With the brat as her navigator, Olivia’s journey home was smooth sailing. In no time, the blue-haired loli had subconsciously retraced every turn of the route.

*Good. At least I won’t get lost on my way to school tomorrow.*

Satisfied, Olivia gave a firm nod—and in her glee, yanked her cousin’s tufts of hair again.

“Gah—!”

*Hm?*

Hearing George’s molars grind in agony, Olivia arched one eyebrow. *Huh?*

Seemed her bratty cousin wasn’t thrilled. *Bet he’s already plotting how to tattle the moment we get home.*

*No worries, kid. Even if you grind those baby teeth to dust…* she smirked inwardly, *you’ll just grow new ones anyway, right?*

*Heh~*

…

Before long, Olivia strolled carefree behind George’s frantic, tattling-bound steps. They reached the Imperial Capital’s West Garden District—a neighborhood perched high above the bustling commercial zone. Cheap land here attracted merchant families, though the barren soil only allowed potted blooms. Flower merchants blanketed the hillsides with vibrant blossoms, painting the area a year-round garden paradise.

Pushing through a curtain of flowers, Olivia felt George strain toward a quaint two-story villa ahead. She yanked his collar, clamped a hand over his mouth, and halted at the garden gate. *Yep. This should be home.*

Just as she stepped forward, a woman’s shrill voice erupted from inside. The blue-haired loli froze. Peering through the window, she saw the scene clearly—the living room occupants oblivious to her presence.

A middle-aged, obese woman lounged on the sofa, legs crossed smugly. Before her stood a slender figure: wavy blue hair spilling over her shoulders, delicate features radiating quiet allure—willowy brows, a petite nose, rose-petal lips. Her violet bodycon dress hugged every curve, matte black stockings elongating her legs. Beside the fat woman? A real-life *Beauty and the Beast*.

Yet the beast held all the power. The woman jabbed a pudgy finger at the blue-haired beauty.

“Sister-in-law, I’ve *told* you to discipline that brat Olivia! Ugh—you’re too soft! Look how late she is! If she doesn’t shell the stock today, what’ll we sell tomorrow? *Tsk tsk*.”

“I’m so sorry, dear sister. I’ve been handling little An’s chores myself. She’s usually punctual—probably held up at school. Please don’t take it to heart…”

The beauty’s voice trembled with suppressed hurt. The fat woman snorted.

“Don’t act wronged! If you managed the housework properly, would I need Olivia working so young? And all those rumors about you inviting bachelors over…”

“That’s slander! I’ve never brought strangers home! The house is just… too big. Even several maids struggled. Now I handle everything alone—stock orders, deliveries—it’s impossible…”

Her protest rose, then wilted under the fat woman’s glare. The beauty shrank back, whispering weakly. The woman slammed the table, triumphant.

“Have some *shame*, sister-in-law! After my husband died, I fired all the servants to save wages. *You* can’t afford them anyway, can you?!”

“No! Please don’t say that about me and your brother! I’m sorry… I spoke out of turn…”

Tears glistened as the beauty bowed her head in apology.

*What the actual fuck?!* Olivia’s vision blurred with rage outside the gate. *You fat cow! You control all the family money! Pocketing every coin while paying us slave wages?! Bullshit rewards, my ass!*

*We’re just free labor—meals and scraps for two “burdens,” huh? I’ll—*

Her glare snapped to George, muffled and squirming like a kidnapped kid. *Fuck. Right. That’s my aunt. George’s mom. Vinose.*

*And the woman getting bullied…* Olivia’s chest tightened. *Mom. Fufu.*

How did it come to this? The story twisted back twenty years…

Once, this family were simple farmers on the empire’s outskirts. Then twin brothers were born—and changed everything.

The elder twin, Olivia’s father, awakened as a Stellar Mage. He became an adventurer, slaying ancient beasts to earn the Emperor’s lavish rewards. The younger twin had a merchant’s instinct, thriving in black markets.

Adventurous by nature, the elder entrusted his fortune to his brother as startup capital. The younger struck gold, settling in the Imperial Capital.

Both married: the elder to Fufu, a love-at-first-sight encounter during his travels; the younger to Vinose, a strategic union with a merchant’s daughter. The brothers’ bond frayed—more duty than affection.

For one generation, their family’s luck seemed blessed. Ancestors must’ve smoked with pride.

But fate rarely tolerates such fortune.

Disaster struck swiftly…