Chapter 1

On my twenty-fourth birthday, my grandfather said to me, "Violet, you're all grown up now. It's time you learned the truth."

"You're not my biological daughter. Twenty-four years ago, your mother brought you home from the orphanage."

"For the past twenty-four years, we've treated you like our own. You're the rightful heir of this family." He slid a thin file across the table to me. "But now, a private investigator has found your real parents. You'll always be our child, and that will never change, but I think... maybe you'll want to meet your biological father and brother."

I froze, my eyes scanning the file, which held photos of two complete strangers.

Looking at these so-called relatives, I felt nothing—no connection, no sense of blood ties.

But the etiquette I learned growing up told me that since the truth was out, it was only right to pay them a visit.

"Okay, Grandpa. I'll meet them."

I couldn't go empty-handed to meet my long-lost father and brother.

I decided to buy the latest limited-edition car as a gift for them.

But I didn't expect everything to be interrupted by a rude woman.

"I want this car, and I'm taking it today!"

Just as I was about to hand my black card to the sales manager, a tall woman in designer clothes strutted over and rudely blocked my way.

"Sorry, miss, but it's first come, first served," I said, frowning and looking at her coldly.

"First come, first served?" The woman laughed mockingly, sizing me up. "Did you even see the price tag on this car? You think you can compete with me looking like that? I bet you've spent countless nights with some old guy just to get a card to come here and play the socialite, huh? A cheap little gold digger like you doesn't deserve to drive this car!"

Her voice was sharp and grating, instantly drawing the attention of others in the showroom.

The sales manager wiped the sweat off his forehead and leaned in, speaking in a near-whisper, almost pleading, "Miss, just let it go. That's Sienna, the favorite of Jason Vance, the heir to the Vance family. They're at the top of their game in this city, and we can't afford to cross her. You won't win this fight, just walk away."

Jason Vance.

Hearing that name made my heart skip a beat.

The file clearly stated that he was my biological brother.

I looked at this arrogant "brother's girlfriend" and took out my phone.

Since we were about to meet, it was better to resolve this directly rather than get into a pointless argument with his girlfriend.

I dialed Jason's number from the file.

The call connected, and I could hear some background noise.

"Who's this?" a cocky young male voice came through.

"Hi, Jason Vance," I replied calmly. "I'm your sister. I'm at the dealership, and your girlfriend Sienna is trying to steal the car I bought as a gift for our father, and she's insulting me. If this is a misunderstanding, I hope you can ask her to stop."

There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by a burst of harsh laughter.

"Sister? I don't have a sister!" Jason mocked mercilessly. "What a joke! Now anyone thinks they can just waltz in and claim to be part of my family! Coming up to my girl and pretending to be my sister?"

With a harsh beep, he hung up on me.

I gripped my phone, my expression turning icy.

Just then, Sienna's phone rang.

Jason shouted over the line, "Babe, this is just some nobody trying to lie her way into our family! Take care of her, and I've got your back!"

With Jason backing her up, Sienna's smugness swelled to new heights.

"Did you hear that, you fake? Jason doesn't even recognize you!" Sienna laughed arrogantly, and her bodyguards moved in, surrounding me.

She stepped closer, her eyes glinting with malice: "Now, you're not going anywhere. Since Jason wants you dealt with, let's do it the hard way."

Sienna pointed to the polished marble floor, a cruel smile on her lips. "Kneel and apologize right now, then shout 'I'm a slutty gold-digging' three times. If you yell loud enough to satisfy me, I might just let you go."