Chapter 2

My dad's face looked grim, but he still spoke politely. "Miss Leah Wilcox, even though Natalie has been living with your family these past few years, I've paid for all her expenses myself.

"Besides, she's only stayed because Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox specifically asked her to help Zoey with her schoolwork."

The Wilcox family all nodded in agreement. Hugo said, "That's right, Leah. Natalie really is a great kid—top grades, super reliable. We asked her to stay so she could tutor Zoey for us."

But Leah pouted. "Isn't that my role? I could totally tutor Zoey too. Mom, Dad, you guys probably don't know, but even though I've had it rough these past years, I've always ranked in the top ten at school. Helping Zoey with her homework would be a breeze for me."

"Mom, Dad, just send Natalie packing, okay? I really don't want her in our house anymore," Leah added.

Grace and Hugo looked a little uncomfortable, clearly torn.

Leah shot to her feet. "I've suffered for years out there. Meanwhile, you guys have been coddling the butler's daughter at home. Now I'm finally back, you're still sticking up for her? Guess you really don't want me here. Fine—I'll go."

With that, she stormed off toward the door.

Grace quickly jumped up to block her way. "Sweetheart, don't be silly! You only just came home—how could we not want you here? We love you so much."

Seeing how uncomfortable Hugo, Grace and Zoey looked, I stepped forward. "Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox, now that Leah's home and she can help Zoey with her studies, it's only right for me to move out."

I bowed to them. "Thank you both so much for your kindness all these years. I'll move out today."

When I offered to leave, the Wilcox family looked relieved, though a little awkward.

Hugo cleared his throat, looking a little embarrassed. "Natalie, Leah just came home and she's still trying to find her footing. She didn't mean to be harsh with you. Please don't take it to heart."

"Don't worry, Mr. Wilcox. I'm fine," I replied.

With that, I turned and walked straight toward my room to pack up.

My dad came in after me, helping me pack. "Honestly, maybe it's a good thing you're moving out. You've stayed here for years, and the two of us barely got to spend any time with your mom."

"I know today has been hard on you, and it's my status that caused it," he sighed. "If you really feel unhappy about it, I'll resign right away."

I shook my head quickly. "Dad, you're doing a great job here. There's no reason to quit over something trivial like this.

"And seriously, what's wrong with your job? You're one of the top butlers in the entire country—people line up just to hire you. Why would I ever feel ashamed or wronged because of that?"

Honestly, moving out of the Wilcox family's place barely made a difference to me.

Thanks to my dad's high salary, he'd already bought a fancy villa not far from the Wilcox family's place.

So after leaving the Wilcox family's home, I just headed straight home. My mom was there, and it felt so much more comfortable than living with the Wilcox family ever did.

However, I didn't expect that even after I'd moved out, Leah still wouldn't leave me alone.

*****

A week later, Leah transferred to Bridgeport Academy—the same fancy private school I went to.

When it was time for school, the Wilcox family's driver came to pick me up like always.

As I walked out of my villa, Leah shot me a frosty glare. "So, they've been hiding you out here all this time.

"Natalie, let me set things straight—I'm the real heiress of the Wilcox family. Now that I'm back, save your little tricks. Don't even think about stealing my family from me."

Leah was talking crazy again. I decided to call a cab and skip the Wilcox family's car.

However, Leah suddenly said, "Whatever, just get in. I suppose I should pity you or something."

I gritted my teeth, about to turn her down, when the driver spoke up. "Natalie, just get in. You won't make it on time if you call a cab now."

Left with no other choice, I climbed into the car and headed to school with Leah.

As soon as the car stopped at the school gate, I got out. I didn't want to spend another second with Leah.

Coincidentally, we ran into my best friends, Clara Atkinson and the others as they were arriving at school.

When Clara saw me, she waved eagerly. "Natalie, over here! I brought your favorite red velvet cake."

I smiled and walked toward her.

But before I could reach Clara, Leah suddenly cut me off, stepping right in front of me.

I shot Leah a puzzled look, but she strutted straight over to Clara and the others with a smile.

"Hey guys, I'm Leah Wilcox, you know, the true heiress of the Wilcox family, the richest folks around. I just got found and brought home, so yeah, I'm the real deal," she announced.

Clara and the others were a little confused. Despite feeling awkward, they managed polite smiles. "Nice to meet you, Leah."

Leah nodded, clearly pleased. Then she shot me a smug look before continuing, "You guys probably don't know, but Natalie's not actually a Wilcox. She's the butler's daughter—just pretending to be one of us.

"If it weren't for my family's support, she wouldn't even be able to afford a fancy school like Bridgeport Academy.

"You're all the real deal, so don't let yourself get fooled by this wannabe heiress, okay?"

Clara and the others were smiling politely at first, but after hearing the rest of what Leah spewed, their smiles froze and their faces fell.

Leah thought their reactions meant they were furious after my "deception" was exposed.

With a grin, Leah added, "Now that I'm back, the Wilcox family already kicked Natalie out. I just didn't want you guys to get scammed, so I'm telling you right away."

"Since when did Natalie suddenly become the fake heiress of the Wilcox family?" Clara replied, her irritation obvious.

Leah paused, confused—she didn't get why Clara was coming at her so harshly.

After thinking for a moment, Leah said, "I've heard all about it. Natalie's been living in my house for years, always chauffeured to school by our driver.

"She never clarifies it, but let's be real—isn't she just trying to act like she is the real Wilcox heiress?"

Everyone standing there was just stunned into silence by Leah's words.