My Life as a Beast Keeper

---- Chapter 14 Lisa screeched, "I told you she was just pretending to be good, but you wouldn't listen!" My parents mulled this over and tried to reason with me. " Layla, it's your sister's birthday today, so let's tone it down a bit. We can talk about other things tomorrow, okay?" 1 exploded. "Why didn't you say anything when she stole my gift and ruined my birthday? I was only missing for a year, and you were already rushing to find a replacement for me. Did you know how I fared?

"T'd just escaped from human traffickers, and I was being passed around from one orphanage to another because nobody wanted me. I could only sleep in the police station! "Layla, please calm down." Dad gently squeezed my shoulder to comfort me. "You're right. Mom and I discussed it. It's our fault. We were afraid of bringing up past trauma, so we didn't dare ask about your past. We never thought you'd be hurt by this." "Tt's our fault that you're insecure and you can't be your true self around us." Dad's voice grew solemn.

"We missed out on your entire childhood, and we gave all the ---- love that was rightfully yours to Lisa. As such, we've decided that Lisa's house aside, all our assets and properties will be yours." Dad paused before he added, "Tomorrow, we'll transfer 20% of the company's shares to you, and the rest will be formalized in a will that cannot be altered. We'll complete the formalities, and I'll transfer 20% of my shares to your name. "As for what's left, Mom and I will draft a will as soon as possible.

When we're no longer around, all of it will be yours." Lisa, who'd initially been grinning like she was enjoying the spectacle, was stunned by the cold dousing of reality. " What did you just say? How dare you!" Her voice trembled, and her eyes were filled with disbelief. Mom sighed heavily, her voice tinged with unconcealed exhaustion. "Lisa, when we adopted you all those years ago, we never neglected you. We gave you the best education and care you could have, and we'll continue to support you until you graduate from college. "This house will be yours, too.

As your adoptive parents, we've done everything that we could and should've done." She paused, then continued, "Over the years, you've ---- enjoyed all our love, so the money and the remaining assets should go to Layla. She's the child we owe the most to." Lisa yelled, "What does that mean? Are you just giving me love and giving her money? And you still claim you're not biased!" Lisa broke down and went into her usual cycle of screaming, crying, and running away from home. But no matter how much she raged, Mom and Dad didn't budge. The shares were mine, and the will was notarized.

Lisa went off to college in the farthest city out of spite. Her departure actually eased the tension between my parents and me. Later on, I saw her selling that apartment at a bargain price. Who knew what trouble she was facing? Regardless, this beloved sister of hers wasn't going to be helping her. It was an ordinary day. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the living room in warmth. I clutched the approval documents for a public welfare project and waved them at Clayton, who was seated on ---- the couch.

"This is a surprise." He set down his book and leaned in, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. His chin brushed against my head as he asked, "What kind of surprise has you so happy?" I turned and nestled into him, my voice low. "The vendor who sold you to me, the operation running the arena, and the whole illegal supply chain for venting beastkin... Haven't they been rounded up?"