On the day we submitted our college applications, I knelt at home, while Caleb knelt at his company. Two days and two nights, just to beg our parents to call off the arranged marriage. Everyone was confused, but only I knew the truth. In my past life, after marrying Caleb, I worked tirelessly for our family, standing with him at the peak of the business world. Yet, he forced me to take the fall for the fake heiress, Layla, and go to prison. He looked down on me with indifference. "If you hadn't forced me to get engaged to you right after you got into Harvard, my wife would have been Layla. You deserve to pay for your greed." My parents chimed in, "Fiona, you always stole Layla's things. Now, you finally get your karma!" The engagement was clearly demanded by both our parents. I vomited blood and died of anger. After my death, my body rotted in the morgue while they held a grand wedding banquet at a five-star hotel to celebrate their union. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of college application submissions. In this life, I decided to let them have what they want. Chapter 1 The homeroom teacher pushed the application form towards Caleb and me, pride evident in his voice. "The Harvard admissions office called. You two tied for the highest score in the city. You can apply anytime." "I don't want to go to the same university as Fiona." Caleb twirled his pen nonchalantly, his eyes arrogant. "I'm going to apply to the same school as Layla." The teacher stood up abruptly, glasses sliding down his nose. "Are you crazy?" "Layla's score isn't even enough for a decent state college! Caleb, you're joking with your future!" Caleb ignored him. He stood with one hand in his pocket, back straight, exuding an air of aloofness. "Teacher, Layla's SAT score might be low, but she's more excellent than Fiona. She has special talents, just wait and see!" Saying this, his gaze went past me and settled on the office door. Layla was standing there, timidly twisting her fingers. I noticed Caleb's eyes soften instantly, a tenderness he never gave me. "As for Fiona," he withdrew his gaze, his voice returning to its usual indifference, "she is excellent, but too conventional. I want a soul that can stand equal to me, not a nerd who only knows how to study." The teacher was shaking with anger: "Do you know what you're saying? Everyone says you and Fiona have a good relationship. Isn't it great for you both to go to Harvard?" "Even if you don't go to Harvard together, there's no need to lower your standards. The difference between a community college and a top-tier university isn't just about the faculty." Caleb adjusted his collar, his every move radiating the arrogance of a top student. "Fiona treats me well, but our relationship is average." "I only want to be with someone who has real talent and learning, to create our own world together. Layla is the one I want." His gaze followed Layla at the door, eyes shining with a fervor I couldn't understand. At this point, I understood. Caleb was reborn like me. In his past life, he didn't get enough time as a couple, so in this life, he's eager to start over with his true love. If it were my past life, I would have been heartbroken, but now, my heart is exceptionally calm. The teacher was furious, "Do whatever you want, just don't regret it later." Caleb was confident, glancing at me, "Choosing Layla is something I will never regret." He left side by side with Layla. Only then did I speak slowly. "Teacher, are you really not going to interfere with Caleb's application?" The teacher patted my shoulder, sighing. "Fiona, I know you like Caleb. Do you want to go to the same university as him?" "But forced love isn't sweet. The university he wants for Layla is too much of a downgrade. You don't need to go to a community college for him." I was stunned for a moment, then laughed, my eyes clear and firm. "Teacher, you misunderstood." "I won't give up my future for anyone, nor will I be anyone's sidekick." The teacher paused, nodding with relief. "Good! Good! I knew you were always the most sensible one." I smiled, put the application form into my folder, and left the office. On this day in my past life, Caleb and I applied to Harvard together. Our parents clamored for us to get engaged. He didn't object, so I thought he agreed. Who knew he loved Layla? His parents just required his wife to be someone who could stand equal to him. Layla later shone at the International Youth Art Exhibition and was specially admitted to Harvard, missing him just barely. Because of this, he hated me for ten years. And made me take the fall and go to jail for his beloved. In this life, I won't have any involvement with him. I'll let them be. Walking to the grove, I suddenly heard Layla and her best friend laughing. "Layla, you're amazing!" "Not only did you steal the love of Fiona's parents at home, but now even Caleb is devoted to you." Layla scoffed: "What's that? Why does that nerd always get first place?" "It's also my nanny mom's fault for being soft-hearted back then. She swapped us, but why didn't she just sell that little bitch Fiona to the mountains?" "If she were in the mountains, the Lin family definitely wouldn't have found her back, and she wouldn't be fighting me for the position of the Lin family daughter!" So, we weren't "accidentally switched at birth," but maliciously swapped. My blood froze instantly, a chill running down my spine. I remembered my foster mother's belt after drinking, my foster father's lecherous gaze, and the tuition fees that could never be gathered. These sufferings I shouldn't have endured. Because of her and her mother's greed, their desire for a good life, they pushed me into hell. If I hadn't been ambitious, getting into a key high school from a small town and reuniting with the Lin family, I might never have found my biological parents. Hatred surged like a tide. I clenched my fists, nails digging deep into my palms. Just as I was about to step forward, a hand grabbed my arm. "Fiona, looking for trouble with Layla again?" Caleb had walked up to me at some point, frowning, eyes full of disgust and impatience. I looked up coldly: "Did you hear what she just said?" His gaze swept over Layla not far away, "What could she say? That she and I will be together soon, and you're jealous?" Looking back at me, his tone carried a warning. "Layla is kind-hearted. If you're angry about the college application, take it out on me, don't harass her!" Kind-hearted? I almost laughed out loud. "Caleb," I stared into his eyes, "are you blind and deaf?" His face darkened, tone arrogant: "Fiona, don't think good grades give you the right to be arrogant. In three days, you'll know who truly deserves to go to Harvard!" Seeing my eyes turn red, his tone softened inexplicably. "Of course, if you still can't let go of me, after we start college, I can discuss with Layla to spare a day each month to accompany you." I looked at him quietly, suddenly finding it laughable. The boy I once looked up to was now full of arrogance, stupid beyond belief. "Caleb," I smiled slowly, "you make me sick." His face changed drastically, but I didn't bother to look at him again, shaking off his hand and walking away. At the corner, I made a call: "I want all birth records from City Central Hospital on June 15th eighteen years ago, including surveillance and duty rosters." After hanging up, I dialed another number: "Principal Zhang, about this year's International Youth Art Exhibition, I'm participating." I looked at the WeChat moment Layla just posted. She and Caleb holding hands, captioned "Destined encounter." I laughed softly. Layla, don't you love stealing my things? Caleb, don't you think she's pure and kind? Good, very good. Then I will tear off your masks in front of the whole school. I will make you ruined and forever wanting what you can't have. Chapter 2 Three days passed quickly. What Caleb told me to wait and see was this year's International Youth Art Exhibition. Ostensibly an exhibition, it was actually a chance for the Harvard School of Art to specially admit talented painters. Every student with some painting talent in the country was there. In my past life, Layla shone at the exhibition with a painting titled "Spring Day," earning a personal meeting with the Dean of Harvard Art. She then received a special admission qualification to Harvard, bringing glory to the Lin family. It also made my parents and Caleb look at her with new eyes. They didn't hesitate to criticize and neglect me for her. Finally, they took revenge on me. I walked into the exhibition hall with a calm expression and a straight back. Everyone's eyes fell on me. Whispers around me were clearly audible. "Isn't that Fiona? Heard she scored much higher than Layla in the SATs, but her parents spoil Layla more." "She's pitiful too. The biological daughter of the Lin family, but lost for years. No matter how capable, she can't compare to the fake heiress raised by the parents for so many years." "Not just the Lin parents, Caleb also ignores the top student to revolve around Layla all day. Strange." "You don't understand. Layla's grades are average, but she has artistic talent. Heard this exhibition is aimed at her." Ignoring these discussions, I walked straight to my booth. Just as I finished arranging my paintings, Caleb walked over with Layla. "Fiona, you're participating too?" "Well, that's fine. When Layla's painting gets selected later, you can share some of the glory." Without looking up, I adjusted the frame and said indifferently: "Caleb, you spread the news everywhere that Layla is a genius painter, using my grades to build momentum for her. You really put in a lot of effort." "But have you ever thought, the higher you lift her, the harder she falls?" "It's fine if she succeeds, but if she fails, she'll probably become a laughingstock." Caleb looked at me sideways and sneered. "You think she's you? What can you do besides taking exams?" "Let me tell you, Layla's painting has already been chosen internally. She will be the genius specially admitted to Harvard Art, the focus of everyone." "I know you're jealous of Layla, but for the sake of being classmates, I advise you to be polite to her." He pointed at my painting: "Or, admit now that Layla is better than you, and I won't hold your past actions against her against you." "I can even tell Layla to allow me to spend two days with you when I'm free." People around couldn't help whispering, many watching for the drama. I knew what they were discussing. Sophomore year, the student council president confessed to me. I said I only liked Caleb. Even if his grades were bad, I was willing to be with him. Since then, everyone thought I was Caleb's simp. Willing to be a spare tire just to be with him. Someone in the crowd jeered: "Fiona, just admit it. Don't make Caleb angry, or he won't play with you anymore." Layla couldn't hide her smugness, then looked at me, considerately saying: "Everyone, don't make it hard for my sister. She's the top student after all, how dare I compare with her." Caleb hugged Layla's shoulder, heart aching for her. "You're just too kind. You are clearly the most dazzling one, no need to yield to her." Watching them singing the same tune, trampling on me wantonly, I couldn't help laughing. "Since you're so confident, I'm curious about three questions." "First, Layla, do you dare to compare real talent and learning with me?" "Second, Caleb, what makes you think I still like you?" "As for the third, do you really think the guaranteed admission spot for this exhibition belongs to Layla?" Everyone looked at me, instantly silent. Seeming to ponder the meaning of my words. At this moment, a teacher from the organizing committee walked over. "Student Layla, the Dean has seen your work and would like to invite you for a detailed talk." The surroundings exploded. "Layla is being met privately by the Dean, looks like she really has talent!" "Caleb has a keen eye, spotting the pearl from the fish eyes immediately. Many get into Harvard, but few get specially admitted for art." "If I were Fiona, I'd admit defeat and leave now to save face." Caleb and Layla glanced at me coldly. Layla left triumphantly. Caleb looked at me, tone arrogant. "I told you Layla is a genius, but you wouldn't believe it." "Alright, since it's come to this, as long as you admit Layla is better than you," "After graduation, I can give you one of my children as a reward." The crowd roared with laughter. As if the exhibition result was settled, and I was the pitiful loser. My best friend Summer stomped her foot in anger: "Fiona, I'll go call the homeroom teacher to uphold justice!" I shook my head calmly: "No need, someone will come for us soon." Just as I finished speaking, the organizing committee teacher came over again: "Student Fiona, the Dean wants to see you." I didn't move, just asked: "Teacher, could you ask the Dean to come here? Some things need to be clarified in public." Soon, the Dean came personally. Holding two paintings, he frowned. "Student Fiona, why is your work so similar to Student Layla's?" Red-eyed Layla stared at me, voice choked. "Sister, I trusted you so much, I didn't expect you to plagiarize my work!" I stood my ground calmly. This scene was expected. Because in my past life, Layla used my painting to participate in the competition. And was specially admitted to Harvard because of it. In my past life, worried that sisters turning against each other would embarrass our parents, I didn't expose the truth. Unexpectedly, it became the fuse that killed me. Now, I don't need to wrong myself anymore. "In this world, playing the victim doesn't make you right." "Accusing me of plagiarism, do you have evidence?" Layla bit her lip and looked at Caleb. He immediately said coldly: "Dean, I can testify. Last week I went to the studio to find Layla and saw Fiona sneaking around Layla's easel." "She must have peeked at Layla's work then!" The Dean looked troubled: "Student Caleb, we can't conclude based on just that..." Caleb said decisively: "Because I know Layla, she has real talent and learning." "As for Fiona, although her grades are good, her artistic talent can't compare to Layla's at all." I looked straight into the Dean's eyes, "In that case, why not ask the judging panel to set a topic on the spot, and let us paint right here to see who is better?" Layla's face changed drastically, panic-stricken as she tugged at Caleb's shirt. But he responded confidently: "Just what I wanted." "Save you from constantly slandering Layla." In my past life, for Caleb's so-called "peace," I willingly hid my talent and gave the opportunity to Layla. But in return, I got betrayal and contempt from everyone. Reliving this life, I just want to live for myself. With this commotion, several senior professors from Harvard Art arrived and set the topic. "Impromptu creation on the theme of 'Youth', time limit 30 minutes." Hearing the topic, Layla visibly relaxed, a smug smile curling her lips. She picked up her brush and started painting fluidly on the canvas. Caleb watched from afar, face full of pride. Time's up. Layla displayed her work first. A charcoal drawing drew gasps of admiration from the crowd. When it was my turn, the canvas was empty. Whispers erupted around us. Caleb sneered: "I told you, Fiona only knows how to study, what artistic talent does she have?" Layla looked at me, "Sister, it's okay if you can't draw." "I can overlook the plagiarism, after all, we are family." "When we get into Harvard, I'll ask Caleb to look after you too." Onlookers also advised me to admit defeat. "How embarrassing. If I were Mr. Lin, I'd leave all the family property to Layla." "Exactly. Even though she's not the biological daughter, at least she's generous, presentable, and promising." Caleb's eyes suddenly lit up. "That's a good idea." "Fiona, let Uncle and Auntie leave the inheritance to Layla, and we'll pretend today never happened." Layla pretended to say: "Caleb, I don't care about that. As long as I can continue painting and bring glory to the Lin family." "But if sister is willing to reconcile this way, I can accept it." I laughed too, no mirth in my eyes. I looked into the distance and saw Summer bringing in a middle-aged woman. My smile became genuine. Finally here. I looked at Layla, "You should know this head nurse, right? Eighteen years ago, your mother gave her ten thousand dollars to switch my birth certificate with yours." "So you could live the life of a rich young lady, while I had to grow up in the slums." Layla's face turned pale instantly, the brush in her hand falling to the ground with a clatter. "You're lying!" "Sister, I know you're jealous of me, but you can't fabricate such lies!" Caleb's expression changed slightly, "Fiona, you've gone too far! To win a competition, you'd tell such a lie?" The Dean picked up the microphone to speak. I calmly held up a document: "This is the birth record from back then, the head nurse's testimony, and a recording of Layla letting it slip." "She hates me, blaming her mother for not throwing me into a ditch, ruining her good fortune as a rich girl." The crowd was in an uproar. Caleb turned to look at Layla in shock. She was full of panic, trying desperately to explain. I walked to the center of the stage and picked up the microphone. "Dean, regarding today's competition, I have one more thing to explain." "Layla's painting 'Spring Day' is actually my work from last year." Under everyone's gaze, I slowly raised the sketchbook in my hand: Opening it, inside was a striking charcoal drawing. In the drawing, a girl knelt before an easel, but the brush in her hand was broken; Behind her stood two blurry figures, laughing triumphantly. "The title of this painting is 'Stolen Youth'." My voice was clear and firm. "The painting 'Youth' Layla just submitted is a plagiarism of this work—" Chapter 3 Caleb was completely confused, scrambling to pick up the drawing paper on the ground to examine it closely. But after looking for a long time, he couldn't see the problem, so he could only look to the Dean for help. The Dean signaled the staff to project the painting onto the big screen. At first, the students in the audience were as confused as Caleb: "Isn't this painting pretty good?" "The composition and colors are very professional!" Seeing that no one could spot the flaw, Layla grew bolder. Red-eyed, she said to the Dean: "Dean, let's put aside my sister slandering me for now." "But this painting was indeed created by me on the spot. Every stroke is my heart's blood." I looked at the professors on the judges' bench with solemn expressions and reminded softly: "What the Dean wants to ask is not about painting skills." "But the creation time of this painting." Layla glared at me viciously, turned her head and vowed: "Of course it's an on-site creation! The topic was just given by the Dean, how could I prepare in advance?" The Chair of the Art Department pushed his glasses and asked in a deep voice: "Are you sure it's an on-site original?" Layla nodded decisively: "Absolutely true! Including my painting 'Spring Day', it was also created on site. Many classmates can testify for me!" Just then, the Dean took out a portfolio from his briefcase and slammed it on the exhibition stand. "What a coincidence!" "Your 'on-site creation' has the exact same composition as last year's International Youth Art Exhibition winning work 'Rite of Spring'!" "Even the color matching is exactly the same!" Layla's face instantly turned pale. Of course she recognized that portfolio. It was the collection she stole from my room. Caleb stood far away and couldn't see the contents of the portfolio clearly. Thinking Layla was scared, he hurriedly stood up to defend her: "Dean, artistic creation inevitably has similarities. This could be a coincidence." "Coincidence?" The Dean sneered. "What's more coincidental is that the judge of that competition last year happened to be me!" "Caleb, do you know what kind of liar you are defending?" Caleb froze, looking at Layla in disbelief: "Layla, what is this?" Layla shook her head in panic: "No, Caleb, listen to my explanation..." I said: "Do I need to tell everyone why Layla knows these paintings?" "Because last month she secretly sneaked into my dorm and took photos of all my works." Layla retorted shrilly: "You're lying! Do you have evidence?" My roommate suddenly raised her phone: "I can testify! I went back to the dorm to get something that day and took a picture of Layla rummaging through your desk." The big screen immediately showed irrefutable evidence. Layla was holding a phone, taking pictures of my portfolio. The audience was in an uproar. Caleb stood there dumbfounded as if struck by lightning. Layla had collapsed on the floor, her carefully prepared dress stained with paint. "There's more." I opened another file. "About the baby swap case in the hospital eighteen years ago..." At this moment, the judges' bench interrupted me. "Wait, I have something to say." Everyone's eyes focused on the judges' bench. The Chair of the Art Department slowly stood up and pushed his glasses: "I can verify the facts stated by student Fiona." "Last year, when the Dean and I served as judges for the International Youth Art Exhibition, we saw the original work of 'Rite of Spring'." "At that time, the signature on the painting was indeed Fiona." The scene erupted. Layla's face was white as a sheet, lips trembling but unable to speak. Caleb looked at the judge in disbelief: "This, this is impossible! Layla she!" The Department Chair interrupted him coldly: "Even more ridiculous is that student Layla's so-called 'on-site creation' painting has the exact same brushstrokes and details as the original." "This is no coincidence, but a blatant copy!" Layla finally broke down crying: "No! I just, just wanted to win too much." She suddenly turned to Caleb, grabbing his arm: "Caleb, believe me! I did this to go to Harvard with you!" Caleb shook off her hand as if burned, voice trembling: "So you've been lying to me all along?" "Genius painter, guaranteed admission qualification, all fake?" Just then, my phone chimed. I tapped the screen, corners of my mouth raising slightly: "Thank you, Chair, for being my witness." "Just in time, the DNA test results are out." The big screen displayed the test report: "DNA comparison confirms biological parent-child relationship between Sample A Layla and Sample B Nanny Liu Qiuhua." I looked calmly at Layla paralyzed on the ground: "Now, do you still want to argue?" Layla looked like death, but still struggling: "Sister, I know I was wrong! Please forgive me." "We lived together for a while after all!" Caleb suddenly rushed to me, tone urgent: "Fiona, Layla knows she's wrong, just forgive her." "As long as you're willing, I, I can pursue you again!" I sneered: "Caleb, do you think I still care about your choice?" "Now, it's time to settle another account." I turned to the Dean: "I have submitted all evidence regarding Layla's mother swapping babies in the hospital eighteen years ago to the police." Just then, the auditorium doors were pushed open, and two police officers walked in: "Student Layla, please cooperate with us in investigating a baby abduction case from eighteen years ago." The hall went silent. Caleb stood dumbstruck, while Layla had collapsed on the floor, unable to utter another word. Chapter 4 Perhaps the scene was too chaotic. Caleb stopped abruptly, looking at Layla in shock: "Did you really swap Fiona's life?" Layla's face was pale as paper, lips trembling in defense: "It wasn't me. I was just a newborn then, how could I?" Caleb seemed convinced by her, turning to me: "Fiona, Layla has a point. How could a newborn baby mastermind such a thing?" "I know you found this evidence just to prove her plagiarism." "Now that the truth is out, stop being so aggressive." Seeing Caleb failing to distinguish right from wrong, I was completely disappointed in him. I finally understood that some people never change. The sunny boy from my past life, Died the moment he chose to stand by Layla. Now he is just a confused fool blindly protecting the wrong person. Unwilling to entangle with him further, I said to the head nurse: "Please repeat the situation back then." The head nurse nervously clutched her clothes: "That night, when I was on night shift, Layla's mother stuffed a thick envelope into my hands." "She said the money came from trafficking children, and if I didn't take it, she would frame me as her accomplice and drag me to prison with her." Layla suddenly seized the loophole in the head nurse's words, interrupting eagerly: "That's just her side of the story!" "Who can prove what she says is true?" She turned to the judges, teary-eyed: "Teachers, my mother passed away years ago. Dead people tell no tales." "My sister fabricated this lie to frame me because she's jealous of my relationship with Caleb." The Dean and several professors exchanged helpless glances. They knew that the head nurse's testimony alone was indeed insufficient to conclude events from years ago. Seeing this, Caleb sighed in relief and said to me: "Fiona, I understand your feelings, but this might really be a misunderstanding." "If you really can't accept Layla, I can reduce my contact with her in the future." Before he could finish, the auditorium doors opened again. My adoptive father walked in supporting an elderly woman with a cane. Seeing the visitor, Layla's face turned ashen, legs giving way, nearly kneeling. I supported the old woman and introduced her to everyone: "This is Auntie Wang, the hospital cleaner back then." "Also, the only witness who saw the entire swapping process." The Dean looked at the old woman's blind eyes in shock: "Your eyes." My adoptive father's voice choked: "Not just her eyes, her right hand was also crippled." "Just to stop her from telling the truth!" The audience was in an uproar. Caleb looked at Layla in disbelief: "This, your mother did all this?" Auntie Wang tremblingly raised her crippled right hand, pointing straight at Layla: "It was her mother, to silence me." "But I will always remember the scene that night when she swapped the two babies." Layla finally broke down, screaming hysterically: "No! They made it all up!" "Caleb, believe me!" But no one believed her anymore. Caleb stumbled back a few steps, As if truly seeing the girl in front of him for the first time. And right then, Two police officers stepped forward: "Student Layla, please come with us immediately."
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