Chapter 1

After being bound to the Compulsory Truth System, my billionaire parents finally took me home.

Chloe, the fake daughter, tearfully asked:

"Now that you're back, should I leave?"

I snapped back:

"Then get out already!"

My billionaire parents fumed, "Do you believe we'll kick you out again?"

My mouth blurted out, "Oh, for real? Awesome! Bye-bye then!"

Then I became a detective.

Officer Blake, looking suspicious, pointed at three photos and asked:

"There's been a serial murder case in our city recently. Who among these three is the killer?"

I gave an answer that nobody expected.

They were stunned, but I just smiled.

After being bound to the Compulsory Truth System, I'd been super careful, keeping my mouth shut whenever possible.

I couldn't help it; my mouth had a mind of its own.

But Chloe, the fake daughter, just had to ask, her voice trembling with fake tears:

"Since you're back, should I really leave?"

My mouth said:

"Don't just leave, *run*."

Chloe froze, then burst into louder sobs.

My dad, Mr. Sterling, roared:

"Get upstairs, now!"

I scurried up like a shot.

Back in the bedroom, which was basically a presidential suite, I locked the door and let out a long sigh of relief.

This stupid system was such a pain.

Dinner time.

Under the crystal chandelier, the long dining table was set with exquisite cutlery.

Chloe sat beside my mom, her eyes red, looking utterly pitiful.

I silently pulled out the chair furthest from them and sat down, trying my best to become part of the background.

" Eat more, you're too thin," Mrs. Sterling said, signaling the maid to serve me.

I nodded, making a quiet "Mm" sound.

Chloe speared a piece of fish with her fork, her voice soft and sweet:

"Try this fish, is it good?"

No!

My internal alarm bells blared as I stared at that piece of fish.

Seriously, mouth, you can say declarative sentences, exclamatory sentences, parallel sentences, but why, *why* do you have to choose a question?!

I wanted to say "thank you," but my mouth, against my will, spilled out:

"Oh, that fish was thawed yesterday at 3 PM and then left at room temperature in the kitchen for over four hours before steaming. It's not very fresh anymore. You eat it yourself."

The air instantly froze.

Chloe's fork stopped mid-air, her face cycling through shades of red and white.

Mrs. Sterling clattered her fork down, her perfectly manicured face set in a frosty glare:

"**(Y/N)** Sterling! Are you deliberately trying to upset the entire family?!"

I wanted to cover my mouth, but couldn't stop myself from saying:

"She's a fake daughter, she's been constantly trying to undermine me, can't you see that?"

I was toast.

I knew I was in deep trouble.

Ever since I'd come back, the Sterling family had avoided talking about Chloe's future.

Her living expenses and luxuries remained untouched; they clearly intended to keep her.

Mr. Sterling shot me a furious glare:

"Eat your dinner!"

I finished that meal under Chloe's barely-there sniffles and the icy stares of my parents.

I ate super fast, then immediately stood up:

"I'm done. Enjoy your meal."

And then I got out of there.

Behind me, I heard Mrs. Sterling comforting Chloe:

"Don't mind her, sweetie. She grew up in the countryside, no manners..."