Chapter 1
"Kendall, pack up and go," a chilly voice pressed.
Kendall White stood frozen in the living room, clutching her suitcase handle, knuckles white.
Gillian, her mother, leaned against the staircase, her face cold, like she was shooing a stray dog. "We're done here," she said flatly.
Dwayne, her father, slumped on the couch, voice low. "Sharon's the daughter we raised for eighteen years. We won't let her hurt anymore."
Sharon White peeked from behind Gillian, eyes red, tears glistening, playing the perfect victim.
Her voice trembled as she pleaded, "Kendall, I didn't mean to hurt you… but why'd you mess with my things and snap at the maids? Please, just stop making our lives hell, okay?"
Kendall's lips twisted into a sharp smirk. "What's this? A performance for them, or are you just fooling yourself?"
"Kendall!" Gillian's voice snapped like a whip. "You've always been cold, selfish. Not like Sharon—she's sweet, kind. You've tormented her for years, and we're sick of it."
"I'm your real daughter." Kendall's eyes bored into Dwayne's. "You're signing off on this?"
Dwayne paused, then nodded. "Blood doesn't make family. Sharon's ours. Always has been."
Kendall let out a slow breath, her throat tight with a bitter sting. "So, you're tossing out your own kid for the fake?"
Sharon wailed louder, flinging herself into Dwayne's arms. "Dad, she's calling me a fake again! I don't want her to leave—I just want her to be nice…"
"Shut it," Kendall said, voice like ice. "You know exactly how you stole my life."
Gillian's eyes flashed. She lunged forward and slapped Kendall hard. "Don't you dare! Trying to trash our family's name? Leave now, or we're calling the cops."
Kendall stood frozen, cheek burning.
This house had never felt like home. Found after eighteen years, brought back to the White family for just three, and still a stranger.
She glanced at her suitcase, then at the cold, familiar faces around her. "Fine. I'm gone."
She grabbed her bag and strode out, not sparing a backward glance.
At the door, Sharon's voice dripped with fake sweetness. "Kendall, I'm so sorry. If things go south for you… you can always come back. I'll make sure Mom and Dad look out for you."
Kendall didn't stop or even turn around. "Enjoy your stolen life, Sharon," she tossed back, voice cold.
The door slammed shut, cutting off the room's tension and lies.
Outside, Kendall exhaled, her phone buzzing. A text from "Len Blanton" glowed on the screen:
It read: [Ms. White, the late chairman's will is active. White Group shares, 30% of Helios Medical Solutions, and full control of Luminary Investment Group are all yours.]
Kendall's lips curved into a slow, fierce smile.
Time to drop the mask.
*****
It had been less than three hours since Kendall left the White family's mansion
Dwayne leaned back in his chair, his voice low and steady. "Sharon, you played that perfectly today. Kendall's too damn stubborn. She needed to be put in her place." He softened his tone. "Just keep up the act, alright? We can't let the media get a whiff of this."
"Got it, Dad," Sharon murmured, but her eyes glinted with something dark and vicious.
She was done with Kendall. Absolutely done.
Three years ago, when the "true" White family heiress was dragged back from nowhere, Kendall had stolen every spotlight, shining brighter than Sharon ever could.
But now? Sharon had finally shoved her out. The White family had one princess now—her.
And she'd make sure Kendall stayed gone.
As Sharon reached to end the call, a servant's frantic yell echoed from the hall. "Sir! The board's here!"
Sharon spun around, her brow furrowing. Gillian came rushing downstairs, her face pale and tense.
Three men in crisp suits stood in the living room. The lead one stepped forward, holding out a crisp document. "Mr. White, we represent White Group's majority shareholders. We're here to deliver the board's latest decision—"