Chapter 1

When Ethan hid from me that he'd invested in his ex-girlfriend's movie, a rift opened between us that could never be closed.

We fought bitterly. He asked if it was really that serious.

Holding back tears, I screamed at him:

"Ethan, you know perfectly well that Summer and I are bitter enemies. Her mother stole my father and nearly drove my mom to her death. Why are you taking her side too?"

At Summer's movie premiere, Ethan sat in the seat of honor as the investor, backing her up.

Suddenly, I didn't want to compete with Summer anymore.

Everything connected to Ethan—I didn't want any of it.

At Summer's movie premiere, I spotted Ethan's figure.

He sat in the seat of honor, surrounded by people flattering him.

The man's eyes were deep and indifferent. He didn't flaunt himself deliberately in the crowd, yet his entire being carried a subtle air of dominance.

Summer, a new director returning from overseas, wasn't highly regarded in the industry.

But pulling Ethan's investment and having the Sinclair Corporation as her backing meant Summer could establish a firm foothold in the circle.

From an isolated newcomer director to the industry's hot commodity.

Everyone wanted to use her to make connections with Ethan.

With Ethan footing the bill, quite a few industry big shots came to the event to show support.

Even Summer's cast was filled with A-list celebrities.

When the premiere ended, Ethan's assistant handed him a bouquet.

Ethan walked toward Summer with the flowers, the corners of his lips curving upward.

"Congratulations."

Summer's lips curved into a shallow smile, her expression full of smug satisfaction.

I'd seen that triumphant look in Summer's eyes far too many times.

I clenched my fists and left.

If I'd known today's event was Summer's movie premiere, I never would have come.

A voice called out from behind me.

"Chloe, won't you stay for dinner?"

Ethan had seen me. His brow furrowed slightly.

In the two months since our fight, we'd seen each other fewer than three times.

Summer's movie hadn't even been released yet, but it was already making waves.

Marketing accounts everywhere were promoting it.

[Graduated from USC School of Cinematic Arts, landed Sinclair Corporation investment for her very first film. With Sinclair backing her, she has the country's top-tier photography team, and even her cast is all A-listers. Only Summer could pull off such a powerhouse configuration.]

[Rumor has it Sinclair Corporation's CEO's first love was Summer. Summer herself graduated from a top university, and right after graduation she's directing a major film. What kind of female protagonist wish-fulfillment story is this? Who wouldn't want to live her life?]

I'd just left the Harper house when I saw this news, having just learned from Victor that Summer had returned to the country.

That day, Victor used his birthday as an excuse to make me come home for a family dinner.

When I saw Summer, I turned to leave.

Victor said:

"Don't you want your grandmother's illness treated anymore?"

"Sit down and eat."

I stopped and returned to my seat.

Forcing myself to endure the nausea of eating with this family.

Linda was Summer's mother. She was clever, always playing the role of the good stepmother in front of Victor.

She never showed me a harsh face, always telling Summer to defer to me, that I was the real master of this house.

This made Victor feel I was spoiled, making him feel he owed them—mother and daughter.

Victor spoke slowly:

"Chloe, you and Summer are sisters."

"You should look out for each other."

"She's back in the country now. Help her out a bit."

I laughed coldly and asked him:

"Why should I?"

"My mom only had me. Where would I get a sister from?"

"A mistress's child doesn't deserve to call herself my sister."

Just those few words made Linda's eyes turn red, looking utterly wronged.

"Chloe, you don't have to help Summer."

"Life hasn't been easy for you either. I know that."

I got up to leave. Linda immediately came to grab me.

I shoved her away. She fell backward, her lower back hitting the entryway.

She hissed in pain.

From her expression, she was genuinely hurt.

Victor stepped forward, his face flushed with anger.

"Apologize."

"She fell on her own. What's that got to do with me?"

He raised his voice even louder.

"Chloe, apologize."

I smiled and asked him:

"One cheater, one homewrecker."

"Eating with you people makes me sick."

Victor raised his hand, a slap coming toward me.

He stopped his hand at the last moment.

"Chloe, you've really been corrupted."

I'd experienced this scene countless times already.

I was too tired to say another word to Victor.

I changed my shoes and left.

While driving, I heard a marketing account video playing on the car audio.

When I heard the investor was Ethan, I froze.

When Ethan got home from his business engagement, I asked him:

"You invested in Summer's movie?"