Real Heiress, Fake Noble Family

My mother told me I was the long-lost heiress and dumped me on the Sterling family's doorstep.
But the moment I arrived, my supposed brothers circled around the fake heiress, Lily, like a protective wall.
Lily is the only sister well ever have. Dont even think about replacing her!
My wealthy new parents banished me to a servant's room, warning me not to cause any trouble.
They all assumed I was there to fight Lily for their affection.
So when they discovered I had no biological connection to my new father, they were ready to throw me out, waving a DNA test in my face.
The Sterling family will not tolerate a bastard child sullying our bloodline!
Thats when I calmly produced a DNA test of my own.
Im not the switched-at-birth heiress, I said, offering my so-called father a small smile. But my mother is.
Uncle, I added sweetly, youve never actually had your DNA tested against my grandparents, have you?
1
The moment I stepped through the grand entrance of the Sterling estate, I was met with a volley of hostile glares.
In the living room, a middle-aged couple and three young men were huddled around a girl on the sofa, murmuring words of comfort. Their eyes flickered over me with contempt for a fraction of a second before snapping back to her.
The lady of the house, a woman dripping with jewels, hugged the girl tightly. Oh, Lily, darling, dont cry. Youre breaking my heart.
You grew up in this house. Weve cherished you for twenty years. How could we possibly let some uncultured girl from the sticks replace you?
Lily dabbed at her eyes, her voice a pathetic little whisper. But shes the real heiress. Im not truly a Sterling. If she and I ever disagree, Mom, Dad, and my brothers will have to take her side.
She let out a dramatic sigh. Its probably better if I just leave now, on my own terms, before Im eventually thrown out.
Her words made the eldest brother, Ethan, scowl with concern. How could you even think that? Were the ones whove spent our lives together. Were family. Some girl from a backwater town could never mean as much to us as you do.
The second brother, Liam, chimed in with a solemn promise. I swear, Lily, no matter what happens, youre our only sister. Even if that Clara shares our blood, shes nothing more than a stranger to us.
The third, Noah, shot me a look so sharp it could have cut glass. Exactly! If she dares to use her position as a biological daughter to bully you, Ill make her regret ever coming back!
Their father, Richard Sterling, didnt even bother to look at me, but his words were a clear warning aimed in my direction. In the Sterling house, you follow Sterling rules. And as long as Im the head of this family, no one will ever harm the apple of our eye!
Watching them perform this little play, I almost had to laugh. I hadnt said a single word, and they had already scripted an entire drama where I was the villain tormenting poor, innocent Lily.
While they were busy consoling her, I took the opportunity to study their faces. It was a professional habit, honed by years of sketching suspects for the criminal investigation unit.
Richard Sterling had double eyelids, a bulbous nose, and a square jaw. He was short and stout, built like a fire hydrant.
Yet his three sons all had monolids, narrow noses, and sharp, angular faces. They were built like greyhounds. Each one looked shrewder than the last, and all of them were tall and lanky.
The longer I looked, the more something felt deeply wrong.
It was one thing for Lily, the adopted daughter, to look nothing like them.
But how could a mans three biological sons not share a single one of his features?
How did a boar sire three greyhounds?
2
As I mulled this over, the family finally managed to coax a smile out of Lily, and their attention swung back to me.
My supposed mother, Victoria, looked me up and down with a critical eye. Youre Clara, the one the old lady insisted we bring here?
I came back to myself and nodded.
My simple response seemed to irritate her. You dont even greet us when you walk in the door. Just as I thought. Raised in the country. No manners.
Before I could open my mouth to speak, she waved a dismissive hand and barked an order at a maid. Mrs. Gable, take her to one of the empty rooms next to the kitchen.
Next to the kitchen. Where the staff slept.
Victoria then adopted the regal air of a true matriarch. I dont care what your life was like before, she said coolly. But now that youre in the Sterling house, you will shed those crude habits of yours.
Richards voice was a low rumble. Were not like those other old-money families. We value affection over bloodlines. Lily is, and always will be, our only treasured daughter.
If you dare to bring your low-class, manipulative games into this house, he warned, dont blame me for ignoring my parents wishes and sending you right back to where you came from.
I said nothing, my gaze shifting between his face and Victorias, the puzzle deepening. The bone structure of their faces and mine didnt just fail to overlap; there wasnt a single point of correspondence.
How could I possibly be their child?
My silent scrutiny seemed to unnerve them. Richards voice rose. Did you hear me?!
Lily frowned, her voice laced with faux concern. Mother, Ive heard that people from poor neighborhoods often get sick as children and cant afford treatment. Sometimes, a high fever can damage their minds.
Her eyes met mine, a flash of triumph and insult in them. Do you think Clara might have a problem? She tapped her temple meaningfully.
At her words, Victorias expression soured from disapproval to outright disgust. She flapped her hand as if shooing away a fly. Mrs. Gable, are you deaf? Get her out of my sight!
Her three sons and Lily watched me with unconcealed glee, their expressions of contempt mirroring their mothers perfectly. It wasnt just our looks that were different; our very natures were worlds apart.
Confident now that I was not their biological child, I felt a sense of relief and followed Mrs. Gable to the servants quarters.
Victorias voice, dripping with venom, floated after me. That Clara is the spitting image of the old lady. I cant stand to look at her. Then, her tone sweetened as she turned to Lily. Not like my sweet, darling Lily. Youre such a comfort to me.
The voices faded, but her words didn't stir any emotion in me. A family where no one bore a resemblance to each other was a statistical anomaly. Besides inbreeding or some wild genetic mutation, I couldnt fathom any other reason for a son to look nothing like his father.
To solve this mystery, I knew I had to stay. I needed to find out what secrets this family was hiding.
3
Under pressure from my grandmother, the Sterlings reluctantly paid to enroll me in a prestigious local university, in the same program as Lily.
I hadnt been in school for long before Lily decided it was time to make her move.
It was an eight a.m. class. The moment I stepped through the door, I felt every eye in the room lock onto me. Lily was at the front, speaking with our professor.
When she saw me, tears instantly welled in her eyes.
Clara, she cried, her voice breaking dramatically, if you wanted the gold medal in the competition, you just had to ask! I would have gladly given it to you.
She wrung her hands. I know youre jealous that I had the life that was meant to be yours, that I got all the opportunities but I couldnt control that!
Im willing to give you everything back, I swear! But why would you resort to something so dishonest? Why would you steal my work?
Just as shed planned, the gazes of my classmates turned from curious to contemptuous. Ever since my first day, Lily had been carefully crafting a narrative, painting me as an interloper and herself as the kind, tragic victim.
And I had to admit, her plan was working.
The professor turned his laptop screen toward me, displaying the winners' list. My name was at the top, in first place.
I hadnt even entered the competition.
He addressed me with a sneer. Clara, would you care to explain why your name is on the entry that Lily submitted?
I shrugged, my hands open in a gesture of honesty. Shes the one who submitted it. How would I know?
He let out a cold, humorless laugh. Our department has a strict code of conduct. We do not tolerate plagiarism or theft.
He pulled out his phone and began tapping out a message. Dont you worry, Lily. Im contacting the dean and the competition judges right now. We will make this right.
Hearing this, the students started whispering amongst themselves.
Is he getting her expelled?
Figures. Someone from the sticks wouldnt know any better. Cheating in a national sketch competition? Shes got some nerve.
And stealing from Lily, of all people. Doesnt she know Lily is the best in our program?
Someone else snorted. What would she know? She only got in because her parents pulled some strings. Does she even know how to draw?
The Sterlings are a family of artists, but this Clara cant draw, and she doesnt look anything like them.
Maybe they got it wrong. Maybe shes not their long-lost daughter after all.
Not their daughter?
And who told them I couldnt draw?
I found the whole situation amusing and didnt bother to correct them.
But at that last comment, Lilys head snapped toward me, her eyes gleaming as if shed just discovered a hidden treasure. I saw her discreetly pull out her phone and fire off several messages.
4
Half an hour later, the classroom was packed. The dean, the competition judges, and the entire Sterling family had arrived.
They even brought a few police officers with them.
Who reported a crime? the lead officer, Detective Miller, asked, his eyes scanning the crowded room.
When he saw me, his expression flickered with surprise. Clar
I gave him a subtle shake of my head.
Lily had worked so hard to stage this drama for me. It would be a shame not to let her finish her performance.
Miller and his colleagues caught my signal and fell silent.
I did! the professor announced, pointing an accusatory finger at me. He looked at the officers with righteous indignation. This student stole anothers artwork to enter a competition, tarnishing the reputation of our institution!
I tolerated the fact that she got in through family connections, he huffed. But this this is a disgrace. I cannot, in good conscience, cover this up!
The Sterlings flushed with embarrassment, glaring at me as if I were a stain on their family name. Not a single one of them moved to defend me.
The university officials looked at the professor, bewildered. The dean opened his mouth to speak, but Miller put a firm hand on his shoulder, silently signaling him to stay quiet.
Her? She stole someones artwork? Miller couldnt suppress a smirk. Whose work did she supposedly steal?
His amused tone threw the professor, Lily, and everyone else for a loop. After a moments hesitation, Lily stepped forward.
It was mine, she said, then put on a show of magnanimity. But Clara is the sister my parents just brought home. I know shes picked up some bad habits. But shes still my sister. I promise she wont do it again.
She pleaded with the officials. Im begging you, Mr. Dean, and the judges, please give her a second chance. Dont put this on her record.
Every word was a performance of perfect, selfless sincerity.
The Sterlings were deeply moved. Victoria wrapped a protective arm around her. Oh, my sweet Lily. Youre just too kind for your own good.
Richard Sterlings voice was grave. Detective, handle this as the law requires. The Sterling family will not shelter a criminal.
Sensing the tide, the professor added his two cents. Lily, youve been too sheltered. You dont understand how cruel the world can be. In my opinion, a student with such poor moral character should be expelled!
The other students, swept up in the mob mentality, began to chime in.
Yes! We dont want a thief in our class!
She stole from her own sister today! Who knows who shell target next?
We demand she be expelled!
They were so caught up in their righteous fury that none of them noticed the deans face had turned a shade of purple.
After listening to their tirade, Miller nodded slowly, a playful glint in his eye as he looked at me.
Well, miss? Do you have anything to say for yourself? he drawled. If not, youd better come with us down to the station.
5
Lily, believing she had already won, shot me a triumphant smirk.
I let out a long sigh, deciding it was time to end this farce.
Alright, thats enough. Its not that complicated.
Just find Lilys original artwork and send it to forensics. Check the signature and the fingerprints.
As soon as I finished, Millers voice dripped with mock surprise. What? A full forensic analysis?
He raised an eyebrow theatrically. Seems like a waste of police resources, dont you think Profiler?
The word hung in the air, and the entire room fell silent.
Lilys brain seemed to short-circuit.
The professors eyes widened, and he turned slowly to Miller. ...What did you just call her?
Miller gave him a thin smile. Clara Vance. Shes a criminal profiler on loan to our department from D.C. Graduated top of her class from the joint program at Quantico two years ago.
The dean, finally finding his voice, shot the professor a furious glare. Not only that, Ms. Vance is a judge for the national finals of this very competition, and she is our universitys guest lecturer for the upcoming semester!
Miller continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Shes going to steal someones work? For a campus-level competition?
He let out a short, derisive laugh and turned his gaze to a rapidly paling Lily. Tell me, little sister, did you also graduate at the top of a national program?
Lilys face was ashen. Thats impossible! she blurted out. Shes just some girl they found in the countryside! Where would she have learned to draw?
Realizing she had just shattered her carefully constructed persona, she quickly tried to backtrack as all eyes turned to her. I I just mean, my sister never had the chance to study with a master. Perhaps theres been a mistake?
Miller rolled his eyes. Genius is in her DNA. Thats a bit different from someone like you, who has no natural talent to speak of.
Lily looked like she was about to be sick.
But then, a spark of an idea seemed to flash in her mind. She fumbled for her phone, her eyes scanning a message.
Suddenly, the light returned to her eyes.
She held up her phone, waving it victoriously in my direction. So what if you have talent, Clara?
I had our maid take a few strands of hair from your brush and run a DNA test with Mom and Dads.
My heart skipped a beat. I stared at her, genuinely surprised.
Seeing my reaction, Lilys smile widened into a malicious grin. I even paid extra for a rush job. And guess what the results said?
Youre not their daughter at all!

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