Chapter 1

A black BMW drove into Ascott Residences and stopped in front of the most luxurious, castle-like villa in the middle. Both car doors opened simultaneously, and a lady and a man got out.

The man had striking features. He wore a perfectly tailored designer suit and exuded a distinguished vibe. He had an air of nobility that clearly set him apart from ordinary wealthy heirs.

The lady wore a white sweatshirt and black cargo pants. Her backpack was so washed out it looked almost white, and its cheapness was apparent from afar. Compared to the man beside her, she looked particularly shabby.

However, her face was exceptionally beautiful. Her features seemed divinely gifted, so radiant and captivating.

Just as the two were about to walk into the villa, the reporters who had been lurking around immediately swarmed over and surrounded them completely. They kept taking photos, and their microphones almost poked into the two's faces.

"It's said that the Turner family's daughter was switched at birth. Mr. Turner, is this true?"

"Mr. Turner, is the young lady beside you the real daughter who was switched with the Lewis family's child?"

"Are you the real daughter of the Turner family who was switched at birth? How do you feel about it?"

"Can you tell us..."

As one of the prestigious families in Terana City, the Turner family recently faced a shocking rumor that their daughter was switched at birth.

The daughter they raised for 20 years wasn't biologically related to them, and their real daughter turned out to be a country bumpkin.

The news made headlines. After days of waiting, those reporters finally tracked down the so-called true daughter of the Turner family.

One question after another revolved around the legitimacy of the heiress. Andrew Turner's expression darkened, and he coldly said, "No comment."

As he yelled for the bodyguards to scatter the reporters, he hurried toward the opened gates.

After a few steps, he noticed no one was following him and turned back to glance at the lady still surrounded by reporters. An expression of disgust flickered in his eyes, and he impatiently shouted, "What are you still standing there for? Are you freaking stupid?"

Grace Lewis raised an eyebrow and chuckled softly. She walked out of the crowd of reporters with her hands in her pockets, leisurely catching up.

Not far away, inside a nondescript Cayenne, Quest Hayes leaned over the window to look outside. His big eyes blinked with curiosity. "Uncle Liam, is that your real wife?"

The person he called Uncle Liam was sitting in the back seat. He was roughly in his early 20s.

His features were sharply defined, his skin was fair, and his facial features resembled a masterpiece of art. His large, watery eyes were slightly misty, with deep black pupils. There was a small mole at the corner of his left eye, and he emitted an irresistible charm.

His posture was relaxed, yet he radiated a compelling sense of elegance.

He was indeed handsome, but his overall appearance was gloomy and enigmatic, with a touch of morbidity.

He replied, "I'm not going to get a wife."

His voice was pleasant, yet it was as faint as a wisp of smoke, exuding a cold indifference that kept others at a distance. In fact, he gave the impression of being beyond reach.

Quest blinked and whispered, "But she's really attractive. None of those female celebrities in the entertainment industry can compare."

Lacking interest, Liam Hayes leaned back and instructed Jamie Evans, the driver, "Let's head back."

...

Ascott Residences was a high-end residential area in Terana City, where every square inch was incredibly costly. Each villa started at billions, and the residents were mainly wealthy and influential families, along with celebrities from the entertainment industry.

Located in the best central spot, Turner Residence was naturally even pricier.

From the garden lawns and artificial fountains in the yard to the crystal chandeliers, hanging paintings, and sophisticated, high-end decor inside the house, every detail revealed its luxury and opulence.

Andrew stood in the middle of the living room, looking at Grace who had followed him in. He said in a stern voice, "As one of the prominent families in Terana City, the Turner family's every move is closely watched by the public. If you run into reporters next time, you'd better be careful about what you say."

Grace raised her eyebrows slightly and smiled innocently. "So what should I say and what shouldn't I say?"

Andrew was momentarily stumped. He frowned as he responded, "It's best if you don't say anything."

He paused briefly and added, "Even though we've brought you back, I only acknowledge Chloe as my sister."

Grace laughed scornfully as she raised an eyebrow wickedly. In a provocative tone, she asked, "So, should I leave?" She exuded rebellion and arrogance, clearly looking like someone who didn't give a damn.

Andrew was just about to say something when a woman's voice called out from upstairs. "Is that Grace?"

Before Grace could even look up, the woman rushed down the stairs. She hugged Grace tightly as tears streamed down her face. "My daughter, it’s all my fault that you were left to suffer for so many years. You’re finally home..."

Chapter 2

For the past 20 years, Grace lived in the lower-class slum of Terana City. She was recently told that there was a mistake when she was born, and she and another girl were switched.

She wasn't a poor girl. It turned out that the woman who had always treated her as though she was precious was not her biological mother. Grace was actually the daughter of the Turner family, a prominent upper-class family in Terana City.

Sophie Hall's eyes were red from crying. She examined Grace from head to toe. "Let me take a good look at you. You've suffered so much. Now that you're home, there's nothing to fear anymore..."

She sobbed uncontrollably, yet Grace's expression remained emotionless.

Peter Turner reached home shortly after. He was around 40 and appeared to be a very authoritative man. When he saw Grace, his eyes welled up with tears. "It's good that you're back."

"Dad... Mom..." Just then, a soft female voice suddenly came from upstairs.

Everyone looked up and saw a lady standing at the staircase.

Since it was early summer, she was wearing a white velvet dress. Her long, shiny black hair was tied back. She appeared to be an attractive young lady in her 20s.

As her gaze swept over Grace, a fleeting look of jealousy flashed in her eyes.

As she looked at Peter and Sophie, her eyes grew teary. "Are you going to abandon me?"

Sophie was momentarily stunned. "What are you talking about?" She walked over and said with a look of deep sympathy, "There's no way we'd ever abandon you."

Chloe Turner turned her gaze toward Grace as she bit her lip. "But she..."

Hearing that, Sophie and Peter froze and exchanged glances.

Sophie then turned to Grace and said in a conciliatory tone, "Grace, although Chloe isn't our biological daughter, we've raised her as if she were our own for 20 years. Unlike you, who can endure any hardship, Chloe has been pampered and sheltered.

"If she were to leave, she would have nowhere to go. Therefore, we've decided to let her stay in the house..."

After a pause, she added, "Chloe has just debuted and is in a crucial phase of her career. If people find out about her true background, it could ruin everything. That's why we've decided to say publicly that you're twin sisters, and one was lost years ago. Grace, you don't mind, do you?"

Peter chimed in, "Grace, we're truly sorry for the hardships you faced after being abandoned all these years, but Chloe..."

Grace looked at the family of four opposite her, tilted her head slightly, and asked innocently, "What if I said I do mind?"

"Who do you think you are?" Andrew frowned before chuckling coldly. "Look at yourself. How can you compare to Chloe? Do you really believe that coming back makes you a highborn lady? You should see if you even deserve it."

Before deciding to bring Grace back, the Turner family had investigated her background.

Her adoptive parents were from the slum. They resided in a shabby, confined basement and survived by operating a breakfast stall.

Four years ago, they both died in a car accident, leaving their five-year-old son with Grace.

Grace dropped out of school early and had no particular skills. She was always associated with various low-class people. To provide for her brother, she did all sorts of lowly work. She even took on delivery jobs and worked in minor acting roles.

Andrew couldn't conceal his disgust when he thought of going to find Grace that day. He saw her selling screen protectors under the overpass.

In truth, if the news hadn't leaked, Peter and Sophie wouldn't have wanted to acknowledge Grace despite their guilt.

After all, the Turner family was a prestigious household. Having a daughter who grew up in a filthy slum with no education or skills not only brought shame to the family but also tarnished their reputation.

Andrew's remarks instantly made the atmosphere tense.

Standing at five feet six, Grace was slim. Her delicate features displayed both rebellion and defiance, with a clear sense of aloofness. Her eyes were serene, and her stunning face was expressionless.

Peter felt somewhat awkward. "Don't worry. Since we've brought you back, we'll definitely treat you as our own daughter."

His remark almost made Grace laugh. She narrowed her eyes and said nonchalantly, "I thought I was your biological daughter?"

The atmosphere froze for a moment.

Peter became even more embarrassed and hurriedly said, "I mean, now that you're back, we'll certainly make it up to you."

Sophie nodded vigorously. "Yes, rest assured. We won't show any favoritism."

Chapter 3

Even though both Peter and Sophie claimed not to show any favoritism, their words clearly favored Chloe.

The prestigious Turner family of Terana City had known for a long time that their daughter had been swapped, but only now did they retrieve her. Grace found it quite amusing.

She inadvertently met Chloe's gaze. Chloe was standing behind Peter, Sophie, and Andrew with her head held high. Her eyes were filled with provocation and arrogance.

Grace squinted her eyes and sighed. "You're right. Although my brother and I aren't related by blood, we were raised together. I've returned to Turner Residence, but his biological sister isn't going home. Well, he's only nine and doesn't have the ability to fend for himself. I'm really worried…"

She tilted her head and blinked. "Since you're so reluctant to part with Chloe, surely you'll care for everyone related to her. Why don't you let him stay here as well?"

Everyone knew that people who grew up in a slum wouldn't turn out well. Taking in Grace was already good enough. Bringing in another non-biological child would only further embarrass the Turner family.

Even though they had a soft spot for Chloe, Peter and Sophie couldn't take in another child who wasn't theirs by blood. Especially one they weren't familiar with!

Yet they felt guilty toward Grace, which put them in a difficult position.

Grace raised an eyebrow as she glanced at Chloe with a mischievous grin. "Ms. Turner, don't you want to meet your younger brother?"

Chloe froze for a moment. She only had Andrew as an older brother! She certainly didn't have any younger siblings!

Chloe looked at Grace with a hateful expression. She then grabbed Sophie's wrist and sobbed. "Mom, if Grace doesn't like me, maybe I should just leave..."

"What are you talking about?"

"How could we ever bear to let you go through those hard times?"

Seeing her cry, Peter and Sophie were heartbroken and quickly comforted her softly.

"Grace!" Andrew glared at her with a stern look. "We brought you back to the Turner family because you carry our blood. Don't push your luck!"

Hearing that, Grace's gaze grew icy as she sneered, "So, you do acknowledge that I'm the one with Turner blood."

"You—" Andrew wanted to refute her.

"That's enough!" Peter interrupted in a serious tone as he saw that they were about to quarrel.

He looked at Grace and pursed his lips. "It's impossible for that child to live in Turner Residence. However, considering he's Chloe's brother, we'll provide him with enough money to support him until he can live independently."

Grace shrugged without saying a word, indicating her agreement. The atmosphere became tense again.

Sophie glanced at her and changed the subject. "Grace, let me show you to your room."

Nodding, Grace slowly followed Sophie upstairs.

When they reached the end of the third floor, Sophie opened a door. The room was small, furnished only with a table, chairs, and a bed.

Sophie smiled lovingly as she said, "It's a bit small here, but if you need anything, just let us know and we'll get it for you"

This place used to be a storeroom.

Grace glanced around and smiled faintly. "This is a lot bigger than the basement."

Sophie's smile became a bit awkward, and she looked apologetic. "Our home is spacious, but Chloe debuted as a singer and will be an actress in the future. We had already set up a practice room for her, and we couldn't prepare another room in time. You'll have to put up with this for now."

Grace shrugged in response, appearing indifferent.

...

During dinner, Andrew received a call and left for some urgent matter.

At the table sat Peter, Sophie, Chloe, and of course, Grace.

Grace hooked a chair with her long leg, sat down, and crossed her legs nonchalantly. Her demeanor resembled that of a gang leader.

Her posture and table manners were atrocious. Other than her appearance, she had no redeeming qualities.

Chloe, on the other hand, sat with perfect posture and ate with grace, embodying the demeanor of a true socialite.

The contrast between them was night and day.

Sophie hesitated before smiling and saying, "Grace, I have something to talk to you about."

Grace rested her chin on one hand, smiling faintly. "Go ahead."

Sophie gathered her thoughts before saying, "Well, you have a fiancé."

Grace's face showed a brief look of surprise as she raised her eyes to look at Sophie.

Sophie served her a piece of meat and gave her a gentle, loving smile. "This marriage was arranged by your grandpa while he was still alive. Now that you're back, we should start planning for it..."

Chapter 4

With a blank expression, Grace asked, "Who is it?"

Sophie hesitated briefly before replying, "He's from the Hayes family. Despite growing up in the slum, you must've heard of this formidable and influential family in Terana City."

The Hayes family of Terana City held the highest commercial authority in Hestrya, controlling half of the country's economic backbone. In Hestrya, they represented supreme authority and glory.

In ancient terms, they would be like a regent, second only to the emperor.

The mere mention of the Hayes family instilled fear and dread in everyone who heard it.

Liam Hayes, the youngest son of Elijah Hayes, was born when Elijah was older, making him particularly favored. He was regarded as the young noble of Terana City.

Smiling, Sophie said, "He holds power over all of Terana City. Marrying him will bring you boundless wealth and luxury."

Grace raised an eyebrow. "If he's that good, why don't you get Chloe to marry him?"

Chloe, who was sitting at the dining table, tightened her grip on the spoon.

Peter said in a serious tone, "This is an arranged marriage your grandfather set with Elijah when he was alive."

Grace chuckled. She twirled the fork in her hand, casually remarking, "But the one who has been the Turner family's cherished daughter and enjoyed 20 years of wealth and luxury is Chloe."

Sophie and Peter were momentarily speechless, and they looked somewhat displeased.

It was the Hayes family, after all!

Even though the Turner family was considered a prestigious family in Terana City, they couldn't compare to the Hayes family. If Shawn Turner hadn't saved Elijah's life on the battlefield back then, such an opportunity would never have come to the Turner family.

In fact, they did want Chloe to marry him.

However, Alice Green was quite old when she was pregnant with Liam. She died shortly after giving birth.

Liam was born with many health issues. He was sickly and dependent on medication since childhood. A few years ago, he was in a car accident that left him paralyzed, confining him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

It was said that Liam's health hadn't improved over the past two years. In fact, it had deteriorated further. Consequently, his temperament had become unpredictable and harsh.

Given his disability and uncertain lifespan, Sophie and Peter were reluctant to let Chloe endure such a fate. However, since this marriage was arranged by the two families' elders, they could not back out of it. After much consideration, they thought of Grace.

They discovered years ago that Chloe wasn't their real daughter but kept it a secret. Despite their reluctance, only now did they bring Grace back to take Chloe's place and marry Liam.

Seeing Grace's reaction, Sophie seemed a bit upset. "I know you'll probably hate me. I'm not pressuring you, but the bride has to be fulfilled by someone with the Turner family's bloodline."

Sophie said she wasn't pressuring her, yet she emphasized that it had to be of the Turner family's bloodline.

Grace stopped twirling the fork in her hand and fixed her beautiful eyes on Sophie. They were so deep and clear as if they could see through one's heart. At the same time, there was a hint of coldness in her gaze.

She asked in a cold voice, "So, you brought me back just to take Chloe's place in this marriage?

Having their intentions revealed, Peter and Sophie's faces grew tense.

Sophie forced a somewhat awkward smile as she tried to explain gently, "You were raised in the slum. You didn't learn anything, you didn't even finish junior high school. It's too late to go back to school at your age.

"Despite Liam's poor health, marrying him will make you the lady of the house. You'd enjoy endless wealth and luxury. We're doing this for your own good, you know?"

Grace lowered her gaze, concealing all the emotions in her eyes. She replied calmly, "Let's talk about it later."

With those words, she dropped the fork in her hand, got up, and went upstairs.

Chloe bit her lip, and she was on the verge of tears. "Dad, Mom, will Grace hate me?"

"We brought her back for your sake. Don't worry. We definitely won't let you marry Liam." Sophie served her a bowl of soup. She then said softly, "Aren't you going for an audition tomorrow? If you cry some more, your eyes will swell up and you won't look good."

Chloe took the bowl and smiled through her tears. She said sweetly, "Thank you, Mom. I knew you loved me the most."

Sophie smiled before looking at Peter. Frowning, she said, "Be sure to remind Andrew later. No matter how much he dislikes it, he has to hold it in. Otherwise, if she runs away, who will marry Liam in Chloe's place?"

Peter nodded. "Got it."

Chloe's face, which was lowered, was full of smugness.

Even if Grace was the real daughter of the Turner family and was related to them by blood, she still couldn't outshine Chloe!

Chloe couldn't believe that a lady from a lowly background would try to vie for the position of the Turner family's heiress. She was dreaming!

The people downstairs didn't intentionally lower their voices, and every word clearly reached Grace's ears as she reached the second floor.

She halted and clenched her fists. After standing there in silence for a moment, she suddenly relaxed and let out a cold sneer before silently ascending the stairs.

Chapter 5

After returning to the room, Grace freshened up. While she was drying her hair, her phone suddenly rang. She sat in the chair, leaning back with her legs crossed at the foot of the bed, and answered the call.

"Grace, are the Turner family treating you well?" A slightly immature voice of a young boy came through the phone. He spoke cautiously and with a tone of concern and worry.

As Grace squeezed the water out of her hair with the towel, she lazily replied, "They're okay."

Okay meant not good!

However, they were Grace's real parents, and he had no right to interfere.

Justin Lewis pouted and brought up another matter. "Grace, someone from the Turner family found me and gave me a bank card today. I checked, and it has 200 thousand dollars in it!" The boyish voice on the phone was filled with astonishment.

After all, he had never received so much money before!

Justin gasped before carefully asking, "Grace, why would the Turner family give me so much money?"

That person handed him the card and just said it was compensation from the Turner family before leaving.

He couldn't understand why the Turner family, who didn't owe him anything, would offer such generous compensation.

A possibility crossed his mind. "Could it be that Chloe is greedy for wealth and refuses to leave the Turner family? The Turner family feels sorry for her and doesn't want to leave any dirt on her name, so they're planning to first bribe and deceive me with money before killing me to silence me?"

Grace thought he had a pretty wild imagination. Smirking, she teased him, "That's right. So you'd better eat well now, or you won't find anything good to eat in the afterlife."

Justin was terrified. "Grace, you have to save me. You wouldn't just let your adorable and charming brother die young, right?"

Grace wasn't buying any of it. She tossed the towel away, retrieved her laptop from her bag, and turned it on. She then casually remarked, "Chloe won't go back, and she probably won't acknowledge you as her brother."

Although 200 thousand dollars was just a drop in the ocean for the Turner family, the fact that they gave so much to Justin showed how much they doted on Chloe.

Justin paused for a moment and murmured, "I don't want that fool to acknowledge me."

Grace's computer screen was entirely blue, with no icons other than the arrow cursor.

She lazily held a cigarette in her mouth. After she pressed a couple of keys, a red cross appeared on the screen followed by a jumble of unreadable code. While typing, she said, "Keep that 200 thousand dollars for yourself. Buy some good food and get yourself some nice clothes."

Hearing that, Justin felt as if he were being told to indulge in his final wishes. He asked anxiously, "Grace, I'm not really going to die, am I?"

Grace puffed out some smoke and joked, "I'll assassinate you tonight." She seemed in a good mood.

Justin chuckled in response. "You wouldn't really do that." He then shifted to serious matters. "Those people have been lurking around the slum these days. They're determined to catch Echo no matter what. Grace, keep your guard up at Turner Residence."

Grace raised an eyebrow and lazily hummed in acknowledgment.

Justin hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Grace, even though we're not blood-related, I was raised by you. If you're unhappy at Turner Residence or if they mistreat you, you're always welcome to come back. My arms are always open for you!"

Grace snorted and replied, "With those little arms of yours, you should keep them for your little sweetheart."

...

At Hayes Residence, the yard was overgrown with greenery, and the air was filled with the smell of medicinal herbs.

Under the white sunshade by the artificial lake, a man sat in a wheelchair, holding a fishing rod.

The man was enveloped in a golden glow, exuding an air of nobility and purity. His appearance was extraordinarily handsome and otherworldly.

The lake water was crystal clear, with red fish swimming back and forth.

The fishhook shimmered with a silver light in the water, but there was no bait on it. Every day was the same, and no fish ever seemed to bite.

Shane Woods chuckled. "What an unusual way to fish."

Liam didn't even look up. The mole at the edge of his eye was almost invisible in the sunlight, giving him a somewhat captivating appearance. His tone was icy. "Have you found any leads on Echo?"

Shane's smile disappeared. As he placed the gray, thin blanket over Liam's legs, his expression turned serious. "No."

Raised in a family of doctors, with his father serving as the deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration, Shane had been involved in medicine since childhood. By the age of 26, he had already become a member of the Medical Association.

He never took up an official position or frequently treated others. Instead, he became Liam's personal doctor. However, as Liam's health continued to deteriorate, all Shane could do was keep him alive.

The only one who could potentially save him would be Echo, Jeregon's top doctor. That was why they had been searching for that person persistently.