Six years later, when I returned to this city, I had completed both my undergrad and grad studies at Futura University.

During those six years, I lived away from home, working part-time to pay my tuition. I never came back or contacted anyone from my past because I was afraid, afraid to face what I’d left behind. Thinking about Xavier, especially, was like an open wound I wasn’t ready to approach. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold it together if I did.

My mother still lived in the same old apartment. She was only in her forties, but years of late-night gambling and living carelessly had made her look bloated and aged. Her once beautiful face was long gone.

When she opened the door and saw me standing there, she froze for a full minute. Then, she wiped away a tear with her rough hand.

“You ungrateful girl, why are you back? So you remember you have a mother? Your brother had more heart than you ever did! If he were still here…”

“He’s been gone for six years.” I cut her off coldly.

Stepping into that apartment again felt like walking into a place stuck in the past but with all the life drained out of it.

My mother wiped her tears and brightened up. “It’s good you’re back. You’ve been in school all these years, and now you’ve made something of yourself. I knew it. Finally, something’s going right for me. I’m counting on you to take care of me when I’m old.”

I looked at the couch, piled high with dirty laundry, and sat at the dining table instead. I stopped my mother, who was heading to the kitchen to make tea.

“Don’t bother. I’m just here to ask you one thing. When you sent Xavier away back then, did you tell Mary he was allergic to nuts?”

“Of course I did!” My mother’s eyes went wide. “I made it crystal clear that kid couldn’t go near nuts—peanuts, cashews, or anything with a shell! Mary promised she’d be careful. Plus, Xavier was twelve. He knew his allergies and was always careful.”

I didn’t say anything more. Ignoring her attempts to get me to stay, I left that apartment, taking with me only a photo of Xavier that I’d snapped on his twelfth birthday. In the picture, he was smiling wide, his eyes crinkled, showing off a set of pearly white teeth.

I had the same picture, but I couldn’t leave him behind in that apartment.

Later, I arranged to meet my father at a café. He hadn’t changed much. It seemed men aged better than women.

“It was an accident,” he said urgently the moment he sat down, like he needed to clear his conscience. “I told the housekeeper, Georgina, that Xavier couldn’t have nuts. But that day, Georgina made an almond tart and left it on the table. She forgot to tell Xavier it had almonds in it, so he ate it without thinking. The next morning, when Georgina went to wake him, she found…”

“And where were you? Didn’t you notice anything wrong the night before?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

My father avoided my eyes. “I had a business dinner that night, so I wasn’t home for dinner. Mary said Xavier had a slight rash after eating, but he didn’t mention feeling unwell. He just went to bed.”

I stirred the black coffee in front of me, my heart wrenching as if a giant hand was crushing it into a ball.

How horrible must it have been to suffocate to death? Did Xavier struggle through the night, all alone? Did he try to call for help? Did he think about reaching out to me, his sister?

These were the questions I’d spent six years avoiding, terrified to face. Now, they flooded over me like a tidal wave, leaving me helpless.

“After it happened, Mary fired Georgina immediately,” my father added. “It was a tragic accident. Mary and your half sister, Cindy, loved Xavier. When he passed… Cindy cried the hardest.”

I took a sip of the coffee, its bitterness filling my mouth.

Pushing down the emotions threatening to overwhelm me, I forced a sympathetic smile. “Father, let’s not dwell on the past. It hurts us both.”

He looked visibly relieved. “Yes, yes, there’s no point in bringing it up. It’s better to move on. So, what are your plans now that you’re back?”

I gave him a small smile. “I majored in finance management. I’d like to join your company.”

“Um…” My father looked uncomfortable.

I sighed softly. “Xavier used to tell me all the time that he wished he had more time with you. He really looked up to you, but you were always so busy. Now that he’s gone, I just want to stay by your side, you know, to be there for you, just like he would’ve been. And besides, you're such a success in this city, a real powerhouse. I’d love to learn from you.”

Seeing my father's expression soften, I seized the moment and said, “I want to start from the bottom, as a regular employee. I promise I won’t use your name to get any special treatment or embarrass you. I’ll even go by the name Willow Grange. No one will know I’m your daughter.”

He couldn’t refuse me any longer, though he didn’t exactly give me what I wanted either. Instead of placing me in the main company of Heights Corp, he quietly arranged for me to start at one of his subsidiary investment firms. I was hired as an entry-level employee in the development department.

The HR manager at Jones Investment Company had worked with my father for years, so they knew to keep my identity under wraps. No one knew I was Marcus Norton’s daughter, and I even downplayed my academic background.

My job was pretty simple but dull—handing out surveys on the street and collecting them for feasibility studies. Most of my coworkers took a half-hearted approach. They’d hire a few students and have them stand on street corners pestering passersby with surveys, and most people would walk away annoyed without filling them out.

However, I took a different approach. I studied the survey questions and targeted specific groups, like young people for e-commerce, new moms for early education projects, and office workers for the bike-sharing program. My data analysis was thorough and useful, and clients appreciated it.

Soon, the company manager, Tony Lewisham, started noticing me. During one of my reports, I casually mentioned that I had graduated from Futura University.

He was shocked. “A top university graduate doing street surveys? That’s a waste of talent.”

Shortly after, he promoted me to team leader.

In two months, I led my team to land two significant projects, and suddenly, everyone in the company saw me in a new light. After one contract was signed, I let HR “accidentally” reveal to Tony that I had a master’s degree.

“Why didn’t you mention your education when you first joined?” he asked. “You could’ve started at a higher position.”

I answered confidently, “A degree doesn’t mean everything. What matters is ability. Many companies think fresh graduates have high expectations but no real skills. I just wanted to prove myself with hard work.”

That was how, within six months, I became Tony’s assistant.

Working closely with him, I wasn’t just handling small projects anymore. I was now involved with deals worth millions, and the companies I dealt with were publicly listed. As the playing field changed, so did the resources I had access to.

During one of my client meetings, I overheard that Starline Corporation had an investment project worth over a billion dollars that was up for evaluation. Coincidentally, Starline Corporation was hosting a corporate event that evening. As such, I dressed to impress in a season’s new burgundy Gucci wrap dress, had my hair styled in voluminous curls, and applied a flawless, slightly vintage makeup look.

The event was at the Four Seasons Hotel. I thought my appearance would be enough to slip in unnoticed, but the security at the entrance was checking guests’ invitations, and they stopped me.

“Ma’am, may I see your invite?”

“Just a moment,” I said with a smile, pretending to search through my purse while subtly glancing around.

Then, I spotted a tall, lean man walking by. He didn’t have an invitation in hand, but no one stopped him. He strolled right past me, effortlessly.

I quickly stepped forward and looped my arm through his, laughing playfully. “You’re walking so fast! Why didn’t you wait for me?”

He turned to look at me, clearly surprised. He was around thirty, with sharp, deep-set features and an especially striking pair of eyes.

The security guards watched us walk in together without questioning anything further.

Once we were out of sight from security, I gasped slightly and let go of his arm. “I’m so sorry! I thought you were someone else.”

He smiled a small, knowing grin, and his eyes seemed to pierce right through me, as if he could see straight into my soul.

He gave a slight bow. “It was my pleasure. I hope you enjoy your evening.”

Then, he disappeared into the crowd of guests.

I scanned the room, quickly locking onto my target. It was Leo Jefferson, the heir to Starline Corportation. He was twenty-five years old, freshly returned from studying overseas.

He was also the fiancé of my stepsister, Cindy, my father’s eldest daughter. Apparently, the two families had been close for generations, and their business ties ran deep. Leo and Cindy had grown up together, making them the perfect match.

I grabbed a cocktail from a passing waiter and moved into Leo's blind spot, sliding up next to him.

He had a scholarly look—polite and refined. Honestly, he seemed more like a fresh college graduate than the heir to a corporate empire. At that moment, he was deep in conversation with someone across from him, nodding and smiling with all the right cues.

Feeling someone approach, he glanced my way briefly, then, without thinking, casually wrapped an arm around my waist. I let out a soft gasp, and his whole body tensed. He quickly turned to look at me, his face flushing red as he pulled his arm back.

“Oh, I’m so sorry! I thought you were–”

Before he could finish, a woman stormed over, her expression a mix of anger and possession. She wrapped herself around his arm like a territorial claim. It was none other than Cindy, my father’s eldest daughter and Leo’s fiancée—the stepsister I’d only ever seen in photos.

I smiled at Leo, unbothered, and said, “No problem.”

Then, I cast a brief glance at Cindy before walking away with a casual smile.

Cindy pursed her lips, clearly uncomfortable, and tugged at the burgundy Gucci dress she was wearing.

Yes, we were wearing the exact same dress.

I knew from my father that Cindy was a die-hard Gucci fan, so I made sure to do my homework, looking up her latest purchases. That was how I knew she’d ordered the season’s new Gucci dress. Naturally, I went to a high-end store and rented the exact same one.

Of course, she bought hers, and I rented mine. The dress alone cost six figures, which I definitely couldn’t afford. Even the rental fee had eaten up my entire month's salary, plus I had to get matching heels and a clutch. But hey, a girl had to do what she had got to do.

The same dress on two different people created two very different impressions, and it was only natural that people would compare. Cindy had a curvier figure, making the dress look bold and glamorous on her. I, on the other hand, kept in shape by running and working out regularly. On me, the dress highlighted my slim waist and more toned physique.

Cindy had styled her hair in an elaborate bun, topped off with a diamond hairpin. She was wearing a matching set of jewelry that made her sparkle but also came off a little… overdone. Meanwhile, I wasn’t wearing any jewelry. My dark hair and red lips contrasted perfectly with my fair skin, giving me a natural, effortless kind of beauty.

Cindy leaned in to whisper something to Leo, and after a moment, they left the hall together, heading for the lounge. If I had to guess, she was probably going to change out of her dress. Women like her always brought more than one outfit to events like that.

I wandered over to the buffet table, helping myself to some food when Leo casually strolled up next to me and grabbed a few finger sandwiches.

“I’m really sorry about earlier,” he said.

I turned to him, flashing a bright smile. “Honestly, the more embarrassing part was wearing the same dress as someone else.”

After that, I tilted my head and gave him a playful wink. “Do you think women are just too dramatic and complicated?”

He laughed, his smile softening his young, handsome face.

“And besides, it’s not your fault. I came over on purpose to talk to you,” I said as I took a bite of food.

He blushed, looking flustered, like a kid caught off guard.

“Hey, don’t get any ideas!” I teased, pretending to be shy. “I’m a consultant with a venture capital firm, and I heard your company has an investment project I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Oh, really?” He let out a sigh of relief. “But actually, we’ve decided to let Jones Investment Company, under Heights Corp, handle the evaluation.”

“Well, that’s perfect. I’m with Jones Investment Company, a subsidiary under Heights Corp. How about we chat about it now? We might as well get a head start,” I said, raising an eyebrow.

A little smirk crept onto my face, and I could see it amused him.

He smiled back, his expression warming. “Alright, tomorrow morning at my office. I’ll be ready whenever you are.”

Just then, Cindy reappeared, now wearing a pink dress. I wasn’t ready to go head-to-head with her just yet. Since I’d achieved what I came for, I decided to make my exit.

I turned to Leo and said, “See you tomorrow.”

Before I left, I handed him a glass of red wine from the table. “A Bordeaux from Château Mouton Rothschild. This vineyard’s wines have quite the reputation, but they can be hit or miss. Sometimes they’re exceptional, and other times, a bit average. Personally, I’m not a fan of the coffee notes in the flavor, but pair it with pineapple, and you might find a pleasant surprise.”

Leo accepted the glass, looking thoughtful for a moment before asking, “Wait, I didn’t catch your name.”

I waved him off with a smile. “I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

As I walked out of the hall, I felt someone’s intense gaze following me.

I turned to see the man who had brought me to the event. He raised his glass to me, smiling as though he had just enjoyed watching an intriguing show.

I smiled back, raised my glass in return, then casually placed it on a waiter’s tray and walked out of the hall.