Chapter 1

I was the real heiress. Faced with the fake heiress putting on all her little shows, I just slacked off, lay flat, and focused on grabbing cash.

While she worked herself to the bone trying to secure the family empire, I was playing street chess in the park with a neighborhood kid.

While she flaunted her wealthy fiancé, I dropped a fishing location pin on Ins.

Not until our family business was pushed to the brink of bankruptcy by rivals—and the fake heiress packed her designer bags and fled—did my dad literally fall to his knees, begging me to save them.

Left with no choice, I made a quick call to my scruffy chess buddy.

The very next day, breaking news swept the nation: [Mysterious Conglomerate Injects Billions: Vance Group Revived Overnight!]

And that buddy of mine, wearing an oversized thrifted tee, grinned straight into the camera:

"It was nothing. Just giving my big sis some pocket money."

Right before the Vance family brought me back, I had just returned from the reservoir, hauling two fifteen-pound carp and grinning from ear to ear.

The very next second, I was told I was actually the long-lost daughter of the billionaire Vance family.

Apparently, a fire broke out at the hospital when my biological mom gave birth, and in the chaos, the babies were swapped.

Now, the universe had finally corrected its course.

Watching the hostility and guard in the fake heiress's eyes, I couldn't help but scoff internally:

"I’m only here for the money. I couldn't care less about fighting you for 'family affection.' Besides, I’m not lacking love anyway!"

Veronica Vance, however, clearly didn't think like me.

After putting on a show of sisterly warmth to lead me upstairs to my room, she immediately tore off her mask.

"Chloe Vance, you'd better know your place. Everything in this house belongs to me. A boonie-born hillbilly like you should just take your little allowance and stay in the dark!"

I whipped out my phone. "Deal. Send me some allowance right now, and I won't fight you for anything!"

Her face instantly flushed red—whether from sheer fury or shock, I didn't know. She slapped my hand away.

"What are you, a beggar?!"

"Pay up, or I’ll tell Dad. By the way, I recorded what you just said."

"You...!"

Caught off guard by my underhanded move, she gritted her teeth and transferred two hundred thousand dollars to my account right then and there.

"Nice. Know when to take the win."

I shut the bedroom door, hurled myself onto the plush king-sized bed, and checked Ins.

A user named "The Skunked Bro" had left three comments in a row under my catch of the day: "Where was this?! That fish is massive! Send me the pin!"

He seemed pretty desperate.

Before I could even reply, a payment notification popped up on my screen. I counted the zeroes—five zeroes. Whistling in appreciation, I sent the coordinates right over.

I knew every single secret fishing spot around this city like the back of my hand.

Though making quick money from fishing might get tricky in the future.

No matter. I had plenty of side hustles going on.

At dinner that evening, my biological parents sat at the head of the table. Seeing me devouring my food happily, my dad cleared his throat.

"Chloe, your mother and I talked. Since you just got back, why don't you shadow Veronica at the company and learn the ropes slowly?"

Veronica shot a venomous glare across the table. I casually shrugged.

"Dad, I'm really not interested in business. I haven't lived in the city for over twenty years. I'd rather just adjust to normal life first!"

As I spoke, I casually showed the back of my hand, marked by faint cuts from fish hooks.

Coupled with my sun-tanned skin, my biological mom’s heart broke instantly.

"My poor Chloe... you must have suffered so much! Stay home and rest. Look at you, you're skin and bones!"

Tears welled up in her eyes. As I comforted her, she pulled out a black card and thrust it into my hand.

"Take this. Buy yourself nice clothes and premium skincare!"

She then turned and glared at my dad. "And you! Our daughter just came home, and you don't even know how to pamper her!"

My dad immediately transferred two million dollars to my account, telling me to go shopping whenever I wanted, and that the company could be left to him and Veronica.

Hearing that, Veronica’s tense expression finally relaxed.

I snickered internally. The Vance Group was worth hundreds of millions, meaning its corporate politics were a total viper's nest.

A newbie like me stepping in would just become cannon fodder. It was infinitely better to stay low, do nothing, and stack cash.

Fight for the inheritance? Please. If Veronica was talented enough to make the family fortune grow, Mom and Dad would still give me my cut. I’d just lie back and collect dividends!

Getting rich while sleeping all day—what could beat that?

That was my plan, but Veronica clearly wasn't going to let me chill in peace. Three days later, the family hosted a lavish welcome banquet, inviting all the city's high-society elites.

Three days hadn't been enough to fix my deep tan or fill out my frame. I looked completely like an unpolished country bumpkin.

Veronica, meanwhile, stood radiant in porcelain skin and an haute couture gown, looking like a proud white swan.

When I walked down the stairs, Veronica's eyes dripped with ridicule. The wealthy heirs and heiresses surrounding her looked at me and burst into mocking sneers.