Chapter 1 It had been eight years since the Crawford family found me, and my brother Ethan finally decided to hold hold a banquet in my honor. But three days before the banquet, I found out he had changed the invitations to instead celebrate his adopted sister's birthday. One of his friends teased him, "Just because Amelia got jealous, you're calling off the dinner that was meant to welcome Eleanor and calling it Amelia's birthday party instead?" "Don't say I didn't warn you. Eleanor is your biological sister. You've kept her outside the family for eight years-she hasn't even stepped into the Crawford Manor. Aren't you afraid she'll never forgive you when she finds out?" Ethan laughed, utterly confident. "No way. Eleanor took a knife for me-almost died because of it. She was willing to risk her life for me. You really think she'd abandon her only family?" "I left the invitation where it's impossible to miss. She cares about this banquet so much, she'll definitely see it. She'll pick out a nice gift for Amelia, and show up." My eyes fell. I didn't cry. I didn't make a scene. In the end, I just left quietly. On the day of the party, Ethan grew anxious when I still hadn't shown up. He called me in a panic. "Eleanor, the room at the manor has been decorated just the way you like it. Why aren't you home yet?" I looked toward the bus station, where my foster brother, Alexander was waving vigorously at me. "I am home," I said. The banquet was something Ethan had promised me half a year ago. Back then, he'd been kidnapped by a business rival driven into a corner-someone who wanted not money, but his life. In the heat of the moment, I pushed him out of the way and took the fatal blow myself. The blade missed my heart by just one centimeter. Blood dripped all along the way. Hovering between life and death, I heard my brother's heartbroken cries ringing in my ears, "Eleanor, don't leave me. You're all I have." "If you make it out of surgery, I'll bring you home to the manor immediately. You'll be the one and only young lady of the Crawford family with everything you deserve." I think I smiled. Chapter 1 12.50% After eight years of waiting, my brother had finally acknowledged my presence. But now, his indifferent voice-all because Amelia said, "I want to be your only sister"-shattered a promise that still felt so fresh. I stood frozen by the door, my fingers growing numb as a chill spread through my heart.. Jacob Miller, one of Ethan's friends, frowned and tried to reason with him, "Everyone in Crestwood knows that the only young lady of the Crawford family is Amelia. You changed the invitations just like that, without even telling Eleanor? How do you think she'll feel when she shows up and realizes she's no longer the guest of honor?" "Besides, Eleanor is your biological sister-the one you worked so hard to find. You promised her this banquet yourself. She's been waiting for years. Aren't you afraid you'll break her heart?" Ethan's face showed a flicker of hesitation before he sighed. "Eleanor is sensible and strong. I made up that story about a so-called fortune teller saying she'll bring bad luck to the family,' and that she couldn't return to the manor to be formally recognized... and she accepted it without complaint. She's lived outside for eight years. " "Amelia is different. She was adopted by the Crawfords and has never known hardship. If Eleanor moves into the manor, Amelia will feel like she's losing love and attention. She'll feel insecure-she wouldn't be able to handle it." Jacob seemed like he wanted to say that all that love and attention should have been mine to begin with. But before he could speak, Ethan waved his hand impatiently. "Worst case, I'll just use the same excuse. She's accepted the 'bad luck' story for eight years-what's one more?" "She trusts me completely. She'll do whatever I say. She'll agree-it's just living outside the manor. I know she's my sister. Isn't that enough? What does it matter whether we hold some banquet or not?" Someone nearby chimed in mockingly, "Exactly. Amelia is gentle, elegant, and well-mannered-she acts like a true heiress. Who would want a country girl like Eleanor as a sister? She's so rough around the edges -it's embarrassing." "If I were you, Ethan, I wouldn't want all of Crestwood to know I have such a biological sister. Why give people a reason to judge?" Ethan's face darkened with displeasure. "Shut your mouths. None of you have any right to talk about Eleanor. Remember this, even if she never sets foot in Crawford Manor for the rest of her life, she is still a daughter of the Crawford family-my biological sister. If anyone dares to insult her again, don't blame me for turning against you." The crowd fell into a chastened silence. Chapter 1 12.50% Just then, Ethan's phone rang. The moment he saw the caller ID, "Little Princess"-his gloomy expression softened instantly. He answered, and Amelia's delighted voice chirped through, "Ethan, is it true? You're giving me Master Daniel's legacy crown? Wasn't that originally for Eleanor?" "Yes, it's for you. It'll arrive tomorrow. Now, my little princess, are you still worried that someone will steal your brother's heart?" Amelia feigned concern. "But... won't Eleanor be upset when she finds out?" "Sweetheart, you're my one and only precious sister. Your happiness comes first. Nothing else matters." Amelia giggled with joy. "Thank you, brother! I knew you loved me most! At my birthday party, I want you to crown me with it yourself." "Okay, anything for you." on as he ended the call, the others started teasing him, "No one can top you when it comes to spoiling er, Ethan." work-I heard it's worth a billion! Just which one is your real sister? You bit. Only ia has been pampered since she was little. I can't bear to see her suffer enough for her." "Eleanor is different. She's used to a simple life. Extravagant jewelry wouldn't suit her. I already had someone prepare a silver set for her. A $60 piece would seem plenty valuable to her." Chapter 1 12.50% Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!