A fake heiress exposes her real identity so that I can be found—all because she wants me to marry the crippled man who's supposed to be her husband.

She puts on an act before the whole family, wanting to drive a wedge between us. She has no idea we can all hear her thoughts.

When she slashes her palm and frames me for it, she's cursing in her heart. "Hit her, you worthless man!"

When she falls down the stairs and blames me for it, she's thinking, "Teach her a lesson, you silly old woman!"

When she buries herself in my brother's arms and acts aggrieved, she's actually thinking, "He's such a loyal dog."

My father, mother, and brother are stunned by what they hear. Then, they're infuriated.

I merely laugh and turn away, acting like I don't see anything. I just want to complete this special mission as soon as possible.

When Yelena Sterling, the fake heiress, found me, I was fishing by the river under the scorching sun.

She grabbed my hand with tears in her eyes. "Mary, I finally found you!"

Before I could react, a group of people yanked me off the fishing boat and shoved me into a luxury car.

The moment the car door closed shut, the smile on Yelena's face vanished. It was replaced by an icy glare that seemed to pierce through me like an arrow.

She didn't move her lips, but I could hear her thoughts loud and clear.

"This is infuriating! How is this woman so pretty? She looks absolutely stunning! Pfft, what does it matter? She's just a pawn to take my place and marry that cripple anyway.

"This is all because of my useless mother. She can't even cancel one stupid engagement! If not for that, I wouldn't have to let this woman return to the family.

"Even if she comes back to the Sterling family, I'll make sure she never has a good day in her life."

Half an hour later, we switched to a private jet and arrived at the top of the most luxurious skyscraper in the heart of Ashborough before nightfall.

The place was dazzling with lights. A grand banquet was in full swing.

Yelena led me through a side door into a lavish suite.

Before stepping inside, she pulled out a knife from who-knows-where. Its blade glinted coldly under the light.

She raised an eyebrow at me. Before I knew it, blood was trickling from her palm and the knife somehow ended up in my hand.

With a dramatic shove, she burst through the door with her arms wide open and threw herself into the embrace of a well-dressed woman, screaming, "Mom! Dad! Johnny! Help me!"

Blood streamed down her arm. The people in the room shot up from their seats. Their eyes were filled with shock and distress.

Johnny Sterling rushed forward and pulled out a handkerchief to wrap her wound.

"It's Mary… she tried to kill me!

"Mary, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to steal your life from you. Why won't you believe me?"

The parents and brother I had never met before immediately closed ranks around Yelena. Their brows furrowed in unison.

They turned to look at me standing at the doorway, and their gazes were filled with disgust.

I stared at this united front and felt a pang of sorrow welling up within me. Then, I said flatly, "She cut herself. It has nothing to do with me."

Johnny clenched his fists. "How dare you make such a blatant lie while holding the knife in your hand! You're just like what the private investigator said—utterly vicious!"

A private investigator? They had me investigated? Why didn't I notice that?

My elegantly dressed mother gently comforted the sobbing Yelena, then turned to glare at me furiously. Her eyes were red.

"Even knowing your true nature, Yelena still insisted we bring you back. She was afraid you'd suffer outside. How could you be so heartless and hurt her?"

My successful businessman of a father let out a heavy sigh. He seemed filled with disappointment. "If you want to return to the Sterling family, you must get on your knees and apologize to Yelena for today's incident. The Sterling family will not harbor ungrateful, knife-wielding criminals. Kneel!"

Yelena raised her chin and smiled smugly. She looked at me tauntingly.

I had once imagined what it would be like to meet my birth parents, but I never expected it to be like this.

I stared at them but didn't move.

"Johnny, if she refuses to apologize to Yelena, then break her legs."

Johnny approached me slowly.

My eyes turned cold. I flexed my fingers, and the knife twirled deftly between them. The sight of it made the four of them freeze.

With a flick of my wrist, the knife flew into the air. As it fell, I caught its blade between my fingers, then, with a swift motion, sent it whizzing past Johnny's head. The knife embedded itself deep into the wall behind him.

I slowly entered the room and said in a chilling voice, "I don't hold back when I strike. But since you're my biological parents and brother, I'll let this slide. Remember, don't try this again."

Johnny shut his mouth mechanically and swallowed hard.

My father instinctively pulled my mother closer. His eyes were filled with fear.

At that moment, Yelena's thoughts surfaced in my mind again.

"What are you waiting for, you idiots? Are you seriously scared of that? Didn't I tell you she learned some parlor tricks? That's just a stupid trick to fool morons like you!

"Why are you two old geezers just standing there? Aren't you supposed to love me the most? Are you just going to let her get away with this? Scold her! Do something!"

The three of them tensed instantly. They turned around to look at Yelena in unison.

The atmosphere grew heavy, and I smiled.

She probably hadn't realized it yet, but we could all hear her thoughts.

With Yelena around, this operation was about to get much more interesting.

"Mom, I believe Mary only hurt me because she was confused. After marrying into the Madden family, she won't see me anymore. Maybe she won't trouble me again after that."

Yelena's tears fell in big, pitiful drops, but her thoughts betrayed her.

"You stupid old woman. What are you waiting for? Do it now! Reprimand her already!"

As if struck by a snake, my mother suddenly shoved Yelena away and shouted, "You… What did you just say?"

She trembled with rage, and her expression was dark.

She pointed at Yelena, and her finger was shaking. However, words failed her as she seemed on the verge of passing out from rage.

Yelena collapsed onto the floor. Her face was filled with anguish and innocence. "Mom, what's wrong?"

While she seemed concerned, she was already cursing in her mind.

"What is this old crone freaking out about? Is she losing her mind or something? Oh well, if she drops dead, even better! With only two loyal dogs left in the house, they'll be much easier to control."

My mother's chest heaved violently. Her eyes were red with fury.

Before I could enjoy more of the unfolding drama, a knock sounded at the door. An attendant announced that it was time to head to the hall.

Johnny helped steady my mother and rubbed her back to soothe her.

My father pointed toward the designer gown laid out on the sofa bed and ordered reluctantly, "Change into this and head to the banquet hall. Remember, from now on, your name is Mary Sterling."

Only then did I realize I was still wearing my fishing outfit.

Once they left, two elegant attendants entered the room. One quickly applied makeup, while the other helped me into the designer gown.

By the time I arrived at the banquet hall, my parents and Johnny were already mingling with the guests.

On the way, I picked up an interesting tidbit from Yelena's thoughts—the banquet was actually my engagement party with Ashborough's top bachelor.

However, five years ago, this so-called top bachelor became paralyzed from the waist down due to an accident.

Originally, Yelena was supposed to marry him, but she refused to marry a cripple. Plus, his mother was known for being ruthless.

This wasn't his first engagement either. His last two fiancees had mysteriously died shortly after they confirmed their engagement.

Yelena had long suspected that his mother, dissatisfied with his potential brides, had them quietly eliminated.

That was why she would rather expose herself as a fake heiress than marry him. She needed me to take the fall in her place.

Conveniently, my latest mission happened to be in Ashborough. Since she had sought me out, I might as well play along.

The banquet hall was filled with Ashborough's elite circle.

As for me, I needed to find the man with a wolf-head tattoo on his wrist.

I grabbed a glass of wine from a passing tray and observed the room. I wove casually through the decadent crowd.

Suddenly, a group of women, dressed in luxurious gowns but reeking of cheap arrogance, surrounded me. They eyed me from head to toe with blatant disdain.

"So, you're Yelena's sister, Mary?"

The one leading the charge was Cindy Brown, one of Yelena's closest friends.

"I heard from Yelena that when she found you, you were… fishing in a river?"

Cindy giggled and covered her mouth with exaggerated delicateness.

"Ugh. I can still smell the fish on you. You're so disgusting! This entire banquet is ruined now."

The others immediately took a step back, laughing as they huddled closer to Yelena. They dramatically fanned their noses as if the very air had been tainted.

Yelena, of course, hid behind them and watched the show unfold with gleeful anticipation.

Before I knew it, the group had maneuvered me into a secluded corner of the hall.

I swept my gaze over the group, then slowly and deliberately corrected them. "I was catching a sturgeon, an endangered species. Its cartilage and spinal marrow contain anti-cancer factors, making it highly valuable for academic research and economic purposes. In fact, every single person here is worth far less than that fish."

The socialites bristled as if I had struck a nerve. They glared at me.

"Hah! Catching an endangered species? You must've been trying to sell it for money to survive. Oh, you poor, pathetic girl."

"Just because you returned to the Sterling family doesn't mean you're a real heiress. A barnyard hen perched on a high branch doesn't get to be called an eagle. You'll never be on the same level as Yelena."

"Exactly! It was Yelena's kindness and generosity that saved a stray like you from the slums. You should be thanking her on your knees right now."

With that, a few of them reached out to press down on my shoulders.

I grabbed two wrists, shifted my weight, and, using a simple redirection technique, sent both of them crashing to their knees before me.

Since they liked kneeling so much, I made sure they did it properly.

Gasps echoed around me as everyone's eyes widened in shock.

"Haven't you seen self-defense techniques before?" I asked while shaking my head. "I won't waste my breath arguing with fools. Even though you're shallow and uneducated, I'll still do you the courtesy of a little advice."

I turned to Cindy and said, "You—your tear troughs are dark, your sclera has a yellowish tint, and when I felt your pulse earlier, it was faint and trembling. That's a sign of excessive indulgence. You might want to cut back on your… nightly activities."

"And you—your breath reeks. Have none of your so-called best friends told you?"

…

The group's faces turned beet red. A mix of shame and rage contorted their expressions. They gritted their teeth but couldn't find the words to argue.

Seeing her friends flustered, Yelena quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Mary is from the countryside. She's used to being sharp-tongued. Don't take her words to heart."

She turned to Cindy and said, "Cindy, didn't you always want a Lady Dior? I just got one today and brought it for you. And for you, Jane, your Pandora bracelet—I've got one for you too. Don't worry, there's something for everyone."

Cindy clutched the handbag to her chest, practically trembling with excitement. Her eyes sparkled brightly.

Just as they were about to shower Yelena with praises, their expressions suddenly froze.

They had all heard her thoughts.

"Look at my little lapdogs, falling head over heels for some knockoff goods. Ugh, I went through all this trouble to get them into such a prestigious banquet, and look what they're wearing! What kind of trash is this? Standing next to them is so embarrassing.

"And Cindy—why does that shameless woman have such a handsome boyfriend? I tried seducing him a few times, and he didn't even take the bait. He must be blind or something. Why are they just standing there? Why aren't they flattering me yet? Are they so happy that they lost their minds?"

I nearly laughed out loud.

Meanwhile, Cindy and the others looked positively murderous. It was as if they wanted to strangle Yelena on the spot.

However, they didn't dare challenge her openly, not with the Sterling family's power looming over them.

Just then, the grand golden doors at the front of the banquet hall swung open. A woman with an icy, imposing presence pushed in a man seated in a wheelchair.

I focused my gaze and realized it was him!