Rebirth Through Fire

"I'll dock half a year's salary from each of you!" Grace snapped. "You made me waste three whole months in this lousy temple for nothing. Now you'll work double for free!"

"Yes, thank you, Miss Grace." The three of them kowtowed together.

"Stepmother, I've been eating vegetarian and chanting for three months, and at the last moment, it all went to waste." Grace complained, full of resentment. "I have to do it all over again. From now on, don't bother me unless it's important!"

"My dear Grace, how can that be?" Grace Wan frowned. "Just yesterday, the Prime Minister said you living in the temple all the time isn't proper!"

"Hmph! Wasn't he the one who called me a brat and told me to get lost?"

"He was just angry. Why are you still upset with your own father? Come on, let's go home with me!"

"Stepmother, I know you care about me. You're worried I'll suffer alone here," Grace said. "But for my mother's recovery, I can endure anything! Please, help me talk to my father. If my mother really gets better, he won't hate me so much anymore..."

"Silly child..." Grace Wan looked at her with heartfelt concern, holding her hand. "I understand what you want."

"So, you'll help me, right?" Grace asked.

"Of course! I'll help!" Grace Wan replied. "It's my fault for ruining your peaceful prayers. When we get back, I'll talk to the Prime Minister properly. This time, I won't let anyone disturb you."

"Thank you, Stepmother." Grace's voice was filled with the same reliance and affection she had for her real mother.

"But next month, when your grandmother's birthday comes, you have to come home, right?"

Grace nodded.

That was something she couldn't avoid.

"Then I'll head back first," Grace Wan said. "If you need anything, just send someone home to fetch it. Don't ever let yourself suffer."

"Okay," Grace replied.

With that, Grace Wan left.

Watching her graceful figure disappear, Grace let out a sarcastic smile.

In her previous life, her relationship with Grace Wan was just that close!

Her own mother had been bedridden for years, unable to manage the household or take care of her, so in reality, she was raised by Grace Wan.

From childhood to adulthood, Grace Wan gave her the best of everything, indulged her in every way, earning praise from everyone—and making Grace see her as her own mother.

Especially when Grace Wan discovered she was pregnant, she helped her keep it secret and sent her to the palace to become an Imperial Noble Consort. Grace saw her as a true benefactor.

But years later, in the roaring flames, Grace Wan told her: You don't lack a Phoenix Heart! I secretly took yours and transplanted it into Wendy!

Your son isn't lacking a Phoenix Heart either!

I took your son's Phoenix Heart too and transplanted it into Wendy's son!

Sending you to the palace and making you an Imperial Noble Consort was just a way to ship you and that bastard off to the Upper Kingdom as hostages!

Your twenty years of lonely struggle in the Upper Kingdom were only to pave the way for my daughter!

And your parents, whose love was so strong it made me despair, have already been tortured to death by me!

Hahahahahaha!

Amid the wild laughter of Grace Wan and Wendy Zhu, the scorn of the masses, and the cold gaze of Colin Gu—whom she loved all her life—Grace was burned to death.

Fortunately, Heaven had mercy.

She was reborn from the ashes.

In this life, she would become strong. Everything they stole from her, she would take back tenfold! Everything they did to harm her, she would repay a hundred times over!!

"M-Miss Grace..." Hope and the other two were frightened by the sudden murderous aura she gave off. "Are you alright?"

Grace snapped back to reality, took a deep breath, and suppressed her hatred. "I'm fine," she said.