Rejected for the Real Daughter

Before I could stop him, he had already ticked the option for Medford College on the screen."Aaron, I don't want to go to this school."Even I did not notice the tremor and coldness in my own voice.I pulled his hand away and warned him flatly, "You know how much time and effort the Brooks family spent raising me. There's no way I can choose a school like this and keep disappointing my parents.""How would your parents be disappointed? You're not even their biological daughter…"The moment the words left his mouth, Aaron quickly corrected himself."Besides, don't they already have another daughter now? And college entrance exam scores don't define a person anyway. You're talented no matter where you go. You'll shine anywhere."Remembering what the floating comments had said, I stared directly into his eyes."What about Yvonne Brooks?""Her?" Aaron sneered with obvious disdain. "That real daughter they just brought back? She has no manners and no class. Even if she gets into u

Yvonne finally seemed to notice me. She lifted those watery, doe-like eyes and glanced at me timidly.Her fingers nervously twisted the hem of her expensive dress as she spoke in a soft voice."Big sister, if you like my dress, I can ask Mom and Dad to buy you one too. But could you please not wear fake designer brands?"It really lowers our family's image. If people saw this, they'd think the Brooks family can't even afford to support their adopted daughter properly…"She trailed off at just the right moment.But the implication had already landed perfectly: the fake daughter wearing fake luxury goods, desperately trying to compete with the real heiress for attention and affection.The gazes around me instantly changed.My classmates looked at me like needles pressing into my skin, filled with scrutiny, curiosity, mockery, and barely concealed delight at the drama unfolding before them.I could clearly catch the ridicule in their eyes.The shame burned through my nerves like

"Why is Westbridge calling her?"The classmates around us stared in disbelief.After all, in their eyes now, I was nothing more than a fraud who could only get good grades by cheating.On the other end of the phone, the admissions officer spoke in a calm, steady voice."We are very pleased to inform you that, with your outstanding score as Zenith's top science student, you have been admitted to the Computer Science Department of Westbridge University. We just need to confirm the final mailing address for your admission letter..."Every single word landed like a boulder crashing into still water, sending shockwaves through the entire private room.The smug smile on Aaron's face froze instantly.His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at me."You lied to me? You didn't apply to Medford?"Didn't you say you'd stay by my side forever?"The hand holding his wine glass trembled violently, his knuckles turning white from how tightly he gripped it.I did not know whether his hear

Hidden within the embroidered pattern was a signature stitched in matching thread, so subtle it almost disappeared into the fabric itself: Valentino."Valentino..."A girl standing nearby, someone clearly familiar with luxury fashion, suddenly covered her mouth and gasped. Her voice trembled with disbelief."That's a custom couture gown..."I knew I'd seen it before in a magazine! It's a globally limited design, available by reservation only. Every embroidered signature pattern is unique. A dress like this costs millions at minimum!"Her words landed like a brutal slap across Yvonne's face.She stared fixedly at the embroidered lining of my dress, the jealousy in her eyes so intense it looked ready to explode.Compared to it, the pure white dress she was wearing, despite costing tens of thousands, instantly looked cheap and ordinary.I slowly let go of the hem, the fabric cascading smoothly against my skin.Then I looked calmly at Yvonne's pale, shaken face and spoke in an icy

Now that the Brooks family had completely cut off all business ties with the Smith family, things fell apart fast. After the college entrance exam cheating scandal went public, every Smith family product was boycotted. Their cash flow collapsed, and bankruptcy was looming over them.The only solution Aaron could think of was to beg for my forgiveness.To celebrate my acceptance into Westbridge University, Grandpa specially hosted a grand banquet. On the day of the event, the hall was filled with influential guests from all walks of life.Aaron had not received an invitation, but somehow he still managed to sneak in. The moment he spotted me, he walked straight over, the corners of his eyes faintly red.Stopping in front of me, he lowered his voice."Chloe, I really know I was wrong. Yvonne seduced me. Only then did I realize the person I truly love is you."We grew up together. We were childhood sweethearts. You know me better than anyone. My feelings for you were real. You onc