โปรเจคร้อนซ่อนรัก

The Sterling Estate's living room was lavishly decorated, every inch radiating wealth and status.

"Take this for your travel expenses."

Mrs. Sterling placed a stack of cash on the coffee table and looked at Rue with detached indifference. "Your biological family is poor. I'm afraid no one will be coming to pick you up."

Rue glanced at the money and almost laughed. The stack contained ten thousand dollars—less than the price of one of the designer handbags Mrs. Sterling carried to social events.

Just a few days ago, a DNA test had shattered the lie she'd lived with for eighteen years. She wasn't a Sterling. The family had already changed her surname back to Blackwood, and her identification records had been updated overnight. The speed was almost impressive. The way they'd rushed to erase her from the family made it seem as though she were carrying a contagious disease.

Mrs. Sterling sat across from her with perfect posture and a cold expression. There wasn't the slightest trace of reluctance on her face.

To the Sterling family, daughters had never truly been family. They were investments—assets to be polished, packaged, and eventually married off for maximum profit. Everything Rue had learned growing up, from music and etiquette to painting, wine tasting, and foreign languages, had been carefully chosen to increase her value.

Two years ago, when the family had fallen on hard times, Mrs. Sterling had even drugged her and tried to send her to a middle-aged investor. Rue had only been sixteen. The memory still made her stomach turn. Fortunately, she'd escaped, and from that day forward, she'd been planning her departure. That was why discovering she wasn't actually a Sterling felt less like a tragedy and more like an early release from prison.

A faint smile tugged at her lips as she reached for the money.

Mrs. Sterling frowned. Apparently, she hadn't expected Rue to accept it so readily. Before Rue could put the cash away, Mrs. Sterling pressed a hand down on top of the stack.

"There's one more thing. Your engagement to the Galloway family will naturally be canceled."

Rue raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"And after everything the Sterling family has done for you," Mrs. Sterling continued, her voice turning sharper, "I trust you understand what should and shouldn't be said after you leave."

The threat was obvious.

Rue looked down at the money, then back at Mrs. Sterling. After a moment, she slowly pushed the stack across the table.

A hint of satisfaction appeared on Mrs. Sterling's face. She knew it. The girl still had some pride left.

Then Rue sighed.

"Actually, never mind."

Mrs. Sterling frowned. "Never mind what?"

Rue looked genuinely troubled. "Ten thousand isn't enough."

Silence filled the room.

Mrs. Sterling stared at her. "What?"

"You just told me my biological family is poor." Rue gestured toward the cash. "With prices these days, twenty thousand might barely keep me from starving. And people tend to talk when they're hungry."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly.

"You little—"

"It's fine." Rue rose to her feet and picked up her worn canvas bag. "If the Sterling family can't afford it, I'll manage somehow. I'd hate to bankrupt you."

Mrs. Sterling's face turned green.

The servants immediately lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.

A few seconds later, Mrs. Sterling abruptly opened her handbag and threw another stack of cash onto the table.

Twenty thousand dollars.

"Take it," she snapped. "And watch your mouth."

Rue's smile brightened immediately. Now that looked far more reasonable.

After tucking the money into her bag, she met Mrs. Sterling's gaze and said calmly, "Don't worry. With all the shameful things the Sterling family has done, I'd be afraid of dirtying my mouth by talking about them."

The last trace of a smile vanished from Mrs. Sterling's face.

Before she could respond, a soft voice interrupted.

"Mom, please don't be angry."

Ariana hurried forward. Dressed in a simple white dress, she looked delicate and harmless—the perfect picture of innocence.

"Maybe my sister just needs some time to adjust," she said gently. "After all, anyone would be upset after learning something like this."

Mrs. Sterling's expression softened immediately. Compared to Rue's sharp tongue, Ariana's gentle obedience was infinitely more pleasing.

Turning toward Rue, Ariana offered a sympathetic smile. "Rue, why don't you stay a few more days? I don't mind."

Rue almost laughed.

Of course Ariana didn't mind. Winners never minded showing a little sympathy to the losers.

"What a coincidence," Rue said lightly. "I don't mind either."

Ariana's smile immediately stiffened, and she shot a glance at Mrs. Sterling. Sure enough, Mrs. Sterling's expression darkened. If Rue stayed any longer, who knew how much more money she might squeeze out of them?

"That's enough," Mrs. Sterling said at once. "Ariana is only thinking of you, but you should return to your real family as soon as possible. They must be worried sick. After all, you've been separated for eighteen years. I know I'd have been worried every day if Ariana hadn't come back the moment we found her."

The atmosphere instantly became awkward.

Rue spread her hands. "Fair enough. You make a good point. You keep your daughter, and I'll keep the twenty thousand."

Several servants nearly choked.

Even Mrs. Sterling froze.

For a moment, nobody seemed to know how to respond.

Ignoring their expressions, Rue picked up her canvas bag and headed for the door.

"Rue!"

Ariana called out again, and this time there was unmistakable urgency in her voice.

Rue stopped and looked back.

Ariana took a deep breath. "Next month is my engagement banquet with Hans."

A shy smile appeared on her face.

"I hope you'll come."

The room immediately fell silent.

Everyone understood exactly what she meant. That engagement had once belonged to Rue. Now it belonged to Ariana. The invitation wasn't an act of kindness. It was a declaration of victory.

Ariana lowered her eyes and added softly, "After all, everyone used to think you'd be the one becoming Mrs. Galloway."

Several servants immediately turned toward Rue, waiting for her reaction.

Instead, Rue smiled.

"That's a great idea. Just make sure to send me an invitation."

Ariana blinked, clearly caught off guard.

Rue's smile widened slightly.

"Front-row seats usually have the best view."

For the first time, an uneasy feeling rose in Ariana's chest. For some reason, she no longer wanted Rue to attend.

Unfortunately, before she could say anything else, Rue had already turned and walked away without looking back, as though the Sterling family meant absolutely nothing to her.

That realization left everyone feeling strangely uncomfortable.

Including Mrs. Sterling.