Chapter 1

My younger sister Emily Saunders and I fought over the same boy for more than ten years.

But he always liked my gifted little sister, so I threw myself into learning everything I could just to make him look at me. By twenty-five, I'd graduated from Westbridge University and even gotten an MBA from Eltham University.

But when I got back home, Charles Bennett still pulled away from my touch. "The only one I like is Emmy. Stop wasting your time on me."

I froze. My best friend reached over with a tissue to wipe my tears, but I turned away, dazed.

"Why do I suddenly feel like he's kind of boring? Empty, dull, nothing but a pretty face. I don't even get why I liked him in the first place. Am I fickle?" I asked.

My best friend laughed. "You're not fickle. You've already moved on, and he's still stuck where he was."

Emily and I got out of the car at the same time. She stumbled without warning, and Charles stepped forward without hesitation to catch her.

Resting against him, Emily shot me a mocking, brazen smile. Everyone around us lowered their heads and chuckled.

They all knew the usual script: I'd drag Emily over and tear into her for faking a fall and trying to steal Chuck from me, then Charles would yell at me for acting childish until I cried.

But after waiting a while, they realized I wasn't moving.

"All these years, just to make Charles notice me, I nearly drove myself insane.

I studied, started a business, and built a media brand."

After seeing how ruthless the business world could be and meeting people in high places, Emily's little fake stumble looked so ridiculous.

"At least you didn't fall." I said it lightly as I handed the gift to a maid. "My parents asked me to bring this to Mr. and Mrs. Bennett."

Emily's face darkened a little, and Charles frowned at me too. Once inside the villa, I realized there were only four chairs in the dining room. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett and Charles already took up three of them.

Emily suddenly smiled. "Sorry, Olivia. I forgot to mention you were coming too, so Mr. and Mrs. Bennett didn't prepare a seat for you."

"Why are you even explaining that?" Charles looked at me coldly. "Olivia Saunders, Emmy didn't do it on purpose. Just go get yourself a chair. There's no need to make things hard for her."

It was always like this. Charles always stood on Emily's side. Strangely, I didn't feel much anymore. I couldn't even understand why I'd fought Emily so hard over him. "Charlie, I haven't even said anything yet." He froze.

In the past, my eyes would've turned red and I'd have thrown a fit, calling Emily a scheming little fake.

Eyes red, Emily came over and grabbed my hand. "Don't be mad. I'll go get you a chair."

Before she could move, Charles yanked her back and looked down at me.

He said coldly. "This is the Bennett house, not some place where you get to throw your weight around. If you won't go get one yourself, then don't bother eating here."

A few of the house staff couldn't hold back their laughter.

I heard someone whisper, "Just watch. Miss Olivia will go running to fetch herself a chair in a second."

"Come on, what else is new? If it means sitting a little closer to Charlie, of course she'll swallow her pride." Another one whispered.

"No need." I let out a small laugh. "I only came to deliver my parents' gift to Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. I wasn't here for dinner, and I have something else to do. Enjoy yourselves."