Chapter 1

Honestly, I think my twenty-one years have been pretty successful.

Successful in what way? Successful in playing the role of "wealthy heiress" to absolute perfection.

Tonight was yet another Donovan political and business gathering. I was wearing a Chanel haute couture dress freshly flown in from Paris, a priceless diamond necklace around my neck, elegantly holding champagne among Washington's elite.

I could handle this kind of scene with my eyes closed.

"Isabella, you look absolutely breathtaking tonight." Mrs. Richardson grasped my hand, her eyes full of envy. "So accomplished at just twenty-one—you'd be the perfect political wife someday."

I mentally rolled my eyes—here we go again. These political wives love nothing more than "planning futures" for young women.

But I maintained my sweet smile on the surface: "Well, that depends on whether my brother is willing to let me go."

With that, I threw a flirtatious glance toward the most prominent figure in the crowd.

Alex Donovan, heir to the Donovan media empire, Washington's most powerful and handsome eligible bachelor. Forbes magazine had named him "Washington's Most Marriageable Man" for three consecutive years, yet he remained single.

Supposedly because his standards were too high.

But I knew the real reason—he devoted all his affection to me, his sister.

Hearing my words, Alex, who had been discussing serious matters with several business moguls, looked up. His deep eyes swept toward me. That moment of eye contact made my heart race inexplicably.

The surrounding political and business elites all laughed.

"Haha, Alex certainly dotes on his sister."

"Such sibling affection—truly enviable."

I thought smugly to myself: More than doting—it's pure indulgence!

I'd never suffered any hardship growing up. I got whatever I wanted, and someone always cleaned up whatever trouble I caused.

Piano teacher? I made her quit.

Ballet teacher? I scared her off too.

French teacher? Same story.

Every time Mom tried to discipline me, I'd hide behind Alex, looking pitiful and saying, "Alex, I don't want to learn those things..."

Then Alex would protect me, telling Mom in a gentle but non-negotiable tone: "If Isabella doesn't like it, don't force her."

Mom would get furious every time: "Alex, you're spoiling her rotten! When she can't do anything in the future, are you going to support her?"

Teenage Alex would always nod seriously: "Yes, I will."

Looking back now, he really had been supporting me all these years.

The only cost was that I became a useless pretty face.

But what did it matter? With Alex around, why should I work hard?

"Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is about to begin. Please proceed to the dining room." The butler's voice rang out.

Just as the guests were moving toward the dining room, I touched my left ear—oh no, I lost an earring.

This was one of Mom's most treasured diamond earrings. If I lost it, she'd kill me.

"What's wrong?" Alex noticed my distress and walked over.

"I lost an earring. I need to find it." I was getting anxious.

"Should I help you look?"

"No need, you go entertain the important guests." I waved him off. "I'll be right back."

The mansion at night was eerily quiet.

While everyone was at dinner, I spent two hours searching every corner. From the first-floor living room to the second-floor hallway, I checked everywhere. By the time most guests had left, I was still rummaging through rooms, desperate to find that earring.

The mansion felt especially quiet now, with only my footsteps echoing on the marble floors.

As I was passing by my parents' study, voices from inside made me stop in my tracks.

"Eleanor will be back in America next week." Mom's voice sounded exhausted.

Eleanor? Who was that?

Curious, I pressed closer to the door crack and saw my parents sitting on the sofa with unprecedented serious expressions.

"Twenty-one years, Victoria. It's time to let Bella know the truth." Dad sighed heavily.

What truth?

My heart began beating uneasily.

"Eleanor is our biological daughter." Mom's words hit me like a thunderbolt.

I was completely stunned.

What???

"The accidental mix-up at the hospital back then..." Dad continued. "Eleanor has been raised by another family all this time. Now that she's coming back, we can't pretend nothing happened."

I had to lean against the wall to keep from collapsing.

So I was a fraud? A fake heiress who had enjoyed twenty-one years of wealth due to a hospital mistake?

"We have feelings for Bella too, but blood relations can't be changed..." Mom's voice was choked with tears.

My world instantly crumbled.

Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled toward Alex's room.

He was the only one who could give me security now.

I pushed the door open and rushed in. Alex was sitting on the bed reading documents. Seeing my disheveled state, he immediately stood up.

"Bella? What happened?"

I couldn't say a word. I just threw myself into his arms and cried my heart out.

"Alex! They said... they said their real daughter is coming back!" I sobbed. "I'm not a Donovan! I'm nothing!"

Alex stiffened for a few seconds, then gently held me tight: "You heard about Eleanor?"

"Eleanor?" I looked up at him through my tears, the name feeling foreign on my tongue. "Is that... is that her name?"

"I just found out too." He gently stroked my hair. "Mom and Dad just told me."

"Alex, if I'm not part of this family, would you still want me?"

This was my deepest, most terrifying question.

Alex gazed at me and gently wiped the tears from my face. His eyes were so deep I couldn't read them.

"Silly girl," his voice carried its usual indulgence, "I promised to take care of you for life. When have I ever broken my word?"

"But I'm useless at everything!" I grew more desperate. "Besides spending money and causing trouble, what can I do?"

"Then learn slowly." Alex said. "Besides, you're not that useless."

"How am I useful?"

Alex paused, then actually smiled: "At least... you're very good at wrapping people around your finger."

That's your idea of comfort?!

But somehow, hearing him say that, the panic in my heart eased a little.

I lay against Alex's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat as my mind began to calm down and think clearly.

If I was destined to lose everything... then I at least had to prove to everyone that even without the Donovan name, Isabella wasn't a completely useless waste.

I would never meekly hand over my position to some Eleanor.

Never.

The question was... how could I, a decorative trophy who could only charm people, compete with a real heiress?

Whatever. I'd cross that bridge when I came to it.

Alex said he'd take care of me for life anyway.

I had to trust him.