The Secret Heiress vs. The Fake Princess

I was caught by the paparazzi knocking on the hotel door of Hollywood's biggest heartthrob, Caleb Vance, in the middle of the night. He slammed the door in my face.

The next morning, the internet exploded.

The current It Girl of pop culture, Serena Hart, posted a vague tweet implying she was dating Caleb and urged men to "protect themselves from desperate women."

Her fans went wild, spamming my comments with hate, calling me a "clout chaser" and a "pick-me girl."

Later that day, Serena hinted on a live show that she was the "Entertainment Industry Princess"the secret daughter of the CEO of Global Media, the biggest entertainment conglomerate in the country.

The only problem? My brother is Caleb Vance, the heir to Global Media.

If shes the "Princess" and Im the secret daughter... and she's dating my brother...

Does that mean she's dating her own brother? Or did my dad have a secret family I don't know about?

Honestly, the logic is hard to follow.

I knocked on the door at night. The scandal broke in the morning.

I was shaken awake by my agent, Peach.

"What the hell were you thinking? Knocking on Caleb Vance's door at 2 AM?!"

Peach was pacing, her phone buzzing non-stop. "Serena Hart just jumped into the mix. Between Caleb's fans and Serenas rabid stans, we are dead."

I closed my eyes, waiting for the lecture to continue. Silence.

I rolled over. Peach was already sending out her resume on LinkedIn.

I poked her arm. "Hey, I'm still here."

Peach stared at me with dead eyes. "Physically, yes. Career-wise, you're already in the grave."

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand.

#SofiaStoneCaughtCreeping #CalebVanceRejectsSofia #SerenaHartDefendsHerMan #ProtectCaleb

I clicked on a video. The footage was grainy but clear enough.

Me, looking suspicious in a hoodie, knocking on Calebs hotel door. He opened it, we talked, and then he shoved me out.

The angle made it look like I tried to grab his hand and he recoiled in disgust. Then he slammed the door, nearly breaking my nose.

I stood there arguing with the door for a minute before storming off to my room... which was right next door.

The comments were brutal.

LMAO look at her try to force her way in. Desperate much? Protect Caleb at all costs! Get that creep away from him! I heard shes knocked on every producers door in Hollywood. Gross. She definitely slept her way to her last role. Disgusting.

Then I checked #SerenaHartDefendsHerMan.

Serena is my nemesis. We debuted at the same time, and we always end up auditioning for the same roles. I always win because, frankly, she can't act.

But shes a master of spin. Every time she loses, she posts sad selfies implying I stole the role or used "connections."

Now, she posted a photo of a durian and a washboard.

@SerenaHart: Asking for a friend: which one hurts more to kneel on? PS: Men need to stay safe out there. Some girls see every man as a ladder. Unlike me... I only want to cuddle with the girls. Gross men, stay away! ??

Her fans ate it up.

OMG is she making Caleb kneel for letting Sofia in? Couple goals! Confirming the relationship without confirming it! I love them!

Serena liked a comment that said: Caleb belongs to Serena! Sofia is just a homewrecker.

Then she replied: Oops! Fat fingers! Didn't mean to like that! ??

The hate train picked up speed.

Sofia Stone is a serial mistress. Ban her from the industry. I bet her whole family is trash. Probably raised by criminals.

The person commenting that had a profile picture of... my brother. Caleb.

I wondered how shed feel knowing she just called her idol a "criminal raised by trash."

I logged into my Twitter and posted a clarification.

@SofiaStone: Everyone relax. Caleb Vance is my brother.

Result? Zero people believed me.

Someone DMd Serena asking about it. She posted a screenshot of her reply:

Brother? Ive never heard Caleb mention a sister. But I have heard Sofia calls a lot of industry guys Daddy and Brother. Maybe its just her... thing? No judgment though! ????

Great. Now Im not just a stalker, Im a sugar baby with a kink.

The comments under my post were foul.

If Caleb is your brother, Im your father. Have some shame. Call me Grandpa then.

I was equal parts furious and amused.

Just then, my agent got a call.

A reality show Serena and I were both booked for, "Celebrity Lives: Unfiltered", was moving up its schedule. And instead of pre-taped, it was going live.

They wanted to capitalize on the drama.

To hype it up, the producers teased a special guest: The Secret Princess of the Entertainment Industry.

No one knew who it was.

I suspected my dad was behind this. Global Mediamy familys companyruns half of Hollywood.

My dad gave Caleb and me a challenge: spend three years in the industry incognito. Whoever is more successful stays in showbiz. The loser has to come home and inherit the multi-billion dollar family business.

I knocked on Calebs door last night to beg him to take the CEO job because Im losing. He slammed the door in my face because he wants to act, not sit in board meetings.

The livestream started. We could see the live comments on a monitor.

I heard the Global Media heiress is on this show! Knowing her means knowing everyone who matters in Hollywood.

When the host introduced the cast, the audience realized Serena and I were the only young female guests.

It cant be Sofia. Shes a stalker. It has to be Serena! OMG!

A theory started spreading in the chat: Didnt the Vance family lose a daughter years ago? Maybe Serena is the long-lost heiress!

It makes sense! Serena said she came from humble beginnings... maybe she didn't know!

Serena saw the comments. Her eyes lit up.

Serena, just admit it!

Serena giggled at the camera. Guys, stop guessing! Some things are better left a mystery. I want to make it on my own, not because of my family.

The chat went wild. Confirmed! Its her! No wonder she has that expensive aura. She and Caleb are literally the Prince and Princess of Hollywood. Perfect match!

I almost laughed out loud.

I turned to Serena. Are you really the Vance family heiress?

Serena winked. I cant say. My family prefers privacy. But I want to prove myself first.

She was practically screaming "YES" without saying the word.

If shes the Vance heiress... and Caleb is the Vance heir... and she claims theyre dating...

Is she admitting to incest on live TV?

But the fans didn't know Calebs background either.

One fan caught me smirking. Look at Sofia smiling. Shes probably plotting how to suck up to Serena now. If I were her, Id be kneeling for forgiveness.

The show began. The first challenge: "The Friendship Test."

Host: Call a friend and borrow money for todays activity budget. You have one shot.

Serena is totally calling Caleb! I cant wait to see who answers Sofias call. Probably some old sugar daddy.

Serena dialed. It rang for a minute before connecting.

Hello? A deep, magnetic voice answered. Caleb.

Serena blushed. Its me.

...Who? I don't have your number saved. Im on set, make it quick.

The chat paused. Wait, he doesn't have her number? Its just a couples game! Playing hard to get!

Serena panicked but recovered. Its Serena. Can I borrow some money?

The fans went crazy again. Hes gonna send her a million dollars, watch. Caleb spoils his girl!

Serena smiled sweetly. Not a lot. Just a little bit.

Caleb: Fine.

He hung up.

Ping.

A notification sound from Serenas phone.

[Venmo: You received $200.00 from Caleb Vance]

Serenas smile froze.

The chat went dead silent.

Then the mockery shifted to me. At least she got money! Lets see who Sofia calls. Bet she calls a married man.

Serena regained her composure. Who are you calling, Sofia? That older gentleman I saw you with last week? Just clarifyinghe looked old enough to be your dad, so Im sure its just a... mentorship.

The chat exploded with slut-shaming comments.

I stared at her. Where did you see this? What time? What did he look like? Any distinguishing features?

Serena stammered. Uh... tall... maybe I saw wrong.

You were pretty sure a second ago, I pressed.

The fans defended her. Stop bullying her! She said she might be wrong!

Host: Sofia, who are you calling?

Caleb Vance, I said.

Serena covered her mouth, feigning concern. If he doesn't pick up, don't be sad. Hes probably still mad about last night...

The phone rang once.

What do you want? Calebs voice was completely differentrelaxed, annoyed, familiar.

Send me money.

Are you sick? You have more money than I do.

I rolled my eyes. Just send it!

Wait... Click.

The chat was confused. Why does he sound so different with Sofia? They sound... close?

Serenas face was stiff. Maybe hes just being polite. Or maybe hes messing with you.

She tried to be magnanimous. If he doesn't send it, I can split my $200 with you.

Ping.

My phone announced loudly: [Bank Transfer Received: Ten Million Dollars.]

The studio went silent.

I patted Serenas shoulder. Thanks, but keep your $200. Caleb sent me 10 mill. I think Im good.

Then, my phone rang. It was Caleb.

Is 10 million enough? I can send more if you need it.

I put it on speaker. Its fine.

Okay, going back to filming. Call if you need cash.