Chapter 1

I returned from my studies abroad only to find a new woman in our house.

She acted like she was already the future mistress of the Vance family.

She even bragged about how she would put me, the sister-in-law she had never met, in my place.

But no one had told her that my brother was actually adopted.

I am the only true heir to the Vance empire, and even my brother has to walk on eggshells around me.

1

When my brother picked me up from the airport, my parents were already waiting at the door.

Because of the recent global health crisis, I hadn't been home in a long time.

Everyone was incredibly excited to see me.

I was busy hugging my parents and telling them how much I missed them.

Then, my brother pulled a stranger toward me.

He looked a bit shy as he introduced her. "Sera, this is my girlfriend, Chloe Bennett. She's your future sister-in-law."

He then nodded toward me. "Chloe, this is my sister, Seraphina. You can just call her Sera."

"Nice to meet you," she said with a polite smile, reaching out her hand.

I was still caught up in the excitement of being home.

I gave her a quick greeting and immediately went back to chatting with my parents.

That night, I stayed up late with my mom.

According to her, Arthur met Chloe at one of the branch offices he manages.

She was just an intern back then.

Mom said Chloe seemed simple and gentle, and Arthur was head over heels for her.

They hadn't been together long before he brought her home and announced he wanted to marry her.

I was practically vibrating with excitement for the tea. "And then? Is Arthur really getting married?"

"Your father and I wanted someone from a similar background," Mom admitted.

"But if he's insistent, we won't stand in his way. If he truly loves her, we'll support him."

My mom has always been open-minded, so I wasn't worried about my brother.

However, when I saw Chloe the next day, I realized I had completely underestimated her.

Because of the jet lag, I didn't wake up until late in the afternoon.

I went downstairs to find something to eat.

As I sat at the table, a voice drifted from behind me.

"My, the little sister finally decided to wake up. Your brother has been at the office for hours already."

I felt a string of question marks floating over my head.

I turned around to see Chloe standing there.

"Are you talking to me?" I asked, barely believing my ears.

She rolled her eyes so hard they almost disappeared into her skull.

She crossed her arms and slowly walked down the stairs.

Good grief, she was already acting like she owned the place.

She seemed normal enough in front of my parents yesterday.

But as soon as they were gone, she couldn't wait to give me attitude.

"Who else? Is there a third person in this room?"

Her tone was dripping with hostility.

It was clear I hadn't misunderstood her.

After the initial shock, I actually found it quite amusing.

"I thought you were talking to your reflection. We aren't close, so don't call me 'sister.' I don't have a sister."

I snapped back and turned around to finish my food.

Seriously, Arthur must have been blinded by some cheap perfume to fall for someone like this.

She marched over to me, looking like she was about to explode.

But then, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house.

Chloe's face transformed instantly.

She suddenly looked weak and fragile.

Her voice lost its bite and became sickeningly sweet.

"Please don't be mad, Sera. If you don't think I'm worthy of being your sister, I won't call you that anymore."

I was stunned. I didn't realize such textbook fake behavior actually existed in the twenty-first century.

Was she not embarrassed by how fake she sounded?

Just then, my mother and Arthur walked into the room.

Arthur saw Chloe looking like a kicked puppy and rushed over.

"What's wrong? What happened?" he asked, concerned.

Chloe leaned into him, even forcing a couple of tears to well up in her eyes.

She looked absolutely pathetic.

"It's nothing. I... I mean, Sera doesn't like it when I call her sister. I'll just stop."

She sniffled softly. "I thought it would make us closer, but I guess I just upset her. I didn't mean to."

I was speechless. I've lived for over twenty years, but I've never seen such a drama queen in person.