Reborn Exposing My Adopted Sister’s Plot
Chapter 25 A Slap That Stung
+8 Pearls
Taylor’s head whipped sideways from the force of Jesse’s palm, a sharp sting exploding across her cheek. Red spots dotted the pavement like tiny raindrops.
That slap had been vicious.
Jesse took a slow breath, as if savoring it, before she smirked. “Taylor, you’re just going to have to deal with it.”
As the sun sank lower, it cast an orange glow over the campus, and students began to drift away. Jesse strolled toward the gate steadily, her books cradled against her chest.
A car rolled up to the gate, headlights cutting through the dimming glow. Jesse squinted. Of course–it was Mike.
Her pace slowed on instinct.
Mike climbed out and walked right over to Taylor.
“Taylor, over here.” His grin vanished the moment he saw her swollen cheek. He tilted her chin roughly toward him. “What the hell happened? Who hit you?”
Taylor’s eyes blurred with tears. “Mike…”
She was ready to blurt it all out–until her gaze snagged on Jesse. Standing there, smug as ever, Jesse looked like she was warning Taylor.
Taylor froze. She bit her lip hard, swallowing her words.
Mike’s eyes followed the same path as hers and landed on Jesse. His eyebrows knotted together, his stare intense. “Don’t tell me it was Jesse,” he growled through gritted teeth. “I’ll handle her right away.”
He made to stride over, but she lunged and grabbed his arm in a tight grip. Her voice cracked. “No, Mike! It wasn’t her. I just… I tripped and hit something.”
Mike squinted his eyes. The bruise appeared almost healed, yet faint finger marks lingered if he looked close enough.
Taylor tried to laugh it off, wiping away her tears. “Really. I was just frustrated about not completing the task you assigned. I must have rubbed my face too hard, which is why it’s all red.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jesse’s smirk grow wider. God, she’s mocking me. I’ve never felt so humiliated before.
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Chapter 25 A Slap That Stung
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Mike’s scowl cased up a bit, though he still shot Jesse a fierce glare.
“She thinks she’s the only one who counts. Who really needs her? Fixing drones isn’t a big deal. She’s acting like she’s above 100,000? She’s really overstepping.” His voice rose, his anger growing as he realized Jesse had never asked him for anything before.
He sneered as he grabbed Taylor’s wrist. “Forget her. I’ve already got someone else lined handle the drones.”
up to
Jesse tilted her head, eyes narrowing. Please. I know everyone in this scene. Mike’s drones only looked good because I showed Matthew the ropes–and he promised not to spill a word. So, who else could he even be talking about?
Taylor was wondering too. “Who is it?”
Mike shot a glance at Jesse, caught her curious stare, and let out a snort. “Get in the car. We’ll talk at home.”
Jesse didn’t push for answers. Sliding into the Houstons‘ car, she leaned back as her phone buzzed.
A brand–new account reached out to her with a message. The attachment was a close–up of a drone part–no logo or team tag was visible. Still, she recognized the design instantly. She had worked on Mike’s drones countless times before, even noticing the scratches on the circuit
board.
This was definitely Mike, hiding behind an alt account. ‘Need help fixing a drone–urgent, the competition is closing soon.
Her fingers tapped out a reply before she even thought twice. “Two million
per drone!’
She then threw her phone aside. The price was outrageous, sure, but it was just a way to mess with him. There was no way he’d pay it, and she’d never bother fixing it for real.
She knew their spending limits inside out–ten years of balancing his books had drilled that into her.
Still, that thought weighed heavily on her chest. I gave everything to that team in my last life. Ran it like my own. Then, Taylor buried us in debt–throwing parties for those models, stole 500,000 dollars from the accounts, and pinned it on me.
They didn’t believe a word I said and kicked me out like garbage instead,
Her jaw clenched as she logged in, accessed the account records, and erased all signs of her
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Chapter 25 A Slap That Stung
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Meanwhile, Mike stared at his phone. Relief flickered when he saw a reply at last. Finally, the so- called expert actually replied this time.
Then, his eyes froze on the number. His stomach dropped, followed by rage boiling up his throat. “Two million? Has she lost her mind?”
He thrust the phone into Taylor’s hands, his voice low and intense. “This is the same account that ripped you off last time?”
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