Chapter 1

"Mr. Chapman's daughter is an honor student and the president of the student council, yet you think you can impersonate her?

"You'd best check your attitude and learn your place, young lady. Our school has no place for a student like you!"

The teacher in charge looked annoyed with me, regarding me as if I were a degenerate. She flapped her hand to dismiss me, and when I finally snapped out of my daze, I found myself shooed out of the office.

When the students passing by noticed I'd been thrown out of the office, they began to whisper among themselves. But all I could think about was that promotional picture I'd seen, my questions multiplying.

The man in that picture was my father, Gregory Chapman—that much I was certain. But why was he being portrayed as another young lady's father?

Had he betrayed Mom and me? Had he been secretly raising an illegitimate child?

I was furious and perplexed. Without further delay, I called my father, ready to confront him. But all that answered me on the other end of the line was an automated voice, telling me the line was busy.

I sent him countless texts, but those went unanswered, too.

What the heck was going on? Had my dad blocked my number?

It was only a second later that I remembered he'd been going to the next town for business. It was why I'd shown up for admission alone.

Dad told me the company had recently reached a pivotal stage. He could hardly catch a break, often going out early in the morning and coming home late at night.

It had been a while since I last saw him. He was probably in a meeting at this hour or inspecting a construction site.

Because I couldn't get in touch with Dad, I had no choice but to delay my admission until he returned. I'd never forgive him if he truly did have another family!

Dad finally called me when I got home.

"Hey, sweetheart. I was doing inspection work on-site earlier. What's up?" Dad switched to video call. He looked haggard and worn down. "I have a meeting to attend later. Swipe my card if you're looking to buy something."

My heart wrenched to hear how he still thought of me despite all the work he had on his plate. I was about to show my concern when I suddenly remembered what had just transpired.

Overcome with anger, I demanded, "I'm not buying anything, but I do have a question for you. Did you, by any chance, betray our family? Are you secretly seeing someone else, and did you have a child with her?"

Dad's face blanched on the screen, his indulgent expression replaced with a wide-eyed look of disbelief.

He immediately propped his phone upright on the table. "For heaven's sake, sweetheart, I would never do something like that! I've never fallen for anyone aside from your mother, let alone had an illegitimate child!"

Seeing the skepticism on my face, he immediately grabbed the phone and headed out of the room. Beyond the door lay the construction site he'd been inspecting.

"See for yourself, sweetheart. I'm so tied up with work I may as well make a home out of the construction site! Look around!

"What time do I have to fool around? Not that I would even if I had the time. You have to believe me!"

He sounded disgruntled. "Who's been spewing such nonsense about me?

"I won't stand for such vicious gossip spreading around and reaching my daughter's ears! Was it those troll accounts that love making up ridiculous tags and headlines? I'll make them pay immediately!"