After her rebirth

As Katniss stepped out the door, she looked up at the dazzling sunlight, and gently exhaled a breath of stale air.The weight of her burdens seemed to lift with that single breath.

Then, she raised the corners of her mouth into a bright smile. She was finally going to completely leave this so-called "home" behind!

From now on, The world is her oyster, free and easy. Those people and past events were not worth wasting her emotions on anymore!

She would pursue her passions and dreams with the utmost love and enthusiasm.

For example...

Helping Maximilian stand up again! She could see him standing proudly in this beautiful world, conquering everything with his unique charisma, reaching the heights he deserved!

Conrad, although very sympathetic to Katniss for having such disgusting families, kindly reminded her, "Madam, if you don't leave now, you won't make it home in time for lunch."

Mira had made her proficient dishes today.

"Madam, it's time to go home. You have classes in the afternoon," Conrad couldn't help but remind her.

Katniss nodded. Conrad was right, she should hurry home for lunch. Just as she was about to get in the car, she suddenly heard the sound of footsteps behind her. Accompanied by Clara's always soft voice, "Katniss, wait a minute."

Katniss frowned and turned around in disgust.

Clara had already reached her, panting and with a blush on her delicate face, perhaps from running too hasty.

Katniss raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Clara, there are no Manners family members here. There's no need to pretend, is there?"

Clara glanced warily at Conrad behind her and attempted to maintain her composure, "In ten days, it's my engagement party with Desmond. The venue is set at the Starry Night Hotel. Remember to attend."

Katniss looked at her nonchalantly and said disdainfully, "Clara, are you insane? I'm not interested in theparty of you two scumbags. Perhaps you might consider inviting me to the funeral instead."

Clara's face turned ugly at these words, especially since she didn't see the jealousy and resentment she wanted on Katniss's face.

Could it be that Katniss really didn't like Desmond anymore?

Impossible. In the entire Luminous City, Desmond was the most outstanding and prestigious man.

Had Katniss not reappeared so suddenly, Clara wouldn't have had to go through so much trouble and almost lost her fiancé!

Fortunately, the result was good.

Soon, she would be the only daughter of the Manners family again!

Thinking of this, Clara smiled lightly, "Katniss, you should still come. Besides my engagement party, you won't have the chance to attend high-society events as the prestigious daughter of the Manners family anymore."

"Thanks for the reminder. Since you're so earnestin your invitaition, I'll definitely go, and I'll go with an even more prestigious identity!"

With that, Katniss got into the car and slammed the door shut.

Conrad glanced at Clara dismissively.

What nonsense was this woman spouting?

Katniss's identity was a thousand, no, ten thousand times more esteemed than the daughter of the Manners family!

Conrad quickly got into the car, reversed sharply, and the exhaust sprayed all over Clara's face, ruining her white dress with the mud from the tires.

Clara let out a startled cry, instinctively covering her face, looking both embarrassed and ridiculous. By the time she reacted, the car had already sped away.

She stomped her foot in anger!

Her eyes flashed with a vicious light. Once Katniss was adopted out, she had countless ways to make her life a living hell!

Driving on the road, Conrad kept glancing at Katniss, who was resting with her eyes closed, through the rearview mirror.

Katniss lifted her eyelids slightly, "What do you want to say?"

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Conrad's eyes lit up immediately, and he said excitedly, "Madam, that Clara is so bad, just like my teacher said, toxic jelly bean. Let me tie her up and throw her in an alley for a beating!"

Katniss sighed. Did Conrad not understand the law?

She felt the need to educate him, "Hitting someone, no matter who it is, is illegal. Whatnoveldrama

if you get caught? You'd end up in the police station!"

Conrad blinked and whispered, "I'm good at it, I won't get caught."

Katniss chuckled and closed her eyes again, "Don't go. She's just a girl, how many hits

can she take? If you hurt Clara, the Manners family will come after you."

Indeed, Clara was deserving of a lesson, yet the Manners family was not to be underestimated.. If they found out, Conrad, with no background, would be in big

trouble.

"Oh." Conrad responded dejectedly, then his eyes brightened again.

Clara couldn't take a beating, and neither could that frail person, but the men of the Manners family could.

Especially Simon, who always wanted to hit Katniss. Conrad resolved to seize him after school, bind him, and give him a good beating.

He wanted to tell Katniss, but seeing her asleep, he kept quiet. He'd give her a surprise after the deed!

After lunch at home and a short rest, Conrad drove Katniss to school.

Katniss walked into the classroom alone and pulled out a book from her desk to prepare.

As she did so, a note fluttered out.

She immediately saw the content, "I'll be waiting for you behind the third teaching building."

Signed: Laura.

Why was she looking for her?

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The third teaching building was not far away, not too isolated, with a peristyle and a large artificial lake behind it.

It wasn't class time yet, so there would be quite a few people there.

Katniss brooded a while and tucked the note into the book. She didn't think Laura would dare to do anything inappropriate in such a place.

She decided to see what Laura wanted.

As she reached the destination, Katniss saw Laura sitting in one of the small pavilions. Laura's figure was frail, and under the oversized coat, she seemed like just a skeleton. Her long hair was tied back, appearing somewhat disheveled.

Laura also saw her arrival, and a strange light flashed in her weray eyes.

Katniss sat down in front of her, getting straight to the point, "What do you want? I thought we had nothing to say."

For Laura, Katniss felt that not kicking her when she was down was the last bit of kindness.

Laura straightened her body slightly, "If it weren't for Clara misleading me, I wouldn't have attacked you."

Hearing this, Katniss narrowed her eyes and then chuckled lightly.

It wasn't entirely unexpected, yet it sent a shiver through her heart

Katniss continued to stare at Laura, her tone both questioning and certain, "You didn't

call me here just to say that, did you?"

"Right." Laura suddenly pulled open her collar, catching Katniss off guard with the sight.

Laura's skin was a canvas of red marks, some deep, some shallow, suggesting a scene of intense violence.

Laura then pulled her collar wider, revealing even more shocking marks, including bite marks.

"Do you know who did this?" Laura looked at her reaction, as if showing off spoils, speaking with a mix of pride and madness, "Your father, Oliver!"