The Real Heiress Only Loves Money

I heard that the company heiress received fifty million and ten percent of the shares as a reward from her parents upon graduation.

I sat at my cubicle, munching on leftover bread from the day before, my eyes wide with envy.

I calculated in my head: even if she did nothing from now on, just collecting interest and dividends, she could still make over thirty million annually!

As a pathetic and humble office drone, getting paid without working was my lifelong dream.

However, that day, the chairman's family found me. They said I was their biological daughter, who had been missing for twenty-three years.

My best friend warned me, "Those elite families have a lot of rules; you won't be able to handle it. Besides, they've raised Serena for over twenty years; they won't have any affection for you."

I offered her a sly smile and told her, "It's okay. I'm not after affection, just money."

1.

I was brought back to the Sterling family mansion. On the way, the butler explained the general situation of the Sterling family to me.

The Sterling family had three children: the eldest son, James, the second son, Matthew, and the youngest daughter, Serena.

After I went missing, Mrs. Sterling was heartbroken, so she adopted a girl from an orphanage, who is now Serena.

Serena was smart, sensible, and had good grades, so she enjoyed the love of her parents and brothers from a young age.

As soon as I got out of the car, I was blocked at the entrance by the Sterling family's second son, Matthew.

He scanned me from head to toe with an unfriendly gaze, then squinted at me and asked, "Are you Sophia Sterling?"

I nodded and pointed to the butler beside me. "I suppose so; that's what they told me. But you can also call me Chelsea, my original name."

He glanced at me, snorted disdainfully. "Country bumpkin. Not even a fraction as good as Serena."

"Give up. Even if you're back, you'll never replace Serena. The Sterling family will only ever have one daughter, and that's Serena! There's nothing about you that can compare to her!"

"I'm warning you, you'd better be cooperative and polite to Serena. Don't do anything that makes me dislike you, or else, I have plenty of ways to make you disappear!"

With that, without waiting for my reply, he turned and entered the villa.

I rolled my eyes at his retreating back.

Who cares if he likes me or not? I'm here to make money, not to win his favor!

Once I get the money, I won't need him to kick me out; I'll leave myself!

Serena, as an adopted daughter, received fifty million and ten percent of the shares upon graduation. It wouldn't be too much for me, the biological daughter, to get an extra ten million, right?

As I was about to push the door open, it was pulled open from the inside.

A girl roughly my age met my gaze, then quickly forced a smile, eagerly taking my hand and asking, "You must be Sophia, right?"

"Come in quickly, Mom and Dad are waiting for you!"

As expected, this was the legendary Serena Sterling, known for her high emotional and intellectual intelligence.

She ushered me into the living room. On the sofa, an elegant middle-aged couple immediately stood up.

Upon seeing me, Mrs. Sterling froze for a moment.

Then she slowly walked up to me, her fingers trembling slightly as she touched my face. "Sophia... is it really my Sophia?"

With that, she embraced me tightly, overcome with emotion. "Mom finally found you."

"How have you been all these years, out there? It's Mom's fault..."

I had prepared myself for an unwelcoming reception, but suddenly being embraced by Mrs. Sterling like this filled me with a mix of emotions.

I grew up in an orphanage, never experiencing any parental affection.

As I pondered how to respond appropriately, a sudden crash of breaking glass came from behind me, mixed with Serena's yelp.

Everyone's attention immediately shifted.

She lay on the floor, clutching her elbow, whimpering, "Mom, it hurts so much..."

Blood dripped onto the pristine floor.

Mrs. Sterling immediately let go of me and rushed over.

Her eyes were filled with concern and distress. "Serena!"

"Quick! Call a doctor!"

Mr. Sterling also rushed over. After seeing what happened, he angrily scolded the surrounding maids. "What are you doing? How could you let Miss Serena serve tea herself?!"

Serena quickly pulled him back, explaining, "Dad, it's not their fault. I wanted to personally pour a cup of tea for Sister, since she's back."

"It's my fault, I was too clumsy, I missed a step."

Her weak explanation to the maids, nestled in Mrs. Sterling's arms, would make anyone pity her.

Soon after, the family doctor arrived. After a quick bandaging, Matthew, still worried, insisted on going to the hospital for another check-up.

So, the whole family prepared to accompany her to the hospital for more tests.

As they were about to leave, Mrs. Sterling suddenly remembered me, standing behind her. She turned, giving me an apologetic look. "Sophia, Mom originally prepared a welcome banquet for you, but this..."

Before she could finish, Matthew turned back, grabbed her, and interrupted. "Alright, Mom, what's with a welcome banquet for a country bumpkin like her? What's important now is Serena. She's bleeding so much; aren't you worried? Let's go!"

Then, two seconds later, I heard a bang as the door was forcefully shut.

Suddenly, the enormous villa was left with only me.

I sat on the sofa, simply glancing around.

Suddenly, my right hand brushed against a book.

I looked down and picked it up. It was a photo album.

Opening the first page, Serena's smiling face, holding a coconut, appeared, with a beach island as the background.

Next were photos from summer camp, from international competitions, and of everyone celebrating her birthday.

Most of the photos were from 2013.

In 2013, I was 12 years old, just starting middle school and growing rapidly. The orphanage had many children, so to get more food every day, I would go to the cafeteria after school to help the aunties wash vegetables and assist in the kitchen.

While I was still worrying about going hungry, she was vacationing on an island with her parents and brother.

Comparing people really kills you.

I stayed in the living room until almost midnight, with no sign of anyone returning.

After thinking about it, I decided to go back to my old home first.

Picking up my bag, I was about to stand up when Mrs. Sterling, with Serena in her arms, opened the door. She looked a little surprised to see me.

"Sophia, it's so late, where are you going?"

"It was so late, and you hadn't returned. I didn't know where to sleep, so I was going to head home."

Hearing my reply, she paused, her expression apologetic. "Mom completely forgot."

"Hmph, what are you trying to do, playing pitiful!" Matthew scoffed at me.

Mrs. Sterling turned back and called out to Aunt Lee, who was behind her. "Aunt Lee, quickly take Sophia to her room to rest."

"Mom, let me take Sister." Serena stepped forward, volunteering.

Mrs. Sterling smiled at her, relieved. "Serena is so thoughtful. Take your sister."

Serena stepped forward, familiarly taking my hand and leading me upstairs.

She opened a room on the second floor. "Sister, you can stay in this room."

I looked up. The room was decorated quite warmly and girlishly.

Before I could speak, Matthew rushed forward, blocking me. "No! This is Serena's room! Serena, why would you give your room to this country bumpkin?"

"Poor people like her are full of tricks. You're so kind; don't let her take advantage of you!"

Serena glanced at him, feigning a chiding tone. "Brother, the room Mom prepared earlier isn't as big as this one. I thought that Sister suffered for so many years outside, and I've been happy in her place here for so long, so she should be properly compensated now that she's back."

"I took Sister's place. Now it's time to give it back to her."

Then, she looked at me cautiously. "Sister, you won't blame me, will you? Don't worry, I'll return everything that belongs to you. I'll give you whatever you want, as long as you don't make me leave."

"I just love Mom and Dad too much; I can't bear to leave them..."

"..."

So, Serena is a 'green tea' girl.

"Nonsense! What replacement? You are my Walter Sterling's daughter!" Mr. Sterling had appeared behind us at some point. Hearing Serena's words, he sharply rebuked her.

After speaking, he approached her and stroked her hair. "Silly child, don't think such things. You were raised by your mother and me. For us, blood relation isn't that important. You are our most beloved child."

Serena's eyes welled with tears upon hearing this. She turned and hooked her arm through Mr. Sterling's, acting coy. "Dad, of course I'm your daughter. I just feel bad for Sister and don't want to leave you both..."

While they were having their father-daughter moment, I walked to the adjacent room and pushed open the door.

Good. Although it was a bit smaller than Serena's room, it was bright and clean, infinitely better than where I used to live.

"I'll take this room."

Serena froze, still wanting to persuade me, but I interrupted. "Don't worry, I don't take other people's things."

With that, before they could react, I took my luggage into the room.

Reviewing the day's events, I realized that aside from Mrs. Sterling being somewhat amiable towards me, everyone else seemed less than welcoming.

I heard that Sterling Industries was originally Mrs. Sterling's family business. Mr. Sterling had married into the family as a live-in son-in-law. After the old man passed away, Mrs. Sterling, having no interest in business, largely handed over management to Mr. Sterling.

So, in this family, Mrs. Sterling still held considerable sway.

This meant that in this household, mainly currying favor with Mrs. Sterling should be enough.

People die for wealth, birds die for food. I'll just consider this a job.

I'll give myself one year. Get sixty million and shares, then I'm out of here!

The next morning, a knock sounded at my door.

It was Aunt Lee. She said James was back, and Mrs. Sterling wanted me downstairs.

When I got downstairs, the family was happily dividing the gifts James had brought back.

James was momentarily surprised to see me. Then he picked up a gift from the table and handed it to me. "You must be Sophia, right? This is a gift I brought back from abroad, the same as Serena's."

"Thank you." I politely accepted it.

It seemed he was slightly more friendly towards me than Matthew.

Opening it, I found a diamond necklace.

It looked like it was worth a lot. This big brother is quite generous. Note to self: include him in the 'curry favor' strategy!

Just as I was lost in thought about when I could sell it for cash, Serena sweetly called out to someone nearby. "Brandon, can I come to your birthday party the day after tomorrow?"

Only then did I notice a stranger sitting on the sofa.

He was quite handsome and had an extraordinary demeanor, most likely another well-to-do second-generation rich kid.

No wonder Serena was so demure.

Perhaps sensing my curiosity, James thoughtfully introduced me. "This is my good friend, Brandon Hayes."

Brandon heard this, turned, and met my gaze.

In a fleeting moment, a flash of shock appeared in his eyes.

However, a moment later, his expression changed.

He smiled, waving at me. "Hello, Sophia."

With those words, Serena's smile froze.