The SAT Showdown: They Called Me Wretched The SATs were just around the corner when they finally brought me home – the real daughter. On SAT day, I was the first one to hand in my paper and walk out of the exam hall. A reporter asked how I felt I did, and I frankly told him the questions were super easy. The reporter gasped, “Are you, by any chance, Ashley Montgomery, the genius academic star?” Just then, the fake daughter, Ashley, also finished her exam and came out. My parents, Richard and Eleanor, and my brother, Blake, immediately surrounded her, showering her with affection and declaring that *she* was the real genius. Ashley pretended to speak up for me, but her words were laced with mockery. “Sister, it’s okay if you didn’t do well. But you shouldn’t lie, you know? I heard your scores are barely enough to get into a community college. You can always retake them!” My parents and Blake glared at me, their faces dark, as if I had brought shame upon them. I just crossed my arms and smiled confidently. I was the first person to walk out of every single SAT subject test. When I confidently declared that Harvard was a sure thing after the last exam, the live stream chat absolutely exploded. My mother, Eleanor, was so furious she practically shrieked, “We don’t have such a delusional daughter!” My father, Richard, proclaimed, “If she can get into Harvard, I’ll give her my entire fortune!” People in the live stream had already dug up my previous scores, frantically spamming the chat: “If she gets into Harvard – no, even just undergrad – I’ll eat my own socks on live stream!” I looked at my father and shook my head. “Dad, your fortune? I wouldn’t even touch it!”
The words had barely left my lips when my parents’ faces grew even darker. Blake looked utterly livid. ““*Jian-nü*,” I think you’ve lost your mind. We should send you to a mental hospital right now.” Eleanor looked disgusted. “I don’t know what on earth you told your grandmother to make her bring you back, but now you’ve completely disgraced the Montgomery family.” “If it weren’t for the DNA test, I’d never believe you were my daughter.” The next second, her gaze softened, falling on Ashley. “Our Ashley is so sensible, so graceful and poised. She doesn’t pull these attention-seeking stunts.” Ashley let out a soft “Oh dear.” “Sister, are you short on cash or something? Is that why you’re trying to go for a controversial route, then just go into live streaming sales? If you need money, just ask Mom and Dad! They wouldn’t deny you. Making such a spectacle of yourself outside, people might think Mom and Dad are abusing you.” She finished, leaning sweetly against Eleanor’s shoulder, her eyes fixed on me with disdain and mockery. Richard, who always prioritized appearances, snapped, “Nonsense!” “When we get home, confiscate all her electronics. Lock her up! She’s not coming out until she apologizes!” I watched them – a picture of a united, harmonious family of four, all against me. My heart didn’t stir an inch. I even smiled. Blake’s face was grim. ““*Jian-nü*,” what are you smiling at?” I shrugged. “SAT scores will be out soon. Why are you all in such a hurry?” “Anyway, you’ve never cared about me, have you?” Blake had zero patience. “Who doesn’t know you used to score two, three hundred? Don’t blame others for not caring if your grades are trash!” I was the real Montgomery heiress, swapped by the Roberts family. From childhood, my grades were absolutely terrible. They only brought me back two months before the SATs. My last mock exam before the SATs was just as bad as before. They completely gave up on me. They simply ignored that I was also taking the SATs, showering Ashley with attention and care every single day. On SAT day, my father, Richard, who was always swamped with work, canceled everything. My mother, Eleanor, who had daily appointments with socialites, canceled all her engagements. My brother, Blake, who was busy with various university activities, also cleared his schedule. All for Ashley’s SATs. Not only that, they thought I was bad luck, fearing I would jinx Ashley’s performance. They only dropped her off at the exam hall. Every time they saw me walking out of the exam, they’d look at me as if I were some unlucky charm, and when we got home, they’d even try to ward off bad luck around me, as if I were contaminated. Ashley stepped forward, playing the good person. “Mom, Dad, *Jian-nü* probably just hasn’t experienced this much attention before. It’s probably just vanity acting up.” “Besides, the SAT scores will be out soon. Just let her have her little moment for a couple of days.” ““*Jian-nü*,” just apologize to Mom and Dad. We can let this go.”
The live stream chat was scrolling furiously: “Now THIS is a true genius, so graceful!” “But what’s with *Jian-nü*? What kind of parents give their daughter such a name in this day and age?” “To the commenter above, word on the street is *Jian-nü* is the Montgomery family’s real daughter who was swapped at birth. They just found her, but she looks like a lost cause.” “She looks so provocative, just begging for a punch! Whoever named her that is a genius!” I ignored the immense malice directed at me in the live stream and spoke directly: “Please, everyone, be my witness. I hope my parents keep their word when the scores come out.” “Oh, and everyone in the live stream too.” The live stream chat collectively spammed: “I think she’s truly lost it.” The day the SAT scores were released. The reporter who interviewed me before showed up again. He had become an overnight sensation because of me. Unwilling to let go of this massive buzz, he had privately contacted me, worried I wouldn’t make outrageous claims like I did on SAT days. He insisted I maintain that persona. He even offered me a cut of the profits. Not just him, many big PR firms also sought me out, ready to tailor a public image for me. The moment the SAT scores were out, they wanted me to go live and simply announce I was the SAT top scorer. No one believed a word I said. While waiting for the scores, the reporter interviewed my parents, asking why I was so extreme. Eleanor forced out two tears. “Today, after she faces reality, we’ll send her to a mental hospital. After all, she’s still my daughter.” Richard, meanwhile, put his arm around her, said a couple of comforting words, then immediately diverted the conversation to his company’s new product. I watched them coolly from the side. If they truly considered me their daughter, they wouldn’t have only brought me back right before the SATs. Ten minutes before the scores were released, they put on a show of caring. Richard said, ““*Jian-nü*,” apologize in the live stream now, it’s not too late. Afterwards, we can just say you had a mental breakdown.” Eleanor added, ““*Jian-nü*,” must you bring shame to the Montgomery family? I swear, you’re nothing but trouble since you came back. I wish I had never given birth to you.” Blake was as impatient as ever. “Are you really going to be a complete clown today? Have we been too good to you?” I spoke up, genuinely surprised. “Good to me? With your words? I haven’t felt it. Being good to me means making me live in the storage room, not giving me pocket money or even a ride, making me walk ten miles to school? And ignoring me when I was bullied?” A flicker of awkwardness and discomfort crossed their faces. Because after they brought me back, they literally never cared for me. The staff were quick to follow their lead; if the Montgomerys didn’t say anything, the staff wouldn’t do anything. Ashley, however, had red eyes. ““*Jian-nü*,” don’t blame Mom and Dad. After the SAT scores come out, I’ll give Mom and Dad back to you. I’ll leave the Montgomery family.” The live stream chat exploded again: “Is *Jian-nü* really having such a hard time? The Montgomery family didn’t handle that well.” “Heh, serves her right! If I had a daughter like that, I wouldn’t even bring her home!” Richard, Eleanor, and Blake immediately rushed to comfort Ashley. “Ashley, don’t apologize to her. She’s not worthy!” “If you leave the Montgomery family, you’d be killing us!” “Ashley, I’m not someone who values blood ties. I only recognize you as my sister.” I spoke lazily. “You keep calling me ‘“*Jian-nü*”’ – ‘Wretched Girl.’ But that name was truly meant for Ashley. It’s what *her* birth parents, the Roberts, named her.” My parents and Blake immediately glared at me. Ashley’s tears fell even faster. ““*Jian*”… Sister, I know you’re upset with me…” I had no patience for it. I cut her off directly. “Ashley, let’s make a bet. If you score worse than me, how about you take the name ‘“*Jian-nü*”’?” “If I score worse than you, I’ll get out of the Montgomery family.”
No sooner had I spoken than someone shouted: “Time’s up!” Ashley, however, glanced at me, barely concealing the triumph in her eyes. “Sister, so you don’t upset Mom and Dad any further, I accept your bet.” Everyone crowded behind Ashley, impatiently waiting for her to check her scores. The viewers on the live stream also stopped spamming, waiting in silent anticipation for the results. However, Ashley’s score kept loading, loading, loading. Suddenly, the entire house went dark. Only the glow from Ashley’s computer screen remained. “A power outage? No wonder the internet’s so bad!” Blake’s angry voice boomed, “What’s going on? Why is the power out? Send someone to check the lines now!” Ashley’s computer, without internet, continued to spin its loading circle. In the darkness, someone muttered, “The Montgomery villa has never had a power outage before. Could it be *her* doing?” “Now that you mention it, it makes sense! If you’re scared, don’t talk big!” I pursed my lips. I told them before that the circuit had issues, but they didn’t believe me. Now they were blaming me. Soon, someone reported, “Sir, Madam, there’s a slight issue with the wiring.” Blake became agitated again. “If there’s a problem, fix it! How many minutes will it take?” The person stammered, “Five minutes.” Blake barked, “You have three minutes!” Even in the dark, I could feel impatient stares on me. ““*Jian-nü*,” do you really have to pull so many stunts?” “Are you that desperate for attention that you’d resort to this?” It was Blake’s voice. I rolled my eyes. “We could just check on our phones! You’re the ones who insisted on using the computer!” “This is so you’ll admit defeat, and so the live stream viewers know not everyone in the Montgomery family is as shameless as you!” “You have no proof, so why are you barking like a dog?” I retorted, annoyed. Blake was about to speak again when the power suddenly came back on. Ashley’s page was still lagging. “Scores are out! English 121, Math 104, History 130, Physics 79, Chemistry 80, Biology 83, Total 597!” Those who hadn’t seen it yet gasped. Because, given Ashley’s usual genius persona, she couldn’t possibly score so low. “Not Miss Ashley, it’s just someone in the live stream whose scores came out. I just read it aloud.” The next second, the reporter quickly apologized. “My apologies, it’s an old habit, reading the comments!” Everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Ashley’s hand, clutching the mouse, began to tremble. The next second, the page refreshed! Everyone stared at Ashley’s computer. “The scores are out! This time, it’s really Miss Ashley’s scores!” someone shouted. *That’s it?* I thought to myself. I’d expected Ashley’s scores to be invisible or something. Someone read out her scores: “English 132, Math 140, History 141, Physics 80, Chemistry 85, Biology 86, Total 664!” Ashley’s face instantly turned ugly. She refreshed repeatedly, unwilling to believe those were her scores. The Montgomerys were initially in disbelief too, but quickly adjusted, comforting her: “Ashley, you did great! We heard this year’s exam was really tough.” Blake, meanwhile, blamed everything on me. ““*Jian-nü*,” if you hadn’t come back, Ashley wouldn’t have been distracted and scored poorly.” The live stream also began to doubt. “Didn’t they say she was a genius girl? While that score is high for me, it’s not exactly ‘genius’ material, is it?” “If even the genius girl scored this low, then *Jian-nü* must have done even worse, right?” The moment Ashley looked up, her eyes were red, brimming with tears. “Mom, Dad, Blake, I didn’t do well. I disappointed you. I’ll go pack my things and move out of this house.” No sooner had she spoken than a perfectly timed, sparkling tear rolled down her cheek, making her look utterly pitiful. Richard comforted her, “Ashley, what are you talking about? Even if you scored zero, you’d still be my daughter, a Montgomery!” “Your scores are already excellent. Getting into a good university won’t be a problem.” “It’s Dad’s fault. I shouldn’t have brought that wretched girl back. She affected your performance! How about this, Dad will buy you that island you’ve been eyeing, and you can go relax there with your friends.” Eleanor quickly added, “Ashley, Mom already bought you a twenty-million-dollar diamond necklace. It’ll be delivered soon.” Blake wasn’t to be outdone. “Ashley, I’ll buy you a villa and luxury cars. Don’t be sad!” Thankfully, I’d seen my adoptive parents, the Roberts, play favorites since I was little, so facing this moment, the slight pang of bitterness I felt quickly vanished. Richard’s gaze at me was like looking at a plague. He frowned. ““*Jian-nü*,” before you came back, Ashley always scored over seven hundred!” I pursed my lips. “She’s just not that good.” “You!” Richard exploded in fury. “Even now, you show no remorse! I will not allow you to destroy our family. I see nothing of the Montgomery family’s fine qualities in you. From today, I’m sending you out of this family!” I looked utterly composed. “Why the rush? My scores haven’t been checked yet.” Mocking laughter erupted from the crowd again. “The exam was so hard this time, even Miss Ashley didn’t do well. She must have done even worse!” Blake, as usual, was impatient. “Then check your scores quickly!” I pouted. “Isn’t Ashley checking them already?”
Ashley’s face changed, and she quickly explained, “I was just checking how you did, so I could help you figure out which university you could get into.” I retorted mercilessly, “Caring enough to memorize my exam ID number?” She was choked speechless. The next second, someone burst out laughing: “Zero? How can anyone get a zero? Even if you threw the answer sheet on the ground and stepped on it, you’d get a higher score!” A flash of triumphant smile quickly crossed Ashley’s face. She glanced at the computer, confirmed it, then looked up at me provocatively. “Sister, if you had scored two or three hundred, Mom and Dad might still have thrown money to get you into a university. But you scored zero. Mom and Dad can’t even pay for you to get in.” Too bad she didn’t look closely. My parents’ faces were incredibly grim. “Disgraceful.” Blake seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, watching me with cold eyes. “Send her to a mental hospital.” The live stream chat erupted in cheers. It was as if a farce had finally ended. I understood instantly. So, Blake Montgomery had never scored in the top fifty either. Richard fully agreed with Blake. “Yes, send her to a mental hospital. Don’t let her out until she’s cured.” As he spoke, people quickly moved to my side, ready to take me away. I frowned and spoke up. “Don’t you know that the top fifty scores are initially blocked?” Everyone seemed to freeze for a moment. Then, a chorus of laughter erupted. As if they had never heard anything so funny, they laughed until tears streamed down their faces. “Top fifty? Her? Someone who scored a big fat zero claiming top fifty! Young Master Blake is right, she’s truly lost her mind!” Only my parents and Blake had ashen faces. Ashley’s hostile gaze, which had been fixed on me since I arrived at the Montgomery home, softened into a hint of pity, but mostly the triumph of a victor. She also thought I was crazy. She even thoughtfully comforted my parents. “Mom, Dad, Blake, Sister might have a mental problem. While she’s recovering, I’ll take her place and be even more filial to you.” Richard seemed unable to bear it another second and roared, “Get that ‘“*Jian-nü*”’ to the mental hospital immediately!” “Who dares!” Everyone turned towards the source of the voice. And when I heard that voice, my eyes finally welled up. I, who had never felt wronged until now, suddenly began to feel a belated sense of grievance. And it grew stronger and stronger. “Mom, why are you here?” Richard’s voice even held a hint of fear. Eleanor and Blake, initially flustered, quickly calmed down, their approving gazes falling on Ashley. Eleanor said, “Mom, I was going to have someone inform you of Ashley’s scores. You shouldn’t have had to come yourself.” “But this child certainly didn’t disappoint us.” Ashley looked somewhat overwhelmed but flattered, sweetly calling out, “Grandma, I just checked my scores, 664 points.” There was even a hint of pride in her tone. Grandma Margaret Montgomery coolly swept her gaze over them. She sat down on the sofa and beckoned me to her side. I immediately ran over. “Who are you sending to a mental hospital?” Her voice, though not angry, held an undeniable authority. My parents chuckled awkwardly. “Mom, it’s one thing that *Jian-nü*’s scores are terrible, but she’s spouting nonsense, not a single truthful word. We suspect she’s gone mad, so we thought of sending her to a mental hospital for treatment.” ““*Jian-nü*?”” Grandma Margaret looked directly at Richard, repeating the name. Richard opened his mouth, then belatedly realized, unable to speak, fine beads of sweat already appearing on his forehead. Blake stepped forward, appearing to champion justice. “Grandma, it’s not Dad’s fault for not changing *Jian*… my sister’s name. It’s just that it was so close to the SATs, and we were busy worrying about Ashley, we didn’t have time to change it.” My parents quickly chimed in, “Yes.” Grandma Margaret looked at Ashley, then at my parents, a look of disappointment in her eyes. She caressed my hand, but I shook my head, indicating I was fine. Before, only my high school homeroom teacher cared for me. Now, with Grandma Margaret, it was my good fortune. “Excuse me, is this the Montgomery residence?” A few people walked in, asking. After confirming, those individuals immediately locked onto my parents, and after saying, “Congratulations on your daughter becoming the top scorer in the state,” they eagerly introduced themselves:
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