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“Who are you, a stranger, to claim my daughter’s suite? That room belongs to Claire,” my father said, his voice ice.
He then instructed the butler to clear out the storage room in the basement for her.
Isabelle was stunned, clearly not expecting this turn of events. She bit her lip, fresh tears welling up instantly.
Grew up in an orphanage? I scoffed internally. The moment my mother got her hands on the first investment return from my father’s startup, she bought isabelle an entire wardrobe of luxury goods. Her old flame was in some kind of trouble, which is the only reason Mom brought her here–to push us all out.
She had told my father I was too introverted and needed a sister for company. In reality, it was all a meticulously crafted plan to drive my family out and seize control of the Sterling Group. My father was a workaholic, obsessed with growing the company. He was completely blind to it.
But this time, I was here to ruin her perfect plan.
My mother grew anxious and grabbed my father’s arm. “Darling, Isabelle has had no one to care for her. It’s only natural she’d want a nice place to live. Why are you so upset?”
Just then, he heard my voice in his head again.
Mom’s old flame has a lot of connections in the city. It wouldn’t be smart to have a full–blown confrontation right now.
My father visibly suppressed his anger, turning to take my hand and lead me away. Mom started to say something but stopped herself. Dad was rarely home, so this was her prime opportunity to have Isabelle charm him.
But my father’s patience was gone, his mind now a storm of suspicion.
My mother and Isabelle exchanged a look, probably wondering how my straightforward, unsuspecting father had suddenly become so sharp.
inside his study, my father pulled me close, his expression serious. “Claire, what’s wrong?”
“Huh?” feigned ignorance, but my mind was racing.
Don’t tell me he’s starting to believe them? Well, he fell for their act completely in the last life. It led to the ruin of our entire family.
His expression grew even darker, a hint of fury now colonna be fastires Ma suod in ready in confront mu meither, but I aulakhi sahħad hie
Chapter 1
11:47 T
His expression grew even darker, a hint of fury now coloring his features. He stood up, ready to confront my mother, but I quickly grabbed his
hand.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Instead, my thoughts did the talking.
No, I can’t let him confront her now. If they get desperate, who knows what they’ll do? I need him to find hard evidence on her old flame first. Som-
ething concrete.
My father paused.
He looked at me for a long moment, then patted my shoulder and left the room.
Just like in my last life, Isabelle acted impeccably behaved and diligent after moving in. She practically tripped over herself to do chores, quickly
winning over the household staff.
She stood respectfully by my mother’s side, looking at me with
a face full of envy as she spoke to my father.
“Claire is so lucky. Unlike me… I only know how to do simple things like serve coffee.”
The cup in my hand trembled, and I pulled back as if shocked, lowering my head.
It’s all my fault. But if started doing the butler’s job, what would we be paying him for?
I bit my lip. “I’m sorry, Isabelle. It’s my fault. I… I won’t drink this coffee.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my father glaring at Isabelle, his face a mask of stone.
Isabelle, however, thought my father was impressed with her humility and lowered her head shyly.
I hid a cold smile.
She sidled up to my father. “Uncle, please don’t blame Claire. She’s had people waiting on her since she was a little girl…”
“That’s enough!” My father finally snapped.
He slammed his coffee cup down on the table, making Isabelle jump.
“Un–Uncle… please don’t be angry. Claire just…”
પંખ અને માત્ર માં લ
ད་ལྟ་ང་ཅག་དང་བཏན་པ་དཀ
Even now, she had no idea why he was furious, still thinking he was about to defend her. On the surface, she was putting on a show, but inside,
she was probably thrilled.
My father shot her a glacial look. “I don’t care what games you’re playing, but now that you’re here, you will behave yourself. Stop the theatrics.”
He threw a glare at my mother, then turned and stormed out.
Isabelle’s eyes were wide with bewilderment.
Once my father was gone, my mother anxiously pulled Isabelle aside, whispering urgently. “What happened? You told me he was an oblivious
workaholic who wouldn’t suspect a thing!”
My mother was just as confused. My father had always been gentle and easygoing with her, at least until Isabelle arrived. She racked her brain and concluded that he must be having trouble at the office.
“It’s fine. As long as you’re in this house, you’ll have your chances. The most important thing now is to deal with Claire. The Sterlings have arrang- ed a marriage for her with the Crestwood family–they’re the wealthiest family in the city. All we need to do is ruin her reputation.”
Then you can take her place. The Sterling Group will be ours.”
Crestwood industries was the pinnacle of high society. Becoming the young mistress of the Crestwood family meant unlimited wealth and status.
As my mother spoke, a greedy light shone in her eyes. Isabelle’s mouth hung open, her gaze distant, as if she could already see herself as Mrs.
Crestwood
She nodded vigorously.
In my past life, i was so sheltered that i never suspected my sudden sister “I not only deferred to her in everything but also covered for her mista kes. Under my mother’s constant persuasion, I truly came to see her as my own hash and blood.
But they werd viders. They destroyed my family,
sisted the entire Sterling Group.
Chapter 1
But they were vipers. They destroyed my family, killed the man I loved, and ultimately consumed the entire Sterling Group.
Watching her lost in her fantasy, my nails dug unconsciously into my palms.
Did she really think this life would be just as easy?
