Chapter 2 Imposter!

• “B-But… Janet is arriving home soon, and this home will no longer belong to me.”
• “Emily, what are you talking about? This home is always yours; you can’t leave!” Megan held Emily in her arms.
• Megan was rather upset because she had invested eighteen years of affection for Emily. How could she possibly abandon her at a moment’s notice?
• On the other side, her biological daughter was merely a failing Young Miss Jackson.
• Janet’s information and background flashed through Megan’s mind. Janet Jackson, 18 years old, junior high school graduate, mediocre student who is always playing truant. Later, she went missing for three years.
• Nobody knew where she was during those three years. There were horrible rumors claiming that she ran away with an old man. I just can’t imagine someone like her as my biological daughter.
• Coincidentally, Janet had just arrived home, and her gaze was hollow while she took in the sight in front of her.
• She stood still for the longest time. Finally, Brian was the one who noticed her.
• “Janet?” Brian greeted her dubiously.
• The middle-aged man turned to look at Janet, and he released his arm from Emily’s grip, looking rather uncomfortable.
• Emily’s sobs paused for a moment, and she shifted her focus onto Janet.
• The girl had fair skin and a petite frame. Her face was small with delicate facial features, and she looked almost like a porcelain doll. Both her appearance and temperament were somewhat a reflection of Megan—she was their biological daughter, after all.
• A trace of jealousy glinted in Emily’s eyes. However, when she saw the rags Janet was wearing, her gaze turned into one of disgust.
• She came from the village indeed, and that explains her poor taste. She can’t compare to someone like me, who has been living in the city.
• At a quick glance, Emily looked much more like a Young Miss Jackson in comparison.
• “Janet, is that you? Quick, come in.”
• Janet nodded calmly before she made her way to Brian’s side and took her seat.
• Megan gave the young girl, who closely resembled her, a once-over before breaking the silence awkwardly. “Janet, this is your younger sister, Emily.”
• “Janet, nice to meet you; I’m Emily,” greeted Emily tentatively. Megan noticed how timid Emily was, and her heart clenched in pain.
• Janet’s lips curled faintly into a smile, and she greeted them in a distant tone, “Nice to meet you.”
• Brian stared at Janet; he observed her from head-to-toe, and a complex emotion flashed across his face!
• “Are you still trying to adapt since you just got home?” Brian stood up to pour Janet a glass of water.
• Janet responded with a faint smile. “I’m fine.”
• Brian nodded. “That’s good. As parents, we’ve owed you. From now on, you should live in the Jackson residence, and we will look after you.”
• We owe Janet too much, and from now on, we have to make it up to her gradually.
• “By the way, Janet, I learned about your education and results. Currently, you are still in junior high, so I’ve arranged for you to continue with senior high in Star High School. You’d be in the same school as your younger sister! Classes start on Monday; is that alright?”
• “Star High School is the best exclusive private school in Sandfort City. Janet, as the Young Miss of the Jackson Family, it’s not enough for you to have a junior high education,” added Emily. She was blatant with her intentions, and she meant that it would be embarrassing to be poorly educated.
• She can’t shake off her shabbiness even if she were to attend school in Star High School.
• A faint smile spread across Janet’s face. “Thank you.”
• Emily rolled her eyes in her mind when she saw Janet smiling in delight.
• Is she so happy just because she heard that she’s attending an exclusive private school? Villagers truly have low standards.
• “That’s right.” Brian looked as if he thought of something before he walked into his bedroom. He took out an intricate gift box from the cupboard.
• After that, he placed the present in front of Janet while speaking to her calmly, “Janet, this is a gift for you since we are meeting for the first time as father and daughter. Have a look.”
• Janet’s large, round eyes glanced at the exquisite gift box.
• Then, she unwrapped the bag outside slowly and realized that it was a Louis Vuitton designer brand’s box.
• Upon opening the box, a beautifully-crafted Louis Vuitton necklace was presented in front of everybody.
• Emily’s eyes flashed with a trace of jealousy because it was obvious that this necklace was extremely pricey. Brian is meeting Janet for the first time, but he has already prepared such a costly gift for her.
• I don’t want to even imagine what might happen in the future. Is there even a place for me in the Jackson Family in the future?
• When she thought of that, earnest jealousy shone in her gaze.
• Brian asked while sounding sincere, “What do you think?”
• Janet’s pink lips curled into a smile, and she answered with a light and distant tone, “Thank you.”
• “We are family, so don’t mention it.” Brian smiled kindly at her.
• Just when Brian was about to continue to ask Janet what she liked, his gaze suddenly focused on her fair and slender neck.
• There was a ruby necklace around Janet’s slender neck.
• He immediately recognized that as the newest auction item this season in Markovia. The cost was astronomical, and the price was about ten figures.
• The necklace was inlaid with blood-red gemstones. It had an extremely stylish and classy style that made it look superior.
• At that time, the necklace was auctioned off at 1.5 billion. Nevertheless, the person who purchased the necklace was still a mystery until today.
• Rumors have it that a big boss from Markovia bought it; how did it end up on Janet?
• Brian’s keen gaze was filled with suspicion now.
• Upon weighing the possibilities, he came up with a conclusion. Maybe Janet doesn’t own any presentable accessories, and so she bought a counterfeit to save face?
• If we had raised Janet by our side, she wouldn’t have ended up being so snobbish and materialistic.
• Then, Brian kept his head bowed without commenting further.
• On the other side, Megan had no common topic to talk about with Janet too.
• They were family members who were unfamiliar with each other, just like strangers.
• Time started ticking away, whereas Janet gathered her things before going upstairs.
• After Janet left, Megan slumped onto the couch, as if a burden had been lifted off her shoulders.
• Emily walked to the couch to sit down and asked in concern, “Mommy, why did you treat Janet with that attitude?”
• Megan massaged her eyebrows in frustration while answering Emily helplessly, “Emily, I don’t want to sound blunt, but do you know that earlier tonight, the necklace around Janet’s neck was this season’s latest auction item in Markovia? It fetches about ten figures.”
• In all honesty, Megan recognized that the necklace was an imitation from the very beginning, but she didn’t want to humiliate Janet in front of so many people. Most importantly, she didn’t want to embarrass herself.
• Emily’s eyes shot wide open in shock when she heard that. “Ten figures?” she asked in disbelief. “How could Janet own a piece of jewelry that costs ten figures?” She deliberately tried causing more dispute. “Is Janet a kept woman?”
• Megan shook her head and sighed. “That’s impossible, because she wouldn’t be acquainted with such a generous man! What I’m trying to say is that she shouldn’t have done something that is beyond her means in order to appear impressive by wearing a counterfeit! I will end up as a laughing stock if she wears it out because people will mock the daughter of the Jacksons for wearing a fake piece just to show off.”
• Ah, I see. Emily realized with a start the reason behind Megan’s sudden outburst of emotions earlier. She couldn’t help but think to herself, What an uncultured imposter!
• “In that case, why didn’t you expose Janet on the spot?” asked Emily in confusion.
• Megan sighed while explaining helplessly, “How should I voice my thoughts? Don’t I need to maintain a shred of dignity as a mother?”