"The King of Hell said if I can't repay that hundred million, he's going to throw me into a cauldron of oil and fry me into a crispy, golden cheese-coated ghost ball!"
Amelia blinked. "...That actually sounds kind of delicious."
I threw myself on the floor and started wailing.
"Waaah, sis! You're the real daughter of the Wright family now, Mrs. Fletcher—wife of the capital's golden boy! Don't tell me you can't even afford a measly hundred million? What happened to 'don't forget me when you're rich and powerful,' huh?"
At the mention of her family, Amelia's expression faltered. She was silent for a long while before whispering, "But Sherry... I don't have any money."
"What about your shares in the Wright Corporation?"
"They're all in Fake Miss Wright's hands now—Janine took them."
I gave her a look of utter disappointment. "Then go and take back what's yours!"
"But..."
"No 'buts,' my dear bestie! We've got ten days before I get tossed into the fryer! Are you really okay watching me turn into a ghost tempura?"
Amelia looked torn, but she finally nodded. "Don't worry, Sherry. I'll get the money."
Before I could even respond, she went straight downstairs, hailed a taxi, and headed toward the Wright family villa. I floated along behind her, like a very determined helium balloon.
The moment we reached the gate, laughter and music spilled from inside. There was a full-blown party.
Amelia pressed her lips together and pushed open the door.
Instantly, silence ensued. The whole villa went dead quiet.
Especially Janine—she jumped up from her seat beside Madam Wright, her eyes instantly turned red.
"Sister, I thought you weren't coming home today! I only sat in your seat for a bit—I'll move right now!"
She hurried to the far end of the table, limping dramatically, looking pitiful as if she had been bullied.
I was furious. "Where did this pretentious little bitch come from? Her acting is poor, only fools will believe it!"
But of course, the Wrights loved this act.
Kenneth, Amelia's brother, slammed his cutlery down and dragged Janine back to her seat.
"Amelia! How many times do I have to say it? I only recognize Janine as my sister!"
Madam Wright sighed in perfect fake sympathy. "Amelia, it wasn't Janine's fault you two were switched at birth. You've bullied her for six years—isn't that enough?"
Amelia clenched her fists, face pale. "I didn't bully her. She—"
But Mr. Wright didn't even let her finish. He slammed his glass on the table. "This is a family dinner! If you can't behave, get out!"
I floated over beside him, glaring, and I spat in his glass in anger.
"Fine! Let's go, babe. We don't need this bunch of psychos anyway!"
But Amelia just shook her head softly.
I knew she was enduring this humiliation for my sake—to get money for me. My heart suddenly turned to mush.
She sat quietly in the corner. When the maid brought her cutlery, she just ate silently, pretending she didn't hear the others' disdain.
No one spoke.
After a few bites, Kenneth slammed his bowl down. "I lost my appetite. I'm done."
Mr. Wright followed suit, and Madam Wright immediately called the maid to clear the table, not caring that Amelia had barely eaten two bites.
She didn't complain, and just kept her head down. She was calm as if she'd long gotten used to it.
When everyone was about to leave, Amelia finally spoke up, her voice hesitant but steady.
"Mom, Dad... could you return some of the shares Janine took before?"
At that instant, Kenneth exploded. "Amelia, do you have no shame?"
He grabbed a plate of food and flung it at her. Sauce splattered down her hair, dripping over her face.
Unbothered, she wiped it off and said calmly, "Brother, I really need the money. It's urgent."
"Urgent for what? Planning to use it to hurt Janine again?"
Only then did I realize that Janine's limp had something to do with Amelia.
Back when the Wright family's patriarch was still alive—a man known for being fair and sharp—he had transferred Janine's shares to Amelia after she was proven to be the real daughter.
