The Director’s Revenge，No More Mercy For My Toxic Family!

After my own mother and stepfather forced half a bottle of cheap red wine down my throat, they shoved me into the backseat of a Maybach. But when I saw the man at the wheel, I actually let out a sigh of relief. My stepfather, thinking the alcohol had turned my brain to mush, slapped me hard on the back of my head. "You ungrateful brat. We’ve fed you for twenty years. It's time you did something for this family!" "Tyler still needs another hundred and fifty thousand dollars for his wedding condo down payment, and the Director of Urban Redevelopment is signing off on the zoning compensation tomorrow." "You please him tonight, get us that extra luxury penthouse in the deal, and Tyler will remember your favor for the rest of his life." My mother sat beside him, wiping away fake tears with her reddened eyes. "I know this is hard on you, Clara. But Tyler is the future of this family. Just... do this for me, one last time." My ears buzzed. Half a bottle of cheap wine would have knocked anyone else out, but my mind was sharper than ever. I guess after all these years of their torment, my body had built up an immunity. The car door slammed shut. The driver upfront looked back at me through the mirror, his entire body trembling. "D-Director Vance... where are we heading next?" My family had absolutely no idea. The powerful "Director of Urban Redevelopment" who held the keys to their three luxury penthouses... Was me. My name was on the official appointment notice published just this morning. And the zoning approval file that would decide if they got three luxury apartments or got kicked to the curb... Was resting right inside my briefcase, waiting for my signature. Arthur, my assistant, gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. He didn’t even dare to look back. Cold sweat rolled down his forehead, dripping onto the leather seat. My stepfather, Richard, thought Arthur’s silence was just excitement. He smugly patted the back of the driver’s seat. "Arthur, buddy, this girl might look a bit plain, but I guarantee she's completely untouched." "When you report to the new Director later, tell him the Millers have brought their utmost sincerity." "As long as he signs that three-for-one zoning compensation agreement, our whole family will be at his beck and call!" Arthur shuddered violently, almost driving the Maybach onto the sidewalk. He stole a terrified glance at me through the rearview mirror. I leaned back against the seat, expressionless, giving him a cold, warning look. Arthur instantly shut his mouth, barely daring to breathe. My mother, Helen, pinched my thigh hard. "You stupid girl, what are you spacing out for? Fix your makeup!" "Look at the trashy clothes you’re wearing. You don't look like a proper woman at all!" "When you see the big boss later, drop that high-and-mighty attitude of yours." "If you ruin Tyler's wedding, I swear I’ll kill myself right in front of you!" I stared coldly at the woman who gave birth to me. This was my biological mother. When I was eight, Richard moved into our house, bringing along his son, Tyler, who was only six months younger than me. From that day on, I became the family's unpaid maid. In the dead of winter, when the pipes froze, I was forced to wash Tyler's heavy down jackets with freezing water, leaving my hands covered in painful chilblains. When I finished middle school, they locked me in a room and starved me for three days, trying to force me to drop out and work in a factory. I fought with everything I had to escape. I paid my way through college by working part-time jobs and winning full scholarships. The day I passed the civil service exam and got hired by the city, they didn't celebrate. Instead, they stormed my office, making a massive scene. They demanded I hand over my salary card to pay for Tyler's future wedding. When I refused, they spread rumors everywhere, calling me an ungrateful, heartless daughter. Over the years, they turned a blind eye to every ounce of suffering I went through. And now, just to get Tyler his three luxury apartments, they had drugged me and were selling me off to a powerful man. I lightly touched my black briefcase, a cold smirk playing on my lips. Half an hour later, the Maybach pulled up in front of the Royal Club, the most luxurious lounge in Manhattan. The moment the door opened, Richard couldn't wait. He grabbed me by my hair and dragged me out. "Get the hell out! Don't keep the Director waiting!" A sharp pain shot through my scalp. I followed his pull, got out of the car, and coldly brushed his hand off. Near the entrance, my golden-child stepbrother, Tyler, was standing there with his arm around his fiancée, Chloe. They were looking around anxiously. Seeing me get out, Tyler spat on the ground in disgust. "Mom, Dad, what took you so long to bring her?" "I've already asked around. The new Director is in the Penthouse Presidential Suite!" Chloe strutted over in her high heels, scanning me from head to toe with utter disdain. "With her looking this pathetic, is the Director really going to like her?" "I heard powerful men like women who are hot and revealing. She's wrapped up like a nun!" She spun around, pulled a black plastic bag out of her purse, and threw it right at my face. "Go to the restroom and change into this right now!" "I spent fifty dollars at an adult store specifically to pick this out for you!" I looked at the black plastic bag that had hit my face. Inside, I could see a few strips of cheap, semi-transparent lace. This wasn't clothing. It barely qualified as dental floss. Chloe crossed her arms, looking down her nose at me. "What are you standing there for? Stop acting like a pure, innocent virgin!" "Your brother needs to pay my family tomorrow. A hundred and fifty thousand, not a single penny less!" "Even if you have to strip naked tonight, you better make sure that new Director is fully satisfied!" Richard violently kicked the car door beside him. "Get the hell in there and change, brat!" "If you dare to ruin this for us, I’ll strip you naked right here on the street myself!" Helen quickly rushed over, grabbing my arm and dragging me toward the public restroom. She lowered her voice, her tone dripping with warning. "Tyler is the only boy in our family. If he can't get married, I won't live another day!" "I’ve done my research. Men in high positions love this kind of kinky stuff." "Just be obedient and get him to sign the three-for-one zoning deal." "Once you become his mistress, our whole family will live like royalty!"I stared at the woman who had given birth to me, listening to her eagerly push me into an abyss. My heart felt no pain—only a deep, bone-chilling coldness. I gripped my briefcase. Inside was the exact zoning and redevelopment file they desperately coveted. With a single stroke of my pen, they could have had three luxury penthouses. But now, they had personally blocked their only path to survival. I coldly shook off my mother’s hand. "Fine. I'll change." I bent down, picked up the cheap plastic bag, and walked into the restroom. Three minutes later, I walked out. But I kept my long black trench coat tightly wrapped around me, every single button fastened. Chloe's face immediately fell. She stomped over in her heels and grabbed the collar of my trench coat. "Who are you hiding from by bundling up like this?" "Do you think the Director has the patience to unwrap you like a Christmas present?" I grabbed her wrist and twisted it. Chloe let out a sharp shriek of pain, her face twisting in agony. "Let go of me! You bitch, how dare you touch me!" Seeing his fiancée in pain, Tyler immediately rushed forward, raising a fist. "Touch my woman again and I'll kill you!" I swept a chilling glare over them, my eyes radiating cold authority. "If you want those three apartments, shut the hell up." "The outfit is underneath. I'll take the coat off when I'm in the suite." "But if you want to make a scene here, I'm leaving right now. And you won't get a single square inch of property." Richard quickly held back the furious Tyler. He glared at me, gritting his teeth. "Fine! Keep acting proud for now!" "Once we're in the Penthouse Suite and that door locks, let's see how long you can play this game!" "Move! Don't keep the Director waiting!" We walked into the grand lobby of the Royal Club. The glittering gold decor made Tyler and Chloe stare in awe. Their eyes darted around, filled with greed. Richard puffed out his chest, trying to act like a wealthy businessman, and walked up to the front desk. "I'm Richard Miller. We're here to see the new Director of Urban Redevelopment!" "Assistant Arthur said the Director is in the Penthouse Presidential Suite. Lead the way!" The receptionist paused, a flicker of doubt crossing her eyes. Hearing the commotion, the lobby manager quickly rushed over. He had a polite, professional smile on his face. But the moment his eyes bypassed Richard and landed on me, his smile froze. His pupils dilated, and his legs trembled uncontrollably. Just half an hour ago, the highest-ranking officials in the city had sent my photo in their WhatsApp group. Every luxury venue in the city had received strict orders: Clara Vance, the newly appointed Director, was conducting an unannounced inspection tonight. Anyone who offended her would be shut down immediately. The manager was about to bow and shout, "Director Vance!" I narrowed my eyes, giving him a cold, imperceptible shake of my head. The manager shuddered, cold sweat instantly soaking his shirt. Having worked in high-end hospitality for over a decade, he immediately got the message. He forced himself to swallow the words "Director Vance," his facial muscles twitching. "Please... please follow me this way." "The Penthouse Presidential Suite is ready for you." Seeing the manager’s terrified respect, Tyler burst into a smug laugh. He wrapped his arm around Chloe’s waist. "See that, babe? This is what power looks like!" "The new Director must have given them a heads-up. Even the manager here has to treat us like royalty!" Chloe’s eyes shined with greed as she tilted her chin up arrogantly. "Of course! Once we get those three luxury penthouses, we’ll hang out here every single day!" Richard turned around, glaring at me viciously. "You useless brat, do you see the kind of power the Director holds?" "Tonight, even if it kills you, you better make sure he's happy!" I followed them expressionless. The manager leading the way didn't even dare to look back. I sneered in my mind. Did they really think this VIP treatment was for them? Tonight, I would show them exactly what it felt like to fall from the highest height."Ding." The elevator doors opened at the penthouse level. This was the most exclusive area of the Royal Club. The hallway was covered in thick, hand-woven carpets, silencing every footstep. The manager led us to the door of Suite 888. His hand shook so violently he could barely turn the handle. "P-Please, go on in. Enjoy your evening, distinguished guests." With that, the manager practically fled down the hall like he’d seen a ghost. Richard couldn't wait. He pushed open the heavy mahogany door. The suite was empty. On the table sat bottles of ultra-premium Romanee-Conti wine and expensive platters. Tyler looked around, swallowing his saliva greedily. "Dad, it looks like the Director isn't here yet!" Richard rubbed his hands together, his eyes shining. "Even better! Important people are always busy. Let’s get things ready!" My mother turned to me, her face turning instantly cold. She marched over, grabbed my shoulders, and shoved me hard toward the cashmere rug in the center of the room. "You useless brat, what are you just standing there for?" "Get down on your knees!" I kept my legs perfectly straight, looking down at her coldly. "Kneel to whom?" Furious, Helen raised her hand to slap me. "To the new Director, of course! What do you think you’re here for?" "You're just a piece of meat we brought to close the deal! Take that damn coat off!" Chloe chimed in with a nasty smirk. "Mom, I think she's doing this on purpose to ruin Tyler's wedding." "She probably thinks this suite is too fancy for her. A trash-picker who managed to scrape through college has no place here!" Hearing this, Tyler's anger flared. He marched over and kicked hard at the back of my knees. "Damn it! We're giving you a chance and you're acting like this?" "For my three apartments today, you’ll crawl like a dog if I tell you to!" I swiftly sidestepped. Tyler kicked empty air, stumbling and nearly faceplanting onto the coffee table. He barely stabilized himself, turning red with embarrassment and rage. "Dad! This bitch actually dodged!" Richard was furious. He grabbed a heavy crystal ashtray from the table and pointed it at my face. "Have you lost your mind today?" "If you don't strip and get on your knees right now, I'll bash your head in!" I looked at the three disgusting faces in front of me. Twenty years of abuse, humiliation, and neglect instantly crystallized into a cold, lethal calm. I tightened my grip on my briefcase, a mocking smile appearing on my face. "Do you honestly think the Director who decides your fate would ever look at your disgusting faces?" "Have you ever thought... what if the person walking through that door tonight isn't the savior you want to buy off?" "What if they are the one who is going to destroy you?"The suite fell into a dead silence for a second. Then, loud, mocking laughter erupted. Tyler laughed so hard he bent over, pointing a finger at me. "Have you lost your mind?" "Destroy us? Who do you think you are? A mafia boss?" "You’re just a pathetic, low-level city employee earning a couple of grand a month!" Chloe laughed until tears came to her eyes. She stepped forward and yanked at my briefcase. "Why are you still holding onto this trash? Is your suicide note in there?" My eyes went cold. I raised my hand and slapped Chloe hard across the face. "Slap!" Chloe stumbled back two steps, clutching her rapidly swelling cheek, her eyes wide with shock. "You... you dared to slap me?!" Seeing his fiancée get hit, Tyler lost his mind. Like a rabid dog, he lunged at me and grabbed my hair. A searing pain ripped through my scalp. With a violent pull, he slammed me down onto the carpet. "You crazy bitch! I'll kill you!" Instead of stopping him, my mother rushed over and stomped on my hand, grinding her heel into my knuckles. The pain shot straight to my heart. "Good! Beat her! She needs to be taught a lesson!" With the physical pain came a wave of absolute humiliation. I stared intensely at every single one of them. "You will regret this," I spat out a mouthful of blood. "After tonight, you won't even have the chance to beg me for mercy." Richard kicked me hard in the stomach. "Still talking back! I'll show you who runs this family!" Chloe rubbed her face and pulled out her phone with a malicious grin. She opened the camera and aimed it at me as I lay disheveled on the floor. "Tyler, Mom, Dad, I'm recording this!" "If she dares to disobey the Director later, I'll upload this video to Snapchat and TikTok!" "I already have the perfect caption: 'New city employee sells her body at luxury lounge for money'!" "I'll ruin her reputation so she can never show her face in this city again!" My mother immediately agreed. "Yes, yes! Make sure her face is clear in the video!" "This bitch is born cheap. She won't cooperate unless we have dirt on her!" Looking at the flashing red recording light on Chloe's phone, I suddenly smiled. Good. This was absolutely perfect. They had just recorded ironclad evidence of blackmail, extortion, and assault. Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the door. Then, a respectful voice spoke. "Commissioner Davis, please, after you." "Director Vance should be waiting for us inside." "Today is Director Vance's first official day. We must buy her a few drinks to celebrate!" Hearing the voices, the four people in the room froze. The cruelty on Richard's face instantly turned into pure, ecstatic joy. He threw his belt aside and hissed in excitement. "They're here! The big bosses are here!" "Quick, quick! Stand in your places! Hold this bitch down!" Tyler pinned my neck down, forcing my face against the cold carpet. His body was shaking with excitement. "Babe, put the phone away!" "Our family is about to strike it rich!" My mother quickly smoothed her hair, putting on a sickeningly sweet, sycophantic smile as she stared at the heavy mahogany door. I was pinned to the floor. The rough carpet scraped against my skin. But I didn't feel cold at all. Because I knew the real show was finally about to begin. Outside, Commissioner Davis of the Housing Bureau, along with several deputy directors and the owner of the Royal Club, were standing at the door with eager smiles. Richard scrambled forward like a lapdog. He threw himself to his knees right in front of Commissioner Davis, shouting obsequiously. "Commissioner! Thank you for your hard work!" "We are the Millers, from the historic district!" "We've brought the most beautiful girl in our family for the new Director!" "She’s completely untouched, and her body is top-tier! I guarantee the Director will be thrilled!" As he spoke, Richard gestured wildly to Tyler. Tyler grabbed my hair, forcing my head up. "Look, Commissioner! She's right here! She's already wearing the outfit!" "As long as the three-for-one zoning agreement is signed, the Director can do whatever he wants with her tonight!" The atmosphere outside the door instantly turned deathly quiet. The smile on Commissioner Davis's face froze the moment he saw me.