My mother announced in the family group chat that she was bringing home a foster daughter. The foster daughter lied, claiming she was a bright, underprivileged student recommended by a charity foundation. But what she didn't know was that my family could hear my thoughts. As the foster daughter bent over backward to butter up my dad, I mentally scoffed: [If Dad knew she was Mom's illegitimate daughter with her lover, he’d probably have a heart attack and end up in the ICU, right?] In my past life, when Ava White moved in, everyone in the family showered her with attention. I, however, was assaulted by thugs she hired and brutally murdered in the company parking lot. Only in my last moments did I realize the truth: she was my mom’s daughter by her long-time affair. If my dad hadn't built the Carrington Group from scratch, my mom would never have married him. After they married, my mom's sole obsession was to seize the family fortune and leave my dad penniless. Everything was going according to her plan, until I inexplicably got a second chance. 1 I was reborn on the day my mom brought Ava home. “From now on, Ava is your little sister. You have to take good care of her, okay?” My mom said, beaming. Ava hid slightly behind my mom, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, the picture of vulnerability. In the previous life, this pathetic act fooled every single person in the Carrington household. My dad, seeing her, offered a kind smile and reached out to pull her closer. I internally sneered. [Ha! This is Mom’s daughter with her boyfriend. If Dad knew, wouldn’t he be having a massive heart attack?] My dad’s hand suddenly froze mid-air. He looked around, searching for the source of the voice. The housekeeper was in the kitchen prepping dinner, so it was just the four of us in the living room. Finally, his gaze settled on me. “Chloe, did you say something just now?” Seeing my utterly blank expression, he started to reach for Ava again. I silently thought: [If Dad finds out the truth, it’s going to be a total blowout.] My dad immediately snatched his hand back. In the last life, my dad doted on Ava after she moved in. I never imagined that doting would ultimately destroy our whole family. Ava noticed my dad’s abrupt withdrawal and instantly put on a wounded expression. Tears welled in her eyes as she clutched my mom’s sleeve and whispered: “Aunt Lisa, does Uncle Richard not like me?” My mom stroked her head affectionately. “Don’t be silly. You’re my daughter now that you’re here, part of the Carrington family. Don’t worry.” She then told the housekeeper to prepare a guest room. “Aunt Lisa, that room is so beautiful.” Ava pointed toward the second floor. That entire section belonged to me. My room had a private balcony filled with my favorite roses. The roses were blooming in May, their fragrance filling the air—absolutely gorgeous. My mom nodded and turned to me. “Ava grew up in an orphanage. You’re the big sister, so why don’t you let her have your room?” I didn't say anything, but I couldn't help but complain internally. [Mom’s been ignoring me lately. I guess she was busy preparing to bring this ‘sister’ home?] My mom couldn’t hear my thoughts, but my dad heard every word. His face darkened, and he called out to the housekeeper, who was about to go upstairs. “That’s Chloe’s room. Who gave you permission to decide that?” “I’m so sorry, Mr. Carrington. I just thought the room was pretty, I didn’t mean anything else. I’m truly sorry, it’s all my fault.” Ava was quick to apologize. Even before I could open my mouth, she was already staging her little drama. In the last life, this exact behavior made my dad pity her. And because I didn’t want to give up my room, my dad ended up calling me selfish. 2 Ava sniffled. “Please don’t be mad, Uncle Richard. It’s my fault. I grew up in an orphanage and I’ve never seen a room so lovely…” Seeing her act like this, I felt my own resentment bubble up. [Dad is going to get mad again. Fine, she can have it. But Dad specially designed that room for me!] My dad looked at me, a flicker of pain in his eyes. He’d had that room remodeled for my thirteenth birthday. The company was just starting out then, and things were tough; he was constantly stressed. I’d tried to cheer him up by secretly baking him a cake. It looked like he remembered that moment. “You’re an outsider. Why should you get my daughter’s suite? That room is Chloe’s.” My dad said coldly. He then instructed the estate manager to clear out the storage room in the basement. Ava froze. She clearly hadn't expected this outcome. She bit her lip, and tears instantly flooded her eyes. Orphanage? Please. I sneered internally. The moment my mom got the first major investment return from my dad’s company, she bought Ava a closet full of luxury goods. My mom’s old flame was facing legal trouble, which is why she rushed Ava here. Her goal was to systematically push all of us out. She claimed she wanted to find me a ‘sister’ to keep me company because I was ‘too introverted.’ In reality, it was a meticulous plot to get rid of my family and take over the Carrington Group. My dad was a workaholic, constantly focused on expanding the company. Thankfully, my mom’s plans were being foiled. My mom looked anxious and immediately grabbed my dad’s arm. “Honey, Ava’s never had anything nice. It’s natural she wants a nice room. Why are you so angry?” Then he heard my thoughts again. [Mom’s old lover has a lot of connections in the city. Confronting her now wouldn’t be smart. What if they get desperate? If Dad could just find concrete evidence of that guy's illegal activities, we'd be safe.] My dad suppressed his rage, turned, and pulled me out of the room. My mom tried to say more but held her tongue. After all, my dad was rarely home due to work. She needed Ava to win him over, and this was their chance. But my dad was already too suspicious. My mom and Ava exchanged confused glances, probably wondering why my usually easygoing dad was suddenly so observant. Once we were in the study, my dad pulled me close and asked seriously, “Chloe, what’s wrong?” “Huh?” I feigned confusion, but internally I thought: [Dad couldn’t possibly believe them, could he? Well, he was fooled by them in the last life, which ultimately led to the Carrington family’s ruin.] His face got even darker. This time, there was a definite look of aggression in his eyes. He stood up as if to go confront my mom, but I quickly grabbed his hand. I opened my mouth, saying nothing, but my mind was racing. [No! We can't let Dad and Mom openly fight yet. If they corner themselves, who knows what they'll do? If Dad could just find concrete proof of that guy's illegal activities, we’d be completely safe.] My dad paused. He looked at me intently, patted my shoulder, and left. Just like in the past life, Ava acted exceptionally sweet and sensible once she arrived. She volunteered for everything. She quickly won over the household staff. She stood politely next to my mom and told my dad with feigned envy: “Sister Chloe is so lucky. Unlike me, all I know how to do is fetch tea and pour water.” My hand, holding my coffee cup, twitched. I pulled it back as if burned, lowering my head. [Oh, it’s my fault. But if I start doing the housekeeper's job, why are we paying them?] I bit my lip and said aloud: “I’m sorry, sister. It’s my fault. I won’t drink this coffee.” 3 Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my dad glaring at Ava, his face expressionless. Ava, thinking he was impressed by her humility, lowered her head bashfully. I chuckled internally. Ava moved closer to my dad. “Uncle Richard, please don’t be mad at my sister. She grew up having everyone wait on her…” “Enough!” My dad finally snapped. He slammed the coffee cup onto the table, making Ava jump. “Unc… Uncle… please don’t be angry. Sister is just…” She still didn't realize why my dad was truly furious. She probably thought he was defending her, while secretly gloating. My dad glared at her and snapped: “I don’t care what games you’re playing. Since you’re here, stay put and stop pulling stunts.” He gave my mom a fierce look and walked away. Ava’s eyes widened in confusion. Once my dad was gone, my mom nervously pulled Ava aside and whispered: “What happened? Didn’t you say he’d be too focused on work to notice anything?” My mom was genuinely confused. My dad was always so gentle and agreeable with her, at least before Ava arrived. She pondered for a while, concluding he must be having company troubles. “It’s okay. As long as you’re in the Carrington house, you’ll have your chance. The most important thing now is to deal with Chloe. The Carringtons are arranging a marriage alliance for her with the Sterling Group, the wealthiest family in the city. Once Chloe is ruined…” “...you can take her place, and the Carrington Group will be ours.” The Sterling Group was a top-tier dynasty in the city. Becoming Mrs. Sterling would mean limitless wealth and status. My mom’s eyes gleamed with greed as she looked at Ava. Ava's jaw dropped, her eyes unfocused, clearly picturing herself as the Sterling matriarch. She nodded hard. In the past life, because I’d been sheltered for so long, I had no defenses against this sudden "sister." I indulged her every whim and even covered up her mistakes. After relentless convincing from my mom, I genuinely thought of her as family. Yet, they were snakes, destroying my family, killing the man I loved, and finally seizing the entire Carrington Group. Watching her lost in her fantasy, I unknowingly dug my nails into my palms. Did she think she would get away with it this time? In a few days, it was my 24th birthday. My dad had booked the penthouse suite at the city's most exclusive five-star hotel for a lavish party, inviting countless business elites. 4 Ava had been much quieter these last few days, no longer seeking attention from my dad. She clearly sensed his indifference and decided not to bother him. Liam Sterling was my childhood sweetheart. We grew up together. We were truly in love. He founded his own company right after college, promising me the best life could offer. But in the past life, Ava drugged my drink, leading to my public humiliation, which ultimately devastated Liam. Seeing him again, I couldn't stop the tears welling up. Before I could regain my composure, Ava rushed over to him. Her gaze was overtly predatory as she addressed him. “Are you Mr. Sterling? I’ve heard so much about your ambition and success. Seeing you today, you truly are impressive.” In the past life, she used the same tactics to get close to Liam. Liam, like me, was young and naive, easily caught off guard. Although he hadn't been receptive to Ava in the last life, he hadn't truly guarded himself against her either. Ava’s relentless pursuit, born from her twisted desire, eventually led to Liam’s misery. I remained silent, thinking: [What do I do? Ava is starting again. Liam is so pure; what if she fools him?] I could feel Liam’s eyes locked on me. His brow was slightly furrowed, seemingly confused. [Ava is always targeting me. Mom only cares about her biological daughter and completely ignores me. What should I do?] [If Liam knew she was the one who killed us both in the past, he’d go ballistic.] Liam’s expression grew progressively colder. Ava, oblivious, continued to chatter beside him. “Mr. Sterling, I read your company’s project plan; it’s brilliant. I love studying finance, but I hear Sister Chloe isn’t very interested in things like that…” Before she could finish, Liam harshly pushed her away. “Get lost!” This was a side of Liam I’d never seen. He was usually gentle and polite; this was the first time he'd lost his temper so dramatically. He shoved her so hard that Ava tumbled to the ground. Ava’s face was bright red, but she didn’t dare speak up. She climbed back up reluctantly, tears in her eyes, adopting her usual helpless expression. “I don’t know if Sister Chloe said something, but Mr. Sterling, you seem to really dislike me.” The surrounding guests noticed the commotion. “Isn’t that the foster daughter Mrs. Carrington brought home from the orphanage?” “Yes, I heard she was adopted from a really poor one. Poor girl.” “Right? The Carrington heiress seems so petty and small-minded.” Ava listened contentedly to the gossip, hoping Liam would sympathize with her and be drawn to her. [No wonder everyone hates me. Maybe I should just leave.] I lowered my head, about to turn away. Liam quickly stepped forward and grabbed my hand. Then, he turned and spoke sternly to Ava. “Stay away from me. Also, I don’t recall Chloe having a sister. Stop trying to claim family connections.” Seeing her opportunity slipping away, Ava grew desperate.
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