Chapter 1

On the day I was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, I also received a phone call from the billionaire Vance family, claiming I was their long-lost biological daughter.

The doctor told me that the surgery and follow-up treatments would cost at least a hundred thousand dollars.

So, without a second thought, I threw my beat-up backpack over my shoulder and headed straight to the Vance estate.

Even though I knew they didn't want me there.

The mansion was breathtakingly luxurious, but my eyes were only searching for the person who could write me a check.

In the living room, my biological parents were gently cradling their adopted daughter, Lily, whispering sweet comforts to her.

Lily was crying her eyes out, looking as if my return meant I was going to skin her alive.

I stood at the doorway, the mud from the gritty suburbs still sticking to the soles of my sneakers.

My biological father, Arthur Vance, frowned at me.

"Now that you’re back, you will follow the rules in this house."

"This is Lily. She is your older sister. Though we aren't blood-related, she is our real daughter in every way that matters."

"Don't even dream of replacing her. To the public, we will introduce you as our adopted daughter."

My biological mother, Eleanor, added coldly, "Your room is next to the maid's quarters. Don't come to the main building unless you have to. Don't scare Lily."

If I had grown up in a privileged environment like this, I probably would have burst into tears, demanding to know why they were treating me this way.

But years of being bullied in the orphanage and abused by foster parents had beaten any fragile sensitivity out of me. I used to starve myself just to beg for a crumb of affection.

But now? My mind was filled with nothing but that $100,000 medical bill.

I looked up, letting my gaze drift past their disgusted faces, and let it rest on the Patek Philippe watch on Arthur’s wrist.

Then, I nodded.

"Deal."