Victor Roland's knuckles turned white as he gripped his phone. How dare Jenna call to beg for forgiveness?

He wanted to strangle that insolent girl with his bare hands.

"I acted rashly. I shouldn't have caused such a scene." Jenna clenched her jaw so hard it ached, her nails digging into her palms.

The silence on the other end was deafening.

Jenna thought the call had dropped until she noticed the timer still counting.

"Out of respect for your parents," Victor finally spoke, his voice icy, "come apologize to your aunt and cousin in person. Then we'll consider this matter closed."

"Fine. I'll be there this afternoon."

Victor hung up without another word.

Determined to uncover the truth about her parents' accident, Jenna grabbed her things and sped toward her uncle's house on her e-bike.

At this hour, Heidi would be playing mahjong, Jason helping at the clothing store, and Victor tending his orchard.

Halfway there, her phone rang again.

"Buy groceries. You're cooking dinner." Victor's tone brooked no argument.

Jenna's culinary skills were legendary in the family. Even Victor had grown accustomed to her cooking during her absence.

"..."

Her face darkened like storm clouds.

That greedy bastard wouldn't miss any chance to exploit her.

"Understood." She ended the call before her rage could spill over.

After mentally cursing Victor a hundred times, Jenna turned toward the market.

Groceries in hand, she headed straight to the Roland residence.

Thankfully she'd kept her key after their last argument, saving a trip to the orchard.

The house stood empty as expected.

Jenna stored the groceries in the kitchen, then slipped into Victor's bedroom.

She rifled through nightstands and wardrobes with methodical precision.

Just as she was about to give up, a locked wooden chest caught her eye.

Buried under clothes, its brass padlock gleamed ominously.

Whatever hid inside must be damning.

Jenna remembered the keyring Victor always wore on his belt.

The front door lock clicked.

She shoved the chest back in place and grabbed an armful of dirty laundry just as—

"Jenna?" Jason stood frozen in the living room, his face twisting with fury. "You bitch! Who let you in here?"