Chapter 3

That very night, I moved into the room next to Pearl's.

According to the servants' gossip, both Ethan and Lucas had been scolded by Mom and Dad, who even ordered them to read those "true versus fake heiress" novels I'd brought back.

I locked my door from the inside and pulled out a diary with a cartoon cover.

My fingertips traced the cold pages, and finally I used a red pen to make a checkmark.

Early the next morning, Pearl and I appeared at the staircase landing at the same time.

She suddenly grabbed my hand and positioned herself to fall and roll down the stairs.

I quickly grabbed the staircase railing.

"Pearl, I installed surveillance cameras all throughout the mansion -- 360-degree coverage with no blind spots."

"Please don't do anything rash."

She reluctantly let go of me and went downstairs resentfully.

I followed her to the dining room.

Mom, Dad, and my brothers were already there.

All four of them had heavy dark circles under their eyes -- clearly they'd stayed up late.

Mom beckoned me to sit beside her.

"Vanessa, we've all read those 'true versus fake heiress' novels you brought."

"Don't worry -- we're not like those brainless parents in the books."

"You're my flesh and blood."

"I would never mistreat you."

Lucas awkwardly chimed in.

"I've already had people investigate your life at the Harper house."

"You really did suffer all these years."

"But your suffering wasn't caused by Pearl."

"Don't keep targeting her."

Ethan agreed.

"When Daniel and his wife switched you and Pearl all those years ago, they were just trying to give their own daughter a better life."

"The law doesn't go beyond human compassion."

"Be magnanimous and don't pursue their legal responsibility."

Pearl grabbed my hand and pressed it against her face.

"Three years ago when I secretly gave them money, it was actually to help you live a better life."

"But ultimately I was too selfish."

"I didn't tell Mom and Dad the truth right away."

"Hit me if it makes you feel better, okay?"

The crisp sound of slapping instantly rang out.

Everyone stared at me in shock.

Lucas instinctively swallowed.

"Vanessa, you actually hit her?"

I looked bewildered, like a child who'd made a mistake, scratching at my hair.

"Lucas, I thought Pearl really wanted me to hit her."

"I'm sorry -- I'm just too straightforward."

"I won't do it again."

"Pearl, you're so kind -- you won't blame me, will you?"

Pearl shook her head through her tears.

"Vanessa, as long as you're happy, you can torment me however you want."

I looked helplessly at the two people in the head seats.

"Mom, Dad -- did those 'true versus fake heiress' novels mention how to handle this kind of situation?"

"I think Pearl is mad at me."

The two of them had just started feeling dissatisfied with me, but hearing me mention those novels immediately sobered them up.

Mom set her knife and fork down on the table with a clatter, her voice stern.

"Enough."

"You're the one who told your sister to hit you, and now you're crying for everyone to see?"

"If your parents hadn't had such vile intentions back then, you'd be the one living that subhuman existence."

"Not sending them to prison is already us showing you consideration."

Pearl hadn't expected Mom and Dad to take my side this time.

She panicked and even forgot to cry.

Mom didn't spare Pearl another glance.

Instead, she held my hand and brought up the subject of school.

"Vanessa, your brothers both graduated from prestigious foreign universities."

"Even though Pearl is an art student, she got into a decent college too."

"As a child of the Hayes family, academic credentials may not represent everything, but they can't be too poor either."

Ethan applied ointment to Pearl's face while not forgetting to mock me.

"With your 150-point score, you're really embarrassing our family."

"Even though Pearl doesn't have Hayes blood, she's just as excellent as Lucas and me."

"She's more like our family's child."

Pearl modestly shook her head.

"Don't praise me like that."

"Vanessa's thought process may be a bit unusual, but she's excellent too."

"Pearl really has a good eye."

"Ethan, the reason I scored only 800 on the SAT is because I only took the math exam."

As soon as I said this, Mom and Dad stared at me in shock.

"Vanessa, you actually scored perfect on math?"

"Then why did you only take one subject?"