Chapter 2 The Fake Heiress

Regina's eyes glowed with a tender pride as she said, "Raine, so it was you who worked quietly behind the scenes all along. You're truly the Lidells' lucky charm." Raine's smile was soft and humble. "Supporting the family is the least I can do." Yet, almost instantly, her smile faded, and her gaze dropped with weight. "Mom, Dad, Fergie… Nancy is coming back after all this time. I know it'll be difficult for her to see me. "Do you think it would be better if I moved out first? That way, you'd have more space to rebuild your relationship with her." A chorus of firm, unwavering voices rose from Andrew, Regina, and Fergus. "No way!" Fergus scowled. "Raine, you're my sister in every way that counts!" Regina's tone was just as earnest. "That's right. We've considered you our daughter for years! Nancy coming back simply means we'll have two daughters, and we can afford that." Andrew chimed in firmly, "Don't ever say something like that again." The Lidells molded Raine into the very image of a society lady—elegant, capable, and polished. This time, she had achieved even more, securing them a partnership with Duran Corporation. Though Regina and Andrew had no idea what Nancy was like now, they were certain she could never measure up to Raine. They had barely mentioned Nancy when she appeared. A maid came in to announce, "Mr. Lidell, someone has arrived." As soon as the maid finished speaking, Nancy emerged from the sunlight. She wore a white T-shirt and jeans, radiating youthful energy. Her delicate, flawless face held a beauty that drew and held the eye. Her features bore a subtle resemblance to Regina's, but Nancy was much prettier. Raine's nails dug into her palms. She had expected the long-lost Nancy to be mousy and dowdy, never this dazzling. Regina and Andrew were just as stunned. Nancy let her gaze travel over the faces in the room before breaking the silence. "Hello, I'm Nancy… Your daughter." Her tone was even, her composure unshaken. It felt less like a reunion than the opening of a negotiation. Regina seemed to wake from a daze. Her first glance, however, went to Raine, worry clouding her eyes. Only then did she speak. "Nancy, come here. Have a seat." Nancy crossed the room and settled onto the couch. All eyes were on her, and she felt a faint unease stirring within. Raine's gaze lingered on the details of Nancy's clothing, and a quiet breath of relief escaped her. Nancy was exactly as she had imagined. Though beautiful, Nancy bore no trace of a designer label. She could only have come from an ordinary family. Raine's voice was soft. "You're back, Nancy. We've all missed you." The moment Nancy's gaze settled on her, she knew—this was the fake heiress who had taken her place in the Lidell family. She answered only with a short, noncommittal hum. Raine's eyes brimmed with sudden redness. "Do you not like me, Nancy?" Nancy frowned, her voice carrying mild confusion. "Why wouldn't I like you?" Raine lowered her head, her words faltering. "I know you must hate me for taking your place. I'm truly sorry. If you don't want me here, I can leave right now." Fergus' face darkened at once. Stepping forward, he positioned himself squarely in front of Raine, his body a shield as his cold gaze locked on Nancy. "The fact that you two were switched wasn't Raine's fault. There's no reason for you to take your anger out on her!" Feeling the sudden surge of hostility, Nancy fell silent again. Her glance swept over Raine, and a low, mirthless chuckle escaped her. "I don't recall saying anything to you. There's no need to put on an act. If I'm not welcome here, I can just as easily stay away." The words settled heavily, a flicker of guilt rippling through the room. Regina caught her hand in hers. "Nancy, that's not what we meant." Then, turning to Raine, she said, "Raine, Nancy has no intention of driving you out, so there's no need for you to be so tense." Raine's smile tightened for the briefest heartbeat, then bloomed again into something bright and cheerful. "Alright. Nancy, welcome home. I even brought you a gift!" She set out a set of high-end skincare products. Nancy's eyes flicked over them before she reached for her own gifts. "Dad, these are coffee beans from Southridge. Mom, this is a Chanel scarf for you." When it came to Fergus, she saw no point in trying to please someone who clearly disliked her. Fergus looked her way several times, and when he realized no gift was coming, a faint disappointment touched him. Raine looked at the gifts in astonishment. "Nancy, that's incredible. This Chanel scarf is a discontinued design. Back then, Mom couldn't get one at all, but you did. "And these coffee beans from Southridge cost a fortune. Only Boraska's century-old families can get them—" The words tumbled out before Raine seemed to realize her misstep. She broke off abruptly, lifting a hand to cover her mouth.