Chapter 4

We sat down, and I explained everything that had happened to the three of them.

Leo clenched his fists, his teeth grinding in anger.

"That bitch! Ever since she took over, she followed Julian Montgomery around like a stray dog. She dragged our family name through the dirt! I got mocked at school every single day because of her!"

My dad, thinking ahead, looked at me with deep worry.

"Now that you’re back, what about her soul? Will she come back?"

I shook my head. "I heard a voice say she was 'erased.' I have full control now. She’s never coming back."

"And last time, she only took over because I nearly drowned and my consciousness was weak. Now, your daughter is perfectly healthy. Don’t worry!"

The family finally breathed a sigh of relief.

My dad immediately made a decision. "I want you to join the family company."

"Before, when we realized you weren't 'you,' we kept that impostor far away from Sterling Enterprises. We were terrified she’d hand the entire company over to Julian on a silver platter."

"But now that you’re back, and Leo is still too young, the company needs you."

I smiled. "I’d love to."

My dad looked incredibly proud. "I knew my real daughter was strong, smart, and business-minded. Not a brainless, love-sick fool."

After resting at home for a few days, Julian eventually tracked me down.

I knew we had to settle things once and for all.

So when he demanded a meeting, I didn't refuse.

The moment I pushed open the door to the VIP lounge at the club, the mocking laughter inside stopped instantly.

Bianca immediately squeezed out a few tears, shrinking behind Julian as if she were terrified of me.

Seriously? With acting like that, why be a "golden girl" when she could win an Oscar?

Julian gave me a freezing look. He crossed his legs, looking down on me with the same arrogant superiority he’d used for the past twelve years.

"Kneel."

Looking at the sneering and pitiful faces around the room, I looked at Julian like he was a brain-dead idiot.

It’s the 21st century. Just because people call him a "crown prince" doesn't mean he's royalty. Asking me to kneel? I’m not his servant.

I walked over, sat down on the plush sofa, picked up a bottle of expensive wine, and swirled it in my hand. I offered them a dazzling, confident smile that practically blinded the room.

Julian’s friends started whispering to each other.

"Since when is Amelia Sterling this hot?"

"It’s the same face, but she feels completely different."

"She’s definitely playing hard to get. Simping didn't work, so she's trying a new tactic to get Julian’s attention. She’s a professional simp, honestly."

Julian looked pissed that I hadn't obeyed him.

I raised my glass toward him in a mock toast. "Why’d you call me here?"

Julian grit his teeth, and Bianca took the opportunity to pour oil on the fire.

"Julian, it’s fine. It’s my fault for coming back. I didn't mean to make Amelia hate me so much..."

The beauty wept, and Julian’s temper flared. He slammed his glass onto the table, his dark eyes glaring at me. He spat out two words:

"Apologize!"

I shrugged, looking directly at Bianca instead of him.

"You fake-ass snake."

Those three quiet words instantly set Julian off.

"What did you say?!"

He was furious. I just smiled.

I repeated, "I said, you fake-ass snake."

He slammed his hands on the table and stood up, practically shaking with rage. "Say that again!"

I pushed my hair back, looking thoroughly bored. "What? Are you deaf?"

"I" had never spoken to Julian like this before.

Just like everyone else, once he calmed down, he convinced himself this was all a game of hard-to-get.

He truly believed I was just too deeply in love with him.

The more he thought about it, the more pleased with himself he became.

He actually sat back down, giving himself an exit.

He pointed to his polished leather shoes. "Stop acting, Amelia. You just want me to look at you, don’t you?"