Chapter 4 It’s All for Show

Anna's eyes gradually widened. Did Adrian really think she did all this just to please him, to speak well of him in front of Jasper?

"I did not! I genuinely care about you." Anna's small hands clenched nervously as she lowered her gaze, whispering, "Besides, I don't even like Jasper."

Since she had the chance to relive a lifetime, she wouldn't be the lackey for anyone in the Hayes family or for Jasper.

Having said that, Anna turned and walked away.

Watching her retreating figure, Adrian knitted his eyebrows slightly, his gaze deepening.

On the day of discharge from the hospital, a Nissan was parked at the hospital entrance, sent by the Hayes family to pick up Thea.

Alexander, gentle as ever, opened the door for Thea, while Benjamin followed, carrying her bags. The trio chatted and laughed as they got into the car.

The car sped away, completely indifferent to Anna's presence.

Anna chuckled softly, not feeling particularly disappointed.

Suddenly, she felt an urge to flee that home. No matter how wealthy the Hayes family was, it had nothing to do with her.

In their eyes, she was nothing more than a clown who couldn't show her face in public.

The Hayes family owned a unique three-story house, the most stunning sight in the entire neighborhood, with a distinctive decor.

Years ago, William had resigned from his government job to become a businessman.

It must be said, William had won his gamble. Over the years, he had made a fortune from his clothing business, becoming the envy of the town.

Now, during working hours, the neighborhood was quiet except for a few old men basking in the sun and some old women pruning plants in the yard, sipping tea, and gossiping eagerly.

Seeing Anna returning alone with her canvas backpack, they showed no surprise, seemingly accustomed to it.

Still, they couldn't help but inquire out of curiosity.

"Anna, why did you come back alone? Alex and his brother went early this morning to pick up your sister. Why didn't they bring you back with them?"

As she spoke of Anna's brothers, Mrs. Linden's eyes shone with envy, recognizing the Hayes family's wealth and influence as the envy of the town.

In the entire town, there was no one who didn't envy them.

Mrs. Linden was a famously nosy woman, meddling in almost everyone's affairs.

From family disputes to petty grievances, and even which men were unfaithful, she knew it all.

Mrs. Linden seemed very "concerned" about their family matters.

In the past, Anna would have covered for her family, claiming she got car sick easily, that she would vomit incessantly in the car, and that walking was more practical.

But this time, Anna was not going to keep hiding her feelings, nor was she interested in pleasing the Hayes family anymore. There was no longer any need to lie. "I actually wanted to ride in their car, but my sister thinks I'm dirty and won't let me in the car. What can I do? Ladies, you wouldn't know, but I live in the storeroom at home. A cupboard, can you imagine that? When you walk in, you can smell that terrible odor. It's so unbearable in this heat," Anna said, her eyes brimming with tears. She sniffled and continued to reveal more. "I can't even eat with them. I have to wait until my sister has finished before I can eat. The clothes I wear are the ones my sister has discarded, and this backpack, too, was something she didn't want anymore and then it fell to me."

The group of women listening sighed in pity, expressing their sympathy towards Anna. "The Hayes family is so wealthy, and yet they are so stingy, treating their own daughter like a servant while treating the adopted daughter like a treasure. That's… That’s just cruel!" It turned out that their kindness towards their daughter was all a facade! Such absurdity could only be expected from the Hayes family.

"Poor girl, don't cry. Look at what this family has done! If I had such a wonderful granddaughter, I would cherish her just like a treasure. I don't understand what they think," one of the women lamented. "It always seemed like they treated you well, but it was all just for show. It's unbelievable how stingy the Hayes family is with their own daughter despite the money they are making. That's just too much!"

A glint of satisfaction flashed in Anna's eyes. This was exactly the effect she wanted. She guessed that in a few days, this story would spread all over the town, and they would see how the Hayes family could continue their pretense.

"Ladies, I must stop chatting now. I have to rush back to make dinner, or else my parents and brothers will be yelling at me again." This was indeed true. The Hayes family really did love the meals Anna prepared. It was unclear when it started, but besides attending school, she also had to prepare three meals a day. Since Thea never ate meals prepared by the maid, Anna had to sleep late and rise early to manage the family's meals. But now, she didn't plan on serving them any longer.

Mrs. Linden, puzzled, couldn't help but ask curiously, "Doesn't your family have a maid? Why do you still have to cook?"