Chapter 3

Looking at the girls’ profiles, I lowered my gaze. Some accounts really needed to be settled.

5.

I got to know James by chance. It was then that we discovered our goals aligned, so he handled the aftermath while I lured the bait. Luckily, the fact that I couldn’t feel pain worked in my favor. Otherwise, how could Lauren have seen me as a suitable candidate?

After arriving at James's apartment, he projected all of the Chester family's assets onto the wall.

"These are their partners. There's a charity event in a few days. It's organized by that woman. I believe you know what to do?"

I turned to him with a smile and replied coldly, "Do I need you to tell me how to do my job?"

"You'd better not let them catch you off guard. Don't act without my permission. Otherwise, you'll face the consequences yourself!"

With that, I took the documents in my hands and headed upstairs. We were just working together, but he actually started ordering me around.

In the bedroom, I looked at the girl on the first page of the document, my nose tinged with bitterness. A mixture of emotions arose in my heart. Was this fate?

6.

A few days later, I walked into the charity event, linking arms with James. After seeing the surprise in Lauren's eyes, I smiled and nodded at her. In her view, James was just a playboy. How could he truly cared for me?

However, her surprise faded quickly, replaced by a smile as she raised her glass to me, though her eyes were filled with warnings. I understood her message. My current identity was the daughter of the Chester family's. Sooner or later, I would return to their side, and if I disobeyed now, I would face endless torment later.

As the event began, I naturally sat next to Lauren, leaning affectionately against her shoulder while my smile didn't reach my eyes.

"Mom, I've heard some rumors these past few days. I wonder if you've heard them too?"

Seeing her confused expression, I continued, "They say I'm the 10th daughter the Chester family has found. But why haven't I met them?"

As soon as I finished speaking, Jack, holding a glass, spilled its contents everywhere. Lauren's expression darkened, and she tightly grasped my wrist.

"Don't ask about things you shouldn't. If you want to keep this identity... Jessica Chester, you need to know that without us, you're still that girl bullied in the bathroom. You'd better shut your mouth. Otherwise, I don't mind sewing it shut myself."

I curved my lips but didn't respond, choosing to look up at the stage. Just then, Lauren, as the person in charge, stepped up to speak. As she was about to begin, the screen behind her suddenly lit up, revealing a video.

In the flickering footage, a female voice resonated softly.

"Dear Dad and Mom, do you remember me? I am your daughter, Megan Bundred."

"The first daughter you publicly acknowledged."

"It's been so long. Have you missed me?"

At that moment, Lauren’s face turned pale as she stared at the big screen in a daze.

"Staff! What's going on? Turn it off quickly!"

Her sharp voice trembled slightly. Jack beside me shook with fear, unable to look up at the stage.

7.

Guests began to whisper, glancing at the flustered Lauren. Even the usually composed host stared at the screen in disbelief. Everyone knew of Megan's existence, but she had mysteriously vanished from public view. Lauren claimed Megan was sent abroad, but the words on the screen suggested otherwise. I smiled at the distraught Lauren, tilting my head.

"Mom, is this my sister? She's so beautiful. But where is she?"