Chapter 1Reborn Early: Kicking Out the Fake Heiress

In my past life, after being taken back into the Horton family, I choose to study medicine so I can look after Willow Horton—the fake daughter who is frail and sickly.

But she pretends her illness gets worse and slanders me. She says that not only am I unable to save her, but I also want to snatch everything she has.

My fiance, Jason Fuller, fully believes her and joins forces with the Hortons to kick me out.

Not long after, I contract tuberculosis and die on the street.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I was brought into the Horton family at five years old.

Jason stands before my birth parents, pointing at me as he says, "Mr. and Mrs. Horton, make no mistake. This girl isn't your biological daughter at all."

Looking at the disgust on his face, I know he has been reborn too.

After my birth parents leave in disappointment, Jason hands me a piece of candy.

"The Hortons only need one daughter. Since you want to steal her place, neither the Horton family nor I can keep you around."

* * *

I clenched the candy tightly, its hard edges almost piercing through my palm.

That was right. In Jason Fuller's past life, he saw me as a vicious, jealous person—someone who couldn't cure Willow Horton.

After all, Willow's condition still took a turn for the worse because of me.

So, now that I had been reborn, there was naturally no reason for someone as scheming as me to return to the Horton family.

I smiled and held back my tears. I wiped the corners of my eyes hard and told myself that Quinn Horton was already dead—that the person alive now was me.

I turned and walked to a corner of the orphanage.

Not long after, a black Rolls-Royce stopped at the gate, and the orphanage director led in an elderly man with graying hair.

All the children in the orphanage erupted with excitement. They swarmed around him like a flock of chicks, chattering noisily and scrambling to show off.

"Hello, sir!"

"Sir, let me sing for you!"

"Sir, look at the picture I drew!"

Only I remained quietly in an inconspicuous corner, looking like an outsider.

The elderly man, Peter Stewart, noticed me. He parted the crowd, leaning on his cane as he walked toward me step by step.

"Little one, why are you here all by yourself? Do they not like you?" he asked.

I shook my head, then looked up and held out that piece of candy, now slightly warm from my grip. "Sir, have some candy."

I tried my best to show calm and maturity beyond my age.

Mr. Stewart paused for a moment, clearly somewhat surprised. Then he took the candy, unwrapped it, and put it in his mouth.

He smiled contentedly, saying, "Mmm, it's very sweet."

He studied me for a moment before asking, "What's your name?"

"The director calls me Quinn."

"Quinn…" He repeated it once and nodded. "Would you like to go home with me? And be my granddaughter."

The surroundings instantly quieted down. All the children's eyes were focused on me, filled with jealousy.

I didn't hesitate at all and nodded vigorously. "Yes!"

Mr. Stewart laughed heartily, his voice booming. "Alright! From today on, your name will be Quinn Stewart."

He took my hand, his palm warm and dry. "A name meaning wisdom… Quinn is a good name.

"Kid, I hope you'll grow into a priceless gem."

I understood the trust and hope behind his words.

In that moment, I gripped his hand tightly. I would become the pride of the Stewart family.

…

Grandpa treasured me like a jewel. He personally taught me to read and write, as well as how to carry myself in the world.

His children were busy with work, but whenever they came home, they always brought me all kinds of interesting gifts and genuinely cared about me.

The one who doted on me the most was my older brother, Timothy Stewart, who was ten years older than me.

When he first met me, a gentle smile appeared on his stern face.

"No one lays a finger on my little sister." This was something he said all the time.

After being surrounded by so much love, I almost forgot the pain of my past life.

I studied hard, and from elementary school to high school, I always ranked first. Trophies and certificates from all kinds of competitions filled my room.

In college, I chose medicine without hesitation.

I did it because I knew Willow's illness was a pain that the Hortons and Jason would carry with them forever. It was also a sword hanging over my head.

20 years later, I became the youngest and most renowned physician and medical researcher in the country.