Vanessa added fuel to the fire at the opportune moment, a smug smile playing on her lips: "Clara, just listen to Liam. You really can't do design anymore in your current state. Could you give me those original design drafts in your studio for safekeeping? They're all your hard work. I can keep them for you and organize them, just in case you need them later."
I sneered inwardly. Original design drafts? They contained the core concepts of all my works, more important than patent certificates. They wanted to eliminate me completely, leaving me no chance to turn the tables.
Sure enough, Liam immediately chimed in, his tone firm and unwavering: "Vanessa is right. Your manuscripts are just gathering dust in the studio, so you might as well give them to her. Also," he paused, revealing his true purpose, "Vanessa needs to prepare materials for becoming K's apprentice, and she needs a spacious and bright place. The master bedroom has the best lighting and the largest space, so you can move to the second bedroom, and she can have the master bedroom."
Give up the original design drafts, give up the master bedroom.
This is trying to kick me completely out of this family, out of my life's work.
I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms, the pain making my vision blur. I looked up, my face filled with despair and helplessness, my voice choked with sobs: "That's my original manuscript... I spent countless sleepless nights drawing it... The master bedroom is where we lived together for seven years..."
“It’s just some manuscripts and a room, what’s there to be reluctant about?” Liam frowned, his tone full of impatience. “Are you going to keep occupying the master bedroom in this state? Listen to me, hand over the manuscripts, move them to the second bedroom, and this matter will be over.”
Watching them work together, I knew that further resistance would only invite harsher retaliation. I lowered my eyelids, concealing the surging hatred in my eyes, and spoke as softly as a feather: "...Fine, I'll hand it over, I'll move it."
Liam's expression softened. He patted my shoulder, his tone a condescending comfort: "That's a good girl. I'll have Auntie help you pack your things tomorrow."
He helped me walk to the second bedroom, with Vanessa following behind, her steps as light as a sparrow that had stolen some candy.