After Zane was imprisoned, the remaining four realized that I was deliberately targeting them, so they joined forces, preparing to fight back against me.
But there's always someone clever.
For example, Niko.
As soon as I came out of the villa, Niko stopped me.
"Lana, would you mind if we have a talk?"
I certainly didn't mind.
In the café, Niko sized me up.
"You're not Lana, are you?"
A shock ran through my heart, but my expression remained calm.
"What makes you say that?"
Niko: "I'm not familiar with Lana, but I do feel a sense of familiarity with you now. You resemble someone."
I gestured for him to continue.
"Veronica."
Even though I had prepared myself, my heart still trembled when he said that name.
I pretended to think for a moment and then said, "Veronica, the girl you all killed, right?"
Niko was certain: "You look just like her, or rather, you are her! Otherwise, you wouldn't have treated Zane like that."
See? He was indeed clever.
But what of it?
If he thought he could use this information to control me, then he was gravely mistaken.
I smiled. "You have quite the imagination. But yes, I know Veronica."
Surprise flickered in Niko's eyes.
I raised my hand and gently touched the needle marks on the back of my hand.
I had been on injections for years, leaving behind a small scar that never healed.
"She donated blood for me."
I used to sell blood.
Because I had no money for tuition, I saw an ad for selling blood and went.
It turned out I had a rare blood type. Those unscrupulous merchants would find rich clients who needed rare blood and buy mine at a low price, then sell it at a high one.
One time, they took so much blood I realized they were trying to drain me dry. I struggled and fought back, and that's when I learned that the blood was for the Spencer family.
They said the Spencer family's daughter had suddenly fallen ill and urgently needed a rare blood type.
"So when someone told me it was either you or Veronica, I decided to get revenge for her."
Niko's face stiffened.
"But if you help me, I might consider asking my brother to spare the Niko family."
Although I was the daughter of the Spencer family, my reputation didn't compare to William's.
Niko hesitated for a moment but nodded in agreement.
See? This is what they call "united as one."
Niko and I attended Charlotte and Ethan's engagement party, planning to give her a "special gift."
As soon as Charlotte saw me, she immediately bristled.
"Lana, what are you doing here?"
I smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not here for you, I'm here for him."
I turned my gaze to Ethan.
Ethan immediately shielded Charlotte, frowning as he looked at Niko beside me. "Niko, why are you with her?"
Niko didn't speak.
I stepped forward and took out a ring.
"Ethan, I'll let you choose. Me or Charlotte?"
Ethan would definitely choose Charlotte.
But as for the Rubio family...
Ethan's parents immediately rushed forward and asked, "Lana, what do you mean by this?"
"Isn't it obvious enough? I'm interested in Ethan."
A collective gasp echoed around us.
I just smiled.
Charlotte thought that no matter what, Ethan would always cover for her. And indeed, it seemed that way. But don't forget, the Rubio family wasn't under Ethan's control just yet.
After a brief moment of thought, Ethan's parents asked me, "Lana, are you serious?"
"There are so many media watching, how could it be fake?"
Immediately, Ethan's mother pulled Charlotte away from Ethan, shoving Charlotte aside.
"Mom..."
Ethan's mother glared. "Who's your mom? A young woman with no self-respect! If Ethan hadn't threatened to die, we wouldn't have agreed to him marrying you."
She then pushed Ethan toward me. "Ethan, come on, hold Lana."
Ethan angrily shoved his mother aside and shouted, "Are you all crazy? Are you blinded by money? I only love Charlotte!"
He then glared at me viciously. "Lana, don't think I don't understand what you're trying to do. You won't get away with it."
Seeing this, I pretended to be hurt. "What does Spencer family lack compared to the Cooper family…"
Of course, this was said for Ethan's parents to hear.
Immediately, Ethan's father slapped Ethan across the face, yelling, "Unfilial son! As long as I'm here, don't even think about marrying Charlotte!"
Ethan's mother tried to reason, "Lana is pure and spotless, Don't mix apples and oranges!"
She leaned in close to Ethan, whispering, "That's the Spencer family! Are you crazy? How dare you refuse!"
For a moment, Ethan wavered.
"Ethan..." she called in a soft, sweet voice.
Ethan's gaze immediately became firm as he grabbed Charlotte's hand. 'No, I will only ever love you, Charlotte. You're the only one I will marry.'"
"Ethan's father, both angry and anxious, pulled Ethan aside for a scolding, while Ethan's mother stepped in to stop Charlotte from getting involved."
Charlotte immediately whined, "Ethan, don't be fooled! I love you, I really love you…"
Charlotte was silenced by Ethan's mother, who covered her mouth.
Watching this scene, I slowly smiled.
Soon, I pretended to be disappointed. "If Ethan really doesn't want to marry me, then I also..."
Ethan's mother immediately interrupted, "No, no, no, he does! He does!"
Meanwhile, Ethan's father and Ethan had their private conversation. Ethan reluctantly walked over to me.
Seeing his unwillingness, Charlotte became frantic, calling out to him.
Ethan said, "How could you like me?"
I was stunned. "Don't you have any confidence in yourself?"
Suddenly, a hint of pride flickered in his eyes as he straightened up.
I slowly added, "But my family doesn't tolerate such troublesome people."
I subtly glanced at Charlotte.
I could easily guess what Ethan's father and Ethan had discussed.
It was simple—agree to marry me to appease the Spencer family, settle into the Spencer family first, and then keep Charlotte on the side.
Tch, a beautiful plan indeed.
Charlotte pushed Ethan's mother away with all her strength, then ran over and grabbed Ethan's hand, crying.
"Ethan, don't let her deceive you, she just wants to get revenge on us, think about it…"
Charlotte was smart enough not to mention Zane's name.
But Ethan had obviously already thought of it and started hesitating.
Taking advantage of this, Charlotte intensified her efforts, resorting to emotional blackmail.
"Ethan, you are the person I care about most now. If you abandon me, I'll… end my life!"
She pretended to run into the wall.
Ethan hurriedly stopped her and pulled her tightly into his arms.
"No, I won't abandon you, Charlotte."
I calmly watched the scene and let out a big sigh. "In that case, then…"
Ethan's father interrupted me again. "Ethan, let me ask you: do you want Charlotte, or do you want Lana?"
Charlotte cried heartbreakingly.
Ethan immediately said, "I want Charlotte! No one can tear us apart!"
Ethan's father trembled with rage, "Fine, fine, fine. If you don't listen to me, then you're no longer my son!"
"Dad!" Ethan was shocked.
"Don't call me 'Dad'!"
Ethan's mother approached and comforted me, "Don't worry, Lana. Let Ethan suffer a little, and he'll realize who he should really choose."
I nodded.
This farce had come to an end.
As we walked out, Niko sarcastically commented, "They're really stupid."
Yes, they were foolish. I had just said a few words, and they were already in chaos.
But Ethan's parents were also gambling.
What if it was real?
Then they would have soared to great heights.
