I slept from 1975 to 2025, the sole survivor of a cryonics experiment. With the face of a twenty-year-old, I went to find my billionaire younger brother, only to see comments suddenly floating before my eyes. "The female lead is so stupid. Her brother turned her small shop into a business empire, but people change. He doesn't even remember her. What's the point of reconnecting?" "Exactly. The battle for the Sterling heir is fierce right now. If she dares to show up, they'll make her disappear faster than you can say 'inheritance'!" "Only Julian truly loves the female lead. If she marries him, she'll be happy forever!" Just then, Julian dropped to one knee and proposed to me passionately. "Zoe, the Sterling family waters run too deep. Don't go back, okay? Marry me. I'll take care of you and protect you for the rest of my life!" Touched, I was about to speak when I suddenly heard his inner thoughts. "System, did you release the fake comments?" "Host, the fake comments are out. But are you really going to marry Zoe Sterling? According to the original plot, after the villainess Audrey Sterling becomes the heir, you can live a life of luxury with her forever." "I'm giving Zoe's inheritance to Audrey. I owe her that much, and I'll spend my life making it up to her. As for Audrey, she achieved her dream. She'll be happy even without me." I retracted my emotion. This guy played games while I was ready to give my heart. But he was wrong. From beginning to end, I was all about my career. A little love affair wasn't going to stop me. 1 Seeing my silence, Julian slid the ring onto my finger, his eyes full of affection. "Zoe, don't worry. I'll protect you forever." I took off the ring and slapped him across the face with it. "No need. I'm going to find my family." Julian pressed his thin lips together, his eyes turning red as he looked at me. The comments scrolled frantically before my eyes. "The devoted male lead was rejected! So unfair! The female lead is an idiot. If she goes to reconnect tonight, Audrey will definitely feed her to the dogs!" "I don't understand the female lead. Why give up a good life to seek death?" I ignored it all and started to walk away. Julian hurriedly grabbed me, his voice urgent. "Zoe, don't waste your effort. Even if you go, Old Man Sterling won't recognize you as his sister, let alone give you the property!" I looked at him. "Why?" Julian sighed. "Old Man Sterling made his fortune from your pickle shop and became the richest man. He forgot his roots long ago. Now the Sterling family wishes you were dead out there. How could he possibly hand over the property?" Looking at his worried face, I found it laughable and shook off his hand. "Even so, that's my business. Regardless of the outcome, I have to try." The comments went wild. "Is the female lead sick in the head? Are family and money more important than life? Glutton for punishment!" "The male lead is really worried about her. Poor guy, his deep love is wasted. Just wait, she'll regret it!" The more the comments raged, the faster I walked toward the villa. Behind me, Julian's confused inner voice sounded. "What's going on? Why does Zoe insist on reconnecting? Does she know Old Man Sterling has been waiting for her?" "Host, what do we do now?" Julian thought: "We'll play it by ear. I won't let her succeed." I found my brother's mansion according to the address. Many people were going in and out. I was dressed decently and slipped in. Suddenly, a woman dressed in luxurious clothes stopped me, looking me up and down condescendingly. "Who are you? I don't recall inviting you to this family banquet." Comments started flashing. "The ruthless villainess finally appears. The female lead is done for. Serves her right for coming back!" "The villainess is Old Man Sterling's favorite granddaughter and groomed as the heir. She wouldn't be in this position without some tricks up her sleeve." The woman in front of me had arrogant eyes. I spoke calmly. "I'm here to reconnect with my family." Audrey Sterling crossed her arms and laughed mockingly. "Another one here to claim relation. Tell me, which illegitimate daughter of the Sterling family are you?" Hearing this, I straightened my back and spoke clearly. "I am your Great-Aunt." Audrey froze, then looked at me like I was a lunatic, utterly speechless. The hall erupted in laughter. "I've seen people claiming to be long-lost fathers or mothers, but this is the first time I've seen someone claiming to be a great-aunt to a granddaughter." "If she's really the Great-Aunt, then after Liam smashed her only portrait, she'd strangle him." I followed the mocking voices and looked into a corner where a boy sat, looking out of place. He had delicate features but his clothes were stained with red wine, looking quite disheveled. He stared at me intently, as if seeing something shocking, his eyes full of disbelief. "It's really... Great-Aunt..." Hearing this, the group mocking me patted his face maliciously, laughing uncontrollably. "The Great-Aunt must be in her seventies or eighties. This girl looks younger than Audrey. You actually believe she's your Great-Aunt? Stupid and foolish, you think you deserve to compete with Audrey for heir?" "Exactly. He's bad luck. Born killing his mother, then smashing the Great-Aunt's portrait, sending the old man to the hospital nearly dead. You should just shut up and stay in your room, understand?" "Alright, just hit him. Don't mention the portrait; that's Grandpa's sore spot." Saying this, they were about to pour wine on him again. Anger surged within me. "Stop!" My shout startled them, and they nearly dropped the wine. Audrey glanced at me coldly. "Why are you still here? Someone throw her out. If Grandpa sees trash like this later, he'll be angry." My eyes darkened. Just as they were about to act, the main doors were pushed open, and Old Man Sterling entered surrounded by bodyguards. Everyone quieted down immediately, watching Old Man Sterling take the main seat. I stared at him blankly. Fifty years had passed. My brother's hair was white; time had left its mark on his face. Seeing those aged yet familiar features, I involuntarily called out his name. "Danny Sterling..." Old Man Sterling stiffened and slowly lifted his eyelids to look at me. The comments exploded. "Whoa, the female lead is bold! Calling the old man by his name? Does she have a death wish?" "Look at everyone's faces, like they've seen a ghost. Hilarious. Now there's a show to watch. The female lead is in for it!" The crowd stirred, looking at me with schadenfreude. Audrey's face grew darker, and she said angrily: "How presumptuous! Security, throw this crazy woman spouting nonsense out immediately!" Several guards rushed forward to restrain me. I ripped the ancestral jade pendant from my neck and held it high. "I am your Great-Aunt! I dare anyone to touch me!" Seeing this, everyone gasped. "This... this is the family heirloom recorded in the Sterling genealogy. Is she really the Great-Aunt?" "Get real. Your Great-Aunt is twenty?" "But I heard the old man say the Great-Aunt participated in a secret experiment back then. Could the result be eternal youth?" Hearing this, panic flashed in Audrey's eyes. She quickly stepped forward and affectionately held Old Man Sterling's arm. "Grandpa, even jade pendants can be forged. She's just a crazy woman. Don't believe her nonsense." The atmosphere in the hall grew tense. Old Man Sterling leaned on his cane and looked at me for a long time before slowly speaking. "Bring the jade pendant here. Let me have a good look." Just as I was about to hand over the pendant, Julian suddenly rushed in, snatched my pendant, and smashed it on the floor. "Zoe, stop deceiving yourself! The Sterling family is out of your league!" 2 When I came back to my senses, the jade pendant was shattered into pieces. My brain buzzed instantly. My hand was faster than my brain, slapping him first. "Julian, if you're sick, go see a doctor! Why smash my stuff!" Julian took the slap without resisting. He just gave me a deep look and bowed to apologize to everyone. "Apologies, everyone. She is my girlfriend. That jade pendant was a fake she bought online for $9.99!" "She has delusions, always fantasizing about being rich. Here are her medical records. Every word I say is true. Please don't blame her." The medical records were passed around, causing a stir. "So poor she went crazy, thinking of getting rich by claiming kinship. But her posture just now was convincing; even I was almost fooled." "Brain issues indeed, daring to scam the Sterling family. Lucky the old man is kind. In another family, she'd be dead already." The medical records were handed to Old Man Sterling. His face darkened bit by bit, and he waved his hand helplessly. "Fine, take her away. We Sterlings don't trouble sick people." Audrey secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a triumphant smile on her lips. "Didn't you hear Grandpa kicking you out? Security, throw her out!" Several guards moved again. Julian blocked them for me, reaching out his hand to beg. "Zoe, the rich world isn't for us. I just want to live a good life with you. Come with me quickly." Comments flooded the screen instantly. "Ahhh, the male lead loves her so much, risking his safety to take her away. I'm crying." "Female lead, stop being ungrateful! You can only survive by leaving with him!" Everyone's gaze fell on me mockingly. I understood. Julian wanted to force me to leave this way, fulfilling his wish for Audrey to be the heir. I slapped his hand away and spoke to Old Man Sterling. "Since no one believes me, I demand high-tech proof. A DNA test." After waking up, I frantically searched for my family. During that time, I learned about new ways to verify kinship. DNA can help me confirm my relationship. I won't be pushed around. Everyone froze. "What's going on? She dares to do a DNA test? Is she really the Great-Aunt?" Audrey's smile froze, looking a bit more panicked. "Stop stalling here. Why should we listen to you?" "Enough." Old Man Sterling tapped the floor heavily with his cane twice. Everyone quieted down immediately. "Audrey, get a doctor to test her DNA." Audrey bit her lip unwillingly but didn't dare refuse. "Yes, Grandpa. I'll go right now." The comments exploded again. "The female lead is digging her own grave. Making a scene and insisting on a death wish. She'll regret it sooner or later!" I ignored it and sat down to let the doctor take a sample. Soon after, the doctor returned with the results and announced to everyone. "Everyone, the results are out. The conclusion is very clear—" The whole room held its breath. I held my head high. Until the doctor declared, "Mr. Sterling and this lady have no blood relationship." A few seconds later, the crowd erupted in laughter. "I thought there would be a twist. Dying of laughter. Turns out she's just a clown." "She can really act. Stubborn until the end. Let's see how she explains this." My face changed. I strode forward and snatched the report from the doctor. The end clearly stated, "Zoe Sterling and Danny Sterling are excluded from biological relationship." I clenched the report. "Impossible. I am Danny's sister. There's a problem with the report. I demand a retest!" "Enough!" Old Man Sterling shouted angrily, his cane banging loudly on the floor. Everyone fell silent, not daring to make a sound. Old Man Sterling lifted his eyelids to look at me, eyes full of disappointment, and sighed heavily. "Many people know my name, and many know I'm waiting for my sister. But child, you're young and not on the right path. Deception won't lead to a good end." "I've waited for my sister for fifty years. Now I'm half in the grave. I shouldn't hope for her return. I won't pursue your matter. Go, stop making trouble." Audrey held her head high, mocking me unceremoniously. "Fake is fake. Even if you test ten thousand times, the result is the same! Get out now!" The next second, the boy who looked out of place in the corner suddenly spoke to the old man. "Grandpa, let her test again. She really is our Great-Aunt!" Audrey was furious. "Liam, shut up! There's no place for a jinx like you to speak in the Sterling family!" Liam ignored her, walked up to Old Man Sterling, and knelt with a thud. Red-eyed, he said, "Grandpa, no one has seen Great-Aunt's portrait except you and me." "You can't remember because you're sick, but I broke that portrait. I always remember Great-Aunt's face. She is Great-Aunt!" "Grandpa, I beg you, let me take the sample to the hospital for a retest!" Audrey clenched her fingers, walked up quickly, and slapped him hard. "Liam Sterling! I thought you were just unlucky, but I didn't expect you to betray the family and conspire with outsiders! Did you know you couldn't compete with me, so you found a way to work with others to impersonate Great-Aunt and steal everything from the Sterling family?!" "I tell you, I won't let you succeed. Someone! Take Liam down and teach him a lesson!" Several guards surrounded him. Liam struggled desperately, kowtowing incessantly, voice urgent. "Grandpa, please! Let her test again! She really is Great-Aunt; she isn't lying!" Liam kept kowtowing, staining the carpet red with blood. My face was solemn, lips tight. Old Man Sterling breathed heavily, his expression finally moved. "Alright, stop kowtowing. I'll give her one more chance. If the result is the same, I won't spare her, nor you." Audrey panicked. "Grandpa!" Old Man Sterling turned away and waved his hand. "It's decided. Go do it immediately." Liam stood up, bowed to the old man with joy in his eyes. "Thank you, Grandpa. I'll go right now!" I watched him run away with the sample, heart trembling. This child is genuinely testing for me. As long as he handles it, the DNA test won't be wrong. I just have to endure a little longer. When the results come out, I'll slap them in the face hard! Comments scrolled frantically. "I'm getting annoyed by the female lead's stupidity. She definitely won't survive tonight." "Everyone pack up, get ready for the female lead's funeral." Annoyed by the comments, I looked away, catching a glimpse of Julian beside me. I heard his gnashing thoughts. Julian: "A hurdle appeared out of nowhere. Zoe Sterling is lucky." System: "Host, what's happening? Are we going to fail the mission?" Julian: "No, I have a plan. If she insists on fighting, I can only do what the comments say and make sure she doesn't survive tonight!" I withdrew my gaze calmly, eyes falling on Audrey. Her fingers were tapping something on her phone. Looking up and meeting my eyes, a trace of ruthlessness flashed in hers. I closed my eyes, choosing not to see. Time passed minute by minute. Suddenly, Liam video called, quickly projected onto the big screen. "Everyone, the second report is out—" 3 Everyone looked up. Liam focused the camera on the result. "Grandpa and this Miss Sterling are biologically related!" The cane fell to the ground with a clatter. Old Man Sterling stood up excitedly, supported by others as he walked to me, shaking as he held my hand. "Sis... Sister, is it really you? You really came back?" "It's me. I'm back." I straightened my back, gaze sweeping over everyone. Those who were mocking me just now lowered their heads, afraid to breathe. My gaze glanced over Audrey, who was biting her lower lip, and I laughed lightly. "Since the truth is out now, shouldn't we figure out what happened with the first report?" Everyone's eyes fell on Audrey. Her body trembled violently. The murderous look just now turned into aggrievement. "Great-Aunt, I... I don't know what happened. It must be this doctor. He's worked for the Sterling family for over ten years. I recently found out he cooked the books and stole a lot of money. He must be afraid you'll investigate strictly after taking over, so he falsified it on purpose!" The doctor's eyes widened. "But you just told me to fake the test result for five million, otherwise you wouldn't get the inheritance when your Great-Aunt returned." As soon as he finished speaking, Audrey walked up quickly and slapped him. "You! You're talking nonsense! Do you have proof?" The doctor covered his red face, sneered, and threw his phone out. It clearly showed a transfer of five million. "I don't want this money anymore! Today I'll show everyone the face of this vicious woman who would disown her ancestor for money!" "You!" Audrey's shoulders shook with anger. Red-eyed, she ran to Old Man Sterling and grabbed him. "Grandpa, listen to me. The picture is photoshopped by the doctor. He wants to frame me, really..." Old Man Sterling threw off her hand, eyes full of disappointment. "I spoiled you for so many years. You were the granddaughter I favored most. I didn't expect you to do such a thing. Although Liam isn't as clever as you, his character is top-notch. In comparison, I was blind to judge people wrong." Old Man Sterling sighed heavily, turned away from her, and announced to everyone. "Today your Great-Aunt has returned. As promised, I will give her the position of Sterling family heir. As long as I live, you descendants don't think about her position. As for Audrey... I am thoroughly disappointed. Deal with her according to family rules. Kick her out if needed, do whatever needs to be done." With that, Old Man Sterling supported me to leave. Audrey finally panicked, grabbing Old Man Sterling's coat hem and begging. "No... no Grandpa, give me another chance. I won't dare again, I swear!" Audrey cried like a pear blossom bathed in rain. Someone in the crowd couldn't bear it and spoke up. "Uncle, Audrey was just momentarily confused. Kicking her out directly might not be appropriate." "If Audrey is kicked out for this, wouldn't it go against your image of benevolence? If other wealthy families hear about it, who knows what rumors they'll spread." "Yeah, just give Audrey another chance." Seeing everyone pleading, Old Man Sterling looked at me in dilemma. The long-silent comments flashed. "Female lead, don't go too far. The villainess is the biggest antagonist! Don't court death if you want to live!" "I'm done. If the female lead had any brains, she should win over the villainess. Can't she see the obvious situation?" 4 I smiled calmly. "Alright, Danny. Everyone has a point. Audrey is still young; she shouldn't be kicked out for such a small mistake." Hearing this, Audrey secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Then I changed my tone sharply. "But the Sterling family has always been reasonable. Audrey made a mistake, so naturally, she must be punished. I heard the second rule of the Sterling family is to kowtow a hundred times to apologize for offending ancestors, right? Let's deal with it this way. Any objections?" Everyone looked at each other, no one dared to speak. "Good! Sister said it well!" Old Man Sterling nodded approvingly while applauding me. "Do as Sister says. Audrey, remember, every kowtow must be loud to count as apologizing to the ancestor." Audrey's smile froze. "Grandpa, this..." "Enough, just do it." Old Man Sterling ignored her and helped me to the main seat. My gaze swept the hall; Julian had slipped away unnoticed. I withdrew my gaze. Several guards brought Audrey to me, pressed her shoulders, and she knelt with a thud. The always proud Audrey suffered such humiliation for the first time, crying tears all over her face. Her head was pressed by the guard for the first kowtow. I took an apple from the fruit plate Old Man Sterling offered and enjoyed the show while eating. The moment Audrey met my eyes, her unwillingness looked like she wanted to swallow me alive. The next second, she was pressed down by the guard for another kowtow. After a hundred kowtows, Audrey's forehead was broken and bleeding. I didn't make it harder for her, had someone take her down for bandaging, and officially announced the start of the banquet. Old Man Sterling presented me with a pile of novel gadgets. I looked at them with curiosity. I picked a handy "brick" to smash a walnut. The guard beside me spoke tremblingly. "Great-Aunt, the brick you just used to smash the walnut is the master's phone." Seeing the screen shattered into a spider web, Old Man Sterling froze, then laughed nonchalantly. "It's fine! My sister loves using phones to smash walnuts. But Sister, this thing isn't just for smashing walnuts. Let me show you..." He held the phone, opening various apps, making me exclaim in wonder, sighing from the bottom of my heart. "Didn't expect only fifty years to pass, and times have changed so much. Good, really good." The wrinkles at the corners of Old Man Sterling's eyes deepened. Holding my hand, he rambled on about many things. "Sister, after I took over your pickle shop, it coincided with the economic reform. I seized the opportunity, turned the shop into a factory, and the factory into a company. That's how our Sterling family developed." "People praise me for being lucky to catch the era of development, but I think the luckiest thing in my life is having you as a sister. If you hadn't trusted me with the pickle shop back then, the Sterling family wouldn't have today's achievements." Those eyes full of weathering had light again when looking at me. I took a tissue to wipe his tears, pretending to scold him. "What are you crying for? Men don't cry easily. Hold it back." Scolded by me, Old Man Sterling actually held back his tears. Seeing him looking like he wanted to cry but couldn't, I burst out laughing.
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