Chapter 2

The next day, Ella set a green dress in front of me.

"Your father and I organized this welcome party just for you," she said. "It's our way of making up for the twenty years we missed. You should really appreciate how much we care about you."

Grace chimed in from the side, "That's right, Autumn. You should show some gratitude. I bet you've never even worn anything this nice before, right?

"It might not be as fancy as my couture dress, but it's still worth months of your hard work—even if you starved yourself for it."

Downstairs, the crowd was buzzing, and the Self-Love System chimed in my ear, "Time to shine, babe."

Roger that!

"I want the dress she's wearing," I declared, pointing straight at Grace with total arrogance.

"Mom..." Grace whined, looking to Ella for help.

Ella frowned. "Always asking for things. Do you even understand what couture means?"

I raised a brow just as Grace's eyes welled up. "Maybe... maybe I should just give my dress to Autumn?" she stammered.

"You're too gentle, Grace. That's why people end up bullying you," Ella sighed, shaking her head.

I picked at my ear, bored of their nonsense. "If you don't hand it over, I'm about to lose it!"

The color drained from Ella and Grace's faces the second I finished speaking.

I nodded with satisfaction. Looks like the lessons from the past couple of days really stuck with them.

I got my hands on Grace's couture dress just like I wanted, then shoved that tacky green one back at her.

"Wear this, or I'm going off!" I snapped.

I strutted out of the room, feeling totally satisfied. "System, can I recycle this? I'll give you a twenty percent discount!"

"I don't do returns. But you can always list it on eBay," the system replied.

I rolled my eyes. "System, after all those years with the Long family, I've seen how the world works."

Who in their right mind lists a couture gift on eBay?

"Forget it, I'll cut you some slack. Just help me find a second-hand luxury shop," I said.

With the system working its magic, the money landed in my account instantly. I grinned as I checked the balance.

The Self-Love System was snarky. "'You're such a little sad sack. This cash could upgrade your life, but you just blow it all on someone else. Don't you feel bad at all?"

I shook my head. "If it weren't for Nathan, I'd have been sold to some creep years ago. Money matters, but Nathan matters more."

After dealing with the dress, I took my sweet time heading downstairs.

Marcus was busy trading compliments with the guests.

"So this is your real daughter, Ella? She's... quite a character," one of the guests noted.

The man had started to praise me, but he choked on his words once he saw my faded, washed-out sweats.

Marcus turned around and shot me a look, his brows scrunched up into a mountain.

"Didn't we get you a dress? What are you wearing? This is embarrassing!" he hissed.

I lowered my head, putting on my best victim act. "I let Grace have it."

"She's got her own dress—why would she want yours?" Marcus blurted out, too late to take it back.

I replied quickly, "You and Ella told me not to fight with Grace and to be the bigger sister."

As soon as the words left my mouth, Marcus' face instantly contorted.

"Nonsense! When did we ever say that?" Marcus barked.

"I recorded it. Want to hear it, Dad?" I retorted, pulling the recorder out of my pocket.

Marcus froze for a second.

Then, right in front of all the guests, he performed a masterclass in switching masks.

"I've failed you all these years, sweetheart. Wear whatever you want," he said, sounding remorseful.

I gave a smug nod. "Truth is, this recorder is a total dud. There's nothing on it."

Marcus' forehead veins popped, but with the guests watching, he had to keep his cool.

He dismissed me with a wave, clearly unable to stand the sight of me.

I tucked the device away, grabbed a few hors d'oeuvres, and slipped out to the garden.

Sitting by the pool, I nibbled on a cupcake and dialed Nathan.

"Nathan, I kind of miss those cupcakes from the Long family. And honestly, I miss you too," I said softly.

Nathan's velvety voice drifted through the receiver. "Want me to pick you up tonight?"

Nathan had no idea I was only back at the Stone family for the money; he thought they were being sincere.

I didn't want him to know the truth. If he realized the Stone family never actually wanted me but my kidney only, he'd be devastated and try to take me away.

I watched the shifting reflections in the pool and shook my head instinctively.

"Don't bother, I'll make my own way back," I said.

Before I could finish, a bunch of heiresses swarmed toward me.

"I'll bring you some treats when I get home," I said quickly, hanging up as they closed in.

"So you're Mr. Stone's real daughter?" the leader asked, giving me a full-on once-over.

"You don't even hold a candle to Grace!" she spat.

Grace put on her best saintly act, her voice dripping with fake honey. "Mia, don't. My sister is... a bit bossy. I'd hate for you to get targeted because of me."

Grace's eyes went red. "You guys don't even know. Autumn's only been back two days and she's already caused total chaos."

She covered her face. "She even hit me. Look at my cheek."

"That's just outrageous! She's nothing but a wild troublemaker!" Mia snapped.

The other heiresses behind Mia were all riled up, glaring at me like they were ready to start something.

"Maybe you should ask what she did first," I said, shooting Grace a casual, unfazed look.

"What's there to ask? We all know what Grace is like. But you? What's your deal?"

Mia looked me up and down with pure disdain. "You're just some gutter rat—born but never raised, stinking of poverty! If you've got any dignity, get lost and stay away from the Stone family!"

I narrowed my eyes, stood up, and weighed the cupcake in my hand.

"System, can I clock in for some overtime?" I asked, my voice full of mischief.

The Self-Love System chimed in, "Approved! Nail this smackdown and you'll reward with 150,000 dollars!"