As a corporate slave, the person I envied most was the CEO's sister who sat in the next cubicle. I worked 996 for a base salary of $3,000, while she did nothing for a base of $300,000. She never had to suck up to idiot clients. Even if she threw red wine in an investor's face, her brother would make me take the fall. But then, the Luo family discovered that Lola wasn't their biological daughter. I was. My best friend warned me not to go back: "That family is obsessed with her. They'll just think you're an intruder. They won't love you." "Especially your brother. He's a total sis-con." I waved her off: "We're all adults here. Who cares about love when you get a golden ticket to high society?" If the Luo family accepts me, I'll play nice. But if they dare give my shares to Lola, I'm going to raise hell. 1 The Luo family threw a press conference for me. Lola, the princess who used to sip boba while dumping her work on me, was sitting in the main seat, eyes red. I found it odd. As the returning biological daughter, why was I in the side seat? Just as I was about to make a speech, Lola suddenly stood up and ran off crying. The moment she ran, my former boss—now my brother, CEO Luo—and Mr. and Mrs. Luo all chased after her. Leaving me alone on stage, staring at a thousand people in awkward silence. I was curling my toes in embarrassment, wondering if I should crack a joke, when the speakers suddenly broadcasted the Luo family's voices. "It's okay, we're just acknowledging her. You are still the only princess of the Luo family." That was Dad's voice. Then CEO Luo's: "Exactly, Sis. At the end of the day, she's just an employee under me. If she knows her place, I'll call her sister. If she tries to take your things, I'll kick her out of the company." The audience was confused: "Oh snap, they forgot to turn off the mics!" I facepalmed. I served that idiot boss Lawrence for years. He was obsessed with PR. How could he make such a rookie mistake? Obviously, it was intentional. To let everyone know my place and give me a warning shot. The envious looks from the crowd turned into disdain. Mom's voice chimed in: "Don't be scared, baby. We won't let her in the house. You're still the only princess in the manor." The scrutiny from the crowd burned. Anyone else would have slinked away in shame. But I stayed glued to my chair, waiting for fifteen minutes until they came back. Seeing me still there, their faces darkened. They clearly didn't expect me to have skin this thick. Joke's on them. I finally got my golden ticket; only an idiot would give it up over some mean words. "Ahem, well, Penny, your return was sudden. The house isn't ready yet. Why don't you stay in your rental for now? Mom will give you an allowance to find a better place." A manor with thousands of square feet needs prep time for one room? They just didn't want me home. Lola hid behind Mom, smirking at me. I nodded: "Sure." Lawrence gave me a "you know what's good for you" look. "But since I'm back, an allowance isn't enough, right?" I pivoted: "I heard you prepared shares for my sister. Where are mine?" They were stunned. 2 Lawrence, clearly used to ordering me around, adopted his boss persona: "What nonsense! Do you think you deserve that?" I nodded and stood up: "Fine. I see you don't genuinely want to acknowledge me. Then I won't acknowledge you either." I started walking away. Mom panicked and stopped me. After all, they were a prominent family. The news of the switched babies was already out. If people found out I didn't actually rejoin the family, it would look bad for them. "We need to discuss the shares. You'll get them later." "No. Now." We're adults. Why play stalling games? Lawrence frowned: "Stop causing trouble!" "Look, I'm your biological daughter and sister. You won't let me come home, and you won't give me any compensation. What was this press conference for? A show?" "Let me guess, these reporters are your paid dogs too? I'm leaving." "Sister!" Lola called out to me with red eyes. She bit her lip, looking pitiful: "You... you misunderstood. I meant... we were afraid you wouldn't adapt to the new environment, so we thought you should stay in your rental first." I laughed: "Princess, only rich people can't adapt to poor houses. Since when can't poor people adapt to a mansion?" Lola's eyes got redder, tears threatening to fall: "I... I'm sorry. Sister, just come home..." Lawrence blocked her: "If you don't know how to talk, shut up." "None of your business!" Lawrence froze. As his corporate slave, I always smiled on the outside while cursing him on the inside. "Mr. Luo, you are my brother now. Is it appropriate to speak to me like a subordinate?" Lawrence frowned. I looked past him at the crying Lola: "Princess, don't be so aggrieved. After all, I should have been living at home since birth." 3 In the Rolls-Royce, the family sat in sullen silence. Mom occasionally wiped Lola's tears. I was the only one enjoying the ride, touching everything, curious about the starry ceiling. "Later, the heir of the He family will pick you up. You can get to know him," Mom said with hesitation. "What's our relationship with the He family?" Lawrence said impatiently: "Arranged marriage from childhood." I glanced at Lola: "Then he must know Sister." Lola bit her lip, clutching her dress. Lawrence sneered: "Of course. They have 26 years of history. You can't compare." Mom tried to smooth things over: "Penny, we respect your choice. The agreement was with the He family heir and our daughter, but Lola grew up with him." "If you don't like him, we won't force you." I picked at a sticker on the window. If I couldn't understand my bio-mom's hint, my years in the corporate world were wasted. I soon met Harrison He. Tall, long legs, 6'1", my type. But Lola opened the door first. "Harry!" She threw herself into his arms. Saying nothing, just crying. Harrison was flustered for a moment, then looked up and saw me. His brows furrowed. Lola sobbed, pulling away from him, seemingly remembering something, and pushed Harrison towards me: "Sorry, Sister, I... I didn't mean anything. I'm not trying to steal Harry..." Harrison looked at Lola in surprise. Lola bit her lip, tears falling: "Go. You were betrothed to Sister... I... I'm just a fake..." Seeing his love in pain, Harrison's eyes flashed with heartache. He looked at me coldly: "I don't like her." "No, Harry." Lola shook her head: "You two are the real match." I raised my hand: "Um..." "I don't like her means I don't like her. I only like you," Harrison ignored me. I coughed: "No, I wanted to say..." "Forget it, Harry, Sister is back..." Lola cried. "Hello?" "So what if she's back? A low-class girl from the gutter wants to steal your things?" "But..." "Are you guys done yet!" I was genuinely annoyed. Lola quickly blocked Harrison: "Sister! I won't steal your man! Don't misunderstand! I know my place!" "You really want to give him to me?" I stared at her. Lola froze, sobbed once: "Of course..." "Okay." Lola's eyes widened. Harrison refused: "I don't want you." "Do you get a say in this?" I lifted my chin: "I heard we signed some agreement? Breaching it costs a fortune." "You can marry Sister, but pay the penalty." The agreement was a joke between the families back then, but the penalty was astronomical. If I wanted to be serious, it could be enforced. Harrison gritted his teeth. "See? If you don't want to pay, be a good boy and marry me." Harrison clenched his fists. I raised an eyebrow at Lola: "Thanks for the gift, Sis." "Sister!" Lola suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud. 4 If you told me yesterday that the princess in the next cubicle would kowtow to me, I'd think you were crazy. But Lola really banged her head on the floor, forehead red: "I beg you, let us be together! Even though you and Harry are betrothed, you are the real daughter of the Luo family. You can have anything you want later." "But I only have Harry..." Harrison hugged her tight, glaring at me: "You're going too far!" Lawrence shoved me hard: "You're bullying her again!" Mom and Dad also rushed to comfort Lola. Mom looked at me: "Penny, don't make it hard for your sister." "I'm not making it hard for her." I stepped closer to Lola: "Sister said herself she wanted to give him to me. Did I confirm it with her?" "Since you decided to give him up, why act like I robbed you when I accepted?" I squatted in front of Lola: "If you don't want to give, don't say it. Because if you say it, I will take it." Lola shrank into Lawrence's arms like a frightened deer. I sneered and stood up, glancing at the glaring Harrison: "Relax. I was just teasing you. I don't like you." Harrison choked. He gritted his teeth hard. Strange. When I said I wanted him, he didn't like me. When I told him the truth that I didn't like him, he wasn't happy either. 5 The next morning, a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace appeared before me. Seeing my parents' smiling faces, I knew— Something fishy was going on. Sure enough, Mom spoke: "Penny, about the shares. We thought about it. We will definitely give them to you." "But the transfer to Lola was already effective. Wait until we expand the business, then you'll get every penny you deserve." Dad added: "Yes, you are our biological daughter. Don't worry." So that's the play. Yesterday the transfer hadn't happened. One night later, the shares were in Lola's name. Does this look like they plan to leave me anything? But... I picked up the necklace, worth less than ten grand, and reddened my eyes: "Okay. Who asked you to be my mom and dad..." Mom's eyes flashed with guilt. I wiped my tears: "I know I wasn't raised by you. Even as your biological daughter, I'll never get the same treatment as Sister." "I understand. I won't ask for a single share. Don't worry." "How can you say that? Silly child!" Mom hugged me: "You are our daughter. That won't change!" Dad nodded: "We are happy you're sensible, but don't say things like that!" I sniffled: "Do you really love me?" "Of course! How can parents not love their child!" "Then... transfer me to the overseas branch. I don't want shares, just let me manage the branch." They froze.
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