Chapter 1

The year I turned eighteen, I found out I was the real heiress to a powerful family.

But even after my mother, Vivian, took me from the foster care system, she still loved the fake heiress, Amber, more.

After I graduated college, I cut off contact with Vivian. That is, until she called me right before my wedding.

“You always stole Amber’s things, but stealing her fiancé? That’s a new low!”

I immediately pulled out my phone and saw a wedding photo Amber had posted.

What a coincidence.

The groom in the picture looked exactly like my fiancé.

I stood outside Vivian’s house, knocking loudly.

“I’m right outside. Open the door!”

She flung the door open and immediately spat,

“I advise you to just give up. I know you love competing with Amber, but the Shen family is far beyond the reach of a mere influencer like you.”

I flashed the massive diamond ring on my finger.

“Well, sorry to disappoint you. My husband is far more influential than any Shen heir. Frankly, I wouldn’t even look at him. My husband, Kamran, is a man of honor and values decorum. He sent me to personally invite you all to our wedding reception.”

I turned to leave.

But Amber suddenly rushed out, grabbing my hand.

Comparing our hands side-by-side, our diamond rings were identical.

She immediately burst into tears, throwing herself into Vivian’s arms.

“She even copied my ring! You really went all out just to spite me! Even the wedding invitations are identical! How long are you going to keep tormenting me?”

Seeing Amber’s tearful breakdown, Vivian lost all control.

SMACK!

A stinging slap landed across my face, leaving five fiery red finger marks.

“I knew you were a shameless lunatic! I should have never acknowledged you!”

I clutched my burning cheek, struggling to breathe, desperate not to let the tears fall.

I started out as a streamer. People always said I looked identical to Vivian when she was young, an actress. My followers kept pushing me to connect with her, jokingly.

It was just for content, initially.

But then, someone actually dug into it.

Turns out, I was Vivian’s biological daughter. We’d been switched at birth in the hospital.

Riding this wave of massive public interest, Vivian reappeared on the big screen.

Amber also capitalized on our “sisterly bond,” reaping all the benefits.

She slowly started her own accounts, siphoning off my followers and brand deals.

I thought I’d finally found a real family, so I didn’t pay it much mind.

But the moment I got into grad school at a prestigious university, encouraged by Amber… everything changed.

I was branded a manipulative copycat, only capable of imitation.

No matter what I did, the internet would flood with accusations that I was just copying her.

I stayed out of the public eye for a long time after that, almost giving up entirely.

Vivian pointed a furious finger at me, her voice dripping with venom.

“If you still want me as your mother, delete your Ins accounts now, apologize to Amber, and I’ll pretend none of this happened.”

I stubbornly lifted my chin.

“I’m your daughter too. Was there ever a single moment you wanted to believe me?”

Perhaps my voice was too raw, too desperate.

For a split second, Vivian’s resolve wavered, and her eyes softened.

Amber cried even harder.

“Stop faking it! How could two people look exactly alike?”

Right.

If I hadn’t grown up with Kamran, I might even suspect that Connor from the Shen family was deliberately teaming up with Amber to play a trick on me.

Kamran always valued decorum. He’d been pestering me to meet my parents.

I’d always refused.

Now, it was time.

“Believe it or not. In three days, Kamran will personally pay a visit.”

For the first time since I walked in, I stared directly into Vivian’s eyes.

“Will you give me an apology then?”