Part 2The Actress

I, Chloe Sterling, am a born actress. I want the high life, not true love.

After getting lost at age five, the first old lady who picked me up fed me scraps and tried to make me a child bride for her idiot grandson.

At her worst, she grabbed a stick, threatening to break my arm so I could beg on the streets. I used my acting skills to make her lower her guard, then called the police. I pointed her out as a trafficker and watched her get handcuffed without feeling a thing.

Later, I ended up in an orphanage.

Director Chen looked like a saint but was a sadist behind closed doors.

When the whip came down, I didn't cry or scream. Instead, I became her most "loyal" little shadow.

I knew in a place like that, you had to cling to the one with power just to breathe.

When the bigwigs came to inspect, the troublemakers who usually got beaten the worst were locked in the dark storage room.

I stuck to the Director like glue, serving tea, smiling sweetly and timidly.

While pouring water, I "accidentally" pulled up my faded sleeve, revealing a web of old scars.

The leaders spotted it and asked what happened.

I quickly pulled my sleeve down, shaking my head like a rattle drum, my voice trembling perfectly. "N-nothing, I fell. Director Mom... Director Mom is so good to us!"

The leaders exchanged glances, their eyes full of pity for the "terrified child."

I timed my nervous glances perfectly, guiding their eyes to the locked storage room...

The day Director Chen was taken away by the police, the whole orphanage celebrated like it was Christmas.

Tiger, the biggest bully, apologized to me with a red face, saying he had misjudged me. I rubbed the arm he used to shove, smiling brightly. "What apology? I'm not a good person."

They laughed, surrounding me. "Chloe is joking again!"

See? My acting was so good that no one believed the truth. I became their beacon of hope.

Later, because that "whistleblowing" incident made the news, a talent scout spotted my terrified, makeup-free face, and I stepped into show business.

The money wasn't great, but I didn't have to worry about my next meal.

Until the billionaire Sterling family found me and took me home.

The touching family reunion had barely lasted a few days when Dad cried and announced bankruptcy, then promptly "fainted."

Heh, I guess the acting talent runs in the family.