Chapter 4

When I stepped out, my arms full of bags stamped with the logos of every major luxury brand, Bella's face turned green with envy.

“Hmph, what’s there to be smug about?” she sneered. “You’re still going to die someday. Unlike me and Liam—we’re going to run a big company together.”

I smiled. She was still so naïve.

I turned and walked back to the Sterling estate.

None of the things in those bags were for me. They were all gifts for Mrs. Sterling, Asher, and the rest of the family.

When I returned, Asher was home for once.

The moment he saw me, he scoffed. “Wow, how long have you even been here? Already learned to haul in bags like a gold digger. What, you think our money grows on trees?”

“Asher!”

Mrs. Sterling’s voice snapped through the room, firm with warning. “She’s your sister.”

He curled his lip. “What kind of sister? I don’t have some country bumpkin for a sister. I’d be embarrassed to be seen with her.”

Asher had never liked me, and I never bothered trying to change that.

I calmly began pulling gifts from the bags.

“Mom, this is for you.”

I handed her a gift box—a Hermès silk scarf.

Then, one by one, I gave gifts to Alfred the butler and the other house staff.

For the first time, I saw a look of genuine warmth in Mrs. Sterling’s eyes.

The butler and the others looked stunned, flattered beyond words.

Asher’s expression darkened immediately. “Tch. What, you think a few gifts will buy everyone over? You really think—”

“Asher, this one’s for you.”

I cut him off, as if I hadn’t heard a word.

The final gift was a limited-edition Ferrari model car.

“I heard Mom say you liked racing. I saw this at the store and thought of you.”

He froze for a second, then muttered, “Who wants some dumb toy?”

But he took it anyway.