Chapter 1

I had returned from overseas to attend my foster son's wedding, already wearing my dress for the evening.

My high school classmates recognized me right away, pointing and laughing.

"Isn't that the copycat from our class? You used to copy everything Ruby wore, and you're still doing it today! Do you have any idea what today’s occasion is?"

They tore my dress off me without saying another word.

Ruby Saunders acted apologetic, but the look she threw at me was savage. "I'm so sorry, Chloe. I tolerated you back then when you copied the way I dressed, but today is my wedding day. I can't let you continue stealing my style any longer.”

She instigated her group of underlings to strip me in public. I struggled to escape, but she slapped me so hard that I fell to the ground. I shut my eyes and sniggered when I saw how savagely excited she was.

Ruby was the one who had copied me, not the other way around, but whenever she accused me, I would just endure it.

This time, however, I would not give in to her. I could not allow her to marry into my family, making me her mother-in-law!

I had rushed to the hotel right after I got off the plane, having flown back from overseas. I quickly changed into the dress the domestic help had prepared for me for the wedding.

It was my son's wedding today, and I was attending it. Despite describing him as my son, I was actually only three years older than he was.

I held a very high place in my family’s generational hierarchy. When Connor Milford's parents passed away, he was brought to my family. My family practised strict generational rules. According to the family's official genealogy, I was the only person who was a generation higher than he was.

That was how he was placed under my name as a foster son, and how I became a mother at a very young age.

As we were close in age, we had a good relationship. I took my duties as a mother seriously and followed the family rules to discipline this boy, who once acted like a rich, arrogant brat.

Who could have known that the rich brat from Lark City who once ran ragged through the streets and regularly got into fights would one day get married?

I could not help thinking back on these memories as I admired the exquisite embroidery on my dress. Fortunately, the dress was quite modern. Otherwise, I would not have wanted to put it on.

When the domestic help came in to take the clothes I had changed out of to the laundry room, I stayed in my room alone to tidy up my hair.

I looked up to see my former high school classmate, Ruby, being ushered into the room while surrounded by a group of people. Her face was glowing. She was chattering away happily as everyone was busy flattering her.

Ruby loved it. The more others envied her, the brighter her smile. However, her face fell when she saw the dress I was wearing. Something seemed off to me as well.

It turned out the dress I was wearing was part of a set. They were dresses designed specifically for the wedding toast.

"I wondered who that was. It's the copycat from high school! You've been copying Ruby since high school, and you're still doing it now? Are you that obsessed with her?"

"Ruby didn't hold it against you because she has a kind heart, but that doesn't mean we'll let you get away with this!"

Many of those in the group by her side were our high school classmates. They immediately noticed the dress I was wearing and looked me up and down with disdain.

Ruby's bestie pinched her nose and looked at me like I was something dirty. "Our Ruby's rich husband hired a top designer to customize that dress for her. Do you think the knockoff version you have can compare to what she's wearing?"

"Ruby’s getting married to Lark City's rich heir, Connor Milford, today. Did they even invite you to the wedding? Stop being so thick-skinned and throwing yourself at her. I can't believe you're even dressed like that. Who are you trying to seduce?"

I could not believe Ruby was the woman my foster son was marrying. I felt horrible!

She would always copy the way I dressed back in high school, but she got away with accusing me of being the copycat because she was popular among our classmates.

I did not bother to explain myself as I did not want to end up in a meaningless fight. All I did was focus on producing enough work to help me apply for my studies overseas.

However, the rumors got worse over time, and I ended up being bullied and avoided by everyone during high school.

Even though I did not like Ruby, I had to show her some respect as she was the woman Connor loved. All I wanted to do was hurry home after getting through the wedding and their insults, but Ruby decided to block my way. It hurt tremendously when she stepped on the tip of my shoe.

She pretended to move her foot away with shock, saying pitifully, "It's my wedding today, Chloe. Please don't steal the limelight from me on my big day by wearing the same dress as me! Can you take it off? You can copy whatever I wear after today. I’ll forgive you if you stop it right now!”