Chapter 1: The Rejected Twin
Amelia! Where are you? The guests are already here!"
The head maid's sharp voice echoed through Sterling Mansion.
Amelia Sterling wiped the sweat from her forehead before placing the last crystal vase onto the banquet table.
Today was her twentieth birthday.
At least... that was what the calendar said.
No one in the Sterling family had wished her a happy birthday.
Not her father.
Not her mother.
Not even her twin sister.
Instead, she had spent the entire day decorating the luxurious ballroom for Aurora Sterling's birthday celebration.
To everyone else, the Sterling family had only one daughter.
Aurora.
The perfect daughter.
The beloved daughter.
The future heiress.
As for Amelia...
She was treated like a servant who happened to share the Sterling surname.
"Stop daydreaming!"
The head maid shoved a tray into Amelia's hands.
"Take the champagne to Miss Aurora."
"Yes."
Amelia lowered her eyes and walked into the ballroom.
The hall glittered with crystal chandeliers and fresh white roses. Wealthy businessmen, celebrities, and influential families filled the room.
In the center stood Aurora Sterling, wearing a custom-made diamond gown worth millions.
She looked like a princess.
"Happy birthday, Aurora!"
"You've become even more beautiful."
"The Sterling family is truly fortunate."
Aurora smiled gracefully.
"Thank you, everyone."
Then her gaze landed on Amelia.
For a split second, the warmth disappeared from her eyes.
"Amelia."
She smiled sweetly.
"You're finally here."
Her gentle voice fooled every guest.
"Please serve the drinks carefully. I don't want anyone getting hurt."
"Of course."
Amelia nodded quietly.
As she walked away, she heard the whispers behind her.
"Isn't that Aurora's twin?"
"How embarrassing."
"Why is she dressed like a servant?"
"I heard Mr. Sterling doesn't even acknowledge her."
Their laughter followed her across the room.
Amelia kept walking.
She had cried enough over the years.
Today, she refused to cry.
At that moment...
Several black luxury cars stopped outside the mansion.
The noisy ballroom instantly fell silent.
The butler announced loudly,
"Mr. Alexander Kingsley has arrived."
Gasps echoed through the hall.
"The Kingsley heir!"
"The youngest billionaire in the country!"
Aurora's smile brightened instantly.
She gracefully walked toward the entrance.
The doors opened.
Alexander Kingsley stepped inside wearing a perfectly tailored black suit.
His cold expression alone silenced the room.
He acknowledged the guests with a slight nod.
Nothing more.
As he walked through the hall, his eyes swept across the room...
...until they stopped on Amelia.
She was carrying a heavy tray alone while several servants watched without helping.
When one servant deliberately bumped into her shoulder, Amelia steadied the tray before a single glass could fall.
Instead of complaining...
She quietly continued walking.
Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly.
Interesting.
Most people would have lost their temper.
She didn't.
Not because she was weak...
But because she had learned how to survive.
Sophia Sterling noticed Alexander watching Amelia.
For the briefest moment, guilt flashed across her face.
She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something.
Instead...
She remained silent.
Her fingers tightened around her glass until her knuckles turned white.
No one noticed.
Except an elderly woman watching from the balcony above.
Eleanor Sterling.
A faint smile crossed her lips.
Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
Just then—
A waiter suddenly stumbled.
His shoulder slammed into Amelia.
The tray tilted violently.
A glass of red wine flew through the air.
Splash!
The expensive wine stained Aurora's white diamond gown.
The ballroom gasped.
Aurora stared at the stain for two seconds.
Then tears immediately filled her eyes.
"Amelia..."
Her voice trembled.
"Why would you ruin my birthday?"
Amelia's eyes widened.
"It wasn't me! Someone pushed—"
Slap!
William Sterling's hand landed hard across her face.
The sound echoed through the silent ballroom.
"You disgrace!"
He pointed toward the exit.
"Get out before you embarrass this family any further."
Amelia slowly raised her head.
Her cheek burned.
Her eyes were red.
But this time...
She didn't cry.
Instead, she looked directly at William Sterling.
"If I truly spilled the wine..."
Her calm voice echoed through the hall.
"Then show everyone the security footage."
Boom.
The entire ballroom fell silent.
Aurora's expression changed for the first time.
Fear flashed across her eyes.
Because there was security footage.
And if anyone watched it...
Her carefully planned trap would be exposed.
From across the room...
Alexander's lips curved ever so slightly.
For the first time that evening...
The "servant" had caught his full attention.
To be continued...
