Chapter 1

“Who are you? There is no one here you know.”

The security guard pushed me away from the Sterling estate entrance.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I saw my half-sister, Yara, holding a glass of champagne.

She was toasting a room full of guests―using my name and marrying my client.

A week ago, she stole my academic records and professional portfolio.

My ten-year career history became her dowry overnight.

She spotted me through the glass.

That look in her eyes was the same as when she was eight and stole my birthday cake.

It was the same look from when she was fifteen and tore up my college acceptance letter.

She smirked and turned away, never looking back at me.

I looked down and tapped the send button on my phone.

On the screen, a message from Arthur Sterling was still glowing.

“Young lady, my grandson wants to discuss the proposal you drafted in person. Is it convenient for you to visit our home?”

I replied with two words: “I’m available. See you tomorrow.”

At seven the next morning, a black Maybach pulled up outside my rental apartment. 1

I got back to my apartment at nine-forty PM.

I turned on the lights, changed into my slippers, and poured a glass of water.

Then, I saw a sliver of light coming from the bedroom door.

I was certain I had turned off the bedroom lights before leaving.

I pushed the door open.

The closet door was wide open, and the bottom drawer was halfway out.

The safe door was slightly ajar, with two fresh pry marks on the lock.

I knelt down and pulled the safe door open.

Empty.

My college degree. My CPA license. My CFA certificate.

Even my six-year track record as a director―all gone.

I knelt in front of the safe and searched again. Empty. One more time. Still empty.

My hands started shaking uncontrollably.

It wasn't because of the cold; New York was still sweltering in September.

Those three pieces of paper were the sum of my life from age eighteen to twenty-eight.

My father hadn't paid a dime for my tuition.

My mother hadn't even left me a single piece of clothing when she walked out.

I finished my undergrad with student loans and my master’s with scholarships.

I took online classes every night after finishing work at eleven PM to earn those certificates.

Ten years of my life. All gone in three pieces of paper.

There were cameras in the hallway, so I called the building manager.

“The wiring was being repaired last week, so all the footage was wiped.”

“Repair? Just last week?”

“Yes, we posted a notice. You might have missed it.”

“I see.”

What a perfect coincidence.

I placed my phone on the floor and stared at the empty safe.

I bought it with the bonus from my first big project when I was twenty-six.

My best friend laughed at me back then.

“Why get a safe for a rented apartment?” she asked.

I told her those things were more valuable to me than cash.

If cash is lost, it can be earned again.

If those certificates are gone, my identity is gone too.

My phone buzzed. It was my stepmother, Miranda.

“Winona,” she said.

Her tone was unusually calm, with that “I know you found out but I don’t want you to speak first” vibe.

“Your sister took a few things from you. Don’t make a scene.”

“She’s married into a good family now. You know the Sterlings, right? The real estate giants.”

“Your sister is now the young mistress of the Sterling family. Don’t you dare go looking for her.”

“Don’t embarrass the Lynn family.”

I switched the phone to my left hand.

My right fingernails were digging a white mark into my palm.

“She didn’t just take a few things. She stole my education. My career. My entire resume.”

“Oh, we’re family. Don’t use such harsh words as stealing.”

I hung up.