The True Heiress Returns Chapter 1

On the day I was officially recognized by my biological family, I reclaimed my room from the fake heiress, tore her favorite dress to shreds, and called her a "country bumpkin" who could never truly belong in high society.

The fake heiress, Chloe, screamed like a banshee, "Mia! You bitch!"

Before I could even respond, my father delivered a resounding slap across her face.

"Chloe! When will you learn to be as sensible and well-behaved as Mia? You are a profound disappointment!"

My mother looked at her with pure ice in her eyes. "What an ungrateful little wretch."

Looking down at Chloe crumpled on the floor, the corners of my mouth curled into a smile.

"Chloe, this time around, it's your turn to taste what it feels like to be abandoned by everyone you love."

* * *

When my mother finally regained consciousness, I was sitting quietly in the hospital chair next to her bed, diligently working on some math problems.

Seeing her eyes open, I immediately stood up, my voice full of concern. "Ma'am, you're awake! Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

My mother offered a weak, pale smile. "Such a good girl. Thank you for everything."

She had fainted from a sudden drop in blood sugar on the street, and I had been the one to rush her to the hospital.

Looking at the gentle, smiling woman in front of me...

I couldn't help but remember the look of utter disgust on her face in my past life as she screamed at me: "How could I have given birth to such an ignorant, classless daughter! If I had known, I would have just let the mistake remain a mistake!"

Yes, the elegant socialite lying in the hospital bed was my biological mother.

Only, she didn't know it yet.

I am the true heiress of the Sterling family, switched at birth.

In my past life, I returned to the Sterling family with a heart full of desperate hope and joy, only to be met with cold stares and deep dissatisfaction from everyone.

My father took one look at me, his brow furrowed in distaste. "Teach her some manners," he ordered the staff, before immediately leaving for the office.

My mother was polite but incredibly distant. "If you need anything, just tell Mrs. Hughes, the housekeeper."

From the very beginning, their eyes only held affection for Chloe.

And Chloe? She stood there wearing a limited-edition designer knit dress and custom Mary Janes, making her displeasure blatantly obvious.

My mother even stroked her hair to comfort her.

I pushed the cold memory away and poured a glass of warm water for the woman in the bed.

My mother looked at me with overwhelming gratitude.

Heh. How hilarious.

In my past life, I spent every single day cooking and making elaborate soups, desperately trying to win my parents' approval, and I never even got a smile in return.

Now, a simple glass of water had my mother looking at me like I was a saint.

I guess being their actual daughter was just a curse.

Hearing my mother call the family chauffeur, I politely stood up to say goodbye.

It was too early for me to meet anyone else from the Sterling family.

My mother insisted on rewarding me, but I repeatedly declined. I only relented enough to leave her my contact information.

Of course, the whole incident today was orchestrated. I "coincidentally" walked past her and "coincidentally" saved her life.

In my past life, I remembered the housekeeper mentioning a time when my mother had a severe hypoglycemic episode on the street. It was a highly dangerous situation, but she was saved by a passing college student. That student eventually became my mother's godson and was fast-tracked into an executive position at the Sterling Corporation.

That godson's name was Liam Vance, and he was also one of Chloe's most devoted orbiters.

In my past life, he had helped Chloe frame and torment me countless times.

This time, I calculated the exact timing and stole his golden opportunity. Let's see if he ever manages to set foot in the Sterling household now.