3
My 24th birthday was in a few days.
11:47
My father had booked the penthouse suite at the city’s most luxurious five–star hotel for a lavish party, inviting a host of business tycoons and
socialites.
Isabelle had been remarkably quiet lately, no longer trying to get my father’s attention. She had clearly sensed his coldness and decided to stop
wasting her time.
David Crestwood was my childhood friend. We grew up together, and we were in love. He founded his own company right after graduation, promi-
sing to give me the world.
But in my past life, Isabelle drugged my drink at this very party, causing me to be dishonored. The scandal ultimately led David to die of a broken
heart.
Seeing him again now, I could barely hold back the tears.
Before I could pull myself together, Isabelle had already pushed her way to his side.
Her eyes
raked over him with an aggressive gleam. “You must be Mr. Crestwood. I’ve heard so much about your success. It’s an honor to finally
meet such a prodigy.”
This was how she’d approached him last time, too.
David, like me, was young and innocent, unversed in the world’s darker games. While he had been dismissive of her in our past life, he never truly
saw her as a threat. But Isabelle was relentless, and her unrequited love eventually twisted into a vengeful hatred that destroyed him.
I remained silent, but my thoughts were a frantic storm: Oh no, she’s starting already. David is so guileless. What if he falls for her tricks?
I could feel David’s gaze fixed on me. He frowned slightly, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Isabelle has been targeting me from the start. Mom treats her like her real daughter and ignores me completely. What am I supposed to do?
If only David knew she was the reason we both died in our past life. He would lose his mind.
David’s expression turned to ice.
Isabelle, completely oblivious, prattled on. “Mr. Crestwood, I read your company’s project proposal. It’s absolutely brilliant. I love studying financial
projects. I’ve heard, however, that Claire isn’t very interested in such things…”
Before she could finish, David roughly shoved her away.
“Get lost!”
This was a side of David I had never seen. He was always so gentle and polite. This was the first time I had ever seen him truly angry.
He had pushed her so hard that she stumbled and fell to the floor.
Isabelle’s face flushed a deep crimson, but she didn’t dare say a word. She scrambled back to her feet, tears in her eyes, a perfect picture of wou-
nded grace.
Tdon’t know what Claire might have vald to you, Mr. Crestwood, for you to treat me this way.”
Her words drew the attention of the surrounding quests.
“Isn’t that the foster daughter the Sterlings took in from an orphanage?”
“Yes, I heard it was a very small, poor one. The poor girl.”
‘Right? And the Sterling heiress seems so petty.”
Isabelle listened to the murmurs with satisfaction, hoping David would see her in a new, more favorable light.
No wonder nvarvona hates me
Chapter 1
No wonder everyone hates me. I should just
I lowered my head, about to turn away.
leave.
47
David quickly stepped forward and grabbed my hand.
Then, he turned to Isabelle, his voice stern. “Stay away from me. And for the record, I don’t recall Claire having a sister. Don’t go around claiming
relationships that don’t exist.”
Seeing her plan about to implode, Isabelle’s eyes darted around frantically, finally landing on the gift box in David’s hand.
“Mr. Crestwood, is that for Claire? It looks so expensive. Claire’s jewelry box is filled with pieces I’ve never even seen before. If only I could have.
something so beautiful.”
I had to admit, Isabelle’s acting was Oscar–worthy. Her ability to play the victim was second to none. No wonder she insisted on dressing so plainly today, not wearing a single piece of the clothing or jewelry my mother had bought her. She had even told my father, “Today is Claire’s birthday party. I shouldn’t steal her thunder.” It was so convincing it made my father question if he was hearing things correctly.
Hah. So that was her plan.
Dressing like that was just to make everyone think she was being mistreated.
I let out a silent, cold laugh and began my inner monologue.
Is she complaining that we treat her poorly? The moment she arrived, Mom took her on a shopping spree at the international plaza. She bought
her five complete designer outfits, each worth six figures. I’ve never gotten that kind of treatment.
Mom is just so good to her.
Isabelle was still weaving her sob story. “in the dead of winter, I used to scavenge for bread people threw away outside the orphanage. I had only
one set of clothes for the whole year. Sometimes, when I was hungry, I had to drink tap water to fill my stomach,
Too bad she couldn’t see it.
My father’s face was now as black as the bottom of a pot.
Chapter 2
The new mayor had just launched a city–wide austerity campaign, cracking down on lavish spending, especially among public officials and corpor-
ate executives. My father, being a self–made man, had always despised pointless extravagance. The family finances had always been firmly in his
control.
So where, exactly, was my mother getting her money?
Seeing that no one was speaking, Isabelle thought her plan had succeeded.
Just as she was about to open her mouth again, David let go of my hand, He opened the exquisite gift box to reveal a custom–made sapphire nec-
klace, its pale blue pendant shimmering with a soft light.
I immediately grabbed his hand.
My thoughts were a silent plea.
Don’t let Isabelle see it. She’ll find a way to destroy it.
As expected
The next second, Isabelle “tripped” and stumbled right towards us.
David pulled me out of the way just in time.
Isabelle fell hard onto the marble floor.
She cried out in pain, tears instantly flooding her eyes as she looked at me pitifully. “Claire, I know you don’t like me, but why would you trip me like
11.43
