Chapter 6

The face in the photo.

At first glance, she looked incredibly like me.

The eyes, the nose, the shape of the lips—everything carried a haunting familiarity.

But her face was flawless, her lips parted in a soft, confident smile. It was the kind of smile that belonged only to someone who had been deeply loved and protected her entire life, someone who had never known want.

I stared at the photo for a long time.

Then, I scrolled down to read the text.

"Serena Sinclair, 30, only child. Born to a loving, wealthy family. Graduated from state university, subsequently founded 'Serene Beauty,' currently serving as CEO..."

*Only child.*

*Loving family.*

*Wealthy upbringing.*

I read those words three times.

So that was it.

In their world, I had never existed.

All those years, my mother had proudly told everyone that she only had one daughter.

No wonder she had run away from me at the mall.

She wasn't afraid of me recognizing her.

She was terrified that people would find out she had another daughter—one she had abandoned in the countryside for eight years.

She was terrified that her perfect, elite life would be stained.

I closed the file, stood up, and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside, the Chicago skyline stretched out under a piercingly blue sky.

I stood there in silence.

My assistant knocked and walked in. "Ms. Sinclair, when would you like to schedule the meeting with the Serene Beauty team?"

I didn't turn around.

"Set it for next week. I will personally lead the final negotiation."

The assistant looked surprised. "You're going personally?"

"Yes," I said, my voice cold and steady.

It had been sixteen years.

I wanted to ask her face-to-face.

*Did you ever hear about the sister you left behind in the dirt?*

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