After all, there was a vast difference between the quality of education in small towns and San Joto.

Mr. Riddle Sr. frowned upon hearing that. Gloria had a point. What good teachers could a school in a small town have?

Mr. Riddle Sr. took a deep breath, put down his teacup, and looked at Daniel with a serious face. “Arrange a school for Nicole as soon as possible. The children of the Riddle family should not be left behind.”

Nicole raised an eyebrow slightly as she could tell that Mr. Riddle Sr. was bold in his decision and quick in action, which was a trait she liked.

It was just that things like grades were…

Just then, Daniel had already made a guarantee. “I know, Dad. I will arrange it.”

Mr. Riddle Sr. nodded and looked at Nicole again. “I know the quality of education in small towns is not ideal, but all my grandchildren are in the top five of the grades in every exam. You can’t let me down, you know?”

Seeing that Mr. Riddle Sr. cared so much about results, Nicole had no choice. “Don’t worry, Grandpa.”

She would not want to lose face herself, even if it was not for him.

“Good girl.” Seeing Nicole’s confidence and decorum, Mr. Riddle Sr. was very happy. He ordered the family butler, “I will go back today, and in a few days, you are to take Nicole back to my house so everyone will have a meal together.”

Daniel and Gloria’s faces changed. “Dad... Is that necessary?”

Mr. Riddle Sr. had four sons. The eldest son was a business wizard, the second a business magnate, the third a banking giant. Only Daniel, because of poor health, had not been involved in the business of Riddle Corporation, but moved out early to have his own life. So was the reason his relationship with his three brothers was less close, and they rarely interacted with each other.

They would only head over to Mr. Riddle Sr.’s house during his birthday and festive seasons. Even then, every time they got together, Gloria and Daniel would inevitably be taunted by the other three couples. Gloria had had enough. Nicole’s return was a good thing, but the thought of her daughter having to face these people with her made her feel bad.

“Dad is right. Nicole has just returned, and all family members need to get to know each other,” Daniel said indifferently. “Besides, I plan to send Nicole to Royal Creek Institute, and I need eldest brother’s help.”

The Royal Creek Institute, divided into a university and a high school, was the most outstanding educational institution in San Joto, and the quality of education was guaranteed. Just that entry criteria were also high. Daniel wanted nothing less for his daughter, and so he was adamant about getting her into Royal Creek Institute.

“Is Royal Creek Institute good?” Nicole squinted slightly, not having much knowledge about this school. But she knew someone there, at least.

“Of course. It is the best school in San Joto. Your brothers are all attending that school. If you have also entered the high school of Royal Creek Institute, they can take care of you,” Daniel said affectionately.

“Royal Creek Institute is good, indeed. But... When Dad asked Damien to help Samuel get a place in the school last time, his wife was very reluctant. This time she would be even more reluctant, I guess,” Gloria said with concern. “Why don’t we think of another way?”

The Holder family also had some connections. Gloria had to give it a shot for the sake of her daughter.

“It is alright. Damien and his wife are trouble averse, but they are not bad people. They will just grouse about it. All I need is for Nicole to get a place in Royal Creek Institute.” Daniel whispered. He would do everything he could.

“Daniel…” Gloria was grateful, but it also pained her to see him having to do that.

Seeing her parents were willing to do anything for her, Nicole blinked, unsure if she should tell them she knew someone in Royal Creek Institute.

Just then, Mr. Riddle Sr. spoke. “Daniel is right. Damien will help. Even if they were reluctant to do it, Nicole still has my support. Fear not.”

Mr. Riddle Sr. spoke emphatically, his eyes completely filled with the look of a doting grandfather.

He would be thankful if his sons did not drive him to his early grave. Now that he had finally found his biological granddaughter, it was natural that he doted on her like a little princess.

Words choked in Nicole’s throat. For the first time in her life, she felt warmth from her family's protection. So, she had decided that she would figure it out for herself and would not want them to worry about her too much.

Mr. Riddle Sr. talked for a few moments about Nicole before reluctantly leaving without staying for dinner. After Mr. Riddle Sr. left, Daniel and Gloria went upstairs to rest.

Nicole then took out her phone, composed a text message, and sent it out.

Just when she was about to go upstairs, someone stood in her way.

“Did I hear it correctly when I was about to come downstairs that Dad and Mom were going to send you to the high school of Royal Creek Institute?”

Nicole silently stepped up a flight of steps to the left, on the same level as Norah, but pulled away some distance from her. She then nodded and said, “Is there a problem?”

“There isn’t a problem, just that you will only drag the feet of others in Royal Creek Institute if you are not good enough. It would not look good if you can’t keep up and overstretch yourself.”

Looking at Norah pretending to be concerned about her, Nicole smirked and said, “Oh, so what is your opinion?”

Nicole’s sudden outpouring of rowdiness threw Norah off-guard. Norah calmed herself down before saying, “Dad and Mom are going to great lengths to send you to the high school of Royal Creek Institute, but your poor grades will ruin it all. It would be better for you to propose to go to another school.”

If Nicole successfully entered the high school of Royal Creek Institute, she would be a sophomore just like her. What if they were in the same class? The thought of these made Norah sick.

“Don’t worry; I won’t let Dad and Mom worry about it. I can get into Royal Creek Institute by myself,” Nicole responded indifferently.

“What?” Norah was stunned. “How do you get in by yourself?”

She was just a high school student from the countryside, and she said she could enter Royal Creek Institute?

Was it not that she was just bragging?

“You don’t have to worry about that.” It was tiring to communicate with such a person. Nicole's smile faded from her face, and she went straight upstairs.

Norah looked at Nicole's back, her eyes full of indignation. “I would want to see how you, a country girl, could get into Royal Creek Institute.”

The next day was the weekend. Nicole got up early to go for a morning run.

This was her habit for many years. After the morning run, she found a quiet place and started practicing her skills. She needed constant practice to keep her skills in a tip-top state.

It was almost seven when she returned. As soon as she entered the door, Norah saw that Gloria and Daniel were already waiting for her, and Norah was also standing beside them.

“Where have you been? Dad and Mom were worried about you when they saw you were not here.” Norah saw Nicole approaching and spoke out to blame her preemptively.

Nicole frowned incomprehensibly. “I just went out for a morning run. Is there anything urgent?”

Gloria was relieved. “No wonder. Exercise is indeed a good habit.”

But Norah would not easily take that for an answer. “No matter what I did before, I would tell Dad and Mom in advance so that they would not worry about me. You need to take care of Mom’s feelings, you know?”

Norah effortlessly brought the topic back.

“You all had not gotten up when I went out for morning exercise. Besides, I told the family butler.” Nicole looked nonchalantly at Norah, wanting to see what other charges Norah could dish out at her.

“But—”

“It is just a small matter. There is no need to make a fuss about it. Let’s all sit down and have breakfast.” Danial suddenly interrupted before Norah could continue.

Norah’s face changed dramatically. In the past, she used to joke like this, grumbling about her brothers for making their parents worry about them, and her father had never reproved her like this.

But everything changed after Nicole returned. Feeling hurt, Norah suddenly said, “Does Dad think I am nosy? But I have been doing this all this while. Did I do it wrong?”

Norah was born with an adorable face and looked pitiful as soon as her eyes welled up. Daniel could not help but wonder if he had said things too harshly.

But Nicole, who was standing on the sidelines, had lost patience with Norah’s acting. “You did the right thing, but I am not a replica of you.”

What Nicole said caused Daniel and Gloria to remember that they must accept the difference between Nicole and Norah.

“Nicole is right. Mom will not treat you like a replica of anyone, as long as you are happy to be yourself.” Gloria reached out to help Nicole sort her sideburns. She only wanted her daughter to be happy, and nothing else mattered.

But all this looked different in Norah's eyes.

Before this, she would try to do her best, trying to please Gloria and Daniel in whatever she did, as she was afraid that such a good life would just be a dream. When the dream ended, she would return to the previous hard days.

Now, her fears had come true. Their biological daughter was back, and they indulged Nicole, no matter what she did. But what about her? Had all her previous efforts been in vain?

Norah felt miserable and no longer cared to keep her image as a good elder sister. She turned around and said, “Mom, Dad, please enjoy your meal, but I will have to go upstairs first.”

“Norah...” Gloria tried to stop her, but Daniel stopped her, motioning for her to take care of Nicole’s feelings.

Afraid that Nicole would feel left out in the cold, Gloria stayed and looked at Nicole. “Look at you, you are drenched in sweat. Go get changed, and then come down for breakfast.”

“Okay.” Nicole did not want to make her parents’ life any harder, either, so she turned and went upstairs.

Seeing that both daughters were gone, Daniel said, “Do you now know why Dad asked you to send Norah away earlier?”

Nobody is a saint. Facing their own daughter, who they had lost for many years, and the adopted daughter, who had stayed with them and enjoyed a good life for many years, inevitably, there will be favoritism and imbalance. What Mr. Riddle Sr. was trying to do was to protect both sides. He did not want to see the relationship between the Riddle family and Norah of so many years end up breaking.

“Now I know.” Sadness filled Gloria’s eyes.

The longer Norah stayed, the sadder everyone would be.

After lunch, Gloria brought Nicole to go shopping at the mall. Because Nicole had so few belongings. Gloria was afraid that Nicole was being too considerate and stubborn, not wanting to request for anything. She did not want Nicole to feel unfairly treated.

Norah was also accompanying them. As soon as they entered the mall, Norah gleefully picked up clothes and bags as if she had forgotten entirely about what happened in the morning.

“Mom, do you think I look good in this dress?”

“Absolutely. Nicole, why don’t you pick some for yourself?” Gloria was still mindful of what happened in the morning, afraid of neglecting Norah while snubbing Nicole. She had to keep a delicate balance.

Knowing that Gloria was caught between a rock and a hard place, Nicole asked her to accompany Norah while she browsed the clothes in the store by herself. She always liked things simple yet decent, but this boutique that Norah had come to was selling flashy clothes. So, Nicole just browsed for a short while and said, “Mom, I want to go somewhere else.”

“You found nothing you like? I think this one is not bad.” Gloria immediately came over to show her a piece of dress.

Norah was jealous that her mom went away as soon as Nicole called her. So, when she saw the clothes in their hands, she went over to them with a plan.

“Mom, this dress looks wonderful, but it is too expensive. Besides, not everyone will look good in it.”

So, was Norah insinuating that she did not look good enough to wear that dress?

Nicole cocked an eyebrow and said, “I am not so fond of a dress like this, but since you have said so, I have got to try it.”

“Okay, try it.” Gloria’s eyes lit up as she instinctively knew that this dress suited Nicole, and so she hurriedly urged her.

Norah did not expect Nicole to say that, and she felt upset at the moment. This hillbilly really dared to try.

Nicole took the dress and disappeared into the fitting room. It was not long before she drew open the door curtain and appeared in this gorgeous dress.

She was used to wearing just pants that were convenient for her to move around. By wearing a dress suddenly, she felt naked.

Nicole usually dressed more casually, but thanks to her curvy body lines, she still looked great, even smart, in T-shirts and pants. Changing into this white dress would not look weird, but make her look skin gelatinous and beautiful.

After letting her long hair down, Nicole and Gloria looked even more alike, so too their temperament.

“Young lady, you look beautiful in this dress.”

“Many people have tried this dress, but none of them look as good as you in it.” The boutique manager sounded flattery, but it was true.

Gloria’s eyes were also filled with elation. “This dress it is. It couldn’t look any better on you.”

Norah looked jealous, as much as surprised.

“Mom, I like this too. Can I try it?”

She was the one who was raised in a wealthy family, so she did not believe that she would lose to a hillbilly.

The boutique manager was caught in the middle. “I am sorry, the clothes in our boutique are all handmade, and this dress is a limited edition of the season, so there is only one piece.”

Gloria was also in a predicament. But seeing that Nicole looked so gorgeous in that dress, she could only say, “Norah, the other clothes in this store are also beautiful. Let’s look at the other pieces.” She then asked the boutique manager to issue the bill and walked toward the cashier counter.

Norah almost stomped her feet in displeasure, but she could not lose her composure. Her mouth twitched as she squeezed a smile.

Nicole sneered.

She had never caused trouble, but she would not run away if someone came looking for trouble. Whoever wanted to affront her, she would surely return the favor.

Nicole was not in a hurry to change back into her clothes. Instead, she walked around the store in front of Norah in this dress and then turned to look at other clothes.

Sensing that Nicole would glow in any dress she wore, just like her, Gloria started to put anything beautiful on her.

Norah saw Gloria buy Nicole several outfits and followed suits, getting herself five to six sets. But Gloria, citing the fact that she already had a lot of clothes, only bought two sets for her.

Norah’s face was looking more and more cast down this afternoon. Seeing that Gloria had been holding Nicole’s hand all day and refusing to let go, the fire of jealousy was about to burst out of her eyes.

“Mom, Norah? What are you all doing here?” A voice suddenly spoke.

Gloria turned her head and saw that it was her son, Steve. “What are you doing here?”

“We are here shopping. Steve, do you miss me today?” Seeing Steve, Norah rushed over and held Steve’s hand, looking like they were very close.

Steve pulled Norah’s hand off his, as he felt awkward when other people were around. “Our company plans to invest in this mall, so I came to check out the situation with the person in charge here.”

Nicole heard from Daniel that her second brother, Steve, was a financial wizard.

“Hi, Steve,” she said hello politely.

Just like Sean, Steve inherited the genes of his parents, born handsome. He looked extraordinary with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. Seeing Nicole, Steve’s eyes lit up. “I just wondered how there was a beautiful girl around my mother. It turns out to be my little sister.”

Nicole smirked, not expecting that this gentle-looking brother of hers was a sweet talker.

Norah pouted, feeling not too happy. “You have never complimented me that way, Steve.”

In more than a decade, they had never been close. Steve could not help but freeze in place. But he quickly responded, saying, “You don’t need me to state the obvious, Norah. You are equally beautiful.”

This obviously sounded insincere. After all, Norah looked much ordinary, and there was actually a slight difference between her and the Riddles.

“Nicole, I am quite busy these days and have no time to go home to see you. But I will bring you out to dinner when I am back in a few days.”

“Sure.” Nicole nodded in agreement.

After saying hello, Steve got busy with his work. Gloria looked on with a smile as Steve and then looked back at Nicole with a doting expression. “Steve’s biggest hobby is to make money, and he is pretty stingy. Judging by his willingness to bring you out to dinner, I guess he values you a lot.”

These words stirred Norah’s jealousy even more.

Indeed, Steve had not invited her to dinner in so many years. But he was so generous to Nicole when Nicole returned.

Was this the difference between biological and non-biological sisters? Why?

She was the sister who had lived with him under the same roof for over ten years, for god’s sake.