Chapter 5

Both the Original Owner and Jessica were legitimate daughters of the Davidson family.

They shared the same background, but received completely different treatment.

Jessica enjoyed consommé, while the Original Owner had to make do with oatmeal.

Jessica wore silk and satin, while the Original Owner was stuck in rough, scratchy cloth.

Jessica had maids fussing over her, while the Original Owner had to do her own laundry.

Why did it have to be this way?

That was all because Jessica was good at crying and knew how to play cute and act spoiled.

Back then, when the King was choosing his queen, it was supposed to be her.

She was the Davidson family's eldest daughter—just the right age, talented, and everything they could ask for.

But that very night, the chancellor Braydon Davidson rushed to the palace and pleaded with the King to reconsider.

He said, "Your Majesty, my eldest daughter isn't sensible enough. I'm afraid she might offend you. But my younger daughter is gentle and virtuous. She's the perfect one to serve you."

And just like that, Jessica was forced into the position.

From beginning to end, no one ever asked if the Original Owner wanted this.

And no one ever cared if she was okay.

My mom was still wailing, "My poor Jessica—ah."

Before she could finish, she went flying.

My dad froze for a moment, then took off running.

But I didn't let him get away. I grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and hoisted him up.

He was flailing his legs in midair, yelling, "Let me go. I'm your dad."

I just laughed. "My dad's dead."

I spun him around and threw him right at my mom as she was scrambling to her feet.

They tumbled together in a heap, crying out in pain.

My mom covered her face, trembling all over. "I-I'm your mom."

I raised an eyebrow. "My mom's dead too."

She clammed up.

She was bawling, her face a mess of snot and tears. "Dear, let's go—our daughter's lost her mind..."

"Go?" I stood up. "Before you leave, let's clear things up."

I stared down at them and said, "From today on, I'm leaving the Davidson family. My name's off your family tree from now on."

Braydon froze, gaping. "W-What did you just say?"

"I said," I spelled out each word, "We're done. I don't belong to you anymore."

In a quiet corner, Jessica was hiding behind a pillar, eavesdropping on everything.

Her smile was impossible to hide.

With me out of the Davidson family, Jessica would become the Davidson family's only legitimate daughter.

I noticed her little reaction and couldn't help but sneer inside, but I kept my expression perfectly neutral.

I waved her over. "Come here."

Jessica's smile froze on her face.

She slowly made her way over, head down, not daring to meet my eyes.

I gently rubbed Jessica's head.

I said softly, "Jessica, don't be afraid. I'm cutting ties with them, not with you. You'll always be my real sister."

Then I turned back to the two on the floor, a cold smirk curling my lips as I sealed it with my final word.

I said, "So, from today on, Jessica is also leaving the Davidson family. Her name is struck from the family record.

"From now on, you are no longer connected to us in any way."

Jessica's head snapped up.

Her face went ghostly pale.

"What?" Her voice was nearly torn from screaming.

I shot Jessica a look.

There was a chill in my eyes.

"You don't want to?" I asked.

Jessica trembled, jaw dropped, unable to get a word out.

I could see right through her thoughts.

Once she cut ties with the Davidson family, she'd lose her status as the Davidson family's only real daughter.

Without that title, she was nobody.

The King had dumped her, and Harvey wouldn't even bother with her.

Without the Davidson family behind her, where could she even go?

I grinned at Jessica, a piece of cloth I had ripped from Braydon's clothes still pinched between my fingers.

The fabric disintegrated into powder, slipping through my fingers and falling to the ground.

Jessica's eyes widened in utter disbelief.

Then she stammered, "I-I'm willing..."

She spoke with a shaky voice.

I gave a satisfied nod.

Braydon and his wife huddled together, trembling in fear.

I said, "From today on, don't ever come looking for Jessica. She's mine now. Understood?"

They nodded frantically, like their lives depended on it.

I waved them off. "Get lost."

They scrambled away, practically falling over themselves in their rush to leave.

"*****

Harvey had been especially busy lately."

He spent every day holed up in his study, huddled together with his advisors, plotting in hushed voices.

Meanwhile, I was lounging on the rooftop, eyes closed and basking in the sun, but still overhearing every word of their secret discussions.

"Your Highness, Jonah Berger is the Royal Tutor and holds the military in his grasp. If we can win him over, everything will fall into place," one advisor urged.

"But that Jonah won't give in so easily," another muttered.

"I heard Jonah is crazy about beautiful women. Here's my plan. Three days from now, at the party for all the officials, we'll send Helena to his chambers. Once we've got dirt on him, he won't dare defy us," one advisor suggested.

"Great idea. Let's go with that," Harvey replied.

I nearly laughed out loud when I heard that.

This was exactly how it played out in the original novel.

In the story, Harvey drugged the Original Owner, handed her over to Jonah for military support, and then launched his coup.

The Original Owner couldn't bear the humiliation. She was so crushed that she spiraled into depression.