The Body Swap Secret

I was the flex girl.

When our whole class went to a farm for hands-on agricultural experience, I drove a Ferrari into the fields and used a Herms bag as a foot mat.

The scholarship student in our class, Maria Rowe, stared at me with naked envy.

So I gave her designer goods, let her live in my villa, and even arranged a helicopter to take her to and from school.

That only made her more jealous.

When she finally couldnt stand it anymore and used her body-swap system, thinking she could replace me at last, I smiled.

What she didnt know was that I was the fake heiress.

She was the real daughter of the Ashford family, the lost heiress about to be welcomed home.

The day our school went to the countryside to experience farm work, I arrived in a Ferrari.

The field was too muddy. As soon as the car reached the edge of the ridge, the tires sank in.

The front wheels disappeared into the mud. The harder I stepped on the gas, the deeper they went.

There happened to be a Herms bag in the back seat, so I pulled it out and tossed it under my feet, stepping on it to climb onto the ridge.

Every student working nearby froze.

Holy

Am I seeing things? Is that Herms? Thats insane.

The sun was a little too bright, so I put on limited-edition sunglasses and said, Everyones working hard today. I bought chilled juice, imported fruit, and snacks. Enough for all of you.

The class erupted.

Miss Ashford is rich and kind!

Its so hot today. I was dying out here pulling carrots. Harper, youre literally saving my life.

Everyone laughed. Someone set up a sun umbrella for me. Someone brought over a little folding stool.

Then a sharp voice came from the side.

Ugh. The flex queen.

It wasnt loud, but it cut through the noise.

Shes even showing off in the countryside. Incredible.

Harper never used to be like this. These last few days, its like she became another person. At that party two days ago, she poured bottles of 1982 Lafite into the pool. Disgusting.

I turned and glanced over.

It was Paige Grant, our class president, and her little followers.

Paige had always been the most popular girl in class. No wonder she was annoyed that I had stolen the spotlight today.

She sneered, raising her voice.

I heard Maria Rowe lives in this village too.

Shes a scholarship student. Her parents died years ago, and she lives alone in that mud house on the east side of the village. The roof is practically collapsing. She picks up bottles after school and eats plain rolls with pickles in the cafeteria.

Tsk. Someone over here is using Herms as a foot mat, while someone else is digging through trash and barely eating.

Some people really have no conscience. If youre going to show off, at least read the room.

I looked at Maria.

She had a delicate, innocent face and a thin, fragile frame. Her school uniform had been washed until it faded white. She looked timid.

The way she looked at me was full of envy.

I took off my sunglasses, suddenly entertained, and pulled out my phone.

Hello, Mr. Carter. Go to the mall right now. Clothes, shoes, bags, all designer. Ten full outfits, head to toe. Bring them here when youre done.

He answered at once.

I added, And withdraw three hundred thousand in cash. Bring that too.

My classmates gathered in a circle, whispering about what I was going to do.

I looked at Paige and said, Didnt someone say I love showing off? Correct. I do.

Everything I just ordered is for Maria Rowe.

Oh, and she doesnt have a proper place to live, right? I own a standalone villa downtown. Hmm, its a little far from school. Then Ill send a helicopter to pick her up and drop her off every day.

The surroundings went silent for several seconds.

Im jealous.

Actually, my family is pretty poor too. Harper, would you consider sponsoring me?

Paiges face turned green, like she had swallowed a dead fly.

Not long after, Mr. Carters car arrived.

Three or four large boxes were carried out and stacked beside the ridge. There was also a briefcase filled entirely with cash.

When the items were handed to Maria, there was no gratitude in her eyes.

No dislike either.

Not surprise.

Only overwhelming jealousy.

I knew that look.

I had seen it before.

In my last life, I wasnt some flex girl. I was an obedient, well-behaved daughter.

Even though I was the only daughter of the richest family in the city, I never flaunted wealth or acted arrogant. I wore ordinary clothes, carried ordinary bags, and treated everyone politely.

Until my eighteenth birthday party.

A lot of guests came that day. The garden was filled with white roses, the champagne tower rose three tiers high, and a live band played in the corner.

I stood in the crowd wearing a white dress and smiling.

Back then, I thought I was the happiest girl in the world.

A six-tier cake was pushed out.

My father picked up the microphone.

Today, I have something very important to announce.

I smiled at him, thinking he was about to wish me happy birthday.

Instead, he said, Harper Ashford is not our biological daughter.

I froze.

There was a mix-up at the hospital years ago. Our real daughter was lost outside our family. Fortunately, we have finally found her.

The whole room went quiet.

Then they brought someone out from the back.

Maria Rowe.

She looked shy and happy, nothing like the poor student she had been before.

My mother held her arm as if she were a priceless treasure.

Today is Marias homecoming banquet. We hope all of you can witness the return of the Ashford familys true jewel.

Thunderous applause filled the garden.

A friend tugged at my sleeve and quietly told me not to overthink it.

I didnt.

My parents had found their biological daughter. I should be happy for them. Even if I wasnt related by blood, eighteen years of affection still existed.

They would love Maria, and they would still love me.

Later, I learned how wrong I was.

When I went home, the only thing waiting for me was a locked door.

My parents, who had once spoiled me to the bone, became strangers overnight.

They said the Ashford family only cared about bloodline.

They said I was nothing but an impostor, a bastard who had stolen the place of their only daughter for eighteen years. It was unforgivable.

Maria suggested that I be sent to the countryside to experience the suffering she had endured. Only then would it be fair.

So overnight, I went from heiress to orphan.

I moved into that mud house. I stopped eating and drinking.

It hurt.

Not because life was hard.

It hurt because my parents were so cruel.

Bloodline. Bastard. Every word was a knife in my chest.

When I was nearly starving, I finally dragged myself up.

I was alive not because I was an Ashford daughter.

I was alive because I was me.

Without that identity, I could still live brilliantly.

Those years were hard.

I left the mud house and rented a basement room.

I worked as an extra. A corpse. A palace maid. A vicious supporting actress.

I was insulted, framed, and looked down on. I gritted my teeth and climbed up step by step.

In the end, I became a top actress.

My films broke box office records. I won two Best Actress awards. My endorsements ranged from luxury brands to everyday products, plastered across every street.

When a famous actor publicly confessed his feelings for me, the internet crashed for three hours.

At the peak of my career, I saw the news on TV.

Ashford Group has officially declared bankruptcy. Founder Richard Ashford has been restricted from luxury spending due to debt disputes. Reportedly, several properties under his daughters name have been seized

My assistant told me Maria had been spoiled beyond reason after returning to the family.

She bought yachts and private planes and spent money like water.

Most importantly, she was hopelessly in love with a man.

She listened to him and invested in projects.

Then he disappeared. The money vanished.

Maria began crying and throwing tantrums.

My parents were so busy comforting her that they neglected the business.

Old clients left. New clients never came. Cash flow tightened more and more.

When a bridge loan failed to get repaid, the bank called in the debt. The capital chain snapped. Suppliers blocked the doors, employees demanded wages, and partners filed lawsuits.

The Ashford family went bankrupt.

When I heard it, I felt nothing.

The survival of the Ashford family had nothing to do with me anymore.

But not long after, Maria came to find me.

I didnt know how she got my hotel address. When I returned from filming, she was squatting outside my room.

When she saw my glamorous clothes, her eyes filled with the same overwhelming jealousy.

Are you proud? She laughed. Big star. Best Actress. Men chasing after you. And me? My familys gone. My moneys gone. I have nothing.

You think Im regretful and desperate? Youre wrong. Im thrilled.

A bad feeling surged in my chest.

I turned and ran.

Maria immediately chased me and grabbed my wrist.

The world spun.

Everything went black.

I lost consciousness.

When I opened my eyes, I was lying on the hotel hallway floor.

Standing across from me was someone who looked exactly like me.

She moved her hands and looked at her brand-new body, her eyes shining.

Did you know? I accidentally obtained a system. It gave me one chance to swap bodies with someone.

I was looking for a target when someone told me I was the Ashford heiress. I thought I wouldnt need the system anymore.

Who knew the chance would come now? Your actor, your money, your career, all of it is mine.

Then she picked up her phone and called security, saying I was a stalker fan and telling them to deal with me.

Seeing my horrified expression, she laughed with satisfaction.

I was thrown out of the hotel. No matter how I explained, no one believed me.

It rained that day.

Once again, I had nothing.

The phone in my pocket rang.

It belonged to Marias old body.

A message popped up on the screen.

You think hiding means we cant find you? Pay your debts. If you dont have money, you can pay with something else.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

My heart jumped again.

I didnt escape.

They locked me in an unfinished building.

Every day, someone came in demanding money. I said I didnt have any, and they hit me.

After a while, I lost count. I only knew there wasnt a patch of unbruised skin left on me.

In the end, they stuffed me into a van and took me somewhere.

I was tied to a bed.

Someone beside me prepared instruments. I heard the clink of surgical tools. Then they injected something into my arm.

Cold liquid entered my veins.

I closed my eyes and knew I was going to die.

Many images flashed through my mind.

The last one was Marias jealous eyes.

I hated her.

I refused to accept it.

If I could live again, I would never let Maria have a good ending.

No one expected that when I opened my eyes again, I had returned to before the Ashford homecoming.

I truly had another chance.

I buried my face in my hands, shaking with pain.

This time, I would take everything back.

After that day, Maria moved into my villa.

I gave her a room with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the pool.

The closet was full of the latest seasonal designer pieces. The skincare on the vanity was all high-end luxury brands.

Not only that, I brought her into my social circle.

Fine dining, private parties, riding clubs, yachts. Anything fun, I took her along.

At first, she was restrained.

Gradually, she became used to it.

At the mall, she bought a twenty-thousand-dollar dress without blinking.

When paying, she handed over the card with arrogant ease, as if she were a real heiress.

I stood beside her and watched.

How long had it been?

Two months?

She had already completely forgotten who she used to be.

The funniest part was her and Owen Price.

Owen was the school heartthrob and student council president. His family ran an import-export business and was considered respectable in the city.

Every time we went to a gathering, as long as Owen was there, Maria would move close and find reasons to talk.

Owen, you like this watch brand too? I just bought one a few days ago.

Owen, theres an equestrian competition this weekend. Do you want to go together?

Owen, the desserts from this place are amazing. I brought some especially for you.

Then one day, she came to me shyly, cheeks flushed.

Owen said he kind of likes me. Do you think I should say yes?

I smiled and said nothing.

Poor silly thing.

When the school dance was announced, Maria was so excited she couldnt sleep all night.

That day, the school auditorium was decorated grandly.

Maria stood in the most visible spot, scanning the crowd for Owen.

I heard Owen hasnt invited a dance partner yet.

Really? Doesnt everyone like him?

Who knows? Maybe hes waiting for someone.

Listening to the gossip nearby, Maria couldnt suppress her smile.

She said to me with a little pride, Owen must be waiting for me. He probably wants to confess publicly at the dance.

At exactly three oclock, the host invited a pair to open the first dance.

Owen entered as student council president.

Maria took a deep breath, stepped forward, and extended her hand with a sweet smile.

Owen didnt even look at her.

He brushed past her and walked straight to me.

Harper Ashford, may I have this dance?

I smiled and placed my hand in his.

The music began. We walked onto the dance floor.

Maria stood frozen, like a clown.

Her face went pale first, then slowly flushed red.

Someone whispered beside her.

Isnt that the scholarship girl Harper brought around? She stepped forward and even held out her hand. Did she think Owen was inviting her?

Pfft, what was she thinking? Wealthy families care about matching status. With Owens background, how could he like her?

I think she really believes wearing designer clothes makes her a rich girl. Hilarious. Once Harper stops sponsoring her, shell be back to her old self overnight.

The voices werent loud, but every word entered Marias ears clearly.

Like a bucket of cold water, they woke her up completely.

Everything she had experienced these past months was like a beautiful dream.

The more beautiful the dream, the crueler reality became.

Even in designer clothes, she was still Maria Rowe, the poor girl everyone looked down on.

The life of the past few months was too good.

So good she would rather die than let it go.

Her fists clenched. At last, she made up her mind.

She wanted to turn the dream into reality.

She wanted money, power, beauty, and Owens love.

Across the crowd, I glanced at her.

She was staring at me with hatred.

Yes.

That look.

Pleasure surged through me.

Hurry up, Maria.

I cant wait.

After the dance, Maria said she had something to tell me.

We returned to the villa together. She stared at me with dark eyes, then suddenly grabbed my hand.

Harper Ashford, every time you gave me something, every time you took me out, every time people praised you, I wanted to kill you.

Why is life so unfair? Why were you born with everything? I want to swap with you.

The world began spinning again.

I knew it.

The fish had finally taken the bait.