"Seraphina Ashford! Open the damn door already! You hit the jackpot—6.8 billion after tax—and you dared to hide it from your old man? Believe it or not, I'll skin you alive!"

The furious yelling mixed with the pounding on the door snapped her out of sleep like a bucket of cold water.

Seraphina blinked, groggy and confused, staring at the room that felt both familiar and strangely distant.

Wasn't this the old, rundown apartment she had rented before the zombie outbreak?

But she was sure she'd died. So why was she here again?

She barely had time to process anything before the shouting outside escalated. The sound of someone picking the lock scraped through the air, and the flimsy security door shook like it was about to fall apart.

"So you wanna fight me now? Forgot how I used to beat you when you were little? Think you’ve grown up and got some attitude, huh? Don’t wanna listen to me anymore?

You worthless brat, just as cheap as your mother! Hand over the lottery money right now! Not a single cent missing!"

That familiar voice made Seraphina’s gaze turn icy in an instant.

Roderick Ashford. Her alcoholic, violent father. The nightmare that had shadowed her entire life.

After the world fell apart, he seized her home, took every bit of her supplies, and when she let her guard down, he drugged her, tied her up, and sold her off to a pack of monsters.

If she hadn’t awakened her ability back then, she would’ve died in that hellhole.

But why was he obsessing over the lottery money? She had only won that a bit over a month before the apocalypse…

The thought hit her like lightning. Her pupils tightened. She scrambled to grab her phone, and when she saw the date on the screen, her eyes flew wide open.

January 26, 2024. Exactly one month before the first massive zombie wave.

She had come back.

Seraphina pinched her arm hard; the sharp sting grounded her, pulling her back from the edge of disbelief.

This was real. She wasn’t dreaming. She was truly reborn one month before everything collapsed. The nightmare hadn’t begun yet.

Before she could catch her breath, the apartment door finally gave up with a deafening crack.

Roderick kicked it open and stormed inside, eyes bloodshot, his whole face twisted with greed.

"You keep dodging, huh? Go on, try it again!

You really think I can’t deal with you? Hand over the money, or I swear I’ll beat you to death today!"

The ax in Roderick Ashford’s grip caught the light, a cold gleam flashing across Seraphina Ashford’s delicate face. She didn’t even blink.

The security door lay flat on the ground. Outside, a whole crowd had gathered, craning their necks to watch. But not a single soul dared step in to stop the raging Roderick. Only a few hidden among the onlookers quietly called the police.

Seraphina sat back down on the sofa, totally unfazed, and locked eyes with him, her gaze full of blatant provocation.

"So what now? Holding an ax like that—planning to kill me?"

Roderick’s fury spiked at her fearless tone. With a roar, he hurled the ax straight at her.

He aimed right for her head, not leaving her the slightest chance of survival.

Seraphina tilted her head just a fraction. The ax slammed into the wall, carving out a deep gash before clattering to the floor.

"You ungrateful brat! I’m your father! Without me you wouldn’t even be alive!

If I hadn’t brought you into this world, would you have won that damn lottery? That’s my credit too!

I’m telling you now—transfer every last cent to me, or you can end up just like your mother!"

The mention of her mother—who had ended her life after years of abuse—made Seraphina shoot up from the sofa. Rage surged through her as she kicked Roderick square in the chest, sending him sprawling.

"And what exactly do you think you are, bringing up my mom in front of me?"

Her eyes burned, the kick delivered with everything she had. If only she had awakened her powers like in her previous life—one move would’ve been enough to end him.

And thinking back to that life—the way this man had sobbed and begged as she sliced the flesh off him piece by piece—Seraphina almost laughed.

Roderick had always been the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. Now it showed clearer than ever.

The scene froze. The people at the door collectively sucked in a breath. When Seraphina’s gaze swept over them, several stepped back instinctively.

This girl… was something else.

"Roderick, I’ve got other things to deal with. I’ll spare your life for now."

"You’d better get lost while I’m still being nice. Otherwise, that kick back there will be the least of your worries."

Seraphina Ashford let out a dry, chilly laugh and dropped back onto the worn-out sofa, opening the shopping app on her phone.

Things had blown up way too loud today. The cops were definitely going to do their routine follow‑up, which meant she couldn’t drive out to the markets even if she wanted to. But sitting around doing nothing was a waste of time. Ordering basic supplies online was still doable.

In her last life, she had indeed won the lottery—but before she could even think about enjoying it, the zombie outbreak hit. The money in her bank turned into nothing but useless digital numbers.

This time, that cash was her lifeline. As long as she stocked up enough essentials, she’d have a far better shot at surviving what was coming.

The neighbors whispering outside were buzzing like flies, but Seraphina didn’t pay them any mind. She focused on her screen, carefully picking out the items she needed.

Bottled water, crackers, toilet paper, instant noodles, canned food…

She tossed everything into her Taobao cart, finger hovering over the “Pay” button—when she heard hurried footsteps thudding up the stairs.

Several police officers appeared at her doorway. After a quick round of questioning the onlookers, they took both Seraphina and Roderick Ashford to the station.

Roderick was howling in pain, clutching his chest dramatically while spewing curses at her.

"Officers! This damn girl is trying to murder me! Lock her up now—give her the death penalty!

This filthy brat, daring to attack her own father—she should be shot!"

The officers exchanged looks, frowning at the torrent of foul language coming out of his mouth.

Was this seriously a father? The man had marched into his daughter’s home swinging an axe, and now he was calling her every name under the sun.

"Enough! What do you think this place is, your living room? Sit down and shut up.

After investigation, Roderick Ashford, you forcibly entered a private residence and caused a disturbance. You’re being detained for fifteen days and fined one thousand yuan."

Seraphina couldn’t help the snort that slipped out. "Serves you right."

Roderick shot to his feet, face purple with fury, but one sharp look from the officers had him sinking back down, muttering under his breath.

"Officers, she’s my daughter! Her place is my place! How is that trespassing?

And hitting her is a father’s right—how is that a crime?

She won the lottery and won’t give me a single cent! She watches her old man suffer and doesn’t help—that’s unfilial! She’s the one who should be locked up! What does any of this have to do with me?"

Roderick was unraveling, jaw clenched so tight it looked like he’d grind his teeth to dust. He looked like he wanted to lunge at Seraphina right then and there.

"She’s my daughter! She exists because of me! Her house, her money—they’re all mine!

You cops are blind! Did that little bitch pay you off? Is that why you’re covering for her and slandering me?"