Part 2The Million-Dollar Fake Daughter: How I Fleeced My Biological Family

I had barely picked up my chopsticks when a middle-aged man walked into the dining room.

This was my biological father, Richard Vance.

Well, technically, he married into the family. The Vance family had the money, and he had the looks. Back in the day, it was the classic trope of a poor boy marrying a rich heiress.

"So this is the one... who came from the village?"

He handed his suit jacket to the maid, unbuttoning his cuffs as he walked toward the table. "Why is she dressed like that? And she has terrible posture."

I looked down at myself.

I bought this outfit off a cheap discount app. Sure, it wasn't high fashion, but it wasn't like I was exposing anything inappropriate.

Richard sat down, completely ignoring me. Instead, he picked up a choice piece of fish and placed it directly into Mia's bowl. "Mia, eat more. You've looked so exhausted these past few days. It breaks my heart."

Mia glanced at me quickly, then said softly, "Thank you, Dad. Dad... my sister just got back. You should give her some too."

What a perfect, pristine white lotus. Even now, she was making sure to draw aggro toward me.

Right on cue, Richard slammed his chopsticks onto the table. "Her? She grew up in the country; what hasn't she eaten? Why would she need me to serve her?"

"Since you're back, you will follow the Vance family rules. Wash off that repulsive, rural stench. Do not embarrass your mother in public. Also, what was your name again? Chloe Miller? How incredibly vulgar."

He waved his hand in disgust. "We're changing it tomorrow. I've already decided. Your new name is Chloe Vance."

The million-dollar monthly salary covered enduring my biological mother's bad temper. The contract did not say anything about tolerating her husband's pretentious bullshit.

I calmly took a bite of a spare rib, chewing silently, and glanced up at Eleanor.

Eleanor acted like she hadn't heard a thing.

Got it.

If the boss didn't intervene, it meant this was considered an extra, out-of-scope service.

I put down my chopsticks and wiped my mouth with a napkin. "Dad, I can't change my name."

Richard's eyes bulged. "What did you just say? You just walked through the door and you're already talking back?!"

"I'm not talking back." I put on my most earnest, sincere expression. "The name Chloe Miller might sound a bit common, but it's the name my adoptive parents gave me. Yes, they treated me terribly. They beat me, yelled at me, and made me feed pigs and farm the land. But they still raised me for twenty-two years.

"If I change my name the second I return to my wealthy biological family, what will the public think? They'll say the Vance family uses their wealth to bully the poor. They'll say I'm a vain, greedy opportunist who completely abandoned her roots."

I let out a heavy, theatrical sigh. "I mean, I don't care. If people want to curse my name, let them. But Mom is different! Mom is a prominent entrepreneur! The Vance Corporation relies on its public image. What if the media spins this as 'Wealthy Family Forces True Daughter to Erase 20 Years of Adoptive Ties'? The stock price would plummet!"

I turned to Eleanor, looking exactly like a deeply concerned, devoted daughter. "Mom, am I right? Losing hundreds of millions in market value just for a name... it's just not worth it."

Richard pointed a shaking finger at me. "You... you're twisting the facts! What does this have to do with the stock price?!"

"How is it not related?" I asked, feigning shock. "The internet loves to hate the rich these days. Dad, do you not go online? Oh, right, you just drink tea and play golf all day. You don't handle the company's affairs, so it makes sense you wouldn't know."

"Enough."

Eleanor finally spoke.

"Chloe makes a valid point. A name is just a label; changing it involves too much paperwork anyway. Chloe Miller it is. I think it's fine. It keeps her grounded."

Mia looked at me with a completely different expression now. I flashed her a massive, toothy grin and popped a piece of cheesy lobster into my mouth.

Wow, rich people food was delicious.

Some people choked on the bread of charity. But me? I prefer to earn my keep standing tall.

After dinner, Eleanor called me into her study.

"You are very smart," she said.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mom." I stood respectfully in front of her desk, my hands clasped together.

"Do you know why I brought you back?"

"Because blood is thicker than water?" I ventured cautiously.

Eleanor scoffed. "Because Mia's fiancé only recognizes the true Vance bloodline. We need an alliance with the Sterling family. Mia isn't a biological Vance, so the marriage won't hold. But Mia's health is too fragile. She could never survive being married to the Sterling family's notorious playboy heir. So..."

"You will marry him in her place."

Oh ho.

I knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.

This was the real reason I was here.

A high-society alliance. A wealthy heir. A substitute bride. Wasn't this just another massive business contract?

"That's going to cost extra."

The words slipped out of my mouth instinctively.

Eleanor paused for a second, then laughed.

"Deal." She pulled open a drawer and tossed another bank card onto the desk. "This is the advance on your dowry. I'll add an extra five hundred thousand a month for emotional damages. As long as you lock down the Sterling family, half of the Vance family's assets will eventually be yours."

"Mom, just sit back and watch. I don't care if he's a rich heir or the King of Hell himself, I'll have him trained and eating out of my hand."