Chapter 3
In my previous life, Alexander and Valentina recognized me through my handwriting and searched everywhere for the test paper’s owner.
This time, they’ll definitely follow the clues to find the garment factory. I can’t miss another chance to reunite with my biological
parents.
While Jacob and Aurora weren’t paying attention, I left directly. I went to the town’s garment factory and got hired immediately using the note Ariana had given me.
For some reason, Jacob and Aurora didn’t follow me.
My entire short life had been entangled with Jacob, so he probably assumed I’d never leave him and even believed I’d return soon to apologize on my own.
Actually, I felt incredibly relaxed. Working at the garment factory was much easier than serving Jacob at home.
In my previous life, as an orphan with no one to rely on, I grew up with help from the neighbors around me.
Jacob’s family was well–off and often gave me food. Gradually, I couldn’t help but feel grateful to him.
His parents loved my down–to–earth, ambitious personality, so
they created opportunities for Jacob and me to be together.
I originally thought Jacob and I would live happily together forever. But everything changed after Aurora arrived.
Jacob disliked my temperament and despised me for being a country woman who knew nothing, so he spent all his time fooling around with Aurora.
He knew I had no family to depend on and was certain I wouldn’t dare cross him, but he never imagined I could get into college.
Later, the two of them planned to fake illness, steal my
acceptance letter, take over my identity, and ultimately torture me to death at home.
I would never let such days repeat themselves.
During the day, I worked peacefully at the garment factory. After work, I took my five hundred dollars and enjoyed myself around town.
Soon, fellow villagers spread word of my situation to Jacob and Aurora.
They finally couldn’t stand it anymore and came looking for me in fury.
Jacob roared, “Kennedy, how can you be so shameless? Don’t
you know what’s happening at home? How can you only care about enjoying yourself without buying anything for the family?
“My mom got sick from anger because of you. You won’t even give us money for medicine, but you bought yourself new clothes. Are you trying to seduce other men?”
After hearing his words, the garment factory workers immediately looked at me differently.
One man said, “He’s right. Ever since Kennedy started at the garment factory, she never goes home. After work, she just hangs around the factory area. What’s that about?”
Another man added, “Yeah. She has no parents, so how could she have money to eat at restaurants every day? I even saw her buy a gold bracelet last time.”
A woman chimed in, “Besides, we all got in through connections. She has no background, so why should she get to take up a worker’s spot?”
Instantly, everyone looked at me with contempt.
I was stunned. I never expected that just to get money from me, Jacob would team up with Aurora to spread rumors and slander me for seducing other men.
Although I’d been reborn, I was still just a woman in her early twenties. I was so angry I couldn’t speak for a moment.
Aurora looked smug as she stepped forward and grabbed me. “You slut! We hit the nail on the head, so you don’t dare argue back, do you? If you don’t hand over the money, we’ll call the police.”
Jacob sneered coldly, letting Aurora hold onto me while he directly tried to snatch my gold bracelet.
He said, “I’ll let you off this time. But you’re not allowed to keep working. Come home with me right now.”
I sold my grades to Ariana precisely so I could wait for Alexander and Valentina to come find me. How could I possibly leave with Jacob?
Recalling how I died miserably in my past life, I slapped Aurora across the face and then kicked Jacob hard in the groin.
Then I roared furiously: “How dare you bastards spread lies about me! Aurora, as a woman, you come to my house every day after work and cling all over Jacob. You’re the one acting like a whore!
“Jacob, you bastard pretended to be paralyzed just to steal my acceptance letter. That was only a few days ago–have you already forgotten? How dare you come here and spread rumors about me? You’re just bullying me because I have no family. I want a divorce!”
ニッ
In the past, I’d always been insecure and introverted, not even daring to speak loudly in front of others.
But after being reborn, as someone who had already died once, I no longer feared anything. So I cursed them out directly, my words sharp and articulate.
Because I rarely spoke up, Jacob and Aurora dared to spread rumors about me in public. They never expected me to fight back directly, so they were stunned by my outburst and froze on the spot.
After a long moment, Jacob snapped back to reality and rushed forward to slap me. “How dare you slander Aurora! You’re asking for death! Apologize to Aurora right now!”
Aurora bit her teeth in fury and kept kicking me. “Kennedy, you can secretly work as a prostitute, but how dare you slander me! Jacob is your husband–you have a marriage certificate. Without evidence, would he dare say such things in front of everyone?”
Hearing her words, the crowd all nodded in agreement.
One man said: “That’s right. No man would willingly admit to being betrayed by his wife.”
A woman said: “Kennedy must have done something to wrong her husband. Otherwise, her husband wouldn’t cause a scene at the factory.”
Another woman said: “In that case, Kennedy’s reputation is completely ruined. No one will hire her in the future!”
Aurora beat me viciously, her eyes filled with malice.
I couldn’t fight off both of them at once and could only be held down by Jacob while getting slapped several times.
Just as I was struggling to break free, a shout suddenly came from outside the crowd: “Stop hitting her! Ms. Sanders is here.”
Seeing me beaten until my nose was bleeding, Ariana immediately asked the people around what had happened.
Everyone present said I was working as a prostitute, and I hastily defended myself: “Others might not know, but you know where my money comes from…”
Before I could finish speaking, I saw Ariana’s expression suddenly change.
I froze, thinking to myself: “This is bad. Ariana bought my SAT scores and must be very worried about this being exposed. Now, seeing someone here to deal with me, not only won’t she help me, she’ll actually help Jacob and Aurora get rid of me.”
Just as I thought this, Ariana said: “They’re right. I have indeed seen Kennedy sneaking around and leaving with different men.
“Kennedy, I was kind enough to let you work at my family’s
clothing factory, but you dare to corrupt the atmosphere of my factory like this. You’re fired!”
Hearing her words, Aurora was delighted. Seeing Jacob kick
me to the ground, she came forward to tear at my clothes. “You shameless slut! We’re going to strip you naked first, display your body to everyone, then take you back for punishment.”
I knew how important a woman’s reputation was in this era, so I kept struggling. But with Ariana’s instigation, everyone rushed forward to beat and curse me relentlessly.
Soon, my clothes were torn to shreds, and countless disgusting hands were groping my body.
3463
2
4
”
People began commenting on my figure. I knew that if this continued, I’d have no choice but to die.
I forced myself to calm down, then seized the moment to kick Aurora hard in the face as she was trying to remove my pants, sending her flying three meters away.
97
Jacob was heartbroken and immediately let go of me to check on Aurora’s condition.
I stood up, trying to leave, but someone grabbed my hair again. “Since you’re already working as a prostitute, showing us your body is nothing.”
The crowd around me burst into laughter and prepared to
7/8
assault me again.
Just then, a military jeep screeched to a halt at the factory entrance. After the door opened, two armed guards jumped out first.
One of them roared: “It’s broad daylight, and this is a public place. What are you doing? General Taylor has arrived. All of you behave yourselves!”
