When my biological parents came to take me home, I looked reluctant. “I’ve heard that real daughters never win against the fake ones and end up suffering terribly. I’d rather not go back.” Hearing this, they rushed to comfort me. “Don’t be silly, Veronica is so gentle and kind. You’re sure to get along wonderfully with her.” I nodded, then pulled out my phone. “To prevent her from harming me, you need to understand the tricks fake daughters use. Here are a hundred web series about fake daughters causing trouble. Once you’ve watched them, I’ll come home with you.” After watching all hundred episodes, Mom and Dad were astounded. “Those are just made-up stories. Veronica would never act like that.” I remained noncommittal, pulling out an agreement. “Then sign this. Every time I’m harmed, you’ll have to compensate me. $5,000 for false accusations, $10,000 for minor injuries, and serious injuries we’ll negotiate.” Mom and Dad were convinced I was overthinking it and signed without hesitation. But they were quickly proven wrong. Less than half an hour after I arrived home, Veronica announced her necklace was missing. Her eyes were red, as if I had truly wronged her. “Eleanor, that platinum necklace was a birthday gift from Mom and Dad! Please give it back to me! I know you’re their real daughter, you can take anything else you want, just please give me back the necklace…” Mom and Dad immediately frowned, looking ready to grill me. I pulled out my phone with a straight face, opened one of the web series, and handed it to them. “See, the plot where someone frames another for theft is right here.” They froze, swallowing the accusations they were about to make, forcing awkward smiles. “Veronica, look again. Eleanor wouldn’t take your things.” Veronica looked genuinely stunned, probably not expecting Mom and Dad to side with me. “Are you all saying I’m lying? I get it now. Eleanor is back, so you don’t want me anymore. Why should I even stay here?” She sprang up abruptly and bolted for the door. I swiped through the clip. “Pretending to run away from home—that’s in here too.” Veronica froze, then burst into even louder sobs, vanishing into the night. “Veronica! It’s dangerous outside, come back!” Dad panicked and chased after her, even losing a shoe. Mom’s eyes welled up, and she couldn’t help but scold me. “Veronica is… you two are both my darlings, can’t you be a little nicer to her?” I felt confused. “She’s the one not being nice to me. She said I stole her necklace…” Before I could finish, Mom cut me off. “Veronica feels insecure right now. As the older one, you need to be more understanding and tolerant.” “Are you implying I should just take the blame for stealing?” Mom sighed. “Regardless, when she comes back, just apologize to her. She’s never experienced such unfairness growing up; I don’t know how upset she must be.” “Plenty of these shows have plots where the innocent one has to apologize to the wrongdoer.” Mom’s expression stiffened, and she didn’t dare say another word. I didn’t forget the agreement, silently opening my payment app. “$5,000 for false accusation. Please transfer the payment.”
I heard Dad found Veronica under a bridge. She was drenched from the heavy rain, her face deathly pale. After Dad carried her back, she threw herself onto the bed, thrashing and wailing. “Leave me alone! You all love Eleanor and don’t love me anymore…” Mom’s heart ached, and she burst into tears, quickly wrapping Veronica in a large towel, coaxing her in a hushed tone to change clothes. Dad kept checking her forehead, worried she might have a fever. “Veronica, sweetie, stop fussing. What’s a necklace worth? I’ll get you a whole diamond set, okay?” “No matter if Eleanor is here or not, you’ll always be Mom and Dad’s precious darling.” Hearing this, Veronica burst into tears. “Don’t lie to me…” Mom hugged her tightly, also crying uncontrollably. I understood then. So, those web series actually got it right. When there’s favoritism, blood ties don’t mean much. Luckily, I was prepared, otherwise, I don’t know how heartbroken I would have been. Dad saw me sitting quietly by myself, not showing any intention to help, and his face darkened as he snapped. “We’re a family! Are you just going to watch Veronica suffer like this?” I shrugged. “What do you want me to do?” “Go to the kitchen and bring the hot herbal tea the housekeeper brewed.” It was a small task, just doing a good deed. I went to the kitchen without a word and brought the herbal tea to Veronica’s lips. She was about to take a sip when, out of Mom and Dad’s sight, she shot me a defiant glare. Oh, here we go. Classic fake daughter move from those shows, right on cue. I remained calm, wanting to see what Veronica was planning. Sure enough, she nudged the bowl’s rim with her index finger, and the steaming hot tea splashed all over her. “It’s so hot! You burned me! Eleanor, you…” Veronica’s face showed a mix of shock and pain, as if in disbelief. Dad rushed over and shoved me aside. “Eleanor! Are you out of your mind? How could you do that to Veronica!” I slammed into the corner unexpectedly, and a huge bump quickly formed on my forehead. He looked like he wanted to hit me again, but Mom quickly grabbed his arm, her tone stern. “Eleanor, you really messed up. Apologize to Veronica!” I didn’t say a word. Instead, I pulled up a video clip, fast-forwarding to a scene where the fake daughter plays innocent to stir up trouble between the parents and the real one. “You watched it, and you already forgot? Your memory is terrible.” “This…” Mom and Dad exchanged glances, not daring to mention an apology again. They were busy getting burn cream and new pajamas for Veronica, and no one noticed the red, swollen bump on my forehead. After they finished fussing, my payment app pinged with another $10,000. Perfect. On my first day home, I’d already collected $15,000.
Feeling guilty about what happened, Mom and Dad showered me with concern for the next three days. Veronica also seemed like a changed person, calling me Eleanor this and Eleanor that, treating me incredibly well. Mom and Dad praised her with relief: “Veronica has matured. This is our good child.” Given her excellent behavior, Mom and Dad bought her a pile of luxury goods. On the fourth day, my younger brother, Sam, returned from his school trip. He excitedly showed off the gifts he’d bought for everyone. “Dad’s lighter, Mom’s perfume, Veronica’s silk scarf—I remembered what you all liked!” Everyone received beautifully wrapped gifts, except for me. Seeing the four of them happily together, I discreetly prepared to go back to my room. It was only when Mom noticed me leaving that she gasped: “Sam, didn’t you buy Eleanor a gift?” Sam pouted, “I only have Veronica.” Just then, Grandpa George, who had just walked in, heard this, and his blood pressure shot through the roof. The old man, who valued blood ties above all else, grabbed Sam’s ear. “You brat! Who taught you to talk like that? Eleanor is your real sister! Veronica was just raised here out of convenience; she’s an outsider! You don’t know who’s family? I’ll beat you!” The word “outsider” deeply stung Veronica. She didn’t dare argue with Grandpa George, only glaring at me, her eyes filled with resentment and hatred. Sam cried loudly from the pain. “I don’t know what an ‘outsider’ is, I only acknowledge Veronica!” Grandpa George twisted his ear even harder. Hearing their son’s ear-splitting cries, Mom and Dad were heartbroken, desperately begging Grandpa George to let go. “Please calm down, we’ll educate Sam properly…” “Hmph!” Grandpa George also couldn’t bear to let him cry further. He pulled me to the sofa. Looking around, he quickly figured out what was going on. “You’re the only one without a gift? Good, good, how could you do such a thing? Eleanor, I’ve got your back! The Sterling family’s heirloom jewelry? I’m only leaving it to you. No one else gets a share!” Veronica’s face crumpled in a show of hurt, tears welling in her eyes. Mom cautiously spoke up. “Veronica, shouldn’t she also…” Grandpa George refused decisively. “My possessions are only for members of the Sterling family. Some people have impure hearts; it’s better to send them away early.” Even with all her brazenness, Veronica couldn’t stay. She ran back to her room, tears streaming down her face. Dad blamed Grandpa George: “You spoke too harshly. I watched Veronica grow up; I know what kind of person she is better than you do.” “Idiot!” Grandpa George sneered. “How did I ever raise such a fool like you?”
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