Chapter 2

I heard Dad found Veronica under a bridge.

She was drenched from the heavy rain, her face deathly pale.

After Dad carried her back, she threw herself onto the bed, thrashing and wailing.

"Leave me alone! You all love Eleanor and don't love me anymore..."

Mom's heart ached, and she burst into tears, quickly wrapping Veronica in a large towel, coaxing her in a hushed tone to change clothes.

Dad kept checking her forehead, worried she might have a fever.

"Veronica, sweetie, stop fussing. What's a necklace worth? I'll get you a whole diamond set, okay?"

"No matter if Eleanor is here or not, you'll always be Mom and Dad's precious darling."

Hearing this, Veronica burst into tears.

"Don't lie to me..."

Mom hugged her tightly, also crying uncontrollably.

I understood then. So, those web series actually got it right.

When there's favoritism, blood ties don't mean much.

Luckily, I was prepared, otherwise, I don't know how heartbroken I would have been.

Dad saw me sitting quietly by myself, not showing any intention to help, and his face darkened as he snapped.

"We're a family! Are you just going to watch Veronica suffer like this?"

I shrugged.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Go to the kitchen and bring the hot herbal tea the housekeeper brewed."

It was a small task, just doing a good deed.

I went to the kitchen without a word and brought the herbal tea to Veronica's lips.

She was about to take a sip when, out of Mom and Dad's sight, she shot me a defiant glare.

Oh, here we go. Classic fake daughter move from those shows, right on cue.

I remained calm, wanting to see what Veronica was planning.

Sure enough, she nudged the bowl's rim with her index finger, and the steaming hot tea splashed all over her.

"It's so hot! You burned me! Eleanor, you..."

Veronica's face showed a mix of shock and pain, as if in disbelief.

Dad rushed over and shoved me aside.

"Eleanor! Are you out of your mind? How could you do that to Veronica!"

I slammed into the corner unexpectedly, and a huge bump quickly formed on my forehead.

He looked like he wanted to hit me again, but Mom quickly grabbed his arm, her tone stern.

"Eleanor, you really messed up. Apologize to Veronica!"

I didn't say a word. Instead, I pulled up a video clip, fast-forwarding to a scene where the fake daughter plays innocent to stir up trouble between the parents and the real one.

"You watched it, and you already forgot? Your memory is terrible."

"This..."

Mom and Dad exchanged glances, not daring to mention an apology again.

They were busy getting burn cream and new pajamas for Veronica, and no one noticed the red, swollen bump on my forehead.

After they finished fussing, my payment app pinged with another $10,000.

Perfect. On my first day home, I'd already collected $15,000.