Chapter 1

I cut my London project short and returned to the States, not telling anyone.

I'd planned to pick up my younger sister, Summer, from school and surprise her.

But just as I reached the back entrance of the auditorium, I heard some students laughing.

"Summer has no shame, does she? The housekeeper's daughter, only here because the Sterlings pay for her, always acting so superior."

"Seriously, Pearl is so sweet. Her family takes her in, and she's totally ungrateful."

"I heard Summer even tried to steal Pearl's spot for the competition. Those charity cases always have some kind of agenda."

Summer is my biological sister.

Pearl is my family's housekeeper's daughter.

And now, the entire school thought Pearl was the Sterling heir, and Summer was a charity case.

I pulled out my phone and called a well-known lawyer.

"I need you to look into something for me."

"I want to know how my sister's identity was stolen these past few years I've been away."

I looked at the message my sister had sent me two hours ago.

"Aubrey, there's a charity event at school today. I'm going on stage to share my volunteer experience."

I told the driver to change course. "To Sterling Heights Academy."

Sterling Heights was the most exclusive private school in the city.

When our parents first enrolled Summer, they specifically arranged for privacy protection.

Only the principal's office and the security department knew her true family background.

My dad said kids shouldn't be defined by their family's wealth.

My mom said it was safer to keep a low profile.

The event inside had just ended, and students were leaving in small groups.

A few girls were chatting.

"The way Summer was standing on stage just now, I swear. Does she really think she's one of the Sterlings?"

"What Sterling? Pearl herself said her mom used to work for the Sterlings, and the family was kind enough to let Summer study here."

"Pearl is truly too kind. If my family had someone like that, they'd be out the door."

Another girl scoffed.

"And she dresses so plainly, playing innocent. If it wasn't for the Sterlings, how would she even get into Sterling Heights?"

Just then, a girl in a white jacket emerged from the auditorium.

Someone handed her a hot drink. "Pearl, you spoke so well earlier."

She smiled gently.

"Oh, not really. I just said a few words on behalf of our family foundation."

"You're too modest. The Sterlings are always doing charity work. No wonder you're so well-mannered."

She lowered her eyes, her voice soft.

"Don't say that. Summer might get upset if she hears it."

The expressions on everyone's faces immediately shifted.

"What's she got to be upset about? Your family's already done so much for her."

"Exactly, and she always gives you attitude."

"Pearl, you're just too easy to push around."

Pearl, Mrs. Miller's daughter.

When she was little, she lived with Mrs. Miller in the guest house on the Sterling property.

My sister was soft-hearted and shared everything with her.

I remember when she first came to the Sterlings, she was timidly hiding behind Mrs. Miller, calling me "Aubrey."

I found Summer in a corner.

She was coming out of a different side door, head bowed.

I didn't go over immediately.

Summer would definitely panic if she saw me.

She hated causing trouble for the family more than anything.

I turned and walked to the end of the hallway, stopping a boy who was alone.

"Excuse me, I'm visiting from another school. I just heard you mention the Sterling Foundation. Is that Pearl's family's foundation?"

The boy glanced at me.

Perhaps seeing I wasn't a teacher or a parent, his tone relaxed considerably.

"Yeah, she's like, the Sterling's younger daughter, right?"

I smiled.

"Are you sure?"

"Why wouldn't I be sure?" He pointed to the parking area downstairs. "She comes here every day in the Sterling's car. Her Ins is full of their mansion, parties, drivers, butlers, everything."

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"But she's pretty low-key, never explicitly says anything. If people call her Miss Sterling, she'll even say 'don't be silly.'"

"What about Summer?"

The boy's expression became subtle.

"Oh, her? I heard Pearl's family sponsors her. Pearl is super nice and always looks out for her. But Summer's pretty stubborn, always acting like someone owes her something."

Back in the car, I called my assistant, Jordan.

"I need you to look up Pearl's social media accounts for the past three years, her school forum posts, vehicle access records, and her mother, Mrs. Miller's, usage records for permissions within our home."

Jordan paused. "Is something wrong?"

I looked out the car window.

Rainwater slid down the glass.

At the auditorium entrance, Summer stood alone under an umbrella.

Pearl was surrounded by a group of students, getting into the car our family sent.

That car was supposed to pick up Summer today.

My voice turned cold.

"Nothing's 'wrong'."

"Someone's just gotten too comfortable."