When my dad's "first love" returned from abroad, she demanded my mom step down as Mrs. Sterling. My mom, being the sweet, naive trophy wife she was, didn't want anything. She just wanted to take me with her. I pinned my mom down, furious at her lack of ambition. "Mom! Why do you want me? You want the money!" "Wouldn't it be nice to take this middle-aged man's fortune and hire ten hot young guys to fan you with palm leaves?" "Me? Don't worry about me." "I'll use his money to support you!" 1 In the living room, my dad, Richard Sterling—a successful, handsome, middle-aged man—sat upright. Next to him sat his returning "white moonlight," Linda. My mom, Sarah, the sweet, naive trophy wife, was holding my hand, crying her eyes out. "Richard, I don't want anything. But Nina has to come with me!" Linda advised gently: "Sarah, the child will have a better future with Richard. You need to consider her well-being. Don't be selfish." My dad looked at her with admiration. My mom cried even harder. "I only have Nina. I don't care, I..." Before she could finish, I grabbed her, pulled her aside, and whispered fiercely into her ear: "Mom! Why do you want me? Ask for the money!" My mom stared at me, tears hanging on her lashes, looking pitiful. "Nina?" I sighed, exasperated. "Take Richard's money. Travel the world. Date a dozen college boys. Doesn't that sound better?" Her eyes went wide. She was nearly forty but still as innocent as a teenager. "B-but what about you?" I continued brainwashing her. "Me? Don't worry about me. I'll stay, keep being the rich heiress, and funnel his money to you later!" My mom hesitated. "But..." I cut her off, turned to my dad, and flashed a fake corporate smile. "Dad, let's discuss Mom's compensation for lost youth and emotional damages..." 2 My dad, amused by my sudden business-like tone, took a sip of tea. "Let's hear it." I didn't hold back. I smiled and started listing demands like a menu. "First, the penthouse downtown goes to Mom. Second, fifteen percent of your company's original shares. Not too much, right? Finally, a bit of cash. Let's say... a hundred million. A nice round number." Mom gasped behind me. Linda's face fell, but she maintained her gentle facade. "Nina, you're still young. You don't understand these things. This would impact your father's company greatly." I glanced at her. "Auntie, my parents are discussing divorce settlements. As an outsider, why are you interrupting?" "I..." Linda's face flushed red. My dad waved a hand to silence her, looking at me with interest. "Fifteen percent is too much. The house and cash are fine." "No deal." I stood my ground. "The shares are the bottom line. Mom was with you for seventeen years. Even if she didn't build the empire, she supported you. Now you're kicking her out for your old flame. You have to give her some security, right? Otherwise, word gets out that Richard Sterling abandons his wife... that'll hurt the stock price more." "You!" My dad choked on his anger. I met his gaze fearlessly. You think you can treat my mom like a disposable napkin? Dream on. After a tense silence, Richard suddenly laughed. "Fine. I agree." He agreed so readily it surprised me. "Shares, house, cash. All hers. But I have one condition." "What condition?" He pointed at me. "You stay." 3 I knew why he wanted me. No one knew my dad's ego better than I did. He liked Linda, sure. But I was excellent, a worthy heir in his eyes. Plus, Linda couldn't have kids anymore. Whatever his reasons, it played right into my hands. I had to stay to remain the rich heiress, to spend his money, to support my naive mom. A perfect loop. But Sarah wasn't having it. She pulled me behind her, glaring at Richard like a protective hen. "No! I don't want the money! I want my daughter!" Me: "..." Mom, wake up! You're delaying the wire transfer! I dragged her aside again for more ideological work. "Mom, listen. I'm going undercover behind enemy lines, get it?" "What?" "Think about it. You leave with the money, free as a bird. "If I stay, he'll feel guilty and treat me better. I'll just transfer my allowance to you. It's sustainable wool-shearing!" Mom nodded, half-understanding. I added the final blow: "Besides, with me here, he and his 'white moonlight' won't have it easy. I'll be a thorn in their side, a constant reminder of the kind, beautiful wife he lost." Mom's expression shifted. She looked at me, then at Richard. Finally, with my encouragement, she nodded—humiliated but tragic. I smiled, relieved. The agreement was signed quickly. Richard's lawyers were efficient. Sarah signed her name with a trembling hand. In that moment, she officially became a multi-millionaire. 4 The moment my mom left, Linda started asserting her dominance. "Nina, we're a family now." She smiled gently and cooked dinner herself. Four dishes and a soup, plating exquisite. "Nina, try my Squirrel Fish. It's my specialty." She enthusiastically put food in my bowl. I looked at the perfect fish and felt zero appetite. My mom might be naive, but her cooking was legendary. My palate had been spoiled since birth. I put down my chopsticks, pulled out my phone, and opened Uber Eats. "One deluxe black truffle pizza, double cheese. And a sashimi platter..." I ordered slowly, right in front of her. Linda's smile froze. "Nina, I worked hard on this..." I interrupted. "Auntie, Dad hired a chef. You didn't need to cook. Besides, I don't like your food." Anger finally surfaced on Linda's face. My dad came out of the study and frowned. "Nina, how are you talking to Auntie Linda?" I shrugged. "Dad, if you like it, you eat it." My dad, naturally backing his true love, took a bite of the fish. Under Linda's expectant gaze, he hesitated before saying gently: "Linda, let's leave the cooking to the chef from now on." Linda nodded, humiliated, but didn't dare argue. The delivery arrived quickly. I turned on the projector, ate, and watched a movie. Linda's carefully prepared meal sat untouched on the table. 5 The next morning, I came downstairs to find Linda directing the servants. "Change these curtains to beige, it matches the sofa better." "This vase is tacky. Get a classier one." "And Richard's study—he likes it tidy. Put away all those knick-knacks." She was playing the lady of the house, changing everything my mom loved. I sneered and walked over. "Maria, leave the vase." Maria looked torn between me and Linda. Linda walked over, speaking softly. "Nina, the style is outdated. Changing it will lift everyone's mood." "My mood is fine." I leaned on the banister, ignoring her passive-aggressive tone. "I'm used to what my mom picked. If you're not used to it, you can move out." "Nina!" My dad's voice came from the dining room, warningly. I turned to him, spreading my hands innocently. "Dad, Mom decorated every corner of this house. She just left, and you can't wait to erase her existence?" Linda walked over, tugging Dad's sleeve gently. "Richard, don't blame Nina. I didn't think it through. I just wanted to make the home warmer..." Her eyes reddened, looking like she'd been terribly wronged. The middle-aged man's heart melted instantly. He patted Linda's shoulder and turned to me. "Nina, Auntie Linda means well. She's in charge of the house now." I smiled. "Great. Is she in charge of me too?" Dad nodded instinctively. Exactly what I was waiting for. I pulled out my phone, opened a luxury website, and pointed to the latest bag. "Auntie Linda, which color should I get? Or should I get one of each?" Linda froze. I continued sincerely: "And the charity gala next week—I want to bid on a diamond necklace. Can you help me decide the budget?" I shoved the phone in her face, smiling sweetly. "Dad said you're in charge. My spending falls under that, right?" Linda's face turned green.
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