Chapter 1 · Rebirth: Everyone Heard Her Mind

It was only after my tragic death that I realized my adopted sister, Lillian Lane, came from another world.

She'd killed me to steal my fortune.

In my previous life, my parents, my brother, and my childhood friend were all won over by her.

They spoiled her rotten while casting me aside like yesterday's trash.

Once I learned the truth, I wailed at the crossing point of reincarnation for three straight days, raging against the unfair rules of rebirth.

Finally, the Authority bound me to the Protagonist Survival System.

He asked me what it would take for me to agree to be born as a human again.

I let out a soft laugh. "Then let them all hear what Lillian is really thinking."

Given a second chance, I wondered if they would still spoil her and love her like before once the mask was ripped off.

*****

When I was on my deathbed, my whole family was busy prepping for Lillian's big violin show.

They took turns comforting Lillian, so she wouldn't feel anxious stepping onto the stage. But that stage was supposed to be mine.

Just because Lillian's eyes got a little red, my real parents locked me in the house.

"Stay in your room. When Lillian's done playing, we'll let you out," my brother, Ethan Parker, said coldly before going to Lillian.

I had no choice but to give up my show.

Now that I was dead, my soul was set free.

Maybe I was still not ready to let go. My soul didn't go off to be born again. Instead, I stayed by Lillian's side.

That was how I heard her conversation with her System.

Lillian said, "Hey System, show me my current progress."

Her System replied, "Audrey Parker's fortune has dropped below 10%. Your foster parents Wyatt Parker and Cora Parker have their Affection Points maxed out. Ethan Parker is at 95%, and Ryan Shaw is at 98%."

Its voice brimmed with pride. "Host, you're the best player I've ever worked with. You have taken so much of the heroine's fortune in such a short time. We are going to finish this mission really soon."

The System tracked emotional bonds like a game. Once someone's affection reached its limit, they would trust Lillian unconditionally.

Lillian looked sweet and harmless, but her inner thoughts sent shivers down my spine. "Once Audrey's fortune is totally drained, she'll be nothing to them, right?"

The System replied, "Yes."

Lillian scoffed, a glint of triumph flashing in her eyes. "I've always hated her. She was just born lucky, gets everything handed to her without any effort."

She quickly fixed her face, smoothed her dress, and strode on stage.

One song later, the crowd went wild. The hall filled with nothing but exclamations and applause.

My parents, Ethan, and my childhood friend Ryan Shaw were all beaming with pride.

I was lost in a haze, like I was watching my old self up there on stage.

I once stood in that spotlight, listening to the roar of applause.

I used to have my family and lover watching me with those warm eyes.

And now, none of this was mine anymore.

It was as if, ever since Lillian appeared, I was destined to die alone.

I was my parents' real daughter, while she was adopted. Yet nobody could help but love her. Not a single person cared about me anymore.

After her performance, Lillian, dressed in a dazzling gown, dashed into Mom's arms.

Everyone swarmed her and kept saying how great she was. All of them were thrilled for her.

Lillian said, "System, hack Audrey's phone and send me a message. Something like, call me horrible and say I stole her performance shot."

Her System replied, "On it, Host."

The next second, Lillian's phone vibrated. She checked her phone, and her eyes went red in an instant.

Ethan's brows furrowed. "What's wrong, Lillian?"

She said, "It's Audrey. She's still upset with me. It's all my fault. If I hadn't wanted so badly to be on stage, she would've been the one performing tonight.

"I messed everything up. She's always been the cherished one and can't handle any kind of hurt. Someone like me is used to being ignored. I shouldn't have stolen anything from her."

Chapter 1

It was only after my tragic death that I realized my adopted sister, Lillian Lane, came from another world.

She'd killed me to steal my fortune.

In my previous life, my parents, my brother, and my childhood friend were all won over by her.

They spoiled her rotten while casting me aside like yesterday's trash.

Once I learned the truth, I wailed at the crossing point of reincarnation for three straight days, raging against the unfair rules of rebirth.

Finally, the Authority bound me to the Protagonist Survival System.

He asked me what it would take for me to agree to be born as a human again.

I let out a soft laugh. "Then let them all hear what Lillian is really thinking."

Given a second chance, I wondered if they would still spoil her and love her like before once the mask was ripped off.

*****

When I was on my deathbed, my whole family was busy prepping for Lillian's big violin show.

They took turns comforting Lillian, so she wouldn't feel anxious stepping onto the stage. But that stage was supposed to be mine.

Just because Lillian's eyes got a little red, my real parents locked me in the house.

"Stay in your room. When Lillian's done playing, we'll let you out," my brother, Ethan Parker, said coldly before going to Lillian.

I had no choice but to give up my show.

Now that I was dead, my soul was set free.

Maybe I was still not ready to let go. My soul didn't go off to be born again. Instead, I stayed by Lillian's side.

That was how I heard her conversation with her System.

Lillian said, "Hey System, show me my current progress."

The System tracked emotional bonds like a game. Once someone's affection reached its limit, they would trust Lillian unconditionally.

Lillian looked sweet and harmless, but her inner thoughts sent shivers down my spine. "Once Audrey's fortune is totally drained, she'll be nothing to them, right?"

The System replied, "Yes."

Lillian scoffed, a glint of triumph flashing in her eyes. "I've always hated her. She was just born lucky, gets everything handed to her without any effort."

She quickly fixed her face, smoothed her dress, and strode on stage.

One song later, the crowd went wild. The hall filled with nothing but exclamations and applause.

My parents, Ethan, and my childhood friend Ryan Shaw were all beaming with pride.

I was lost in a haze, like I was watching my old self up there on stage.

I once stood in that spotlight, listening to the roar of applause.

I used to have my family and lover watching me with those warm eyes.

And now, none of this was mine anymore.

It was as if, ever since Lillian appeared, I was destined to die alone.

I was my parents' real daughter, while she was adopted. Yet nobody could help but love her. Not a single person cared about me anymore.

After her performance, Lillian, dressed in a dazzling gown, dashed into Mom's arms.

Everyone swarmed her and kept saying how great she was. All of them were thrilled for her.

Lillian said, "System, hack Audrey's phone and send me a message. Something like, call me horrible and say I stole her performance shot."

Her System replied, "On it, Host."

The next second, Lillian's phone vibrated. She checked her phone, and her eyes went red in an instant.

Ethan's brows furrowed. "What's wrong, Lillian?"

She said, "It's Audrey. She's still upset with me. It's all my fault. If I hadn't wanted so badly to be on stage, she would've been the one performing tonight.

"I messed everything up. She's always been the cherished one and can't handle any kind of hurt. Someone like me is used to being ignored. I shouldn't have stolen anything from her."