Chapter 1The Secret Inheritance: My Family Can Hear My Thoughts

My mother announced in the family group chat that she was bringing home a foster daughter.

The foster daughter lied, claiming she was a bright, underprivileged student recommended by a charity foundation.

But what she didn't know was that my family could hear my thoughts.

As the foster daughter bent over backward to butter up my dad, I mentally scoffed:

[If Dad knew she was Mom's illegitimate daughter with her lover, he’d probably have a heart attack and end up in the ICU, right?]

In my past life, when Ava White moved in, everyone in the family showered her with attention.

I, however, was assaulted by thugs she hired and brutally murdered in the company parking lot.

Only in my last moments did I realize the truth: she was my mom’s daughter by her long-time affair.

If my dad hadn't built the Carrington Group from scratch, my mom would never have married him.

After they married, my mom's sole obsession was to seize the family fortune and leave my dad penniless.

Everything was going according to her plan, until I inexplicably got a second chance.

* * *

I was reborn on the day my mom brought Ava home.

“From now on, Ava is your little sister. You have to take good care of her, okay?” My mom said, beaming.

Ava hid slightly behind my mom, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, the picture of vulnerability.

In the previous life, this pathetic act fooled every single person in the Carrington household.

My dad, seeing her, offered a kind smile and reached out to pull her closer.

I internally sneered.

[Ha! This is Mom’s daughter with her boyfriend. If Dad knew, wouldn’t he be having a massive heart attack?]

My dad’s hand suddenly froze mid-air.

He looked around, searching for the source of the voice.

The housekeeper was in the kitchen prepping dinner, so it was just the four of us in the living room.

Finally, his gaze settled on me.

“Chloe, did you say something just now?”

Seeing my utterly blank expression, he started to reach for Ava again.

I silently thought: [If Dad finds out the truth, it’s going to be a total blowout.]

My dad immediately snatched his hand back.

In the last life, my dad doted on Ava after she moved in.

I never imagined that doting would ultimately destroy our whole family.

Ava noticed my dad’s abrupt withdrawal and instantly put on a wounded expression.

Tears welled in her eyes as she clutched my mom’s sleeve and whispered:

“Aunt Lisa, does Uncle Richard not like me?”

My mom stroked her head affectionately.

“Don’t be silly. You’re my daughter now that you’re here, part of the Carrington family. Don’t worry.”

She then told the housekeeper to prepare a guest room.

“Aunt Lisa, that room is so beautiful.”

Ava pointed toward the second floor.

That entire section belonged to me. My room had a private balcony filled with my favorite roses.

The roses were blooming in May, their fragrance filling the air—absolutely gorgeous.

My mom nodded and turned to me.

“Ava grew up in an orphanage. You’re the big sister, so why don’t you let her have your room?”

I didn't say anything, but I couldn't help but complain internally.

[Mom’s been ignoring me lately. I guess she was busy preparing to bring this ‘sister’ home?]

My mom couldn’t hear my thoughts, but my dad heard every word.

His face darkened, and he called out to the housekeeper, who was about to go upstairs.

“That’s Chloe’s room. Who gave you permission to decide that?”

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Carrington. I just thought the room was pretty, I didn’t mean anything else. I’m truly sorry, it’s all my fault.”

Ava was quick to apologize.

Even before I could open my mouth, she was already staging her little drama.

In the last life, this exact behavior made my dad pity her.

And because I didn’t want to give up my room, my dad ended up calling me selfish.