The Sherwood Family residence in Stellan.
In an exclusive villa district in the heart of the city, where every inch of land was worth a fortune, the Sherwood estate boasted a prime location. It had a garden out front, Swan Lake out back, and was separated by just a single wall from the grandest mansion in the area.
In the luxurious living room, a young woman wore a limited-edition, custom-made beige dress, its long hem adorned with ornate fringed lace.
Serena Sherwood stood with a perfectly straight posture, directing the maids.
Her noble, reserved air made her look like a proud princess.
"Don't leave the gown in the sun. Hang it in the wardrobe. It's a custom piece that cost over five million; we can't let it get ruined."
"Lock the script in the safe. The director said it's confidential until filming starts. Not a single word can be leaked."
"Send that pair of earrings to the shop to be cleaned… actually, never mind. I've already worn them twice. Mindy, you can have them."
The maid named Mindy jumped up in surprise. "Thank you, Second Miss!"
Iris Dalton completely ignored the commotion in the living room. She sat cross-legged on a small sofa, playing on her phone with one hand.
Her other arm was wrapped around a rabbit-shaped throw pillow, giving her a lazy, languid air.
Serena Sherwood's eyes shifted. Looking at Iris on the sofa, she hid a trace of irritation behind her gentle expression.
"Mom, my sister just got back. She must not be used to living in a villa," Serena said, gathering her long skirt as she sat down and looped her arm through Leona Vaughn's.
Glancing at Iris, she continued with a smile, "Why don't we buy a small apartment for her? I heard that in the countryside, three generations squeeze into a place of just a few hundred square feet. Heavens, that's smaller than my bathroom."
She feigned an inability to hold it in and burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand.
She looked innocent and carefree, but her eyes were filled with malice.
'The first time I saw Iris's face, I was filled with disgust!'
'It's only her first day back with the Sherwood Family, and she's already trying to steal our parents' affection.'
'In her dreams!'
'I won't let her succeed!'
Hearing Serena's scornful laughter, Iris's eyes lifted slightly at the corners, her delicate face showing a hint of distaste as if disturbed by something foul.
Her exquisite features looked as if they were painted with fine ink, and her casual glance held a rebellious streak. "Oh, you like big bathrooms? Then the great outdoors would suit you. It's open on all four sides, and you'll get a nice breeze on your butt."
As she spoke, she also put on a little act, covering her mouth to giggle.
Pinching her fingers together in a delicate pose to cover her lips, she was even more affected and dramatic than Serena.
Serena: "!!!"
The smile frozen on her face twisted, and her fingers dug so hard into the leather sofa that she nearly tore it.
'So infuriating!'
Serena was a celebrity, and her specialty was playing the role of a gentle, kind, and innocent girl.
She quickly hid her anger, her expression shifting to one of hurt and disappointment.
"Don't you like me, Sis? I only suggested buying you a small apartment because I was thinking of you. Why are you so hostile toward me?"
Serena lowered her head, looking pitiful and harmless, as if she were on the verge of tears.
'In reality, she knew very well.'
'She was doted on by the entire family. Even Old Mrs. Sherwood, who traditionally favored sons, adored her. Iris's return wouldn't affect her position at all.'
'But she just couldn't stand how beautiful Iris was, and how she looked more like a Sherwood than she did.'
'So she acted delicate and pitiful for no other reason than to make her parents and brother feel even more sorry for her.'
'Heh, this acting is a bit fake.'
Iris pursed her lips, her interested expression shifting to one of obedience and innocence. Her voice dripped with naivete. "You were the one who said you liked big bathrooms. I was just following your lead and making a special recommendation. And now you're blaming me... Being misunderstood by my own family is so heartbreaking."
She was a fast learner and a great mimic.
She could even improve upon the original.
Serena: "…"
'Dammit, I want to sew her mouth shut!'
Leona Vaughn frowned. Seeing Serena's face turn pale with anger, she felt a fire ignite in her own heart.
'But there was nothing she could do.'
'It was so frustrating!'
Her high-society upbringing kept her from exploding on the spot. Instead, she just hugged Serena sympathetically. "Serena, even with your sister home, you will always be the apple of our eye."
This was the daughter she had raised for so many years, after all. She couldn't bear to see Serena suffer the slightest grievance.
The Sherwood Family was a top-tier powerhouse in Stellan. All three of their children were outstanding and brought the family a great deal of prestige in their social circles.
The eldest daughter, Claire Sherwood, had gone abroad to study at a young age and wasn't particularly close to her parents. But Serena had been raised by their side, so everyone in the Sherwood Family, from top to bottom, doted on her more.
"Mom, I'm fine. I just feel sorry for my sister. She's been living on her own all these years without family to care for her. It's so pitiful. Compared to her, I'm much more fortunate."
Serena gritted her teeth and suppressed her anger.
'There's still a long road ahead. No need to fight over this immediate victory.'
She was only twenty this year, studying acting at Stellan University, and had already played the second female lead in a web series.
With the powerful backing of the Sherwood Family, she had a constant stream of resources from the moment she debuted. She quickly became a third-tier starlet with over ten million fans.
'Compared to her own dazzling achievements, Iris is just a country bumpkin from the mountains. She'll never be able to compete with me in this lifetime!'
"I'm older than Iris, so I'll take good care of my little sister. Don't worry, Mom," Serena said with a beaming smile, her eyes fixed on Iris in a provocative stare that held a barely perceptible trace of contempt.
Iris caught it. 'Tsk, tsk,' she sighed internally. 'The Sherwoods aren't very bright.'
'Serena is particularly dim.'
'Her acting skills are mediocre, and she's an idiot!'
"Such a good girl, Serena," Leona said, feeling that her sweet daughter was so considerate.
Suddenly having another daughter, she had to force a smile and placate her, which was exhausting both mentally and physically. Thankfully, Serena was so understanding, which brought her immense comfort.
"YAWN—" Iris let out a lazy yawn and asked, "Where's my room?"
She had used up some of her spiritual power today and felt a bit tired. Besides, this mother-daughter duo's tender and loving performance was so dull it was making her sleepy.
'Time for a nap.'
"I had someone prepare the guest room on the first floor. You can stay there for now," Leona replied, her expression shifting to a warm and thoughtful smile.
Iris glanced casually in the direction of the guest room, her spiritual power piercing through the walls to survey the furnishings inside.
A bed, a desk, a small wardrobe. The room wasn't large, and the furniture was very plain. It was clearly a room for casual use.
Then she lifted her eyes toward the second floor.
Serena's suite was a full two hundred square meters, with a luxurious bedroom and en-suite bathroom, a spacious and bright walk-in closet, and a dressing room.
There was also a large terrace for sunbathing.
Iris lowered her gaze, her confused eyes holding a hint of naive expectation. "I'm Mom and Dad's daughter too, aren't I? Why does Serena get a huge suite while I have to stay in a guest room?"
Leona: "…"
Her expression froze, the smile stiff on her face.
'Because you, the Third Miss Sherwood, are the fake daughter!'
But she couldn't say that out loud.
Leona was bewildered. Iris had just arrived at the Sherwood residence and hadn't been upstairs. How did she know Serena had a large suite?
It was very perplexing.
Just then, Simon Sherwood and Tristan Sherwood finished their private talk in the study. The father and son were coming down the stairs and happened to overhear Iris's words.
"Butler, go prepare a suite for Iris on the second floor," Simon ordered, a flicker of worry crossing his brow before his tone turned cold and stern.
He was very displeased with Leona's arrangements.
'Making Iris stay in a guest room? Isn't that just openly giving people something to gossip about?'
'If a guest saw this, how would they explain it?'
Leona began anxiously, "Actually, Iris…"
Simon shot her a look, signaling her to shut her mouth.
Leona, looking a bit awkward, fell silent.
"Well…" The butler looked troubled and stammered, "The only thing left on the second floor is a ten-square-meter storage room. There are no other rooms. Isn't the guest room downstairs perfectly fine?"
As he spoke, he shot Iris a glance, his face full of impatience.
'This girl from the mountains is so unpresentable. She comes to the Sherwood Family and dares to be picky. She just reeks of pettiness.'
'Does she really think she's a Miss Sherwood? Who is she putting on this act for?!'
The butler knew the whole story about her being a stand-in, which made him find Iris even more of an eyesore.
He had to help conceal the truth on one hand, but on the other, he truly looked down on her. He felt like he was about to have a psychotic break!
"I want to stay in her room. Can I?" A hopeful smile appeared on Iris's face as she slowly raised her hand and pointed at Serena.
"I'm Mom and Dad's biological daughter, and I'm the youngest child in the family. Shouldn't you all dote on me? I can't endure hardship, and I can't suffer even the slightest grievance."
The words tumbled out of her mouth, painting the perfect picture of a willful, unruly, and impudent girl.
Serena's face changed, her fists clenching tightly.
'How dare she try to steal my room!'
'This is outrageous!'
She suppressed her rage and forced a "good big sister" expression, reasoning patiently in a gentle tone, "The Sherwood Family isn't like a family from the countryside. We have etiquette and rules. You can't be so willful, little sister. It's very impolite to try and take your older sister's room."
'Iris's unreasonable tantrum perfectly highlights my tolerance and generosity. It will let the whole family see who the truly considerate and sensible daughter is.'
"Is that so?" Iris's eyes twinkled, a devilish cunning hiding beneath her naive and ignorant expression.
She was used to being brazen and would never let anyone walk all over her.
When a clown tried to provoke her, she was more than happy to strike back on the spot.
Besides, whatever she wanted, she had to get!
In the next instant, the girl gave a mocking pout, her eyes filled with a rebellious, aggressive light. "You just said you were older than me and would take good care of me. So you were lying! Hmph, you're a celebrity, but you're so stingy you won't even part with a room!"
"You f—" Serena nearly lost her composure and swore, wanting nothing more than to slap that face of hers.