The Ruthless Attorney Reborn as the Lost Heiress

In my past life, I was a lawyer forged in the cutthroat legal market of the East Coast, a grind that stacked more law codes than I could count.

I died in a car crash on the way to collect evidence. Just like that.

When I opened my eyes again, I was the long-lost daughter of one of Harbor Bays wealthiest families.

But the millions of lines of case law, the strategies, the sheer knowledgeit was all still perfectly filed in the brain of the person I now was: Caroline Simon.

Id barely woken up in the plush hospital room when my biological mother, Enid Price, walked in with a face colder than granite.

Here is fifty thousand dollars, she stated, sliding a document across the tray table. Sign this, and never interrupt our life again.

It was a Voluntary Waiver of Inheritance and All Related Rights, placed next to a corporate bank card.

The opening act was exactly as I had predicted.

Huddled next to Enid, eyes slightly red with a mix of practiced innocence and a flicker of fear, was Isabelle Izzy Finch, the girl who had usurped my identity for twenty years.

Sister, please dont be mad at Mom and Dad, Izzy whispered, managing a shaky sob. Its all my fault. I took your place

Enid immediately pulled Izzy into a protective embrace, the look she shot me chilling with contempt.

Callie, she used the nickname I hadnt given her permission to use. Sign the paper. Fifty thousand is more than enough for you to live quietly. The Simons are not a family for you to climb into.

Climb into? I almost laughed. The litigation funds in my previous life could have bought and sold this entire suburban hospital.

I raised my eyes, calm and level, first meeting Enid Prices cold stare, then glancing at my silent biological father, Richard Simon, who stood by the window.

Ms. Price, Mr. Simon, I began, my voice steady, professional.

First, a correction. I did not interrupt your life. You engaged a private agency, confirmed a DNA match, and actively sought me out. Legally, thats called a reclamation. The initiative was yours. So, lets dispense with the pretense of me being the unwelcome intruder.

Enid froze, clearly thrown by the articulation and the tone. She must have expected a terrified, grateful waif.

Second, regarding this Waiver. Under the principles of Contract Law, specifically regarding duress, unconscionability, and lack of independent counselin a case where the waiving party, myself, is a minor without representation and there is a gross disparity of social and economic power

This document, which waives significant future rights based on mistake and unfair dealing, would be highly challengeable, and likely ruled voidable, in any competent court of law.

Izzys gentle sobbing stopped. She just stared at me. Richard slowly straightened from his slouch, his eyes narrowing with a sharp, calculating focus.

Finally, about the fifty thousand. I paused, letting my gaze settle on the bank card.

That might cover a down payment in a forgotten corner of the state. But based on Tort Law precedents regarding child support, the past eighteen years of Simon Holdings average profits, your familys documented expenditures, and Izzys costsnamely, private academy tuition, overseas enrichment programs, and verifiable luxury purchases

I leaned forward slightly. Your outstanding financial obligation to me, the debt for my rearing, is approximately one thousand times this figure. And that doesnt even begin to calculate pain and suffering or emotional damages.

I gave them a small, sweet, lawyerly smile.

So, no. I cant sign this agreement.

The agreement was not signed.

Richard, looking grim, told me to stay temporarily. Enid treated me like a poorly rendered hologram, and the staff ignored me altogether.

I was perfectly happy with the quiet.

My days began with pulling Simon Holdings public financial reports and shareholder structures. Old habits die hard. They are a reflex.

That afternoon, the door opened, and Izzy slipped in, immediately latching onto my arm with false warmth.

Sister, we have a small gathering tonighta family dinnerto introduce you to a few of Dads business associates!

Thats lovely, I replied, smiling back, while wondering what poison she was preparing.

Just as a maid walked past the door, Izzy raised her voice several decibels.

Oh, Sister, I just realized! Do you have any, you know, heavy pieces of jewelry to go with your dress? Oh, I hope you do! She paused, as if remembering something crucial. Actually Mom has a massive walk-in closet, but she hateswhen anyone goes in uninvited. You absolutely must remember that, okay?

The maid shot a discreet glance our way.

There it is.

The groundwork. Emphasize my lack of wealth, create the narrative of the poor country girl, and place a treasure behind a glass wall, making me the prime suspect.

I dont have any statement jewelry, but I dont mind. Ill go without, I said, keeping my tone perfectly mild, but inside, the contempt was a cold, bitter knot.

The family dinner was held at the most exclusive private club in Harbor Bay.

The guests included peripheral Simon family members and several directors from companies with ties to Simon Holdings.

Izzy, in a bespoke gown, was the picture of a polished heiress, laughing easily on Richards arm.

I was seated at a side table, my slender frame draped in a gorgeous, expensive dress Izzy had helpfully picked out for mea shade of emerald green that was far too grand and looked like I was playing dress-up.

Midway through the appetizer course, Izzy let out a sudden, high-pitched gasp. Mom, didnt you say you were wearing the diamond bracelet you bought at Christies this morning?

Enid touched the plain gold cuff on her wrist and forced a smile. I swore I saw it this morning, but I couldnt find it when we left the house

Izzy immediately looked distraught. Oh, no! Did it fall off somewhere? That bracelet was Dads birthday gift to you. It was worth three million dollars!

A missing piece of jewelry worth that much was not a minor incident.

Every eye in the room discreetly swept the table and finally landed on me, the silent girl in the ill-fitting, flashy dress.

Richards face hardened. Well discuss this back home.

But Izzy spoke up, her voice small and tentative. Dad, Mom, I suddenly remembered this afternoon, only Sister went up to the third floor

She looked at me, her face a perfect mask of regret. Could it be that Sister just didnt have a nice enough piece for her gown

The private dining room went instantly silent.

Enid exploded. Her voice was sharp, a pure shriek of accusation. Callie Simon! Did you take it?! Answer me!

A wave of low murmuring went through the guests. A few directors watched me with eyes as sharp as knives.

I picked up my napkin, slowly wiped my mouth, and stood up under the concentrated gaze of the entire room.

Everyone, I said, my voice quiet, but cutting through the silence like glass.

First, as per the states criminal code, specifically relating to Defamation and Criminal Slander, to fabricate facts with the intent to subject a person to criminal investigation, particularly involving a major felony, is punishable by imprisonment.

The initial look of scorn on the guests faces faltered. They had not expected a law lecture.

You are currently accusing me of the theft of property valued at several million dollars. In this state, that meets the threshold for Grand Theft in the First Degree, a serious felony with a potential sentence of ten years or more.

Izzys face went pale, but she still forced a smile. Sister! What are you saying? Youre scaring everyone! I only asked if you were worried; I never said you took it

This afternoon, you deliberately highlighted my lack of jewelry in front of the staff, intentionally informed me the jewelry was in your mothers closet, and now, at a public dinner, you are linking the missing item to me and my brief presence on the third floor. That constitutes a clear and directed campaign of slander.

I cut her off. I pulled out my phone and lit up the screen.

Second, regarding my movements this afternoon. I pulled up a video file and displayed it for the room.

Anticipating that my sensitive status might lead to misunderstandings, I specifically recorded an uninterrupted, time-stamped video from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM, using my phones front-facing camera, within the privacy of my second-floor guest room. During this entire time, I did not leave the room for a single step.

I hit the play button. The fast-forwarded footage clearly showed me sitting at a small desk near the window, reading a book, my body and the rooms backdrop always visible.

This video has been encrypted and simultaneously uploaded to an accredited national electronic evidence preservation platform. It can be verified and authenticated at any time.

I pocketed the phone, my gaze moving from Izzys dramatically changing expression to Enids furious, trapped face, and finally to Richard Simon.

Mr. Simon, my video is conclusive. I have a confirmed alibi for the entire duration of the purported diamond bracelet theft.

The room was stunned.

Third, I said, giving them no time to recover, locking my eyes on Izzy.

Ms. Finch, you proceeded with this suggestive accusation in a public setting, despite knowing that I have an air-tight alibi. Your subjective malice is evident. Given that this action has caused substantial damage to my reputation and sought to plunge me into serious criminal risk, I reserve all rights to pursue legal action against you.

If you do not immediately and publicly retract your statement and clarify the situation, I will file a police report for defamation and a private criminal complaint for slander right now.

Dead silence fell over the private room.

The directors expressions had become openly amused. The peripheral family members exchanged nervous glances.

Richard Simons face was dark, furious.

The perpetrator, Izzy, was swaying, every ounce of blood drained from her face.

Nonsense! Richard slammed his hand on the table. A bracelet is not worth this drama! A housekeeper must have misplaced it! Apologize to Callie, now!

Enids mouth opened and closed, unable to form words.

Izzy, terrified, burst into genuine tears. IIm sorry, Sister! I was just so worried about Mom. I spoke out of turn

I heard your apology, I said, looking at her coldly. But I dont accept it.

Given the severity of this incident, a verbal apology is insufficient to guarantee my safety. I require that, from this moment forward, no one be allowed into my room for any reason without my explicit permission.

Furthermore, I expect Mr. Simon to draft a written guarantee tonight, promising that no similar attempt at slander or framing will occur again. Otherwise, I will consider this the Simon family condoning libel and will exercise all legal means for my protection.

Richards forehead veins pulsed with rage.

But he was caught. In front of witnesses, and with Izzy having been demonstrably caught lying. He was forced to swallow his anger.

Fine, he ground out. It will be done. Are you satisfied?

I gave a slight nod and returned to my seat.

The dinner continued, but the atmosphere was irreparably broken. No one dared to look at me with suspicion again.

Within days, the storymy poise under pressure, the air-tight alibi, the swift legal counterspread through the citys upper echelon.

Several major corporate figures with connections to Simon Holdings began showing interest in me.

At subsequent business dinners, they deliberately instructed Richard to bring me along, introducing me to their nephews and protgs.

Izzys complexion grew visibly paler with each passing week.

Returning from one such dinner, Izzy cornered me on the staircase landing. Her smile was sickeningly sweet, but her voice was a malicious whisper.

Sister, youve become Dads favorite prop lately. So high and mighty.

Just remember, a sparrow wearing a few peacock feathers is still just a sparrow! The higher you climb, the harder you fall!

I looked into the undisguised hatred in her eyes, and my lips curved into a slow, cold smile.

Is that so? At least Im not someone else. Its a lot better than being so unqualified that you have to stand on stolen ground, desperate to push others into the abyss. How pathetic is that?

Izzys smile froze. Callie Simon! What did you say? Say that again!

I simply walked past her and up the stairs, without another word.

A few weeks later, it was the annual Shaw Group gala, an event where every significant name in Harbor Bay society was present.

The Simon family was invited.

During the evening, I found myself pressed into drinking more wine than I should have.

Slipping away to the restroom during a brief lull, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and the world began to spin. The next thing I knew, I collapsed to the floor.

I dont know how much time passed before my consciousness slowly returned.

I sat up abruptly. I was wearing nothing but a thin, silk nightgown. Not the floor-length gown I had worn to the gala!

My heart clenched. A bolt of icy dread shot through my limbs.

Awake? A low, cool male voice came from the other side of the room.

By the floor-to-ceiling window, Damon Shaw, wearing a dark silk dressing gown, was pouring water. He turned, his perfectly sculpted features devoid of warmth, expressing only the profound annoyance of a man whose privacy had been violated.

Where is this? How did I get here?

That is the question I should be asking you.

Damon placed the glass down, a short, dismissive scoff escaping him.

Ms. Simon, appearing in my guest suite bed at midnight in a silk slip? Is this the kind of social education the Simons now provide?

He clearly believed I had engineered this, using the crudest means possible to 'climb the ladder.'

Furious shame and cold realization flooded me, but I forced the lawyers logic and composure to the front of my mind.

This was a setup. A toxic, catastrophic scheme designed to utterly destroy my reputation and ensure Richard threw me out. Izzy didnt just want to ruin my nameshe wanted me to permanently alienate Damon Shaw, the one man in Harbor Bay you absolutely could not afford to offend.

Mr. Shaw, I made myself speak slowly, evenly. I was drugged or struck from behind. Before I lost consciousness, I was near the second-floor powder room, wearing a full gown, not this nightgown.

Damons brow slightly arched, but he remained silent, unconvinced.

First, I quickly scanned the room. If I intended to seduce you, I would have at least targeted your private Master Suite. Not a common-area guest room. It is illogicalI had no way of knowing you would be here.

Second, I lifted the corner of the sheet, exposing my lower leg and ankle.

I can feel a dull, throbbing pain at the back of my neck, consistent with a blunt force impact. More importantly, my outer calf has a small, light scuff mark and trace of dirt. This is consistent with being dragged while unconscious. If I had walked here myself, barefoot or otherwise, this injury wouldnt exist.

Damons gaze followed my gesture, briefly lingering on the small red mark on my leg. His eyes narrowed slightly.

Third, and most crucial, I took a deep breath, throwing out the ultimate challenge.

Mr. Shaw, if I truly had the skill to evade all surveillance, drug myself, change into a slip, and silently slip into your roomwhy would I use such an easily exposed, ridiculous maneuver? Why wouldnt I simply have slipped something into your drink?

To attempt such a flawed, transparent scheme is to beg for self-destruction. And I am not suicidal.

The layer of frost on Damons face seemed to crack. He began to truly see me, re-evaluating the scene.

After a long moment, he tossed a dark, heavy mens blazer onto the bed, silently indicating I should put it on.

Youre the daughter the Simons recently found, the one from the Midwest? His voice softened fractionally, though his expression remained severe. Intriguing.

Just then, a wave of hurried footsteps echoed outside the door.

Then came Izzys voice, a perfect imitation of worried panic.

Dad, Mom, do you think Sister drank too much and got confused? I think I saw her heading this way

Oh, my God! I think she went into this room!

The words were barely out before the door was violently thrown open from the outside!