Part 1The Million-Dollar Fake Daughter: How I Fleeced My Biological Family

I am the real daughter.

On the very first day we were reunited, my biological mother pushed a bank card across the table toward me.

"One million dollars a month. You don't have to genuinely treat me like your mother, but you will act the part in front of outsiders. Do not embarrass me."

I froze for half a second. The next second, I dropped to my knees and hugged her leg tightly, refusing to let go.

"Mom! Why are you setting conditions with me?! We are a match made in heaven! Anyone who tries to tear us apart will face divine retribution!"

She frowned in distaste. "...Stop talking nonsense."

I immediately changed my tune. "Understood, understood. Keep a low profile. We'll just call this a family bonding subsidy. I accept."

Twelve million dollars a year.

Forget acting like a loving daughter—for that kind of money, if she told me to call the fake daughter "Big Sis," I'd say it sweeter than anyone else on earth.

* * *

My knees hurt a little. The marble floor was incredibly hard.

But the smile on my face didn't falter for a second.

Eleanor Vance, the biological mother I had just been reunited with, had clearly never seen a display like this before.

"Get up," she said, her tone clipped. "What do you think you look like right now?"

I scrambled up from the floor with practiced efficiency.

"Yes, Mom. Whatever you say, Mom."

"Let's get the ugly truth out of the way first." She sat back into the plush sofa and crossed her legs. "Mia has lived in this house for twenty-two years. Her health is fragile; she has a heart condition and cannot handle stress. To the outside world, you two are twins. She is the older sister, and you are the younger sister. I do not want to see any petty jealousy or dramatic fighting over favoritism."

I took the bank card with both hands and shoved it deep into my pocket.

"Rest assured, Mom." I stood at attention, practically saluting. "As long as the funds clear, Mia is my biological sister. If she wants water, I absolutely will not hand her a Coke. If she wants to walk, I will absolutely not let her use a wheelchair. Oh, wait, no, I mean I will personally carry her on my back."

Just then, a girl appeared at the top of the grand staircase, gripping the railing and looking down at us.

This was the fake daughter who had occupied my place for twenty-two years: Mia Vance.

Her eyes were red. She looked at me, tears falling before she even spoke a word.

"Mom... is this... is this Ms. Miller?"

If this were a typical soap opera, this would be the moment I pointed at her nose and called her a thief.

But I was built different.

This wasn't my enemy. This was my walking, talking cash cow from another mother. If Eleanor wasn't trying to protect Mia's fragile feelings, would she have ever offered me a million-dollar monthly salary?

Mia bit her lip, looking utterly pathetic. "Ms. Miller, I am so sorry. I stole your life... If my presence bothers you, I can move out..."

Eleanor's face darkened, and she opened her mouth to intervene.

"Sis! What are you talking about?!"

I widened my eyes, putting on a look of profound, agonizing heartache. I channeled the exact same level of sincerity I used when hustling portable chargers to old ladies at the train station.

"What do you mean 'stole'?! That's a terrible word! For twenty-two years, you have suffered immensely in this wealthy household!"

Mia looked completely lost. A tear hung precariously on her eyelashes, unsure if it should fall. "...Huh?"

I grabbed Mia's hands tightly, pouring every ounce of fake emotion I possessed into my voice. "Sis, just look at you! You're so thin! The food in this mansion must be terrible, right? And the rules! The pressure must be suffocating! I heard rich people have to learn piano, painting, equestrianism, and socialize every single day. That sounds exhausting!

"I was completely different. I fed pigs and chopped wood in the village. Look at me—I'm strong as an ox and eat like a horse! That kind of grueling, bitter life is only fit for a rough girl like me. Knowing you took my place and endured all this suffering for so many years... as your younger sister, my heart simply bleeds for you!"

Mia's mouth hung open. She stared at me for a long time, completely unable to formulate a response.

I struck while the iron was hot, turning back to Eleanor. "Mom, look at this! Sis is treating me like a stranger! From now on, with me here, nobody is going to bully my sister. Sis, you just live your life exactly as you always have. I promise I will keep my mouth shut, I will never cause trouble, and I will absolutely not give you or Dad any reason to worry."

"Alright, that's enough. Since we've cleared the air, let's eat."