Chapter 1

My name is Olivia Quinn, the only heir to Quinn Enterprises and the forever runner-up in Class 1, Grade 11 at Brightfield High School.

And who always takes first place? No need to guess. It's obviously Emily James.

Emily and I have been going at it since kindergarten all the way through high school. Grades, talent, popularity, whatever could be compared, we had to settle who came out on top.

She stole my spot as host for the arts festival, so I snatched her place in the math competition. She wowed the whole crowd with a ballet performance at the annual gala, and I blew everyone away on the piano.

Everyone at Brightfield High School knew Olivia and Emily were born enemies. If we ever met without going at each other, the sun would have to rise in the west.

That afternoon, I'd come out of my homeroom teacher's office when my sidekick, Maddie Carter, dragged me to a corner of the hallway.

She pulled out her phone like she was about to drop state secrets and whispered in my ear, "Liv. Huge gossip. The James family's fake heiress scandal blew up. Emily was switched at birth."

I arched a brow, instantly wide awake. "No way. Didn't the James family practically worship her?"

Maddie shoved her phone at me. "It's true, I swear.

"Look, Chloe James, the real daughter, got back from the sticks today. The James family is a total mess right now. A bunch of people already rushed over there to watch the drama. Wanna go too?"

That got my attention. Honestly, after fighting Emily for so many years, I really was curious what she'd look like falling from the clouds straight into the dirt. Chances to see someone as aloof and untouchable as Emily lose control didn't come around often.

I tossed my backpack at Maddie and grabbed her as we ran for the school gate. "Let's go."

Twenty minutes later, we were standing outside the gates of the James Estate.

The yard was a mess. Emily's suitcase had been thrown onto the ground, split wide open, with clothes and books scattered everywhere.

She stood at the bottom of the steps in a faded dress, her face pale as paper, staring blankly at the family in front of her.

Chloe, the newly recognized real daughter, was wearing one of Emily's designer dresses. Standing beside Lily James, she raised her hand and slapped Emily hard across the face. The smack rang out sharp and ugly.

"You stole my life for fifteen years. You ate my food, wore my clothes, used my stuff, and now that I'm back, you're still refusing to leave?" Chloe shouted in a shrill voice, hands on her hips, her face full of smug cruelty.

Emily covered her cheek. She didn't cry, and she didn't argue back. She looked at Chloe in silence.

Lily held Chloe's hand like she was the one hurting, then rolled her eyes at Emily. "That's enough, Chloe. Don't waste your time on her. We raised her for fifteen years. We've already done more than enough. Let her go."

Frank James, chairman of James Holdings and the man Emily had called Dad for fifteen years, waved his hand impatiently. "Go already. Stop being an eyesore. And don't ever come back."

Chloe suddenly shrieked. "No. Why should she get fifteen years of luxury and walk away? She has to pay us back. Her living expenses, school fees, food, all of it adds up to at least 1.7 million dollars.

"She has to sign this IOU and pay it off within five years, or she's not leaving."

As she spoke, she pulled out a piece of paper and a pen from her bag and shoved them into Emily's hands.

I leaned in and, with my perfect eyesight, read what was written on the IOU.

It wasn't only the 1.7 million dollars. It also said Emily had to come back to the James Estate three times a month to clean, on call whenever they wanted, or she'd have to pay double.

This was way too far. I frowned, and my temper shot up on the spot.

Then, a black Bentley pulled up outside the gate. Ethan Shaw got out of the car in a white suit, looking polished and gentle. He was Emily's childhood sweetheart and her fiance.

They had grown up together, and their engagement party had been a huge deal.

Everyone in their circle knew about it.

The moment Emily saw Ethan, a faint spark finally returned to her empty eyes. She stepped forward, her voice hoarse. "Ethan..."

I thought Ethan would at least comfort her a little. After all, they had years of history between them. But I was wrong.

Ethan only looked down at her from above, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his mouth.