Chapter 2The Long-Lost Daughter Returned... But I'm the Real Heiress

I got in my car and sped off, driving straight until I parked in front of a sprawling, magnificent estate.

The butler politely opened the door for me.

Just as Mia wished, I had gone back to my "own" home.

The owners of this estate were nominally my aunt and uncle, but legally and biologically, they were my real parents.

It was true that I was adopted by my current family. But strictly speaking, it was a family transfer.

Years ago, when my adoptive dad lost his daughter, he nearly lost his mind. He begged my biological parents to let him adopt me to ease the grief.

My bio parents refused at first, and my older brother cried, begging them not to let me go.

But seeing my adoptive parents wasting away into literal skeletons from the heartbreak, my bio parents finally caved and let me live with them.

Mia thought I was a cuckoo bird stealing her nest, basking in the love and luxury that rightfully belonged to her.

She was the real heiress of that house, sure. But I was no peasant, either.

My biological father's empire had exploded over the last decade. He was now sitting on billions of dollars in assets.

If I hadn't been adopted out, my life would be a hundred times more lavish than it already was.

Thinking back to the raw resentment in Mia's eyes, I couldn't help but chuckle.

Looked like I wouldn't be having a peaceful life anytime soon.

The private chef saw me come in and immediately got to work. By the time my adoptive parents rushed over from their tearful reunion, I was sitting at the dining table, leisurely eating fresh lobster.

Mom ran over, frantically grabbing my hand. "Chloe, you drove way too fast! That was so dangerous!"

Dad didn't waste a second either. He sat right down and started cracking lobster claws for me. "My poor baby, you must be so upset. Mia just got back and doesn't know how things work yet. Please don't take it to heart."

I raised an eyebrow. "So I should just stay there and let her hate me?"

Mom jumped. "Who dares to hate you?! I'll be the first one to put a stop to it!"

Dad added, "You saying things like that is breaking our hearts, kiddo."

I feigned a sigh. "She told me to go to my own home. I figured I'd stay here for a couple of days so I don't upset her further."

"Absolutely not! Mom will be worried sick if you aren't home," she said, practically trying to pull me out of my chair.

Dad placed a massive chunk of lobster meat on my plate, his voice impossibly soft. "You are our precious daughter. Please, come home with us."

I chewed the lobster, nodding in satisfaction.

I had tested the waters enough. It was clear they truly loved me.

If they had ignored me the second they found their bio daughter, I would have just let them have their happy family reunion and stayed here.

I made them patiently wait until I finished my meal before letting them escort me back.

As my parents flanked me on our way through the front door, I casually glanced up. I saw someone glaring daggers at me from the second-floor balcony.

I smiled. Mia, I still win this round.