The Actress

I was born an actress. I crave wealth and luxury, not sincerity. I went from orphan to the daughter of the richest family in town, but before I could even warm the seat, the Sterling family went bankrupt. Just as I was packing my bags to run, I overheard the family doctor whispering to my "dad": "Aren't you afraid of breaking the child's heart?" Without hesitation, I spun around, rushed into the room, and hugged my "mom." "Mom, a daughter doesn't leave because her family is poor. Don't worry, I'll take care of you both in your old age." Poor for a moment versus poor for a lifetime—I, Chloe Sterling, can do the math. I caught a glimpse of the luxury watch on my dad's wrist, hidden under his cheap shirt—worth enough to buy half a street. I smiled silently. 1 I dragged my legs, heavy as lead, back to the dilapidated rental apartment. Clutched in my hand was the hundred bucks I’d earned sweating it out as an extra on set. I went straight to the pharmacy to buy Dad's imported medication, then detoured to that overpriced French bakery to buy Mom her favorite raspberry tart. It was tiny, but it cost me hours of work. I pushed the door open. Dad was slumped on the sofa, looking ashen, the collar of his cheap cotton T-shirt stretched loose. Mom sat beside him, her eyes vacant. I handed over the medicine and the exquisite little box, forcing my gentlest smile. "Dad, your meds. Mom, your favorite." "Chloe, you..." Mom looked at my sweaty, disheveled state, then at the glaring scratch on my arm. Her eyes instantly reddened. "I'm fine, Mom," I waved it off, pitching my voice to sound exhausted and hoarse. "I rushed back because I was worried about you guys." I moved quickly to pour water and get Dad his pills. As I moved, I "accidentally" brushed my wound against the table corner and hissed in pain. "Oh my god! You child! Why didn't you say you were hurt like that?!" Mom stood up in a panic. Dad struggled to sit up. "Quick, let me see!" I dodged them. "It's really nothing, just a scratch. As long as you guys are okay, I'm relieved." Out of the corner of my eye, I caught it—the flash of an expensive watch under Dad's cheap sleeve. I lowered my eyes to hide the smirk that almost escaped. Bankruptcy? What a setup. 2 I, Chloe Sterling, am a born actress. I want the high life, not true love. After getting lost at age five, the first old lady who picked me up fed me scraps and tried to make me a child bride for her idiot grandson. At her worst, she grabbed a stick, threatening to break my arm so I could beg on the streets. I used my acting skills to make her lower her guard, then called the police. I pointed her out as a trafficker and watched her get handcuffed without feeling a thing. Later, I ended up in an orphanage. Director Chen looked like a saint but was a sadist behind closed doors. When the whip came down, I didn't cry or scream. Instead, I became her most "loyal" little shadow. I knew in a place like that, you had to cling to the one with power just to breathe. When the bigwigs came to inspect, the troublemakers who usually got beaten the worst were locked in the dark storage room. I stuck to the Director like glue, serving tea, smiling sweetly and timidly. While pouring water, I "accidentally" pulled up my faded sleeve, revealing a web of old scars. The leaders spotted it and asked what happened. I quickly pulled my sleeve down, shaking my head like a rattle drum, my voice trembling perfectly. "N-nothing, I fell. Director Mom... Director Mom is so good to us!" The leaders exchanged glances, their eyes full of pity for the "terrified child." I timed my nervous glances perfectly, guiding their eyes to the locked storage room... The day Director Chen was taken away by the police, the whole orphanage celebrated like it was Christmas. Tiger, the biggest bully, apologized to me with a red face, saying he had misjudged me. I rubbed the arm he used to shove, smiling brightly. "What apology? I'm not a good person." They laughed, surrounding me. "Chloe is joking again!" See? My acting was so good that no one believed the truth. I became their beacon of hope. Later, because that "whistleblowing" incident made the news, a talent scout spotted my terrified, makeup-free face, and I stepped into show business. The money wasn't great, but I didn't have to worry about my next meal. Until the billionaire Sterling family found me and took me home. The touching family reunion had barely lasted a few days when Dad cried and announced bankruptcy, then promptly "fainted." Heh, I guess the acting talent runs in the family. 3 In the luxurious walk-in closet, I stuffed the last diamond necklace into my bag with practiced efficiency. I never enjoyed the wealth, so why should I suffer the poverty with them? Not happening. I tiptoed past the study. Through the crack in the door, Dad's voice sounded weak but with an odd undertone. The family doctor was there too. The doctor sighed. "Aren't you afraid of breaking the child's heart?" The rest was muffled, but that sentence was crystal clear. I froze. Dad's overly dramatic chest-clutching before he "fainted" flashed in my mind. In a split second, it clicked—a test! They were testing me! Human nature can't stand up to testing, but my acting can. Sterling Method Acting, showtime! I kicked the full bag into a corner and sprinted for the master bedroom. Mom was staring out the window, her back looking desolate. "Mom!" I threw myself at her, my voice hoarse with suppressed tears, hugging her tight. "I'm not leaving! I'm not going anywhere. No matter how hard it gets, I'll stay with you. A daughter doesn't leave her family because they're poor. I'll take care of you and Dad!" The tears came on cue, hot and heavy, soaking her silk robe. I looked up, my eyes full of desperate determination. Mom stiffened, then trembled violently. She hugged me back, sobbing, a flash of guilt in her eyes. "Chloe... my Chloe..." I felt her warmth, buried my face in her shoulder, and allowed the corner of my mouth to twitch up just a fraction where no one could see. Poor for a moment versus poor for a lifetime—I, Chloe Sterling, know how to count. 4 Back in the rental, Mom was still sniffing, touched by the fact that I bought her dessert despite being broke. I walked casually to the floor-to-ceiling window and peeked through the heavy curtains. Downstairs, a group of men in black T-shirts had gathered. They looked like thugs, except for the one in front. Lean but muscular, wearing a dark casual suit that screamed quality. His eyes were calm as a deep pool, no menace, just silent control. That air of certainty made the tension even worse. A test within a test? Impressive. Even hired debt collectors? "Mom," I whispered, "Someone's outside... doesn't look good. You and Dad stay quiet." Mom paled and nodded frantically. The knocking soon turned into violent banging! Bang! Bang! Bang! The cheap door groaned under the assault. "Who is it?!" Mom couldn't help but scream. Too late! The moment the door cracked open, I "happened" to be behind it, "panicking" and trying to hold it shut with my body! A massive force slammed into the door! Thud! A dull sound. The door slammed into me. A sharp, exploding pain radiated from my nose! Warm liquid gushed out. The taste of rust filled my mouth. The door burst open. The tall, cold man stepped in first. He didn't even look at me clutching my bleeding nose. His gaze cut toward Mom like a knife. "Mom, are you okay?" "Julian!" Mom rushed over to shield me. My nose hurt so bad I was seeing stars. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Worth it. The bitter meat trick. 5 Warm blood dripped through my fingers, staining the white floor a shocking red. It really hurt. Stars were dancing in my vision. I ignored myself and immediately struggled to shield my trembling Mom behind me. My voice was nasal and blocked, full of anxiety. "Mom! Mom, are you okay? Are you scared?" Blood smeared all over Mom's clothes, but she didn't care. Mom looked at my state, gasping in pain, then turned and exploded at Julian. "Julian! Are you crazy?! Smashing the door down without looking? Look what you did to Chloe!" Julian stood backlit in the entryway, tall and imposing. His face was colder than his custom black shirt. He twitched his lips, eyes sharp. "Who knew someone was hiding behind the door? Didn't make a sound, whose fault is that?" Liar. I bet he checked someone was behind the door before ordering the hit. I endured the pain, looking at furious Mom and frowning Dad with teary eyes. "Dad, Mom, don't blame him... he was just worried about you..." Not time to call him "Brother" yet. Julian scoffed. He walked over slowly, looking down at me like inspecting a suspicious object. "A kid lost for over ten years, found just a few days ago." He emphasized "few days." "Deep feelings for parents you never knew? Knowing the family is in debt and you don't run?" He paused, tone dripping with sarcasm. "These days, soft-hearted and filial girls like 'Sister' here are rare." Sounded like praise, but every word was a thorn. I sniffled, more blood gushing out. My voice was thick with tears. "How can you say that? I always envied kids with parents. Even though it's been short, Mom and Dad treat me so well... I have some savings from acting. Not much, but if we're frugal, it can support Mom and Dad for a while..." I looked at Mom, eyes full of adoration and fragility. Mom broke down. She couldn't act anymore. She hugged my bloody face into her chest and yelled at Julian. "Enough, Julian! Baby, don't worry. The family is fine. The money issue is solved!" Avoiding the main point. Solved? Not "we didn't go bankrupt"? Still testing me? I buried my face in Mom's perfumed chest, almost laughing out loud. Good. Very good. Look at us. A whole family of gifted actors. A perfect match. Back at the villa, Mom was emotional, asking carefully, "Chloe, tell Mom, did you suffer a lot these years you were lost?" "Mom sees you hurt, your nose hit by Julian, and you don't complain. You seem used to it... Mom's heart hurts..." I stayed in her arms, not detailing the misery, just nuzzling her like a spoiled child. "Mom, it's all in the past. My only regret is not finishing college. I always feel like something is missing..." As soon as I said it, I felt a heavy gaze on me. I looked up, straight into Julian's bottomless eyes. He stared at me like a hunter watching a fox in a trap. Unblinking. 6 The swelling in my nose went down, leaving a faint bruise. The way Dad and Mom treated me changed visibly. The awkwardness of time apart was washed away by "shared hardship" and "guilt." Limited edition bags, couture clothes, jewelry—they flowed into my room like water. I thought my turn for wealth and glory had finally come. Until tea time that afternoon. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the exquisite bone china. Mom put down her cup elegantly. "Chloe, your brother has been thinking about what you said regarding college. He... found you a top-tier tutor to help you catch up. Think of it as... learning a bit more." My heart skipped a beat. Him? Being "kind"? While I was suspicious, the butler led someone in. Heels clicking on the floor, crisp and rhythmic. A woman in a sharp beige suit, gold-rimmed glasses, calm and sharp eyes. Elegant but distant. "Mrs. Sterling, Miss Sterling." She nodded slightly, voice clear. My smile widened instantly. I jumped up in surprise, rushing to take her hand. "Mia? Mia Qin! Is it really you? Oh my god, it's been so long since the orphanage!" Mia smiled too, a perfect, extremely "friendly" smile. "Yes, Chloe. Long time no see." But the moment I touched her, her fingers brushed mine away. Lightly, but firmly. A flash of coldness. When the butler and Mom looked away, she leaned in close to my ear. In a whisper only we could hear, she spat out coldly: "Chloe Sterling, you're still the same as when you were a kid!"

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