Sierra slowly opened her eyes.
The sound of rain pattering against the windows filled her ears. She frowned in confusion. Was this hell… or heaven?
As her vision cleared, she realized she was inside a car.
Through the window, she saw a man outside, fixing the bonnet—probably the driver.
Her confusion deepened when the radio came on.
"Good morning to all our listeners. Today is Monday, 1st April, 2022—"
Sierra didn't bother listening to the rest.
1st April, 2022.
This was five years ago… before she had been killed by those scumbags.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Could she have been reborn?
Without hesitation, Sierra pushed the car door open and stepped out. The driver turned to her and spoke respectfully.
"Ma'am, the car has a problem, but we'll be able to reach the Stone mansion before nightfall."
Sierra froze for a brief moment.
Then it hit her.
She had really come back… to the very beginning.
After her mother's death when she was twelve, her father remarried Cecilia—Bella's mother. Bella wasn't even the biological daughter of the Stone family, yet because of her father's blind love, Sierra had been sent to the countryside to live with her grandmother.
Only after her grandmother's death was she brought back to the city.
In her past life, she had foolishly believed they loved her.
In the end, all she received… was betrayal and a cruel death.
A cold glint flashed across her eyes.
But this time—
She would make sure they paid.
Sierra snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the driver.
"Since the car has a problem, I'll walk around the city for a while. It's been long since I was here… I'd like to look around."
Her tone was calm, almost indifferent.
The driver nodded without suspicion.
Sierra walked off in another direction and pulled out her phone. Her fingers quickly dialed a number.
The call connected.
A lazy male voice came through.
"Who dares call this young master and interrupt his sleep?"
Sierra rolled her eyes.
It was already afternoon, and this idiot was still sleeping.
"It seems you've forgotten how to respect your master."
There was a sudden thud, followed by a panicked voice.
"M-Master— I mean, Miss S! I didn't realize it was you!"
Sierra smirked slightly.
"I'll let it slide this time. You've probably heard I'm back in the city. Meet me immediately. Maple Restaurant."
There was hurried movement on the other end.
"Ten minutes! I'll be there in ten minutes!"
"Good."
She hung up.
Maple Restaurant was well-known for its outstanding dishes and service. Dining there was a symbol of status—ordinary people had to wait three months just to get a reservation.
A cab pulled up in front of the restaurant, and Sierra stepped out.
She walked inside and approached the receptionist.
"Excuse me, I'm here to meet—"
Before she could finish, the receptionist cut her off with a sarcastic smile.
"Sorry, we don't allow beggars in here. Please leave."
Sierra's expression didn't change.
"On what grounds are you calling me a beggar? I already told you I'm here to meet someone."
The receptionist rolled her eyes and pointed at her.
"On what grounds? The meals here cost more than what you've probably seen in your entire life. Looking at your clothes, it's obvious you don't belong here."
Sierra glanced down at her simple white dress.
At this moment, a crowd had already begun to gather, watching the scene unfold.
"What's going on here?" a voice suddenly cut through.
The manager stepped forward as the crowd made way for him.
The receptionist immediately spoke.
"I'm sorry for the disturbance, manager. This lady is causing trouble."
The manager turned toward Sierra—
And froze.
His eyes widened in shock… then fear.
He quickly stepped forward.
"Master, I sincerely apologize for how my employee has treated you. If you wish, I can fire her immediately."
A wave of gasps spread through the crowd.
The receptionist was stunned.
"Manager! What are you doing? Why are you apologizing to her?"
"Shut up!" the manager snapped.
Sierra crossed her arms, her voice calm and cold.
"You said you'd follow my orders."
A pause.
"Fire her."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
The receptionist's face turned pale as she fell to her knees.
"I'm sorry, miss! I didn't recognize you! Please forgive me this once!"
Sierra didn't even look at her.
"I don't repeat myself."
The manager quickly signaled security, and the receptionist was dragged away despite her desperate pleas.
No one dared to speak.
Sierra remained unmoved.
If someone dared to act, they should be ready to face the consequences.
The crowd slowly dispersed.
The manager stepped forward again, his tone respectful.
"Young Master is already waiting for you in a private room."
Sierra nodded.
"Lead the way."
She pushed open the door and walked in.
A man sat casually on the sofa. He had a handsome face and carried a bright, carefree aura.
The moment he saw her, his eyes lit up.
"Sierra!"
He stood up and pulled her into a tight hug.
"It's been so long!"
Sierra pushed him away immediately.
"Did you forget how I beat you black and blue?"
The manager at the door was completely stunned.
This was Eric Carter—the cherished young master of the Carter family.
And yet… he was being treated like this?
"Manager, you can leave," Eric said casually.
The manager quickly exited and closed the door.
Eric turned back to Sierra, his expression softening.
"I didn't expect you to come back. I begged you so many times back then… but you chose the Stone family."
His tone carried a hint of resentment.
"They should consider themselves lucky."
Sierra leaned back, her gaze cold.
"Stop whining. Besides… the Stone family never had good intentions toward me."
Eric's expression darkened.
"Then they'll regret it."
Sierra's lips curved slightly.
"Oh, they will."