The Heiress They Chose To Lose Chapter 03
Early the next morning, the atmosphere at the Sterling estate in Greenwich was unusually peaceful.
The Global Investment Summit was being held in Manhattan that day, an event that took place only once every three years and drew some of the most powerful financial figures in the world.
As one of the East Coast’s established old-money families, the Sterlings had naturally been invited.
Victoria had a stylist arrive early to make Claire look spectacular.
Her custom midnight-blue gown made her already pale complexion look delicately beautiful rather than sickly.
“Claire, you look gorgeous.”
Victoria carefully fastened a diamond necklace around Claire’s throat, pride filling her eyes.
“When we get there, stay close to your brother. Don’t exhaust yourself.”
Claire nodded sweetly.
Then her gaze casually slid toward me at the staircase.
I wore a simple black silk blouse and high-waisted, wide-leg pants.
No professional styling.
No makeup.
“Elena.”
Claire lifted her skirt slightly as she walked over.
Her voice was gentle.
“You’re wearing that to the summit?”
She frowned as though genuinely concerned.
“There are going to be reporters everywhere. If you dress so… casually, people might laugh at the Sterling family.”
Victoria turned at the sound of her voice.
The moment she saw what I was wearing, her formerly warm expression hardened.
“Elena, do you understand basic etiquette at all?”
She approached and lowered her voice, scolding me in the tone of someone claiming to act for my own good.
“Showing up dressed like this will make everyone think we’ve been neglecting you.”
“Go change.”
She pointed at a garment bag lying on the couch.
“That’s one of Claire’s dresses from last year. It’s an older design, but the fabric is excellent.”
“It’ll do for you.”
I followed her finger.
Inside was a gaudy hot-pink ball gown.
It was also several sizes too small.
If I forced myself into it, I’d barely be able to breathe.
And I’d look ridiculous.
“No, thanks.”
I looked away.
“What I’m wearing is fine.”
“You—”
Victoria choked on her anger before turning toward Alexander, who had just emerged from the study.
“Alexander, look at her! This is unacceptable!”
Alexander fastened the final button on his suit jacket and gave me a cool glance.
“Forget it, Mom.”
He adjusted his cuff with an air of condescending tolerance.
“She just got here. Of course she doesn’t understand the etiquette of our social circle yet.”
“When we arrive, have her stay behind the assistants and keep her away from the press.”
“As for what we tell people…”
He paused, choosing his words.
“Say she’s a cousin from Mom’s side of the family who came along to see what an event like this is like.”
A cousin.
Perfect.
They wouldn’t have to publicly acknowledge their embarrassing biological daughter.
And Claire could remain the Sterling family’s only publicly recognized heiress.
“How thoughtful.”
Claire visibly relaxed before reaching for my hand.
“Elena, don’t take it personally. Everyone’s only trying to protect you.”
“Once you’ve adjusted to Sterling life, we can slowly introduce you to everyone.”
As she spoke, her gaze suddenly landed on my wrist.
I was wearing a flawless imperial violet jade bangle.
Mrs. Harrington had given it to me for my eighteenth birthday.
It was one of a kind and worth a fortune.
“Elena, that bracelet…”
Something flickered in Claire’s eyes.
She clearly recognized that it wasn’t ordinary jewelry, but she couldn’t quite believe someone like me could own something so valuable.
“It’s beautiful. Is it a replica from a department store?”
She smiled as she asked, sounding innocently curious rather than openly mocking.
Victoria glanced at it dismissively.
“The color is far too saturated. It’s probably chemically treated junk.”
She frowned at me.
“Take it off.”
“The summit will be full of people who know fine jewelry. Wearing an obvious fake will only embarrass you.”
I looked quietly at Victoria.
At my biological mother.
At the woman who had dismissed one of my most treasured possessions as garbage without a second thought.
“Mom, Elena probably just likes how it looks.”
Claire stepped in as peacemaker right on cue.
“How about this, Elena?”
She slipped a classic Cartier bracelet from her wrist.
“I’ll trade you this bracelet for your bangle.”
“If you wear this to the summit, nobody will laugh at you.”
She smiled with such pure kindness.
Like a princess offering charity to a beggar.
I looked at the bracelet she held out.
Then at the violet bangle on my wrist.
“Sure.”
I obediently removed it and placed it in her hand.
“You asked for this trade.”
I caught the flash of triumph in Claire’s eyes and added softly,
“I just hope you can handle everything that comes with wearing it.”