Chapter 1
Madeline Larson died.
Just before she died, the Larson family appeared on a TV show to expose her fabricated misdeeds.
Innocently carrying the burden of false accusations, she tragically died in a car accident at the height of her popularity. After her death, she witnessed the rampant circulation of malicious rumors about her.
In the blink of an eye, she had gone from a top star to a despised pariah!
Her ten more pals in her organization held the grandest funeral for her.
Then, they wiped out the Larson family on the seventh night after her passing. Madeline wept. She regretted leaving her pals.
She never should have left them behind and gone back to her biological parents. Her five brothers regarded her as a ruthless monster, despising her to the core.
As for her parents, they showered all their love on their adopted daughter alone.
Despite being the real daughter of the Larson family, she was nothing more than a pawn to be used and discarded.
Once they were done with her, they completely destroyed her.
Only the pals from her organization, with their complex and formidable natures though, truly cherished her to the core.
Ironically, it was the very people she had tried to escape who loved her the most.
If given another chance in life, Madeline swore that she would never harbor any illusions or hopes for the Larson family again!
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Madeline's eyes fluttered open abruptly as if she had been submerged underwater and desperate for a breath of air.
She took in deep gulps of air, gradually regaining her composure after the suffocating state.
The sharp scent of disinfectant invaded her nostrils, and a throbbing ache pulsed through her head.
Panicked, Madeline scanned her surroundings and Madeline let out a deep sigh. "My head hurts so much..."
The memories of her previous life seemed to be nothing short of a haunting nightmare.
She took some time to fully comprehend that she had gone back in time.
She found herself reborn at the age of 18, eight months after being reunited with her biological parents. Her heart felt burdened, like a stone weighing her down, causing discomfort and pain with every beat.
A familiar voice broke the moment. "Madeline, you've finally woken up. Quit playing dead!" Madeline's gaze darkened as she looked at the person entering the ward. "Winslet," she murmured.
Winslet Larson, her adopted sister, was the one responsible for everything she had lost in her previous life.
"Madeline, what's wrong? Hurt your head and lose your mind, huh?" Winslet sat by the bedside and sneered ruthlessly, "Look at you, running off to be an extra. With your plain appearance, do you really think you can make it in the entertainment industry? You know what, Loser? You should've just stayed in the countryside. How dare you come here and vie for the affection of my brothers!"
Fury blazed in Madeline's eyes, and she struck Winslet across the face.
Smack!
The sound reverberated sharply through the air.
As Winslet covered her face, the aftermath of Madeline's slap became evident in the form of several bright red marks.
Disbelief flickered in Winslet's eyes. The idea that Madeline, known for her meek and reserved nature, would dare to strike her was almost inconceivable.
"Madeline, how dare you hit me! Wait until my brothers hear about this!" Winslet growled.
"Stop trying to intimidate me with the Larson family. I don't care anymore." Madeline's gaze locked onto Winslet, the very person who had dragged her into the abyss.
If it had not been for Winslet's repeated schemes and attempts to sow discord, Madeline would not have been entangled in this endless family feud.
But now, she had given up any hope of thawing the Larson family's hearts.
With Winslet in the picture, they would never truly care for her as a daughter or sister.
"I wish you all to burn in hell, so you can experience the agony I've endured!" Madeline blurted out and gave Winslet a cold-eyed stare.
An unsettling feeling crept over Winslet as she questioned herself, "How could I... How could I be afraid of Madeline? No way..."
Bang!
The door of the ward was forcefully kicked open.
Harley Larson, the eldest son of the Larson family, stormed in. His typically composed demeanor gave way to a flicker of anger upon witnessing the scene.
"Madeline, you dared to hit Winnie? She came to see you with kindness, and this is how you repay her? You ungrateful brat!"
Winslet hastily sought refuge in Harley's arms, her voice trembling with a mix of grievance and tears. "Harley, you're finally here. I've been so scared. Maddie said she wanted to kill me..."
Harley's brows furrowed as he shielded Winslet. "As long as I'm here, no one can lay a finger on you."
Following closely behind was Henry Larson, the second son of the Larson family. He cast a disdainful glare at Madeline and stated, "You truly never learn, do you? Bullying Winnie behind our backs once again. We've shared 18 years of our lives with Winnie. Don't think you can push so far just because you share the Larson family's blood! Sending you away from the Larson family is as simple as uttering a single word."
Madeline pressed her lips together. Her gaze fixed on Harley and Henry. Unexplained tears welled up in her eyes.
They were so careful in protecting the devious Winslet, yet regarded Madeline as some kind of ferocious creature as if they feared she might harm Winslet in even the slightest way.
She wiped the dampness from the corners of her eyes.
These were the same brothers who had driven her to leave the organization, and the ones who had cherished and adored her as if she were their very lives.
Madeline truly believed that giving up her pals was utterly unworthy.
Meanwhile, the other three of the Larson brothers arrived as well.
Jacob Larson, the third son of the Larson family who came straight from work, was dressed in a suit.
Initially, upon hearing about Madeline's injury, he had no inclination to get involved.
However, upon his arrival, he was taken aback to find Madeline standing by the bedside, with Winslet in tears.
The sound of her sobbing tugged at Jacob's heartstrings. There was even a red handprint left on her pretty face.
Jacob's expression turned frigid. His voice was low and ice-cold. "Winnie, did Madeline hit you?"
Joel Larson, the fourth son, erupted with anger. "Damn it!" He madly seized Madeline by the collar and fixed her with bloodshot eyes. "How dare you lay a hand on Winnie!" Lucas Larson, the fifth son, who was standing beside them, suggested with burning anger, "Joel, just throw her out of the window. Her presence is nothing short of an eyesore!" Madeline's throat tightened.
Her head throbbed with pain, and there was a hint of metallic scent lingering in her nose.
It was as if her blood had turned to ice within her veins.
Joel's eyes bore a venomous hatred. He glared at her with an intensity that seemed capable of tearing her apart.
"How ironic!" Madeline thought.
She curled her lips into a sardonic smile. "Yes, it was me who struck her. Do whatever you want."
Joel's brows furrowed, and he shook off Madeline in disgust as if he had touched something filthy.
"Get lost!" Joel's voice erupted angrily.
Madeline tumbled to the ground.
As her fingertips brushed her forehead, she realized that she was bleeding again.
During the summer break, she took on some roles as a background extra to earn money for her tuition. Unfortunately, while on the film set, she suffered a blow to the head.
After being pushed roughly by Joel, the freshly stitched wound was torn open again.
Blood quickly seeped through the white bandage, staining it crimson.
Madeline propped her hands against the cold surface of the floor. The floor was far from clean, and it felt icy against her skin. She gazed up to her towering siblings who peered down at her with eyes filled with disdain.
A bitter sensation welled up at the tip of her nose.
Despite her attempts, words remained trapped in her throat.
"Don't blame Maddie," Winslet urged insincerely, her tone veiled with feigned concern. "Maddie is the true daughter of the Larson family. I'm merely an adopted daughter who was taken in by mistake. The way you all treat her leaves me unsettled. I'm like a thief who has stolen the love that was never rightfully mine. I am sorry for Maddie."
Winslet hung her head, her voice low and resigned as she added, "Even if Maddie were to kill me, I wouldn't say anything. I owe it to Maddie."
The sight of Winslet in such a vulnerable state stirred discomfort in the hearts of her five brothers.
They blamed themselves for failing to protect Winslet and were frustrated by Madeline's return to the family.
Had it not been for Madeline, Winnie would not have had to endure these trying times in silence.
Madeline's expression turned slightly disdainful, and she uttered, "Drop your act."
"Enough!" Layla Larson, their mother, stormed in with her voice seething in anger. "Madeline, you are totally hopeless! How could you become so heartless? You better apologize to Winnie now!"
Madeline's gaze met her mother's, a whirlwind of emotions churning within her. Her mother was the person she held closest, yet she was also the one who had taken the most advantage of her and inflicted the deepest wounds.
Madeline lowered her gaze, a cold chill overtaking her eyes.
"You do not have the right to lecture me."