Chapter 1 in my past life , I was literally dumpster diving for scraps when Manhattan's richest billionaire found me and claimed me as his ong - lost daughter . But the second I walked through those marble doors , the fake heiress who'd been living my life for years put on her best victim act , urning to our parents with those crocodile tears : Mommy , Daddy ... now that my sister's home , I guess I should pack my bags , right ? " watched my so - called parents ' faces scrunch up with worry - not for me , but for HER . Well , two can play this game . Without missing a beat , I threw myself down on my knees right there in the foyer , clasping my hands together like I was begging for ny life . Mom , Dad , if you don't want me here , I'll just go back to the streets where I belong ! " Game on , Charlotte . in my previous life , you played the sweet , fragile little princess card to perfection . You stole my identity , my family's love , and left ne to literally starve to death in some back alley ! But this time ? I'm going to push you out of the Sterling family so hard you'll get whiplash ! Every single thing you conned your way into - the trust und , the social status , the designer life - I'm taking it all back ! You think you're the queen of manipulation ? Let's see whose acting skills can really make them hand over the family fortune on a silver platter ! My first day back in the Sterling mansion felt like walking through a fever dream - everything familiar yet completely wrong at the same time . Dad flashed me a smile , " So , sweetheart , see any room you like ? Your pick . " I nodded and walked straight to the corner study . " I want this one . " In my past life , Charlotte had claimed the two best rooms on the second floor : Her bedroom and her study . And me ? I gave up and got stuck in a storage closet because I wanted to " keep the peace . " Right on cue , Dad's smile got all stiff and awkward . " Oh , honey ... maybe pick a different room ? That's Charlotte's study , " In my past life , I would've caved immediately . But this time ? I'm done being everyone's doormat ! So I dropped my gaze to the floor , letting my voice get all small and hurt . " Oh ... sorry , Dad . I thought when you said I could pick any room , you actually meant it . " 14:57 The Real Daughter's Comeback : Plavino Victim to Victory Chapter 1 Hearing this , Charlotte materialized out of nowhere , already working up those crocodile tears . Why would you say that , Sophia ? " Her voice was doing that little trembling thing that always made the family melt . " If you really vant it , I'll move out . I mean , I've already taken so much that should've been yours anyway ... " Oscar - worthy performance as always , sis . My brother Marcus immediately went into full protective mode , looking at Charlotte like she was some wounded bird , then turned to ne with barely disguised annoyance . " Come on , Sophia . There are like fifteen other rooms in this house . Why do you have to take harlotte's study ? " Tom jumped in with her fake - concerned voice . " Charlotte's in her senior year at Columbia , sweetie . She needs a quiet space for her hesis . Why don't you settle into one of the guest rooms for now ? " put on my best understanding - big - sister act and nodded . " Of course , that's totally fine . " hen I dropped the guilt bomb . I'm just happy to have somewhere warm to sleep , you know ? Back on the streets , I used to curl up behind dumpsters when it ained ... " he silence that followed was brutal . veryone just stared at me in shock , and Dad's guilt written all over his face . He immediately whipped around to the nearest ousekeeper . Clear out Charlotte's study right now - get everything moved tonight . Whatever Sophia wants for the room setup , make it happen ! " le then turned back to me . " Baby girl , from now on , everything in this house belongs to you too ! If anything's not comfortable , you ust tell the staff , okay ? " nodded sweetly , playing the perfect grateful daughter . he others looked like they'd been slapped , and there wasn't a damn thing they could say about it . ' specially Charlotte's face was priceless - like she'd just swallowed a bug or something . The pure venom in her eyes when she looked at me was almost impressive . but honestly ? I couldn't care less . just walked into what was about to become my study . ast time around , I bent over backward trying to fit in with this family . I kept my mouth shut , never caused trouble , always gave in when there was conflict - thinking if I just stayed grateful and invisible , they'd eventually accept me as one of their own . but all that got me was getting completely screwed over and thrown away like trash . This time , I'm taking back every single thing that belongs to me ! 14-57 Chapter 2 Chapter 2