Chapter 4

Nora spoke with smug certainty. "The heir must excel academically and effectively manage the inheritance. If you prove more capable than Aria, then the inheritance is indisputably yours."

Emma scoffed. "So, Nora, you're suggesting a showdown with Aria? If I win, I get the two million dollars?"

Nora, confident Emma couldn't surpass Aria, replied, "Exactly."

Once Nora revealed her plan, Emma knew victory was hers. In her previous life, she and Aria had faced a crucial exam at this very moment. The winner would inherit the trust fund left by Emma's mother, Stella Rivera. But then, hampered by her rural education, Emma had been unaware of the exam's significance, stumbling through the paper. She only remembered Nora and Aria's triumphant expressions when the scores were posted.

Nora had patronizingly urged her to study harder, and Aria had given her a cheap ten-dollar necklace as a "congratulatory gift"—an insult more stinging than outright dismissal.

Biting her lip, Emma agreed. "Fine, the test scores will decide. I win, I take the money. And Aria—" she added silently, with a smirk, as if she stands a chance.

Puffed up with arrogance, Aria sneered. "I've been the top student for three years! You think you can compete with me? You're basically signing your death warrant!"

Emma laughed, thinking, Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad. She eyed Aria as if the contest were already decided.

Time flew, and soon it was the day of the Vark College entrance exam. Upon arriving, Emma and Aria were immediately recognized.

"Hey, Aria, is this your sister?" someone asked, surprised.

"Aria, she doesn't really look like you," another remarked.

"Your sister seems nice, though," a classmate added, easing the awkwardness.

Aria, basking in the veiled compliments, smugly said, "Sure, my sister grew up in the countryside and wasn't academically gifted, but she's a pro with farm equipment—tractors, harvesters, the works. Stuff we've never even seen, she can handle!" She laughed heartily, her classmates joining in.

At that moment, Emma lacked Aria's polished appearance. Her memories were filled with rural life: catching fish in spring, harvesting wheat in fall. Now, in summer, her skin was rough, her appearance unrefined.

In her previous life, such comments had shattered her self-esteem. Aria had constantly berated her as an embarrassment, excluding her from activities. Foolishly, Emma had tried to be patient, spending lonely nights crying into her pillow.

Reflecting now, she found it bitterly ironic. People who dislike you, just do. You can bend over backward, and they’ll still plot your downfall. Why should I care what they think?

With a scoff, Emma crossed her arms, draping her loose jacket over her shoulders, exuding defiance. "If mothers aren't the same, how can their kids be?"

"What did you say?" a classmate exclaimed, surprised.

"Aria, you and your sister have different mothers? We've been classmates for years, and you never told me that!" another chimed in.

Emma's mother had died young; these naive classmates were unaware Nora was the other woman. Aria, naturally, wouldn't reveal that.

Aria's face clouded, and she fell silent.

Emma looked at her coldly, her words dripping with sarcasm. "She'd never tell you. Who wants to brag about being a love child?"

After her retort, Emma calmly walked toward the exam hall. Moments later, as Emma sat down, Aria stormed in, her face stormy as she slammed her backpack down. "Think you've got this in the bag, Emma? Just wait until the results are out. Everyone will see you're a total loser! Mom said if I ace this test, she's getting that two million dollars. Go to hell with your poor mom, you bitch!" Flushed with anger, Aria grabbed her backpack and stormed out.

Emma's gaze turned icy. Insult my mother, curse my family… Aria, you will pay, she vowed silently.

Half an hour into the exam, Emma was the first to hand in her paper, while Aria was still struggling, desperate to succeed given the exam's difficulty. Seeing Emma submit so early jolted Aria. What the hell? How did she finish so fast? She quickly reassured herself. Emma, a nobody from the sticks, what could she know? She probably just scribbled nonsense.

Reassured, Aria returned to her test, while Emma strolled to the school garden. In her past life, burdened by insecurity, Emma had never appreciated Vark College's beauty, especially after enduring bullying. This time, she was determined to savor it.

Under a pink-flowered tree, Emma was lost in thought, staring at the blossoms. A deep, rich voice suddenly broke the silence. "Enjoying the view?"

Startled, Emma looked up and saw a man in a wheelchair emerging from behind the flowers. Liam, sitting in his wheelchair, radiated aristocratic aloofness. Yet, his deep, tranquil eyes softened as they rested on her.

He noted her silence and, with a graceful flick of his wristwatch, asked, "All alone? Skipping class?"

Memories of their shared fiery demise briefly overwhelmed Emma. Regaining her composure, she responded, "Yeah, I handed in my test early. Are you here to discuss business with Vark College, Mr. Hall?"

"No," Liam said, meeting her gaze. "I'm here for you."

Emma was taken aback, falling silent.

"What's wrong? We're practically engaged. Can't I check on my future wife at school?" Liam's voice held a hint of challenge. He was aware of her reluctance; her pensive expression only deepened his understanding that she didn't want to see him.

His expression turned stern. "If you're not interested, I'll leave after I give you this." He handed her a sleek black card. "The PIN is your birthday."