The Whole Family Can Read the Fake Daughter's Mind

The whole family could hear the fake daughter's thoughts.

When I first returned home, the fake daughter handed me a ragged doll, but in her heart, she was slandering me. "Sister came to see me yesterday. She called me a bastard and said she would kick me out of this house."

"I gave her my favorite doll. Sister, can you let me stay here?"

She used the same old trick, unaware that I had been reborn and could now hear her thoughts.

Betty, the gift I'm about to give you—you'd better be ready to accept it.

***

"Belle, this is your sister Betty. You two should get along well."

My mother, Lucy Smith, introduced Betty Smith to me.

"Sister, welcome home," Betty timidly greeted, "This is a gift for you."

She handed me a teddy bear with a broken leg.

Obedient and timid, she seemed like an innocent little princess.

But her thoughts were far from harmless. "Sister came to see me yesterday. She said she would kick me out. This is my favorite teddy bear. I'm giving it to her, hoping she won't kick me out..."

"Sister just glared at me. Her expression is so scary. I should leave and give back everything that originally belonged to her."

I noticed Lucy's face stiffen, and her grip on my hand loosened slightly.

Jack Smith and David Smith also looked visibly troubled.

Betty's lips hadn't moved, so why could I hear her voice?

It seems I've uncovered a significant secret.

So that's why, despite doing nothing, the whole family thought I was bullying Betty and refusing to get along with her.

I hadn't even said a word after returning home, yet Mom already assumed I was being petty, trying to monopolize their love, and planning to kick Betty out.

When I refused her hand-me-down clothes, my brother saw me as vain, thinking I came back only for the Smith family's money.

When her grades slipped and she failed the college entrance exam, Dad was convinced it was because I bullied her into depression.

Each time she framed me, I was left with no defense, eventually becoming depressed and jumping to my death.

Reborn into this life, I no longer care for these false family bonds. I only want to use the Smith family's resources to achieve my goals and obtain what's truly mine.

Seeing me hesitating to accept the toy she offered, Betty looked at me with tearful eyes and thought.

"Sister refuses to accept my goodwill. I should leave then. I've already packed my bags. After saying goodbye to Dad, Mom, and Brother, I'll leave immediately."

Mom glanced at the small suitcase by Betty's feet, her expression pained as she pulled her into a hug. "Betty, what are you doing? This will always be your home. No one can make you leave."

David shoved the toy in her hands into my hands, "This is Betty's goodwill. She's about to cry. How can you not accept it?"

Jack also looked at me sternly, "Apologize to Betty!"

I found it amusing. "I haven't said a word. If she wants to cry, how is that my problem?"

I returned the toy to her and walked straight into the living room, ignoring them.

"Look at her attitude. If she hadn't kept a straight face and refused to take it, Betty wouldn't have cried," David muttered angrily.

Lucy frowned as well, "She doesn't seem easy to get along with. Her attitude is too cold."

Jack nodded, his gaze filled with affection as he looked at Betty, "Betty is still the best. She's our true daughter."

Joy flashed in Betty's eyes, but in her heart, she thought, "Even though Sister's attitude is cold, this is what I deserve. After all, I owe her. I can accept whatever attitude she shows me, as long as she doesn't kick me out..."

My parents exchanged glances, "Even though Belle is back, no one will make you leave, Betty. It wasn't your fault that you were switched at birth. This will always be your home, so don't worry about being kicked out."

I was already used to their favoritism, so I felt nothing.

"Which room will I be staying in?" My cold tone shattered their warm atmosphere.

In my previous life, they used the excuse that there were no rooms on the second floor to place me in a windowless, sunless storage room. This time, I wouldn't let them treat me that way again.

"Belle, there are no rooms on the second floor, so you'll have to stay on the first floor," Lucy said gently.

"Mom, I'm willing to give my room to Sister," Betty said sweetly.

But in her heart, she continued slandering me.

"Sister scolded me yesterday, saying I was occupying her place and didn't deserve such a nice room. But I didn't mean to take her things. I'll give it all back to her now."

"Alright, thank you, Betty." I stepped towards Betty's room.

Since she offered, why shouldn't I take it?

"Enough! That's Betty's room. How can you take it as soon as you come back?" Lucy said sternly.

Ignoring her, I continued walking towards Betty's room.

As expected, the room Betty had been carefully prepared by the Smith family was spacious, complete with a walk-in closet and a large terrace.

nodded with satisfaction and prepared to close the door and have a good rest.

But David stormed in, dragging me out of the room. "You don't deserve to stay in Betty's room. Get out!"

My backpack was yanked from behind, and its contents spilled onto the floor.

There are two sets of old clothes, a toothbrush, a towel, and a worn-out wallet—nothing else.

My parents who had followed closely behind, were stunned to see that my bag contained only these cheap items.

David, caught off guard, mumbled, "Sorry, I didn't mean to."

Lucy's expression grew complicated as she looked at the things on the floor, "Belle, I'll take you shopping for new clothes tomorrow."

Seeing this, Betty quickly grabbed a pile of clothes from her room.

"Sister, these clothes are for you."

In her heart, she thought, "These are all clothes Mom bought for me. I've only worn them a few times. Sister should like them, right? I'm willing to give her all my clothes."

Lucy smiled, satisfied. "Betty, you're such a good girl. Both you and Belle are my beloved daughters."

I smiled faintly and casually pulled a piece of clothing from my bag, handing it to her.

"This is new. I've only worn it a few times. Now, I'm giving it to you, Betty. I hope you like it."

Betty accepted the clothes and thanked me sweetly, "Thank you, Belle. I like it very much."

But in her heart, she thought. "Is Belle looking down on me, giving me old clothes? Is she trying to humiliate me?"

Lucy immediately felt sorry for her, "Belle, how can you give your used clothes to Betty? Apologize to her right now."

Jack and David also looked at me, waiting for me to apologize to their beloved daughter and sister.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

David didn't understand, "What's so funny? How can you give away old things like that? Haven't you been taught better? You're so petty, so unrefined!"

"Oh, so it's not okay to give old things. I thought giving away second-hand items was a gesture of goodwill among rich people. So giving away used things is actually considered unrefined."

My mocking expression made them realize that the clothes Betty had just given me were also second-hand.

"Why is Belle deliberately misinterpreting my intentions? I genuinely wanted to give her some pretty clothes," Betty thought, lowering her head, full of grievances.

Lucy opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing Betty's pitiful expression, she ended up saying nothing.

In the end, I didn't move into Betty's room. Instead, they rearranged another room on the second floor according to my preferences.

The next day, Lucy kept her word and took me shopping for new clothes at the mall.

Of course, she brought Betty along.

"Belle, this dress is beautiful. It should suit you well." Betty held up a dress that barely covered the hips, sizing it against me.

I picked up an even more revealing dress and sized it against her, "Betty, with your figure, this should suit you."

"Thank you, Belle. I really like it." She happily accepted the dress.

But in her heart, she thought, "Is Belle still mad at me? Why did she pick such a revealing dress for me? Is she trying to mess with me?"

Lucy frowned, "Belle, how can you choose such a dress for Betty? Our family's young lady is not a nightclub girl. She can't wear such things."

"She can't wear it, but can I?" My expression was full of ridicule.

Only then did Lucy notice the dress in Betty's hands. She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Betty.

"Sorry, Mom. I just thought the dress was pretty."

In her heart, she thought, "Does Mom think I purposely picked out that dress for Belle? But I didn't. I just thought it was pretty and wanted Belle to have more beautiful clothes. Mom won't blame me, right?"

"It's okay, Betty. Mom doesn't blame you. Mom knows you didn't mean it." Lucy held Betty's hand, comforting her.

Ignoring their deep mother-daughter bond, I casually picked out a few clothes that suited me.

In early September, Jack used his connections to transfer me to Betty's school.

Early in the morning, Betty took David with her, using the excuse of unfinished homework.

When I walked into the classroom, Betty was chatting with some girls.

"Betty, is that the latest designer bag? Your parents really spoil you." One girl looked enviously at the bag on Betty's desk.

Betty blushed, "Dad said it was a back-to-school gift."

"By the way, Betty, I heard that the new student today has something to do with your family. Is that true?"

"Yeah, but she..." Her tone left the others imagining the rest.

"Could she be an illegitimate child from your family, coming back to fight for inheritance? How shameless."

"Betty, you'd better keep an eye on her. Don't let her take your things!"

The classmates whispered among themselves.

Betty didn't interrupt, letting them speculate as they pleased.

When I was about to enter the classroom, she finally broke the silence among the classmates. "Oh, I already know, thank you all for your concern, but it's not good to gossip about others."

Everyone exchanged glances, thoughts racing in their minds.

"Am I late?"

As I entered the classroom, my classmates stared at me with disdain and disgust.

"Wow, even an illegitimate child dares to come to class with us? If I were her, I'd be too embarrassed to show up here. Such thick skin," a girl mocked.

I ignored her and casually found a seat.

"I'm talking to you, you shameless illegitimate child." The girl continued to taunt me.

Everyone else watched, eager to see what would happen next.

I asked, "Are you talking to me?"

"Of course! Who else here is a shameless illegitimate child?"

"Oh, I thought you were talking about Betty. After all, I'm the real daughter of the Smith family. She's just the adopted daughter of my parents."

"But please, don't hold anything against my sister. My parents said that after raising her for so many years, it doesn't matter if the Smith family has one more person."

The room fell into stunned silence. No one had expected the truth to be like this.

Gradually, whispers spread among the students, "So Betty is the fake daughter. She's the one who took someone else's place, isn't she?"

"Yeah, how dare she hint at us like that?"

"Betty is really shameless."

Their discussions made Betty's eyes turn red. She had always been adored by everyone and had never suffered such humiliation. Crying, she ran out of the classroom.

After school, as expected, Betty didn't wait for me.

As soon as I stepped through the door, a cup was hurled at me by Jack.

"You still have the nerve to come back. Did you bully Betty at school?"

Lucy and David sat nearby, their faces dark with anger.

Betty, meanwhile, was sobbing in Mother's arms.

Oh, a family trial, I see.

Betty looked up from Mother's embrace, cautiously glancing at me before shrinking back as if in fear.

Then, her thoughts echoed, "Belle called me an illegitimate child and a bastard at school, saying I stole her family. I can't stay in school anymore. I might as well leave."

Lucy questioned me angrily, "Belle, did you really call Betty an illegitimate child at school? How is she supposed to get along with her classmates now?"

"You and Betty are both my daughters. Why do you keep targeting her?"

David also expressed his indignation, "Betty is my real sister!"

"I never called her an illegitimate child. She hinted to the class that I was one, and when someone tried to bully me, I just clarified. And what I said was that she's the adopted daughter of the Smith family. Isn't that the truth?" I countered.

Lucy hesitated slightly before asking, "Betty, is what Belle said true?"

"Mom, no, I didn't. I didn't say Belle was an illegitimate child," Betty immediately burst into tears again.

Her thoughts raced, "It's clearly Belle who's lying. But Dad, Mom, and Brother won't believe me. I might as well die. There's no point in living."

Lucy's brief doubt quickly evaporated. "It's okay, Betty. Mom believes you."

"And you, stop lying! Betty has been obedient and well-behaved since she was young. She would never lie! I'll say it again. Betty is our biological daughter, not some adopted child!" Jack declared angrily.

I had anticipated this reaction long ago, but it didn't matter.

All I wanted from the Smith family was the advantages they could offer.

"Oh, so from now on, if anyone asks, I'll say that Betty is your biological daughter, and I'm just the adopted one."

I spoke sincerely.

After saying that, I went back to my room to do my homework.

I'm in my senior year, and what I need to do now is study hard and leave this place.

Lucy entered my room with a plate of fruit. "Belle, you must be tired from studying. Have some fruit."

"Just leave it on the side, thanks, Mom," I said, continuing with my exercises.

After a while, I looked up. "Mom, is there something else?"

Lucy pulled me to the sofa to sit beside her and spoke earnestly, "Belle, Betty is just spoiled by me. She doesn't mean any harm. Could you not hold it against her?"

"For my sake, could you let her have her way a little?"

I responded smoothly, "Sure. I know Dad, Mom, and Brother only like Betty, who was raised by your side since childhood, and don't like me, who returned midway. I also know she slanders me and wants to drive me away because she loves you all."

"I'll let Betty have her way in the future. You're all her family, and I can't offend her, or I'll have to go back to my adoptive parents and starve and freeze."

Mother's face stiffened. "Belle, that's not what I meant."

"And didn't your adoptive parents say they treated you well? How could you have starved or frozen?"

I nudged her out of the room. "Mom, if you want to know, you can investigate yourself. I need to get back to my homework."

Not long after, Betty stormed into my room, pointing at me and cursing.

"Belle Smith, you bitch! What did you tell Mom? I warn you, if you know what's good for you, you'll leave on your own, or I'll make sure to drive you out!"

"I'm the real daughter of the Smith family. You're only fit to live a poor life in that house. Dad, Mom, and Brother are all mine, and you don't deserve to stay here. They'll only ever love me!"

Watching her throw a tantrum, I was tempted to record the scene with my phone.

But it was okay. I may not have recorded a video, but I did get her words on tape.

I had already turned on the recorder the moment she stormed into my room.

"Yes, Dad, Mom, and Brother are all yours. I don't want them, nor will I fight you for them."

There was no point in arguing now. I needed to wait for the perfect opportunity to strike.

As she left my room, she issued one final threat, "Belle, just wait. I will drive you out. The Smith family will only ever have one daughter—me!"

That evening, after school, I could feel someone following me.

I turned into the alley outside the school gate, and sure enough, he followed.

I slipped my hand into my pocket and clicked on the recorder. "Who... who are you?"

I had prepared the recorder long before this day.

"Are you Belle Smith?" he asked, slowly approaching me.

I pretended to be scared and retreated step by step until I was cornered.

"What do you want?"

The man grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up. "Oh, you've got a bit of a pretty face, but your figure is lacking."

I struggled frantically. "What do you want? Let go of me! I'm the daughter of the Smith family. My parents won't let you get away with this!"

The man laughed loudly. "That makes me want to taste you even more. But I heard you've been quite loose before. You're lucky I'm even interested."

"Is it her? Did my sister send you? I don't want to compete with her for our family. I just want to study. I can give her family back to her, just don't touch me!"

The man's voice suddenly turned vicious. "You think you deserve to compete with Betty, don't you? Do you think you're even in the same league as her? Today, I'm going to teach you a lesson. Let's see if you still dare to challenge Betty for anything."

His hand reached out, trying to tear off my clothes.

I spoke coldly, "Try moving one more time."

The man looked down, only to see a knife pressed against his crotch. A slight movement from me would render him a cripple.

"You little bitch, you..."

I gently pressed the knife further.

"Fuck, you really think I can't handle you, don't you?"