Exposing the Fake Angel

My father had a secret daughter from an affair. My mother wanted to divorce my father without giving him a penny. She told me to keep my wealthy identity under wraps so that I could be an ordinary student.

But maybe I'd hidden myself a little too well. My roommates, who looked down on the poor, thought I was on financial aid and targeted me in every aspect.

When my boyfriend found out that my father's illegitimate daughter was actually rich, he cheated on me.

Before I could even confront my boyfriend and the illegitimate daughter, she started spreading nasty sexual rumors about me.

I'd always kept a low profile, but this time, I decided to give her a taste of her own medicine.

1

Before the national college entrance exam, I went to my grandpa's place to pick something up. As I pushed open the door, I was greeted by some unmistakably intimate noises. I peeked through the crack and saw my father in bed with another woman.

I told my mother about it.

She didn't panic or show anger on her elegant face. She was as calm as ever and said, "Keep it secret. I want him out with nothing."

Her composure and decisiveness made me admire her even more.

But then again, it was not surprising. My mother might look like a normal housewife, but she was a strong woman and had experienced a lot.

She told me to focus on preparing for the exam.

And I didn't let her down and got admitted to the most prestigious university in the country, Silverdale University.

A month after the semester started, Lisa Frazier finally strolled in. She wore expensive glasses that covered half her face and was decked out in designer brands from head to toe. She even had a bodyguard trailing behind her and lugging her suitcases. She looked every bit the nouveau riche.

The first thing Lisa did after entering the dorm was to give a Chanel purse to each of us.

I looked down at the purse in my hands.

Well... something seemed off about the hardware on this purse.

A real Chanel should feel very soft and delicate, but this one was stiff and rough.

It seemed... a cheap knockoff.

Of course, I didn't say it. Sometimes, it was kind to let someone keep up appearances.

Lisa noticed I wasn't excited and asked curiously, "Ivy, don't you like my gift?"

Before I could respond, another roommate chimed in, "Lisa, don't mind her. Just look at her. She's probably never seen anything as nice as this purse in her life."

Another roommate quickly echoed, "Exactly! Even the counselor said Ivy couldn't afford tuition and had to apply for financial aid."

I was shocked by their conversation.

I'd finally seen through those sycophants.

Lisa feigned surprise and then looked at me guiltily.

But I saw it, clear as day, that the smirk at the corner of her mouth was pure mockery and disdain.

Lisa sat down beside me and hypocritically comforted me, "Ivy, it's okay. I come from a wealthy family with hundreds of millions of dollars. But I still live in the dorm. We have to rely on ourselves and chase our dreams. Let's work hard together. Okay?"

I sneered inwardly, "Who are you trying to impress? You are flaunting your father's money and behaving arrogantly in front of me. If my mother weren't in the middle of divorcing my father, that scumbag, and told me to keep a low profile, I'd probably be jangling as I went door to door collecting rent right now."

I smiled gracefully and matched her tone, "Absolutely. Nothing's more beautiful than a girl who relies on her own."

I could be sarcastic too.

2

I got a message from my mother. "I found out your father's illegitimate daughter shares the same dorm with you. Don't act rashly now."

Then my mother sent me a picture.

I was shocked. What drama is this?

My father's illegitimate daughter was the same age as me.

As I didn't know much about her, it was definitely not the time to go head-to-head with her.

Not long after, I got a message from my father. He actually wanted to have dinner with me, which had never happened.

I knew it couldn't be anything good.

But things turned out even worse than I'd imagined.

As soon as I walked into the restaurant, I saw my father fussing over Lisa. He served her food, poured her tea, and handed her napkins. I'd never experienced that kind of fatherly love from him.

Was I jealous?

Honestly, I was. Everyone wanted a father who cared.

When he saw me, he actually stood up with rare enthusiasm. "Ivy, you're here. Let me introduce you. This is your sister, Lisa Frazier."

I'd been prepared, but I still didn't expect him to so openly introduce his illegitimate daughter to me.

Lisa kept eating. She clearly had already known me.

She clung to my father's arm and grinned sweetly. "Dad, did you know it? Ivy and I are in the same dorm."

My father patted Lisa's head indulgently. "Really? Then you must get along."

Then he turned to me and said in a commanding tone. "Ivy, you need to take good care of your sister. Do you understand?"

Lisa looked at me smugly. "Dad says we're real sisters now. You have to let me have my way."

I was so disgusted that I could barely stand it. But I still had to play the part of the friendly, easygoing girl. "Of course."

My father said, "Ivy, your mother and I just can't make it work anymore. She's too overbearing. No man can put up with her. I hope you'll side with me."

I knew what he meant.

My father wanted to divorce my mother and wished for me to be on his side so that he could get more money.

I hadn't spent much time with him, but I knew he was useless and easily manipulated.

That woman had him wrapped around her finger by flattering him.

I had to keep playing the obedient daughter so as to collect more evidence for my mother.

After all, those who didn't play along were never seen as a threat.

3

Back home, I collapsed into my mother's arms and complained. "Mom, how did you put up with him all these years?"

She sighed. "I was paying off a debt, but it's over now. Don't worry. Just hang in there a little longer. I'll make sure soon he and his mistress can be together forever."

Years ago, my mother was almost kidnapped by traffickers. My grandpa happened to see it and saved her.

My mother used to have a childhood sweetheart, but for some reason, they broke up. To pay off the favor, she let my father marry into her family.

That was right. My father married into my mother's family, which was pretty unusual.

My mother's father owned many whole apartment blocks and would collect rent in flip-flops, carrying a big woven bag.

He gave my father some money to start a business. After my parents got married, most of the properties were put under my father's name. My mother didn't want to let my father's mistress and her daughter benefit, so she had been quietly gathering evidence to make sure my father got nothing after they divorced.

For the past few years, my father hadn't managed the company. He left it to my mother in name only.

But my father had put many people in place in the company, and they had a lot of power, so my mother was restricted at every turn.

Besides, my father had been blatantly embezzling company funds to support his mistress. At first, my mother tried to intervene, but she just let it go later and played the role of a "housewife".

Now, my father's younger brother ran the company, but he was not cut out for business. So the company was in serious trouble.

It was just an empty shell now. My mother didn't even want it anymore. So she was happy to let my father take it, but she wouldn't let him have anything else.

On the weekend, I went to the campus swimming pool as usual.

Lisa showed up in a white, trendy swimsuit. Her face wasn't perfect, but she had long, flawless legs, which attracted nearly everyone around her.

Wherever she went, many guys' eyes followed her.

My boyfriend, Kenneth Smith, was one of them. He was practically drooling.

And Lisa had her sights set on him at the same time.

She walked straight up to Kenneth, just like her mother, the third one.

Lisa ignored me, sauntered over to Kenneth, and said in a sweet, flirtatious voice, "Hi, could you teach me how to swim?"

Kenneth's face lit up instantly. But then he seemed to realize something was off and quickly glanced back at me.

I casually dried my hair with a towel and pretended not to mind it. "If you want to teach her, go ahead."

I couldn't stop anything if it was going to happen. So I acted generous and made myself look like the cool girlfriend.

Lisa, who was usually arrogant, suddenly put on a friendly face. "Ivy, what are you doing here?"

She asked me such a stupid question. Of course, I went to the swimming pool to swim. I wouldn't go there to pursue a man like her.

And she was even pursuing my boyfriend.

I looked up and gave Lisa a mocking smile. "I'm here to swim, obviously."

What really shocked me was how Kenneth immediately grabbed Lisa and jumped into the pool with her. The way he rushed in was enough to get my heart racing for the first time in years.

I watched the two of them clinging together in the water and whispering in each other's ears. Lisa blushed and playfully punched Kenneth several times. They looked nothing like he was teaching her to swim.

I stood at the edge of the pool and glared at Kenneth. Then I dunked his head underwater for a few seconds before letting him up.

4

Kenneth was a swimming champion, and it was a piece of cake for him to hold his breath in the water.

Seeing that I was angry, Kenneth put on an innocent face. "Ivy, why are you angry? Didn't you let me teach her?"

Before I could say anything, Lisa hid behind Kenneth and looked pitiful. She seemed to be seeking protection.

I was baffled.

I hadn't even scolded her.

And Kenneth was my boyfriend. So why did he act like I was taking her boyfriend?

Just as I was about to retort, Kenneth said, "Ivy, you're right here watching us. We're not sneaking around or doing anything. Your fierce look scared Lisa."

"Ivy, I'm sorry. I just wanted to learn how to swim," Lisa said, shrinking even further behind Kenneth.

She looked so terrified. Others might think I was about to hit her.

But Kenneth seemed to be deeply attracted by her. "Exactly. Ivy, why are you being so petty? I'm just teaching Lisa how to swim."

I couldn't take it anymore and threw my towel hard at Kenneth's face before I turned to leave.

Kenneth hurried after me, grumbling, "Are you really upset? Fine. I won't talk to her anymore."

With that, he took out his phone and deleted Lisa from his contact list right in front of me.

That was supposed to be my first date with Kenneth, but I was in no mood for anything then.

5

My best friend, Margot Welch, sent me a message. "Ivy, get over here. It's an emergency!"

She attached a location. It was in the Harmony Hotel, near the campus.

Margot added, "Room 318."

My heart skipped a beat as I read the message.

A bad feeling crept over me and turned into a sudden impulse. Without thinking, I jumped out of bed, opened the door, and ran downstairs.

It was like I was possessed.

I took the elevator to the third floor and saw two police officers knocking on the door of room 318.

Just as I was about to walk over and see what was happening, a voice called out from the stairwell. "Over here."

It was Margot. I felt half my anxiety melt away as soon as I saw her.

I frowned and asked, "What's going on?"

Margot looked very excited as she said, "You'll see it in a minute."

I had a hunch that Margot's boyfriend was cheating. But why did she seem so happy about it?

6

While I was still puzzling over it, four people came out of room 318. They were two police officers, a man and a woman. Both the man and the woman were disheveled.

It turned out that I was the one being cheated on.

I was the fool all along.

Just like in those cliché dramas, Lisa had slept with Kenneth. The only difference was that Margot reported them.

After what happened at the pool that day, Kenneth found out Lisa was rich and dumped me without a second thought.

Soon after, I got a call from the police station, asking me to go there and pick Kenneth up.

When I arrived, my father was already there. He was pacing anxiously.

He saw me and immediately started blaming me. "Where have you been? Why are you so late?"

I asked, "You're here now, so why haven't the police let them go?"

My father said, "They need two people. Otherwise, why would I be waiting for you?"

I'd come late on purpose.

Lisa was my father's daughter.

And I was his daughter, too.

Lisa slept with my boyfriend. Now I was supposed to bail her out at the police station.

But how could I get scolded for it?

I couldn't accept such double standards.

I put on my most pitiful face and pretended not to know what was going on. I asked, "What did Lisa do?"

My father dared not meet my gaze. His eyes darted guiltily, and his voice was much softer. "She's just helping with an investigation of a case."

I kept pretending. "If it's just an investigation, why do the family members need to be here?"

A police officer placed some documents on the table. "Since the family members are here, please sign here."

I looked down at the paperwork. I shouted in shock, "My sister and my boyfriend were caught in a hotel room together?"

The onlookers all leaned in to listen to the story.

Seeing my tear-streaked face, my father softened instantly. Maybe he was embarrassed too. For the first time, he said gently to me, "Ivy, Lisa was wrong this time. When she gets out, I'll make sure she apologizes to you."

Before long, Lisa and Kenneth walked out.

Lisa must have overheard the conversation between my father and me because she immediately started pretending. She looked panicked and aggrieved. "Ivy, Kenneth and I were just talking about swimming in the hotel room. I don't know why the police took us here."

I laugh at her words out of anger.

Were they talking about swimming in a hotel room?

And how could they be half-dressed for that?

7

I coldly watched them put on their little show.

If they were going to act innocent, at least pick a better place.

For me, it was the perfect spot to gather evidence.

Kenneth tried to act like a good boyfriend. He shielded Lisa behind him and said, "Ivy, if you're angry, take it out on me."

How could they say that?

They made others think that I was the home wrecker who stole my sister's boyfriend.

"Lisa, if you like Kenneth, just say so. Why do you have to drag things to the police station?" I pinched my thigh to force out big, dramatic tears. So I looked as pitiful as I could.

My father felt sorry for me again. He quickly stepped in front of me protectively. "What are you doing? Lisa, you knew he was Ivy's boyfriend. How could you ask him to a hotel? And you, Kenneth, have you no shame?"

Lisa looked like she'd been deeply aggrieved.

"We really were just talking about swimming. We didn't do anything else. If you don't believe it, I'll just have to prove it by killing myself." With that, she pretended to bump her head against the wall.

Did she do that at the police station? Why didn't she just pretend to faint for sympathy?

I watched her over-the-top performance and almost applauded.

Kenneth felt sorry for her and pulled her into his arms. He glared at me with disgust. "Ivy, I don't like you anymore. Lisa is gentle, considerate, and kind-hearted. But you are always so domineering. It's natural for me to fall for her."

We were still at the police station. It wasn't the place to make a scene. My father turned to me and tried to persuade me. "Ivy, you'd better let Lisa have him. Kenneth already said he doesn't have feelings for you. We can't stand in the way of true love. Right?

Maybe my father felt a little guilty. He quickly added, "I'll set you up with a good guy in the future."

Kenneth held Lisa tightly and glared at me as if I'd stolen his treasure.

I lowered my head and said in a trembling voice, "It's fine. If Lisa likes Kenneth, I'll let her have him. I am her elder sister, anyway."

My father's eyes filled with sympathy as he patted my head. "Ivy, you're such a good girl."

How could I not be?

If pretending to be the perfect daughter means lying through my teeth, then I was a good girl.

Lisa was still crying. She grabbed my hand and said, "Ivy, you're so great."

Everyone seemed satisfied with the outcome.

I was even more pleased.

Lisa was so smug as she thought she'd won.

But she never knew that her real troubles were just beginning.