My Family Can Hear My Thoughts

I opened my eyes in a dizzy haze. The familiar crystal chandelier swayed, making my eyes ache, while the air was filled with a mingling scent of champagne and roses. This isn't the smell of hospital disinfectant, nor the musty odor of dust from when I fell. I suddenly sat up and looked around. This is the Banquet Hall of the Stafford family's ancestral house. The oil painting hanging on the wall is still the treasure Father photographed last year, and the antique clock in the corner ticks steadily, showing 8:13 p.m. I trembled as I reached out my hand, staring at my fair, slender wrist—spotless—and my heart pounded wildly. This isn't a dream. I really am back. I found myself back on the night of my eighteenth birthday—the very first evening after being officially accepted into the Stafford Family. Memories from my previous life crashed over me like a tidal wave. I am the biological youngest daughter of James Stafford, Chairman of the Stafford Family. At birth, I was maliciously switched and raised in an ordinary family for eighteen years. After being acknowledged and taken home, I was filled with joy to finally belong, but unexpectedly, I sensed something was wrong with my eldest brother Hector Stafford's fiancée, Lilith Brady. I secretly investigated and uncovered that Lilith was a corporate spy planted by our rival, ST Group. She got close to the Eldest Brother purely to manipulate him and seize the Stafford Family's assets. I wanted to reveal the truth to my family, but before I could, Lilith Brady discovered it. On a rainy night, she pushed me off the company rooftop. I died with my eyes wide open, my soul lingering as I watched Lilith Brady execute her scheme step by step. The Eldest Brother was completely fooled by her, signing countless contracts that harmed the Stafford Family's interests. Father was so overwhelmed with anger that he suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage and was left paralyzed in bed. Mother spent her days in tears, her mind foggy and unfocused. The company veterans were either pushed out by Lilith Brady or bought off. The Stafford Family Group was soon swallowed by ST Group; the once-glorious Stafford Family was completely ruined. Thinking of all this, I clenched my fists, my nails digging deeply into my palms. This time, I will never let tragedy happen again! "Ruby, what are you daydreaming about? Come quickly and raise a glass with your eldest brother and Ms. Brady." Mother came over and gently took my hand. I followed Mother's gaze and saw Eldest Brother Hector Stafford holding Lilith Brady by the waist, standing not far away. Lilith wore a proper yet sweet smile, but to me, that smile was more terrifying than a snake's fangs. Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind: Lilith is nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing. She's only getting close to Eldest Brother to harm our Stafford Family! To my shock, those words were clearly heard by others. Everyone around was stunned. Mother's smile froze, and Eldest Brother frowned. Lilith Brady's face instantly paled, and even a few senior company members nearby looked over at me. I was stunned too. I hadn't even spoken, so how did everyone seem to hear my thoughts? Could it be that after reincarnation, others can hear my heart's voice? I silently tried again: She is a spy sent by ST Group, targeting the Stafford Family's assets. That sentence echoed clearly throughout the banquet hall once again, and everyone's expressions grew serious.