Chapter 1

On the second floor of the Lambert Mansion.

Briony Lambert, decked out in a plain white princess dress, whipped out her pocket mirror to admire her own lovely face.

She pinched her handkerchief, cocking a smug smile at Noella in front of her.

“Sis, there’s something I wanna lay on you…”

Just last month, when Belinda fell ill and needed a blood transfusion, both Noella and Briony were called over. And bam! Turns out Noella wasn’t the biological daughter of the Lamberts! A paternity test on the spot proved Briony was the real flesh and blood of the Lambert family!

Holding the paternity test report, Briony’s eyes were dancing with triumph. She grew up with Noella since they were knee–high.

Why should she remain relegated to the role of the nanny’s niece while Noella basked in the glory as the high and mighty Ms. Lambert?

Now, it was all hers for the taking!

Behind Briony, the Lambert folks were giving Noella heart–wrenching glances.

Spotting Noella’s gaze, Vincent Lambert brushed away a nonexistence tear.

“Noella, nobody anticipated that Briony was our own flesh and blood. We had plans for you to grow up here alongside her, but out of the blue, your folks decide to take you back. We’re gutted to see you go, but it’s only right to send you back. I can’t bear to separate you from your biological parents; it would be too cruel.”

Vincent was actually game for keeping Noella around, but Belinda argued that Briony had been overshadowed by Noella all her life, and living together would be unfair to her.

Just the thought of her darling daughter living like a servant under her own roof was enough to make Belinda’s heart bleed.

It’s all Noella’s fault!

As for Noella, their supposed daughter, the moment Vincent spread the word, calls from Emerald County flooded in, seeking a reunion. The thick accent on the other end of the line was as dense as molasses! Vincent could barely make heads or tails of what they were saying.

Emerald County, as the news reported, had an average annual income of less than a grand per resident last year. A place so broke that charity couldn’t even lift it up!

It turned out that Noella’s real parents were from Emerald County, and judging by the sound of it, they were farmers.

“Noella, even though your parents are farmers, don’t you worry. I heard chickens in the background when I was on the phone. So, at least if you’re hungry, you can chow down on

Chapter 1

some chicken…”

with

They

chickens are worth more than people. You can’t

a picture of

right through their act and stood up, asking coolly, “I’ll leave in a bit. Where’s

and elegance that Briony could never mimic, no matter

What a

we didn’t touch your laptop. It’s a clunker from five years ago. You must’ve lost

behind chimed

would be so petty as to

head back to the boonies,

a laptop is.”

was smirking all over.

and whipped out her phone, pulling

Noella’s room last night when everyone else was distracted and

showed Briony looking downright ferocious.

you! I’m the real daughter of the

Noella lost her marbles? She’d actually rigged her, own room with cameras! And caught her

if Noella was about to gobble

cameras here? You know your dad’s got loads of trade secrets.

expression turned

to check if you’ve planted cameras anywhere else.”

She didn’t give a hoot about the

wiped her phone clean, restoring

Chapter 1

not doubting you. Just

me my laptop, and I’ll leave.”

had Briony dig up

“She can’t even let go of such an old piece of junk. Emerald County

couldn’t even boot up now, only a soon–to–be poor girl like Noella would

glance. This laptop, a gift from Old Mrs. Lambert while she was still around,

so–called family members? She could do without

Mrs. Lambert who loved.

gone, the Lambert family meant squat to

and walked towards the front door without

regret.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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