Chapter 5

From the very first day Lily moved into our house, I had been quietly keeping tabs on her.

I didn't care about my idiot brother, but I couldn't let her harm my parents or ruin the foundation of the Vance Group.

After Austin came back, my parents gave him a monthly allowance of $150,000. Almost all of it went straight to Lily, who immediately wired it to her parents' bank accounts.

I knew that human greed was a bottomless pit. Giving them $150,000 a month would only make them crave millions.

I needed to make my parents realize what was happening. Or better yet, cut off her cash flow completely.

I started spending money lavishly. I bought my mom a $150,000 Hermès bag and ordered a limited-edition luxury watch for my dad.

"Lily has no job, but she just bought her parents a brand-new luxury car."

"Since I actually earn my own money at the firm, it's only right that I spoil my parents too!"

My parents' faces turned incredibly stiff. I knew they had never liked Lily's background.

Given Austin's status, he could easily marry a wealthy heiress, not a girl from a cheap, manipulative family.

They had spent decades building their empire from scratch. If there was one thing they hated, it was freeloaders.

Before Lily was officially married into the family, they would never tolerate Austin funding her entire family's lifestyle with our money.

That night, my parents called Austin into the study with extremely stern expressions.

I didn't know the details of their conversation, but Austin walked out with a pale face. Later that night, I could hear Lily sobbing in their room.

Austin's $150,000 monthly allowance was officially canceled.

My parents gave him a low-level desk job with a fixed monthly salary of just $5,000.

Austin knew I was the one behind it, and he refused to look me in the eye for months.

Not that I cared. I didn't need to lock eyes with a dog who had murdered me in my past life. I was afraid his sheer stupidity would rub off on me.

But to my surprise, he and Lily actually managed to pull off a massive win with the new maternity brand.

Thanks to the massive hype surrounding the launch, the Vance Group's stock price surged.

My dad was full of praise for them during dinner.

"Lily has never studied business, but she's running this new launch beautifully!"

"She's even sharper than Chloe!"

I smiled, chiming in with my parents.

"Of course! How could my little skills compare to Austin and Lily?"

"It must be the baby in her belly bringing us good luck. That's why the project is going so smoothly."

As I spoke, Lily’s expression froze for a fraction of a second.

*Of course there's no baby. In a few months, the truth will come out.*

Seeing the happy atmosphere, I struck while the iron was hot.

"Since things are going so well, why don't we throw them an engagement party?"

"We can celebrate the brand's success and finally make Lily's place in the family official!"

My parents were extremely pleased with Austin’s performance. They officially appointed him as the CEO of the new maternity subsidiary, and made Lily the VP and legal representative.

Overnight, Austin became the star of the company, overshadowing me completely.

Whenever he walked down the hall, employees bowed and greeted him as "Mr. Vance Junior."

As we walked out of the office one afternoon, Austin intentionally shoved his shoulder into mine.

"Chloe, don't you dare try anything at the engagement party."

"With the resources I have now, taking full control of the entire group is only a matter of time."

"When that day comes, crushing you will be as easy as stepping on an ant."

What a wonderful brother. Not even married yet, and he was already threatening his sister for his wife.

The idiot still had no idea that Lily’s pregnancy was fake, and that she was using him.

I let out a soft, amused laugh.

"Don't worry, Austin. I promise your engagement party will be absolutely unforgettable."