After fighting off that vicious dog, I was already completely exhausted.
And now, pinned down by several people, I couldn’t move at all.
I lifted my head, looking at Sophia Anderson, and asked, “Sophia, where are Mom and Dad?”
At that moment, I actually hoped Mr. and Mrs. Anderson would appear.
I knew they didn’t love me, but at least I was their daughter. Maybe they would spare me, giving me enough time for Michael Carter to arrive.
But when Sophia heard me, she only sneered.
Then, right in front of me, she dialed the phone and burst into tears as soon as the call connected.
“Mom!” she sobbed, her voice breaking. “Buddy was killed by my sister!”
“She said I wasn’t really part of the Anderson family, and that even my dog wasn’t an Anderson’s, so she strangled him with her own hands!”
Sophia cried pitifully, pretending to be wronged. “Mom, if Claire doesn’t like me, then I’ll just leave the family! I’ll return everything to her!”
On the other end, I clearly heard Mrs. Anderson’s breathing grow heavier.
“Sophia, don’t cry. Don’t worry, Mom will stand up for you! In my heart, you are my only daughter. As for her, she doesn’t deserve to be called my child! Even Buddy is more important to me than she is!”
Hearing those words, my heart froze over.
I had always known Mr. and Mrs. Anderson didn’t love me, but I never imagined that in their eyes, I was worth less than a dog.
“Mom, Claire strangled Buddy to death, and I… I don’t know what to do!”
Sophia whimpered into the phone. “She even said she wants to drive me out of the family!”
“Don’t be afraid, Sophia,” Mr. Anderson’s voice came through. “Mom and Dad will be back soon. We’ll make sure you get justice!”
The bitterness in my chest deepened.
I looked up and met Sophia’s smug gaze. She smiled sweetly, but her words cut like knives:
“Claire, do you see now? In Mom and Dad’s hearts, you’re nothing! I could cripple you, toss you out, and they wouldn’t even care!”
She studied my face and sneered, “Just two scars? That’s not enough! Tonight, I’ll destroy your face completely.”
I closed my eyes. At that moment, my heart was already dead.
But then, the Andersons’ front door suddenly slammed open.
A group of men stormed inside, led by Michael himself.
When Michael saw the state I was in, his face darkened with fury.
“Who are you? This is the Anderson family’s home! What are you doing here?” Sophia shouted hysterically.
But Michael ignored her. He rushed straight to me, while his bodyguards swiftly overpowered the Andersons’ servants.
“Michael… I was wrong. I thought I could find a family that loved me. But now I know—it was all just my own wishful thinking,” I whispered weakly.
