Chapter 3

Elite High School really lived up to its reputation as the city's most prestigious private school. Even the school gate was gilded, shining blindingly in the sunlight.

I stood at the entrance, wearing a faded blue-and-white school uniform.

I stuck out like a sore thumb among the students arriving in custom-tailored suits and luxury cars.

Almost everyone's eyes were on me, openly sizing me up with undisguised contempt.

The Lane family worked fast. Before I even set foot inside the school, my 'legendary' backstory had already spread like wildfire.

They were all whispering about the real daughter—dragged out of some remote hick town—hustling her way back into the family just to score the cash.

I ignored their stares and headed straight for the administration office.

Just as I turned the corner, a group of people blocked my way.

At the front was Olivia, dressed in a designer school uniform, surrounded by her entourage like a queen.

When Olivia saw me, she immediately put on an expression of surprise.

"Jane, you really showed up! That's amazing," she gushed, rushing over and reaching to hook her arm through mine.

I shifted to the side, easily dodging her touch.

Her hand froze awkwardly in mid-air; her face drained of color, and her eyes reddened instantly.

"Jane, are you still mad at me?" Olivia murmured.

One of the girls behind her instantly stepped up, pointing at me, her voice dripping with hostility. "Hey! Who do you even think you are? Olivia's being super nice, and you're just giving her attitude?"

Another girl joined in. "Yeah, aren't you the lost daughter they brought back? Olivia's always so sweet. Better not pick on her!"

Olivia hurriedly pulled them back, putting on her best act of kindness and generosity.

She said, "Don't say that. Jane just grew up somewhere way more... old-fashioned, that's all. She's still not used to how we do things here. Let's not push her."

With just a few lines, she made me out to be some clueless hillbilly jealous of her perfect little life.

All the while, she kept up her act as the flawless princess—so kind, so understanding, always thinking of others, even when she was supposedly the one being wronged.

The crowd of students watching the scene grew bigger, all craning their necks and openly judging me, like they were at a circus.

"So that's the real daughter? Ugh, she looks super tacky."

"Seriously, next to Olivia, she's like dirt compared to a goddess—worlds apart."

"Pathetic. If I were her, I'd be too ashamed to even set foot in this place."

I glanced at Olivia, that innocent and kind act written all over her face, and honestly, I couldn't care less.

In my previous life, she put me on a pedestal just to tear me down, isolating me until I turned paranoid and obsessive.

Now, though, these childish tricks were just laughably pathetic to me.

Just then, the crowd parted, and a tall, drop-dead handsome guy walked over.

He was decked out in the student council uniform, a president's badge gleaming on his chest, and he absolutely radiated natural arrogance with every step.

He was Olivia's older brother, Samuel Lane.

The moment Samuel appeared, Olivia's tears started spilling.

"Samuel..." she called out in a pitiful voice, ducking behind him with that aggrieved look on her face.

Samuel didn't even bother to look at me. He just frowned, gave Olivia a quick, pitying pat on the shoulder, and then shot me a glance.

"Come with me," he ordered.

He led me up to the deserted rooftop.

The wind was intense, whipping his sharp student council jacket around, flapping like a flag.

"I don't care how you managed to worm your way into Elite High School. Just remember this," Samuel said.

He looked down at me, his eyes cold and condescending.

"Olivia is the treasure of our family—she's pure, kind, and sensitive. If you ever hurt her, there are a hundred ways I can make this place completely unbearable for you," Samuel warned.

His warning was exactly the same as in my previous life—down to every last word.

Back then, I'd have gone pale with fear, desperately trying to convince him I'd never done anything to hurt her.

But now...

I lifted my head and met his cold, judgmental stare, my voice steady as I spoke. "Are you done?"

Samuel froze for a moment, clearly not expecting me to react like that.

I took a step forward, invading his space. My voice stayed low, but each word landed sharp and unmistakable. "First off, I'm not here for you, not for Olivia, and not for your precious Lane family either. So why don't you keep your self-important warnings to yourself?"

"Second, you really think she's pure and kind?" I let out a cold laugh. "You must be blind."

"And finally," I said, watching his face darken with anger, my voice cool and steady. "Make sure your sister stays out of my way. Don't let her bother me again.

"If she does, there's no guarantee she'll be able to keep that sweet little good-girl image intact."