Chapter 1

Just when a business deal was about to be finalized, the nanny's daughter barged into my company with a few bulky thugs.

"I'm the real Sterling heiress. I've got tons of money, and everything here belongs to me!" Then she plopped herself into my office chair like she owned the place.

"You bitch, you've been stealing my good life for all these years. You're the nanny's daughter. What makes you think you deserve an office this nice? Get the hell out right now!"

Even my fiancé, Benjamin Grant, took her side. "Monica, Penny is the Sterlings' real daughter. You took her place for all those years. Of course she's upset. Just let her blow off some steam."

I was completely stunned by the insane crap coming out of their mouths. I'm the one who built this family's wealth from scratch. Since when did this family suddenly have some heiress?

Ignoring the extra people in my office, I gave the client an apologetic smile, pressed the phone button, and prepared to call security. I didn't care how crazy they were acting. What mattered was this contract.

But that move only set Penny off. She rushed over and slapped me hard across the face.

"Do you still think you're some high-and-mighty Sterling heiress? When security gets here, you're the one getting thrown out!"

She put everything she had into that slap, and my face burned like hell. Where the hell did this lunatic come from?

I was shaking with rage and instinctively tried to hit her back, but the big guy beside Penny blocked my hand halfway.

Penny looked me up and down smugly. "I used to wonder how someone like you could ever be the Sterlings' daughter. Turns out you're just the vicious side character who stole the spotlight from me, the real lead."

"Tell you what. Bow to me three times in front of everyone, and I'll generously let go of all the disrespect you've shown me before."

Only then did I finally understand what she was saying. I wasn't my parents' biological daughter?

The news hit me like a bomb and left me reeling, but this wasn't the time to sort that out. The client was still here.

I shot a look at my assistant, who was peeking in from the doorway, signaling for him to call security.

But in Penny's eyes, my ignoring her was pure contempt. She flew into a rage and ordered, "So now you're too good to even take the hint? Go. Pin her down. If she doesn't want to bow three times, make her do it a thousand before she gets up."

Before I could react, someone kicked me hard from behind. I lurched forward uncontrollably, and the pain and humiliation instantly made my eyes sting with tears.

Just then, my parents hurried in.

"What are you doing? That's your sister! Even if she isn't biologically ours, we've raised her for years. I want you two to get along!"

After scolding Penny, Dad finally signaled for Mom to help me up.

Mom patted my knee with a heartbroken look. "One of you is the girl I've loved for twenty-eight years, and the other is my biological daughter. How did things end up this bad?"

"You knew all along?" I asked in shock.

Mom said gently, "We've only known for a few days. We were planning to formally introduce you two today."

She patted my hand. "Don't worry. In our hearts, you'll always be our daughter. We raised you from a tiny little thing to a grown woman. How could we just stop loving you?"

Penny stared at me with bitter jealousy, like I had stolen her parents away.

Mom walked over and lightly smacked Penny twice. "And you, young lady, always getting into trouble the second you lose your temper. I told you already, there was no scheme behind this. You two were simply switched by mistake. Your sister is a victim too."

"Monica, don't blame Penny either. I owe her too much. If you want to blame someone, blame me." Then Mom started sobbing.