Chapter 1
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Griffin Stewart raised his glass high, his commanding voice cutting through the lively chatter of the banquet hall. “Thank you all for taking the time to celebrate my daughter Chloe’s birthday with us,” he said, his tone brimming with pride.” I also have an important announcement to share.”
“My daughter, Chloe, the true heiress of this family, has officially returned to us.”
Under the spotlight at the heart of the extravagant ballroom, Chloe stood on a raised platform wearing a dazzling mermaid gown that sparkled with every movement.
The dress hugged her curves perfectly, and a luxurious crown rested atop her styled hair. With a radiant smile, she stood between Griffin and Felicity Stewart, like a spoiled princess.
Her gaze swept across the room, finally settling on a lone figure in the furthest corner–a figure that seemed out of place amidst the opulence.
Chloe’s red lips curled into a faint, mocking smirk, a flicker of challenge sparking in her eyes.
The guests, still buzzing with excitement over Griffin’s announcement, followed her gaze.
In the shadows stood a young woman dressed in an unremarkable gray hoodie, her hands buried in its pockets. Her expression was calm, almost indifferent, as she watched the glittering spectacle on the stage.
Even in the dim lighting designed to enhance Chloe’s grandeur, the girl’s striking beauty was impossible to ignore.
Her pale, flawless skin seemed to glow, and her delicate features carried an otherworldly elegance.
She wore no makeup, and her plain attire made her look entirely unprepared for the evening. Yet somehow, she radiated a natural allure that outshone Chloe, despite Chloe’s meticulously crafted perfection.
Her beauty was the kind that would turn heads in any crowd–unmistakable, unforgettable.
But unfortunately…
She was Sophia, the Stewart Family’s discarded “fake” heiress.
Her reputation was far from ideal.
Gossip had painted a harsh picture: years ago, Sophia’s biological mother–a woman from the slums–had schemed to swap her newborn with Chloe. For twenty years, Sophia lived a life that wasn’t hers, occupying a place meant for someone else.
When the truth came out, so did a flood of harsh judgments. People said Sophia’s “slum–bred genes” explained why she never fit in with the Stewarts. She was rumored to be rebellious, a constant source of trouble.
Eventually, the family had sent her to the countryside in a desperate attempt to reform her.
Three years ago, in what some called a moment of misplaced pity, the Stewarts brought her back.
But time hadn’t bridged the gap. Sophia still felt like a black sheep.
Decades of countryside life didn’t seem enough to set her straight.
Things only worsened when her obsession with Ethan Baker, the heir of the Baker Family, became public knowledge,
The Stewarts and Bakers had a longstanding engagement arrangement, but Sophia’s blatant, obsessive pursuit of Ethan had humiliated her family. She clung to him, ignoring his disdain and the shame it brought her.
People shook their heads in pity. What a waste of a pretty face, and a decent reputation.
Tonight’s grand banquet was the ultimate statement: Chloe had returned, and the Stewarts had their rightful daughter.
Sophia’s place had been erased entirely.
Without the tittle behind her, Sophia wouldn’t even have a chance to grovel at Ethan’s feet.
Just then, a guy stepped onto the stage.
He was tall and striking, his tailored white suit highlighting his broad shoulders and refined demeanor.
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Chapter 1
His faint, polite smile radiated confidence as he moved to stand beside Chloe. Together, they looked like the perfect pair, their chemistry undeniable–like a couple moments away from saying “I do.”
The man was Ethan Baker, heir to the Baker family.
He’s also the man Sophia had been hopelessly in love with for years.
A charged silence swept through the ballroom. Guests exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. The stage was set for drama.
Ethan standing proudly beside Chloe, the true Stewart Family daughter? Now that was a spectacle no one wanted to miss.
Under the spotlight, Chloe’s bashful smile brightened as Ethan took her hand, lifting it slowly to reveal matching diamond rings on their fingers.
The meaning was crystal clear.
Gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd, followed by a swell of cheers and applause. “Congratulations!” echoed from every corner, though not all the glances were kind. Many were laced with mockery, eyes darting toward Sophia, who stood alone in the shadows.
For three years, the so–called “fake” heiress had shamelessly pursued Ethan, only to be ignored. Yet Chloe, the rightful daughter, had effortlessly claimed his heart–and now his promise.
A counterfeit could never compete with the real thing.
As whispers and sidelong smirks multiplied around her, Sophia’s expression remained calm, her face a mask of indifference.
Her cool, unbothered gaze lingered on the stage, taking in the harmonious picture of the Stewart Family united.
They truly looked so happy.
She’d always wondered why her efforts never earned even the smallest sign of approval from Griffin or Felicity Stewart.
When they gazed at Chloe, however, their eyes were always full of love and indulgence.
Now Sophia understood. It wasn’t that they didn’t know how to love–it was simply that their love wasn’t meant for her.
To them, Sophia would always be an outsider. There was a gap she could never bridge.
The realization had stopped hurting long ago. Sophia’d grown numb to their coldness.
Tonight was no different; her heart was steady, unshaken by the grand display before her.
Moreover, her years of effort seemed meaningless now.
A flicker of emotion passed through her eyes–an unspoken ache–before her long lashes swept downward, hiding whatever might betray her.
Chloe noticed it immediately. To her, that fleeting moment confirmed what she wanted to believe: Sophia was heartbroken over Ethan.
Smug satisfaction bubbled within Chloe, though she masked it with an expression of concern. Her voice, gentle and sweet, rang out clearly, drawing the room’s attention. “Sophia, Ethan and I are together now. You’re not upset, are you?”
Her words were wrapped in feigned kindness, but the underlying intent was sharp.
It was a classic Chloe move–soft on the surface, cutting beneath.
“Chloe.” Ethan’s voice broke in, cool and commanding. “I don’t need her permission to be with you.” He turned to Sophia, his lips curling into a cold, condescending smile. “She’s just a desperate stray dog chasing after her disowner.”
“Ethan, please don’t be mean to her.” Chloe’s voice was syrupy sweet as she lightly tugged his arm, pretending to scold him. “She… she did like you for so long. You’re upsetting her.”
Ethan laughed, a low, mocking sound. He pulled Chloe closer, his protective posture a clear display of where his allegiance lay. His gaze met Sophia’s, sharp and unyielding. “Let’s end this nonsense right here, right now,” he said, his tone icy and detached.
Then his cruelty continued. “Sophia, I never liked you. Not once.
“The engagement was always meant to be with Chloe, the Stewart Family’s real daughter. You’re nothing but a fraud–a pathetic girl who stole someone else’s place.
‘Do me a favor and stop embarrassing yourself. Honestly, your obsession is exhausting.”
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The words were a dagger, cutting deep. And in front of such a prominent audience, they were meant to humiliate.
Chloe’s lips twitched into a triumphant smirk, though she quickly masked it with an air of concern. “Ethan, that’s too harsh! Look at her face… She’s mad.”
The snide laughter of Ethan’s friends quickly followed. “Angry? Please.” One of them sneered. “Relax, Chloe. Sophia wouldn’t dare.”
Another chimed in with a smirk. “She’s too desperate to let something like this stop her. Didn’t she keep chasing Ethan even after he said worse things before?”
“Exactly!” A third friend snorted. “Everyone knows Sophia Steward has no shame. The more you insult her, the harder she clings.”
The cruel remarks and laughter echoed like a symphony of ridicule.
Sophia became the room’s unspoken punchline.
Standing off to the side, Felicity’s face darkened with rage. Her eyes blazed with contempt as they landed on Sophia, the source of her ire.
How dare this worthless girl bring such disgrace to their family–again, on Chloe’s special night, no less!
Felicity clenched her fists, convinced that Sophia was causing this scene on purpose, trying to ruin Chloe’s moment in the spotlight.
Qitnes
