Chapter 1

While waiting in line for reincarnation, I saw that even the crib in the richest family was studded with diamonds. Without a second thought, I rushed to claim that slot.

By the time I was almost one, my parents teased me with gold bars, "Sweetie, when you speak, will you say 'Daddy' first or 'Mommy' first?"

In my first life, I said "Mommy" first. My father's face went dark. "I spent so much money on you. You should've said 'Daddy' first."

He kicked the crib over, and I was accidentally killed.

In my second life, I said "Daddy" first. But this time, my mother called me an ungrateful wretch.

She quickly got pregnant with a second child, and I, neglected, died of a high fever.

In my third life, I thought it over carefully. The real power in the family was my great-grandma. If I said "Great Grandma" first, I'd be safe, right?

But my great-grandma shook her head. "This child isn't close to her parents. She'll never be loyal. Send her away."

I was so terrified I forgot to breathe and literally scared myself to death.

Then, it was the fourth time. The whole family was waiting for me to speak.

I kept my mouth shut tight, not a single sound.

Who on earth should I say first to survive in this richest family?

*****

Seeing that I still wouldn't say a word, my mom pinched my cheek and coaxed, "I carried you for nine months and stayed up every night feeding you. You're definitely going to call me first, right?"

Her smile was soft and gentle, but I stared back at her, wide-eyed with fear.

Thinking back to my first life, I figured my mom had it tough carrying me, and babies naturally gravitate toward their mothers. So, without a second thought, I blurted out "Mommy" first.

Who could've guessed that would totally piss off my dad, who always had to be the best at everything? He felt completely humiliated that I called my mom first.

The way his veins popped and he kicked over the crib was so terrifying that remembering it made me shudder and pull my neck in.

No way. I finally managed to get another chance in this family. There was no way I was going to piss off my billionaire dad again.

At that moment, my dad was also waiting for me to speak.

Noticing the indecision all over my face, my dad laughed. "Look at that little schemer's face. She's seriously weighing her options about who to call first.

"I bet she's thinking, 'My dad spent so much money on me, I should totally suck up to him.' Yeah, she'll definitely call me first."

I awkwardly forced a smile, but inside, I was silently crying out in despair.

Yeah, in my second life, I figured my dad was my ultimate backer. If I wanted to inherit that hundred-billion-dollar fortune, I had to butter him up.

So, I ignored my mom completely and went ahead, calling out "Daddy" first.

My dad was over the moon and even announced on the spot that he'd buy me a yacht.

But my mom was completely crushed. That night, she was so upset that she told my dad she wanted another kid.

I thought she was saying it out of spite, but from that day on, she completely shut me out.

She was so focused on getting pregnant again that she didn't even care that I was running a high fever.

After two hard-earned lessons, I finally figured it out.

No matter if I called my mom or my dad first, it always backfired.

Seeing my smile twist into something even sadder than a cry, my great-grandma let out a hearty laugh. "Who says Emily has to pick either of you first? What if she decides to call me instead?"

She scooped me right up, beaming with grandmotherly love as she coaxed, "Sweetheart, if you call me first, I'll put you in my will as the one and only heir of the Sterling Family."

My great-grandma's promise was so tempting, I instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

Back in my third life, I was totally fooled by how sweet my great-grandma acted. I really thought she adored me deep down, so I figured calling her first was a guaranteed win.

But to my shock, my mom and dad didn't even bat an eye. My great-grandma was the one who threw a fit. "A kid should be closest to her parents, not to an old grandma like me.

"This little one is way too sharp. She must know I'm the one in charge of the Sterling Family, so she's trying to butter me up.

"Kids like her are born scheming. No matter what you do, she'll never really fit in. You two should seriously consider sending her away before things get out of hand."

With my great-grandma's ironclad authority, if she said she didn't want me, then that was it. Her word was law, and I was really out.

I felt so aggrieved and panicked, so upset and freaked out that I dropped dead right then and there.

Thinking about how I died three times before, each time so unfairly and miserably, I decided to keep my mouth shut and pretend I couldn't talk.

Staying silent so I wouldn't upset anyone was the only option I had left.

Once I made it through this time, I'd come up with a new plan.

I giggled playfully and stretched my arms way up.

My mom and dad crowded around, curious. "What does our little girl want to do?"

I timed it right. At that exact moment, I grabbed both my mom's and my dad's hands, one in each hand.

My mom's and my dad's faces lit up with joy. "Look at our little girl. So clever! Even as a baby, she knows how to play it fair."

I made sure to cover all my bases. I even tilted my head up and nuzzled my great-grandma's chin, acting all sweet and adorable.

The three of them couldn't stop laughing at how cute I was, all gathered around me, grinning from ear to ear.

So, the whole debate about who I'd call first, my mom or my dad, got put on hold.

After dodging death three times, I thought life would finally get a little easier.