During her hospitalization, aside from Rachel's parents visiting from time to time, Owen never showed up again.

Felix, however, came to the hospital every single day, hoping to see Rachel.

And every single time, she refused.

She wasn't confident she could control herself if she saw him face-to-face.

There was a real chance she might lunge forward and strangle him on the spot.

That afternoon, Felix showed up again and started arguing with the bodyguards stationed outside her room.

On the surface, they had been assigned by Owen to protect Rachel.

In reality, they were there to monitor her every move-making sure she didn't leave the ward even half a step.

"Let him in."

Hearing the commotion outside, Rachel spoke calmly to the housemaid inside the room.

When she saw Felix again, her heart was much calmer than before.

She turned to the maid. "You can leave us."

Once the door closed behind the servant, Felix rushed to the bedside.

"Rachel, are you feeling better?"

Rachel quietly withdrew her hand from his grasp. Her voice was neutral.

"I'm much better. Why are you here?"

He had caused such a scene outside these past few days for one reason only-he wanted to see her.

Even without Rachel's full memories, she could guess why he was here.

Seeing her distant attitude, Felix clenched his jaw.

"Rachel, don't tell me that now that you've gotten what you wanted, you're planning to dump me? Don't forget the conditions you promised me."

Her expression shifted slightly.

Conditions?

Had the original Rachel promised him something?

She knew Felix well. Beneath that refined appearance was a calculating mind. When she had been Katrina, she had loved him blindly-tolerating his flaws without question.

If he was bringing up 'conditions,' then Rachel must have left something in his hands-some leverage.

Now that she was living in Rachel's body, no matter how much she despised it, she couldn't afford to let anything go wrong before taking her revenge.

"Felix," she said with a faint smile, forcing warmth into her tone, "what are you saying? Do I look like that kind of person? You're my boyfriend. You've helped me so much. How could I treat you that way? You're overthinking it."

Her smile felt stiff, but she maintained it.

"Really?" he asked suspiciously.

"Mhm." She nodded, looking at him with what appeared to be sincerity-while revulsion churned violently in her stomach.

To stabilize him, she had to act.

Only after studying her face carefully did Felix finally relax.

He had genuinely worried that this difficult heiress would toss him aside the moment she got what she wanted.

To be honest, when Rachel first pursued him aggressively, he had been suspicious. But considering the wealth and background of the Sterlings, he didn't care whether her feelings were real or fake.

If she truly loved him, even better.

If not?

He had plenty of ways to squeeze benefits out of her.

...

At the Sterling Corporation headquarters, Wade knocked on the office door and stepped inside.

He leaned down toward Owen and spoke quietly.

"Mr. Blake, the hospital guards just called. Felix caused another scene today. Miss Sterling met with him-and dismissed the servant who was accompanying her."

Every move Rachel made in the hospital was under Owen's surveillance.

"Oh..." Owen's lips curved into a cold smile.

Felix finally couldn't hold back anymore?

And Rachel...

A trace of frost flashed through Owen's eyes, quickly followed by a hint of helplessness.

He hadn't told Rachel's parents about what she had done. Without solid evidence in hand, he could only suppress the matter for now.

"Mr. Blake, there's something I don't understand," Wade said cautiously.

Owen raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.

"The entire company knows Miss Sterling and Felix are together. Why are we still preventing them from meeting?"

Rumors were already spreading that Owen was deliberately breaking up a loving couple.

Owen let out a cold laugh.

"Do you really think Rachel is sincerely dating Felix? Or that Felix approached her without ulterior motives?"

More importantly-

Felix's official girlfriend had only just been buried a few days ago.

Katrina Donovan.

So what did that make Rachel?

The other woman.

The mistress who destroyed Katrina and Felix's relationship.

Wade froze for a second. "Given Miss Sterling's status, Felix is definitely the one punching above his weight."

He'd met Felix a few times and never liked him. Sure, the guy put on a bright, easygoing front-but Wade always felt there was something calculating beneath that sunshine smile.

He just hoped Miss Sterling would come to her senses and not let herself be used.

"Mr. Blake... aren't you going to check on her?" Wade asked helplessly.

Owen's voice was cold. "He won't be able to stir up anything."

Wade: "..."

Was that really okay?

"Mr. Blake, you should still go. It'll be easier to explain things to Chairman Sterling and Mrs. Sterling."

That reminder made Owen pause.

The kindness Rachel's parents had shown him was deeper than the ocean. Even though they had never used that debt to pressure him-and had even treated him, their adopted son, with boundless affection-no matter how ruthless Owen could be, for the sake of the two elders, he still had to clean up the mess Rachel kept making.

"Let's go."

He slipped on his suit jacket as he walked out.

...

Twenty-five minutes later, the car pulled up in front of the hospital.

Owen stepped inside with an indifferent expression, Wade following closely behind.

The elevator doors opened.

Felix, his face twisted with anger, ran straight into Owen.

His heart skipped. "Mr. Blake."

Why was he here at this time?

Owen didn't even spare him a glance. He brushed past him and headed straight toward Rachel's ward.

Felix stood there awkwardly, his expression stiff, resentment boiling inside.

'What's he so proud of? He's only lucky because he was adopted by the Sterling family. Just like me-parents unknown. What's with that arrogant act? Tch!'

Fuming, Felix left the hospital, already scheming how to use Rachel to get what he wanted.

Inside the ward, Rachel leaned halfway against the headboard.

Thinking about what Felix had just said, a mocking smile curved her lips.

He had actually asked her when they could set a wedding date.

Katrina's body wasn't even cold yet, and he was already talking about marrying another woman.

Human hearts really were that cold.

Just then, the door opened.

"I already told you, about the marriage-"

Assuming Felix had come back, Rachel spoke impatiently. But when she saw Owen standing there, her words cut off abruptly. Her expression turned slightly unnatural.

Owen walked over and sat down on the sofa. His deep eyes settled on her.

"So you and Felix have already reached the stage of discussing marriage?"

His voice was icy.

For some reason, Rachel felt a wave of tension tighten around her chest.

"That's my business. It has nothing to do with you," she replied evenly.

She didn't know how Rachel had interacted with Owen before. She knew nothing about Rachel's past.

So in front of him, she had to be extremely careful. She couldn't afford to reveal the slightest flaw.

Owen let out a cold laugh.

"Rachel, being with Felix... does your conscience feel at ease?"

A sharp edge flashed through his eyes.

Was she not afraid that Katrina would appear in her dreams every night?

Not afraid that Katrina would come back to claim her life?

At the thought of Katrina's death, his gaze grew even colder. The way he looked at Rachel was glacial.

But in Rachel's eyes, that expression meant something entirely different.

In Solandra, everyone knew that Owen had been adopted from an orphanage by the Sterlings when he was four.

The elders had originally planned to change his name, but he refused. They didn't force him. Instead, they showered him with love.

Even after they later had their biological daughter, Rachel, their affection for Owen never diminished in the slightest.

As he grew older, Chairman Sterling allowed him free access to the Sterling Corporation. When Owen turned twenty-two, he was directly handed control of the company.

Because of that, rumors spread like wildfire-Chairman Sterling was planning to marry Owen to his daughter and officially hand over the Sterling family empire.

Owen had never publicly denied it.

He even attended events side by side with Rachel, which only fueled the speculation.

Katrina had only learned about all of this after getting close to them.

And because of that, she had become even more certain that her death was connected to Owen.

Now, hearing his reaction to her relationship with Felix only strengthened that belief.

She remembered Rachel's words before her death-

'Owen would never be interested in you. I was the one who had him approach you. All for your heart.'

The heart transplant.

Now she believed it even more.

The flames of anger and hatred roared inside her, nearly swallowing her rationality whole.

At the last second, she forcefully dragged herself back from the edge.

Beneath the blanket, her hands clenched into tight fists. Her nails dug deep into her palms.

She felt no pain at all.

"Why not?" Rachel ground out through clenched teeth as she stared at Owen. "Oh, I get it. You don't seriously think we're going to get married, do you? Yes, you were adopted by the Sterlings-but publicly, we're brother and sister. How could we possibly be together? What do you think... my dear brother?"

She bit down hard on the last two words-brother-and anyone listening closely could hear the hatred underneath.

Owen didn't look away. His sharp gaze locked onto her, probing.

...Was it just his imagination?

Why did the Rachel in front of him feel different from before?

Wade's recent reports flashed through his mind. The once willful, arrogant, do-whatever-she-pleases Rachel had been far too abnormal during this hospital stay.

And most importantly-

When no one else was around, Rachel had never once called him 'brother.'

No one knew that detail except Wade and the Sterling parents.

Not even Katrina.

Sensing his scrutinizing stare, Rachel's heart skipped.

'Did I say something wrong?'

After a long moment, Owen withdrew his gaze. He stood up and adjusted the buttons on his suit.

"I have no interest in whatever is going on between you and Felix. It has nothing to do with me. Rachel, this is the last time I'm warning you-you've already gotten what you wanted. Stay away from Felix's schemes. Don't make Dad and Mom worry themselves sick over you at their age."

With that, he turned and left without looking back.

The suffocating pressure in the room finally dissipated with his departure.

Only then did Rachel let out a quiet breath.

Honestly, under that searching gaze just now, she had almost suffocated.

Even now, her heart was still pounding uneasily.

...

After leaving the ward, Owen went straight to the attending physician's office.

"Mr. Blake, are you here to see Miss Sterling?" the doctor hurried forward.

Owen nodded slightly. His voice was low and steady.

"Dr. Johnson, I came to ask you something."

"Of course. Please go ahead."

"If someone undergoes a heart transplant... is it possible for their personality to change as well?"

Dr. Johnson looked at him in confusion. "Mr. Blake, are you suggesting...?"

"Could they seem like an entirely different person?"

That was exactly how Rachel had felt to him today.

As if she had become someone else.

And faintly... strangely... there had been a trace of familiarity about her.

Dr. Johnson didn't answer immediately. After a long pause, he asked carefully, "Mr. Blake, forgive my bluntness. Are you saying Miss Sterling..."

He trailed off, but the implication was clear.

Owen gave a slight nod. "I need an answer."

Dr. Johnson adjusted his glasses and explained, "From a medical standpoint, a person's personality, temperament, and even habits are shaped from childhood. A heart transplant, under normal circumstances, would not alter lifelong behavioral patterns or character traits."

He hesitated before continuing.

"However... there have been rare cases reported. There was an article in the United States about transplant recipients developing habits, personality traits-even mannerisms-similar to their donors. Some even identified themselves with the donor's identity."

"These cases are extremely rare. As for how to explain the phenomenon... the medical community still has no definitive answer."

After hearing the explanation, Owen said nothing more. He gave a slight nod and left the office.

Outside, Wade had clearly heard everything.

"Mr. Blake... could it be..." He hesitated. Maybe they were overthinking it. Rachel was still recovering; her body was weak. It didn't necessarily mean what the doctor implied.

Owen frowned.

"Don't mention this to my parents for now. I don't want them worrying. As for Rachel-we'll observe her for a while before drawing any conclusions."

Wade nodded in understanding.

Half a month later, with the doctor’s approval, Rachel was discharged and returned to the Sterling residence.

Standing in front of the unfamiliar yet grand estate, a strange sense of panic rose in her chest.

Using her weak health as an excuse, she shut herself inside her bedroom the moment she got home.

She slowly surveyed the room.

Then she let out a mocking laugh.

The former Rachel really had a girly heart.

The entire room was decorated in shades of pink. Plush toys covered the bed, piled high.

The sugary sweetness of it all made her skin crawl.

In her current state, those soft pink hues only gave her goosebumps.

The very next day, Rachel had all the pink décor removed from her room.

The curtains were replaced with a warm orange shade. The bedsheets and duvet were switched to sky blue. As for the pile of stuffed animals—big and small—she had them all moved into the storage room.

It was that same day that she discovered Rachel’s old diaries.

She hesitated for a long time before taking a deep breath and slowly opening one.

If she was going to live on in Rachel’s place, she needed to understand her—at least enough to avoid raising suspicion.

She locked herself in her room the entire afternoon, flipping through every diary Rachel had ever written.

Who would’ve thought this pampered young miss had kept journals for years?

It saved her a lot of trouble.

The pages recorded everything—Rachel’s daily life, her childhood, and most importantly…

Her long-standing love for Owen.

As for getting together with Felix?

That had only ever been for one purpose—

To obtain Katrina’s heart.

When she read those words, Katrina couldn’t stop the mocking laugh that escaped her lips. Tears welled up in her eyes.

If Felix ever found out he’d been used like that by Rachel… would he lose his mind?

She hadn’t expected her own heart to be so valuable.

Valuable enough for Owen and Rachel to work together so seamlessly—one seducing the man, the other getting close to her.

Such perfect coordination.

Her conviction only deepened.

Her death… Owen had a hand in it.

At that thought, her clear eyes burned with violent hatred.

Felix.

Owen.

She would make both of them pay.

No matter what.

...

At dinner that evening, Rachel looked at Mr. Sterling seated at the head of the table. She opened her mouth several times before finally forcing the words out.

“…Dad, I… want to start working at the company.”

She had grown up in an orphanage. She didn’t even know who her biological parents were.

Though she used to whisper ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ into the darkness on lonely nights, saying those words now still felt unfamiliar.

The moment she finished speaking, everyone at the table turned to stare at her in shock.

“Rachel, why the sudden interest in working at the company?” Mrs. Sterling asked, confused.

It wasn’t like they hadn’t suggested it before.

Every time, Rachel had rejected the idea with the strangest excuses imaginable.

Rachel lowered her head and bit her lip lightly.

“I… I just feel like I’ve been wasting my days doing nothing. I know I was immature before, too willful. Mom, back then I was worried my body couldn’t handle the workload. But now I’m healthy. I’ll be fine.”

She based her explanation on what she’d read in the diaries.

Mrs. Sterling beamed instantly. Even Mr. Sterling looked delighted.

“It makes us very happy to hear you say that.” He turned to Owen. “Owen, how about letting Rachel learn by your side?”

It would also give the two young people a chance to deepen their bond.

Owen wasn’t blind to Mr. Sterling’s intentions.

His gaze fixed steadily on Rachel, as if trying to see straight through her.

Her sudden decision to work at the company was definitely not that simple.

He knew her heart had never been in the business.

“…Alright,” he finally said after a long pause.

Mr. Sterling nodded in satisfaction.

Rachel’s eyes widened. “Actually… that’s not necessary.”

The moment she spoke, everyone looked at her again.

She forced a smile.

“What I mean is, any position is fine. My brother is already busy enough. He doesn’t need the extra trouble of guiding me.”

Unexpectedly, Owen replied calmly, “I don’t mind. Let’s settle it that way.”

No matter what Rachel was planning, keeping her under his watch was the safest option.

He had no objections at all.

“But—”

“Alright, it’s decided,” Mr. Sterling interrupted cheerfully. “As long as you’re willing to learn seriously, you won’t cause Owen any trouble.”

Rachel lowered her head, saying nothing more.

Inside, she cursed Owen a thousand times.

What exactly was he plotting?

Felix’s earlier words suddenly flashed through her mind. Gritting her teeth, she spoke again.

“Dad, do you remember Felix from the finance department? I heard he’s quite capable. Isn’t the company recruiting a finance manager right now? He—”

“I object.”

Before she could finish, Owen rejected the idea without hesitation.

Rachel shot him a furious glare and sneered.

“Object? Owen, even if you’re currently managing the company, it’s still called Sterling Corporation. Doesn’t Dad have the right to make that decision? Or are you saying…”

Rachel glanced at Owen, her eyes dark and unreadable. Then she spoke, her tone laced with meaning.

“Is someone trying to steal what belongs to the Sterling family and slap our name on it like it’s theirs?”

The implication was obvious.

Mr. Sterling’s expression hardened instantly. He frowned. “Rachel, don’t talk nonsense.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Rachel realized she had gone too far. Her heart skipped. She’d spoken too recklessly. Lowering her gaze, she fell silent.

Mr. Sterling shot her a helpless look before continuing, “All these years, if it weren’t for Owen, the Sterling Group wouldn’t have made it this far. And haven’t I told you before? Once you and Owen get married, the company will belong to both of you. We’re family. How can you talk as if we’re outsiders?”

His voice turned stern.

“I don’t want to hear something like that from you again. Do you understand?”

Then he looked at Owen. “Owen, Rachel has always been blunt and a little spoiled. Don’t take what she said to heart. Your dedication to this family—your care for us—your Mom and I have always seen it clearly. Don’t let her foolish words bother you.”

Owen set down his utensils and glanced at Rachel before nodding calmly at Mr. Sterling.

“I understand, Dad.”

He had always remembered the kindness and trust the two elders had shown him. A few careless words from Rachel wouldn’t shake that.

Just…

His gaze shifted back to her, thoughtful and probing.

“Let’s eat,” Mr. Sterling said, clearly unwilling to dwell on the topic. “As for Felix, we’ll make a decision after further evaluation.”