CHapter 1

Chapter 1

On the second floor of the Lambert Mansion.

Briony Lambert, decked out in a plain white princess dress, whipped out her pocket mirror to admire her own lovely face.

She pinched her handkerchief, cocking a smug smile at Noella in front of her.

“Sis, there’s something I wanna lay on you…”

Just last month, when Belinda fell ill and needed a blood transfusion, both Noella and Briony were called over. And bam! Turns out Noella wasn’t the biological daughter of the Lamberts! A paternity test on the spot proved Briony was the real flesh and blood of the Lambert family!

Holding the paternity test report, Briony’s eyes were dancing with triumph. She grew up with Noella since they were knee–high.

Why should she remain relegated to the role of the nanny’s niece while Noella basked in the glory as the high and mighty Ms. Lambert?

Now, it was all hers for the taking!

Behind Briony, the Lambert folks were giving Noella heart–wrenching glances.

Spotting Noella’s gaze, Vincent Lambert brushed away a nonexistence tear.

“Noella, nobody anticipated that Briony was our own flesh and blood. We had plans for you to grow up here alongside her, but out of the blue, your folks decide to take you back. We’re gutted to see you go, but it’s only right to send you back. I can’t bear to separate you from your biological parents; it would be too cruel.”

Vincent was actually game for keeping Noella around, but Belinda argued that Briony had been overshadowed by Noella all her life, and living together would be unfair to her.

Just the thought of her darling daughter living like a servant under her own roof was enough to make Belinda’s heart bleed.

It’s all Noella’s fault!

As for Noella, their supposed daughter, the moment Vincent spread the word, calls from Emerald County flooded in, seeking a reunion. The thick accent on the other end of the line was as dense as molasses! Vincent could barely make heads or tails of what they were saying.

Emerald County, as the news reported, had an average annual income of less than a grand per resident last year. A place so broke that charity couldn’t even lift it up!

It turned out that Noella’s real parents were from Emerald County, and judging by the sound of it, they were farmers.

“Noella, even though your parents are farmers, don’t you worry. I heard chickens in the background when I was on the phone. So, at least if you’re hungry, you can chow down on

Chapter 1

some chicken…”

Briony snorted with laughter.

What a backwater! They even raise chickens!

“Dad, you don’t get it. In places that poor, chickens are worth more than people. You can’t just eat them whenever you want.”

Briony’s face was a picture of superiority.

Noella saw right through their act and stood up, asking coolly, “I’ll leave in a bit. Where’s my laptop?”

She was the picture of grace and elegance that Briony could never mimic, no matter how hard she tried.

The nerve! What a show–off!

“Sis, we didn’t touch your laptop. It’s a clunker from five years ago. You must’ve lost it, right?”

The nannies behind chimed in, dissing her.

“Yeah, only Ms. Noella would be so petty as to care about a laptop that old.”

*Ease up, Noella’s about to head back to the boonies, where folks probably don’t even know

what a laptop is.”

Briony was smirking all over.

Noella gave her a cool glance and whipped out her phone, pulling up a surveillance clip.

The video unmistakably revealed Briony sneaking into Noella’s room last night when everyone else was distracted and swiping her laptop.

The footage showed Briony looking downright ferocious.

“That old hag, why does she only care about you! I’m the real daughter of the Lambert family!”

Briony was speechless. Had Noella lost her marbles? She’d actually rigged her, own room with cameras! And caught her cursing out Old Mrs. Lambert.

Belinda yanked Briony behind her as if Noella was about to gobble her up.

“Noella, you’re out of line. This is your home too. How could you set up cameras here? You know your dad’s got loads of trade secrets. If those got out…”

With that, Vincent’s expression turned all kinds of awkward.

“Noella, hand over your phone. I want to check if you’ve planted cameras anywhere else.”

Noella was left speechless. She didn’t give a hoot about the Lambert’s business.

Right in front of Vincent, Noella wiped her phone clean, restoring it to factory settings.

Chapter 1

Vincent, feeling a bit sheepish, chuckled, “I’m not doubting you. Just playing it safe, you know.”

Noella’s reply was icy. “Give me my laptop, and I’ll leave.”

Vincent quickly had Briony dig up Noella’s laptop.

Briony grumbled, “She can’t even let go of such an old piece of junk. Emerald County probably doesn’t even have the internet.”

That busted laptop couldn’t even boot up now, only a soon–to–be poor girl like Noella would treasure it.

Noella gave her one last glance. This laptop, a gift from Old Mrs. Lambert while she was still around, had been customized by Noella herself. It was precious, sure, but not indispensable.

She could replace the laptop, and these so–called family members? She could do without them. It’s just that this gadget held a different kind of sentiment.

The entire Lambert family favored Briony, top to bottom, except for Old Mrs. Lambert who loved. her from the start, giving her a warmth she’d always cherish.

With Old Mrs. Lambert gone, the Lambert family meant squat to her.

Noella turned and walked towards the front door without a backward glance or a shred of

regret.

Belinda, who’d been gearing up to drop some sentimental lines, was left feeling awkward as hell

“Hey you, hold up! What’s with the attitude? An elder is trying to have a word with you, and here you are, giving me the stink eye. You and Briony grew up together, for crying out loud. It’s like one of you is from another planet!”

From Vincent’s lips, Belinda had also caught wind of how tough Noella’s biological parents had

The word on the street was they were dirt poor, residing in Emerald County, one of the most poverty–stricken areas in the country, without even a proper main road in their village.

Her folks were farmers, with four bachelor brothers at home and a sister with a temper shorter than a summer day, not to mention grandparents who weren’t in the best of health.

In a family like that, if Noella went back, she’d be in for a rough ride. It wouldn’t be surprising if. at her young age, she’d have to bust her chops to put food on the table, maybe even slave away. to save up wedding gifts for her brothers to find brides!

Briony, who had lived in Noella’s shadow for years, transformed her insecurity into a thick layer of confidence as she rose to follow Noella. “Sis, let me walk you out.”

Vincent cast a disapproving glance at Belinda. “Cut her some slack. Noella’s been decent to you over the years. Remember when you were sick? She took care of you.”

Belinda shot him a look that could kill.

13:07

Chapter 1

“Take care of me? I’ve been waiting on her hand and foot, and look what she turned out to be. I’m just worried she’ll start getting ideas about Briony’s wedding. A Rosenberg wedding is for our own flesh and blood!”

Milford Rosenberg and the Lambert family had a marriage arrangement in place, but it was meant for the Lambert’s daughter, not Noella, the cuckoo in the nest!

Besides, Briony and Milford Rosenberg shared a close bond since childhood. Unlike the rebellious Noella, Briony was the real deal thoughtful and sensible, which brightened Belinda’s day considerably.

Noella didn’t have much to take with her, Just a small suitcase with the laptop Old Mrs. Lambert had given her.

Briony sidled up, grinning from ear to ear.

“Sis, I’m really gonna miss you, but you know I’ve always been close to Milford. It’s such a shame you can’t come to the wedding.”

Briony had always been a little magpie, snatching everything from Noella, from food and clothes to the doting affection of Mr. and Mrs. Lambert.

Noella never let it get to her.

As for Milford, if Briony hadn’t mentioned it. Noella would have almost forgotten the guy event existed.

“You like picking up guys at the dump. I’m not into that.”