Chapter 1

I was Mom's child who was swapped by our maid, Penny. However, Mom favored her fake daughter, Ann.

What she didn't know was that Ann was the love child of my father and Penny, and the swap was orchestrated by my father.

He hid this from Mom and secretly exchanged Ann with me.

After I was found, he acknowledged Ann as his adoptive daughter, treating her like a princess.

But he was unaware that Ann was actually the child of Penny and the butler, Owen, not his own.

My brother, Ethan, declared his intention to marry Ann, insisting that she was the true family member, while I was merely an outsider destined to be married off.

Little did they know that I had been given a second chance at life.

I came back as the scriptwriter of the script, and I intended to use this script to direct a grand play.

In the end, everyone in the family went crazy, except for me.

*****

"Mommy, will you really never abandon me?"

As I entered the foyer, I heard Ann Sear's sickly sweet voice.

Right after that, my biological mother, May Hansen, gently comforted her with a voice full of compassion.

"Of course, Ann. You'll always be my dearest baby."

"Mr. Sear, Ma'am, Ethan, and Ann, Yvette is home," the butler, Owen Oakes, announced as he led me in.

No sooner had he finished speaking than everyone in the room instantly looked at me.

Dressed in a dazzling princess gown, Ann stood tall, her elegant, swan-like neck held high, the very picture of a little princess.

Surrounded by her doting family, she was the undisputed center of attention.

Clad in rags, I looked pale and emaciated, my hands covered in work-worn calluses.

At this moment in my previous life, I couldn't help but feel utterly ashamed of myself.

All the insecurity and timidity I had carried since growing up in that patriarchal family came crashing down. I averted my eyes after just one glance at them.

All the high hopes I had held for my real family vanished after that conversation, leaving me ill at ease.

It was only later that I realized such an ornate dress was rarely worn on ordinary days.

Ann had dolled herself up just to welcome me, so I would feel small, envious, and out of place.

It was also to create a contrast between her and me, making my blind, biased, and status-obsessed family wish even more that she was the real daughter.

However, in this life, I would no longer follow your script.

All those years as a ghost, I learned every dirty secret of this family.

My gaze swept across the living room, taking in their various expressions.

"Where is the maid who swapped me at birth and sold me into a poor village? Has she been sent to the police yet?"

No sooner had I spoken than the atmosphere in the living room instantly turned tense and uneasy.

"Mr. Sear, Ma'am, it's all my foolishness. I'm so sorry for what I did!"

Maid Penny Zane suddenly rushed out, fell to her knees, and burst into tears.

"But Ann is innocent. She knew nothing, yet people will point fingers and call her the daughter of a child trafficker.

"It's all my fault as her real mother.

"Mr. Sear, Ma'am, I'd give my life to atone for this.

"I only hope that you can take good care of Ann. After all, you've raised her since she was little.

"Don't send me to the police. Spare her the shame of being called a criminal's daughter.

"I'll accept any punishment."

My older brother, Ethan Sear, rushed forward and helped Penny up, comforting her with all his heart. "Penny, get up now.

"Nothing is more important than your own life. Don't be so quick to talk about dying.

"Anyway, Yvette has been found and is perfectly fine. It's really not that big of a deal.

"Don't worry. We won't hold this against Ann. She'll always be the little sister closest to my heart."

Ethan shot me a warning glare and warned, "Don't come in here rocking the boat right from the start. Penny has already admitted her mistake. You should learn to be a bigger person.

"Even without blood ties, I've long considered Ann my real little sister, and Mom and Dad have always treated her as their own daughter.

"Just because you're their biological daughter doesn't mean you can bully her. I won't allow it.

"And I'm Mom and Dad's biological son, your older brother.

"With me here, don't even think about surpassing her."

Ann clung to May's arm with practiced vulnerability, saying, "Mommy, I know Penny was in the wrong.

"But, no matter what, she's my biological mother. How could I possibly just stand by and watch her die?"

May gently patted Ann's hand to comfort her and said, "Don't worry, Ann. Penny was just acting out of motherly love. I completely understand. There's nothing to be afraid of, sweetheart."

With that, she pleaded with my dad, Hayden Sear, "Hayden, Penny has always been a devoted and hardworking maid of our household.

"She gave birth to Ann, our kind and lovely little princess, and has been dutifully caring for us all these years.

"After all her years of hard work, can't we go easy on her?"

Hayden nodded approvingly. "May, you truly are the kindest and most generous wife anyone could ask for.

"Alright then, let's dock Penny two months' salary as punishment."

After saying that, Hayden turned his gaze to me.