But I lived in a place where sunlight never reached.

I had to leave. Not one more minute.

I pulled out my suitcase and packed only important documents and a few old clothes.

I left all those designer bags and jewelry in the closet.

If I was going to make a clean break, it had to be complete.

I was still packing when the door burst open.

Ethan's mother, Rachel, walked in with obvious displeasure on her face. "Victoria, what's gotten into you? Ethan's had too much to drink. Instead of helping him handle the work crisis at the party, you run off, and now you won't even prepare his honey lemon water?"

In the past, even if I had a high fever, I would rush anxiously to the kitchen.

Because Rachel would say, "The Hayes family sponsors you to help share our burdens, not to play princess."

But now, I didn't even look up, yanking the zipper of my suitcase closed with force.

"The housekeeper's downstairs. Have her get it."

Rachel froze, as if she hadn't heard correctly. "What did you say? You ungrateful-"

"Since you already say I'm ungrateful," I looked directly at her, "then perfect. I'll leave right now and stop dirtying the Hayes house."

Rachel was speechless, unable to get words out for a long moment.

Just then, the roar of a car engine came from downstairs.

Ethan was back.

Rachel seemed to find her confidence, immediately switching to a wronged expression and rushing downstairs.

"Ethan, that ungrateful girl is getting out of control!"

Hearing those footsteps drawing closer, in the past when I heard that sound, I would immediately check my appearance, afraid of displeasing him in any way.

Now I just felt annoyed.

I picked up my suitcase and headed for the door.

Just as I reached it, Mia's pitiful face appeared in the doorway.

She was supporting a reeking-drunk Ethan. Seeing the suitcase in my hand, she covered her mouth in mock surprise.

"Victoria, where are you going?"

Her eyes darted around as she said, "Ethan has a terrible headache. Won't you stay to take care of him? Running away from home this late at night?"

I said nothing, simply placing the suitcase horizontally between us.

Forcing Mia back half a step.

Mia retreated behind Ethan looking wronged.

I didn't even glance at her, looking directly at Ethan behind her instead.

The man I had loved for a lifetime in my previous life was now staring at me with sinister eyes.

The narrow hallway reeked of alcohol.

My phone buzzed with a calendar reminder.

[Tomorrow: couples' island getaway.]

This was a surprise I had spent three months preparing.

Ethan had casually mentioned wanting to go to the beach, and I had taken it to heart.

Ironically, in my previous life, tomorrow he took Mia deep-sea fishing.

Leaving me alone at home.

I closed the reminder and pulled my suitcase past Ethan toward the stairs.

A hand pressed down on my suitcase.

"Victoria, are you finished yet?"

Ethan's eyes were bloodshot, his voice impatient. "Do you think I've been spoiling you too much lately?"

I could tell he thought I was scheming, using this method to drive Mia away.

"Let go."

I looked at him calmly. "I'm just moving out. Letting you two be together."

"Letting us be together?"

Ethan laughed coldly, as if he'd heard the world's greatest joke. "Where could you go without the Hayes family? Sleep on the streets? Don't be shameless."

"Victoria, don't go!"

Mia suddenly rushed forward, pretending to mediate but actually grabbing my arm.

Her long nails dug cruelly into my flesh, the pain piercing.

But her voice was full of tears. "It's all my fault. Victoria, please don't be angry with Ethan..."

I instinctively jerked my hand away, not using much force at all.

But Mia cried out dramatically and fell toward the railing.

Victoria POV

"Mia!"

Ethan's expression changed drastically. Without thinking, he shoved me hard.

I lost my balance, falling backward with the suitcase.

The back of my head slammed hard against the pillar at the stair landing.

Searing pain hit me, warm liquid flowing down.

The suitcase tumbled down the stairs, its contents scattering everywhere.

A sharp cracking sound was particularly jarring.

Clutching my bleeding head, I saw the custom gemstone necklace on the floor, broken in two.

That was the only token I had when I was brought to the Hayes family, my only clue to my origins.

I stared at the broken gemstone pendant on the floor.

When I was fifteen, this necklace fell into the lake. Despite his whole family's objections, Ethan risked diving in himself to retrieve it for me.

Soaking wet, he had pressed the necklace into my hand, smiling as he said, "Victoria, even if I lost my own life, I'd protect this for you."

But now, the man who said he'd protect me forever was carefully cradling Mia in his arms.

Even seeing the blood on my forehead, his eyes held only disgust. "Victoria, the blood you're bleeding isn't worth a fraction of the grievance Mia's suffered."

Now, he had shattered it with his own hands.

The Ethan who would protect me had died in my memories.

The one before me was just a thoroughly rotten man.

"Stop playing dead. Get up and apologize to Mia!"

Ethan roared, not even glancing at me.

I endured the intense pain, slowly standing up with the wall's support.

Looking at the broken necklace on the floor, the last bit of affection in my heart shattered along with it.

Let it be broken, just like this disgusting relationship.

I wiped the blood from my face, didn't bother with the suitcase.

I picked up the gemstone pendant broken in two pieces and walked down the stairs step by step, walking out of the Hayes family's front door.

Behind me came Ethan's furious roar. "Victoria! If you walk out that door today, don't ever think about coming back!"

I didn't look back.

The late-night streets were empty.

I hailed a taxi straight to the hospital.

Mild concussion, three stitches.

After treating the wound, I used what little money I had left to find a cheap hotel near the hospital.

Lying in bed, my head still throbbing, but I felt incredibly light.

Even bleeding, I had crawled out of that hell.

That night, I slept incredibly well.

It was the deepest sleep I'd had in twenty years.

When I woke up, I checked my phone and looked at my balance.

I had to solve my survival problem immediately. Even if I had to sleep on the streets, I would never go back.

After a simple wash, I went to the hospital to change my bandage.

The payment window had a long line.

When it was my turn, I handed over the supplementary credit card I'd used for five years.

The machine beeped an alert.

The cashier frowned and swiped it again.

"Insufficient balance, or it's been frozen. Use a different card."

People behind me started getting restless. "Hurry up, what's the holdup?"

I looked at that black card, instantly understanding.

This was Ethan's move.

He had frozen my supplementary card, waiting for me to crawl back to him like a dog and beg.

The cashier urged impatiently, "Miss, do you have money or not?"

I didn't argue, calmly took back the card.

My fingers pressed hard.

"Snap."

The card broke in two.

I casually tossed it into the nearby trash can.

Think freezing my card means I have to go back and kneel?

Dream on.

"One moment."

I pulled out the few hundred dollars cash I had left, counted out the medical fee, and handed it over.

You think stopping my card means I have to go back and grovel?

Keep dreaming.

Ethan POV

Hayes Corporation headquarters, CEO's office.

I was signing documents, the pen scratching across paper with subtle sounds.

My personal assistant Emily carefully reported, "Sir, the bank just sent notification that Victoria's credit card was declined when paying medical fees."

My pen paused, my lips curving into a smile with no warmth.

"Freeze all accounts and supplementary cards under her name."

I didn't look up, my voice devoid of emotion. "Including the car I gave her access to. Remotely lock everything."

"Understood."

"Penniless," I closed the folder and tossed it aside on the desk, "I want to see what she can live on in New York. Once she's suffered enough, she'll naturally come back and submit."

The next morning at seven, Upper East Side penthouse.

I habitually reached for the cufflinks on the nightstand.

Came up empty.

I frowned, instinctively blurting out, "Victoria."

No response.

The bedroom held only the low hum of the central air conditioning. Only then did I remember that woman had left yesterday.

A nameless irritation surged up. I grabbed a tie from the walk-in closet at random and went downstairs.

On the long dining table sat an elaborate breakfast spread.

I picked up the coffee cup beside me and took a sip.

Sickeningly sweet, nothing like what I wanted.

"Who prepared this coffee?" I set the cup back on the saucer heavily, producing a sharp clink.

The housekeeper hurried over from the kitchen direction. "Sir, this is takeout Mia ordered..."

Before, all of this was handled personally by Victoria. From the origin and roast of the coffee beans to the water temperature and brown sugar ratio-only she knew my preferences.

"Make it again."

I ordered coldly. Did she deliberately mess everything up before leaving? Thinking she could force me to compromise with this childish method?

Ridiculous.

"Ethan, what's wrong?"

Mia descended the spiral staircase in a light pink silk loungewear set, floating down like a butterfly.

Seeing the tie I hadn't finished knotting, her eyes lit up and she approached attentively.

"Let me help? I've seen Victoria do it before. Can't be that hard."

I suppressed my discomfort, not immediately pushing her away.

Mia's fingers fumbled clumsily with the silk fabric.

I drew in a sharp breath.

Her carefully manicured nail grazed the skin on my neck, leaving an obvious red mark.

The Herms tie also had a pulled thread from her nail.

I instinctively stepped back half a step, my expression darkening.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Mia's eyes immediately reddened, tears appearing on cue. "I just wanted to help... it's all my fault for being so clumsy..."

If it were Victoria, she would never make such a mistake.

Looking at that ruined tie, the anger in my chest was barely containable. But I still patiently raised my thumb to wipe the tears from her face, though my tone had completely cooled. "It's fine. Not your fault."

Getting into the black Maybach waiting at the door, I immediately pulled off the tie Mia had touched and handed it to the driver in the front seat.

"Throw it away."

Indeed, some habits and details could only be handled perfectly by that personal assistant who had been with me for three years.

Victoria POV

A neighborhood with cheap rent in an old, run-down area.

I stood in front of an apartment building with peeling exterior walls. The hallway reeked of damp mildew, large patches of paint flaking off.

"Deposit plus first month's rent, twelve hundred total. Cash only, no transfers."

The landlady was a stocky middle-aged woman, cigarette dangling from her lips, sizing me up and down. Though I wore the most ordinary old T-shirt and jeans, the quality of the fabric seemed to arouse her suspicion.

She narrowed her eyes, her tone warning. "You don't look like you're from around here. Don't cause me any trouble, understand?"

I had my eye on a single room on the top floor. The room was tiny, less than a hundred square feet, but it had an independent window.

"I don't have enough cash right now." I was honest, removing a simple pearl earring from my earlobe. This wasn't from Ethan. I had bought this inexpensive accessory with money from my own part-time jobs.

"Hold this as collateral. Give me one day."

The landlady glanced at it disdainfully. "What's this worth? Flea market junk?"

I didn't back down, looking directly into her eyes. "I'm getting a job right away. This time tomorrow, I'll have the money."

The landlady seemed taken aback by my gaze.

"Fine, one day!" She grumbled impatiently and tossed me a rusty key. "If I don't see the money this time tomorrow, get out immediately!"

Standing in the narrow, dim hallway, I gripped that cold key tightly.

As long as I had a place to stay, I could survive.

I opened the job search app on my phone. Ethan had definitely spread the word in his circles. I didn't need to bother with legitimate major companies for now.

My finger scrolled across the screen, finally stopping on an inconspicuous job posting:

A top-tier private auction house with mysterious backing, hiring part-time authenticators, no background required, only professional ability.

I pulled up a photo from my phone's cloud storage. It was my advanced authentication certification. I had secretly earned it in my previous life to assist Ethan.

Once, these eyes were used to verify authenticity for him, to avoid risks. Now, they would be my foundation for survival.

Auction house back warehouse.

I wore white cotton gloves, carefully holding a porcelain vase, examining it closely under the light for a moment.

"The imitation work is very sophisticated," I set down the vase, my tone calm and certain, "but the details are wrong. It's a fake."

The shop owner was a thin middle-aged man. He had been leaning back in his chair, but now leaned forward slightly, surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Good eye." He opened a drawer and pushed a kraft paper envelope across the desk. "This is today's payment."

I accepted the envelope, feeling its thickness with my fingertips. Not much, a few hundred dollars, but this money was clean and solid.

This was money that belonged entirely to me, Victoria.

On my way home from work, I passed a convenience store and used the money I'd just earned to buy two discounted, near-expiry breads.

Just as I walked out of the store, a bright red Ferrari screeched to a stop in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing a face with elaborate makeup written all over with mockery. She was from Ethan's circle, had often joined in ridiculing me before.

"Well, if it isn't our Mr. Hayes's 'all-purpose assistant'?" She raised her voice deliberately, drawing the attention of passersby. "How have you fallen to eating this kind of near-expiry bread? Did Ethan kick you out?"

She raised her phone, pointing it at me.

"Come on, smile for the camera! I'll post it in the group chat so everyone can crowdfund to buy you a decent dinner, so you don't starve to death on the street and embarrass Ethan."

I stepped forward, calmly facing her camera.

"Get a clear shot." I took a bite of the bread in my hand, speaking deliberately. "Perfect timing for your friends to see just how peaceful and free my life is without Ethan."

The woman froze, clearly not expecting this reaction.

"Also," I raised my hand and pointed to the traffic surveillance camera above her car, "this is a no-parking zone. The fine and penalty points should arrive at your address very soon. Drive safe. No need to see you off."

"You-!" She was speechless with anger.

Behind her, the blocked traffic started honking impatiently. The woman glared at me viciously, rolled up her window, and floored the accelerator to leave.

I walked down the street with my bread, eating it carefully, bite by bite.

Their mockery and humiliation meant far less to me than this food I had earned myself.

Victoria POV

The entire upper-class social circle was buzzing about the upcoming "Metropolitan Charity Night" gala.

Only those who received exclusive invitations were qualified to step through those doors.

Rumor had it that the notoriously private top billionaire would also attend, making everyone scramble for entry tickets.

While organizing materials at the auction house, my boss handed me a special work pass.

"The gala organizers urgently need an on-site special consultant appraiser."

The boss looked at me. "I've seen your professional performance in the shop. They specifically requested someone sharp-eyed who can command the room. I recommended you."

I accepted the work pass stamped with "Special Expert," my fingers pausing slightly.

I knew Ethan would definitely be there. That was his familiar battlefield, his arena for displaying status.

"Not going?" the boss asked. "The compensation is quite generous. Enough to cover half a year of your apartment rent."

"I'll go." I hung the work pass around my neck.

Why wouldn't I go?

Before, I attended as Ethan's female companion, needing to read his moods, needing to network for him, needing to worry whether my dress and behavior were "worthy" of him.

This time, I was going as a professional to work and earn compensation.

Nothing shameful about that.

Looking at the clear text on the work pass, I found it far more pleasing than any companion invitation as someone's accessory.

The night of the gala, Midtown Manhattan, the hotel's red carpet stretched out, camera flashes illuminating the night sky like daylight.

I arrived early, heading toward the inconspicuous employee entrance on the side. In my hand was a black briefcase containing professional tools and materials.

Card swipe, identity verification, the passage door's green light illuminated.

I pushed through the door expressionlessly.

Just as I entered the side door, my peripheral vision caught the end of the red carpet where a black Bentley Mulsanne slowly came to a stop.

Ethan emerged in a perfectly tailored suit, followed by Mia in full formal attire taking his arm. She wore a complete set of diamond jewelry, smiling brilliantly for the cameras, as if she'd already won the whole world.

Inside the gala hall.

I wore a proper black professional suit and white cotton gloves, focused on examining several important lots about to be featured in the designated display area.

A slight commotion and deliberately lowered laughter came from nearby.

I looked up to see Mia holding Ethan's arm, standing with several socialites.

In front of them was a classical oil painting. Mia seemed eager to show off, her voice carrying clearly. "...The colors are so vibrant, clearly a masterpiece from the peak of Impressionism."

The socialites exchanged meaningful glances. No one responded. The atmosphere grew awkward.

Impressionism and Renaissance classicism were worlds apart.

This was entry-level knowledge.

Ethan's expression seemed to darken. He discreetly withdrew his arm and said something to Mia before turning to walk away.

Mia stood alone, her smile somewhat stiff.

After a while, Mia wandered over to my area with a glass of red wine.

She spotted me immediately, her eyes first flashing with astonishment, then replaced by a mixture of contempt and excitement.

She walked straight over, stopping in front of me, her wrist suddenly tilting.

Splash.

Half a glass of red wine spilled onto the polished marble floor, a few drops of deep red liquid splashing onto my pant leg.

"Waitress," she raised her voice, finger pointing at me, tone full of mockery, "come clean this up. What, didn't Ethan give you living expenses? You've actually fallen so low as to work as waitstaff here. How utterly humiliating."

Victoria POV

I didn't even furrow my brow, speaking calmly into the miniature earpiece clipped to my collar. "Guest in Zone C near the display platform accidentally spilled beverages. Cleaning staff needed immediately."

My disregard completely enraged her.

She suddenly reached out, trying to grab the work pass on my chest. "I'm talking to you! Are you deaf? A bottom-tier worker pretending to be something here!"

I sidestepped smoothly, avoiding her. Her hand grasped empty air, her body swaying from momentum.

I raised my eyes, my gaze cold and sharp, then pointed with my white-gloved hand to a crown inside the glass display case behind me.

"This diamond crown has a starting bid marked at two million eight hundred thousand dollars."

My voice wasn't loud, but clear enough. "If it's damaged, I imagine even Mr. Hayes wouldn't be happy to shoulder that compensation responsibility for you."

Mia's hand froze mid-air, her face instantly pale. That figure was like ice water, extinguishing all her arrogance.

She looked into my calm, unwavering eyes, seeming to clearly realize for the first time that my gaze had long since moved past her to places she could never reach.

Just then, Ethan apparently noticed the commotion here and strode over with a dark expression.

His gaze passed over Mia and landed directly on me.

I was conversing quietly with two collectors who had arrived early and were interested in the lots, answering some professional questions.

Ethan approached, obvious anger on his face.

He eventually cornered me in the lounge off the side hall.

"Is this your tactic?"

Ethan looked down at me, his eyes full of disgust. "Running to my territory to play independent woman?"

I straightened my cuffs, my expression indifferent.

"Ethan, I'm a consultant hired by the organizers. Your female companion, on the other hand, nearly destroyed an exhibit."

"Shut up."

Ethan didn't listen to explanations at all.

"Are you this desperate for money? So desperate you'd come to this kind of complicated place to show yourself off?"

He pulled out a card from inside his jacket and tossed it carelessly onto the table.

"Take it. Leave immediately. Stop embarrassing yourself here."

I didn't even glance at the card.

"I don't need money."

I raised my head, looking directly into Ethan's eyes. "I thought I had already severed ties with the Hayes family."

Ethan laughed coldly, his eyes sinister.

"Severed ties? What do you have that wasn't given by the Hayes family? Without the Hayes family, you couldn't even get through this door."

My hand reached into my collar, pulling out the gemstone necklace that had been broken in two and barely repaired.

This was something I had before coming to the Hayes family, the only token my biological parents left me.

It was also my only spiritual anchor when I suffered grievances in the Hayes family.

"This is mine."

My voice was resolute. "Other than this, I didn't take a single thing from the Hayes family."

Just then, the lounge door was suddenly pushed open.

Mia rushed in.

Seeing that necklace, her eyes shifted and she shrieked, "Isn't that the necklace Rachel said was lost? So you stole it!"

I gripped the necklace tightly. "What nonsense are you talking! This was left to me by my parents!"

"You're lying!"

Mia rushed over, grabbing Ethan's sleeve, crying like her heart was breaking.

"Ethan, last time Rachel was so upset about losing this necklace she ended up hospitalized. Victoria, how could you do this? Stealing is one thing, but using your dead parents as a shield."

Ethan was annoyed by the crying, but he was even more disgusted by my attitude of wanting to settle accounts with him just now.

"Hand it over."

Ethan extended his hand.

"Ethan, you know perfectly well. " I looked at him in disbelief.

"A broken pendant, and you'd use it as an excuse to lie?"

Ethan snatched the gemstone pendant from my hand.

That was my last line.

I tried to grab it back, but Ethan shoved me away.

Ethan strode to the balcony edge.

He held up the pendant, his eyes ice cold. "Since it's stolen goods, no one gets it. This should wake you up and make you recognize your place."

His hand opened.The gemstone pendant traced an arc through the air, disappearing into the pitch-black rainy night.

I didn't scream, didn't chase after it.

I stood there, my blood seeming to freeze.

The last glimmer of light in my eyes extinguished.

"Let's go."

Ethan put his arm around the smug Mia, not even glancing at me, turning to leave.

As if he'd merely thrown away a piece of garbage.

Cold wind rushed into the terrace.

I stood there.

The downpour soaked half my shoulder. Very cold, but not as cold as my heart at this moment.

That necklace was my only clue to finding my biological parents. Now it was gone.

Maybe it was for the best.

This time we were truly even.

Ethan, from now on, we're enemies.