Chapter 1

I worked as an underpaid grunt in the Underworld for a solid century before Hades finally granted my wish: rebirth as an undisputed genius.

Yet the second I opened my eyes, a whispered conversation by my cradle shattered the moment.

"Swap them now, Helen. The baby in my arms is the true genius blessed by God."

A cold shudder ran through my tiny frame.

The memories hit me like a truck. In my past life, someone stole my identity, leaving me penniless and freezing on the streets.

Not this time. In this life, nobody takes what is mine.

A hundred years of hard labor in the Underworld bought me a single promise from Hades.

He offered me rebirth, sweet revenge, a brilliant mind, and a smooth, effortless life.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back as the youngest daughter of the Vance family.

My father was a billionaire. My mother was a renowned artist. And I had an older brother, three years my senior.

With a family like this, paired with my god-tier intellect, my life was practically set on easy mode.

I smacked my little lips in satisfaction, fully prepared to breeze through an easy, glamorous life.

Then, low whispers drifted from the foot of the bed.

"Helen, the nurse just went to mix the formula. It's now or never."

The woman's voice was sharp, grating.

The other voice sounded soft, trembling. It belonged to my biological mother, Helen Vance.

"Wendy, should we really do this? What about Nora...?"

"My daughter was blessed by God! Even the psychic said she's born to be a prodigy."

"Look at yours. She's so scrawny and weak. She clearly doesn't have the brains."

"Think about all the women circling your husband. Without a brilliant heir, all your wealth will end up in someone else's hands!"

My heart plunged.

I was right back at the exact moment of the swap!

This was how it happened in my past life.

A fake heiress took my place, living in absolute luxury and attending elite private schools.

Meanwhile, I was dumped at an orphanage, dropped out because I couldn't afford tuition, and ended up homeless.

In the end, I froze to death on a park bench.

During my century in the Underworld, fury kept me going.

And now, they dare to try this again?

A pair of hands reached into the crib, trying to lift me away from Helen's side.

Summoning every ounce of strength in my newborn body, I opened my mouth and let out a blood-curdling screech that sounded nothing like an infant.

"Waaaah—!"

Helen and the other woman jumped, practically paralyzed with fright.

"W-What's wrong with this baby?"

"I don't know! Wasn't she just sleeping quietly?"

My wails grew louder, piercing straight down the hallway and bringing the head nurse rushing in.

"What's going on here?"

The head nurse marched inside. Her eyes instantly locked onto the woman named Wendy, who was holding me. But the hospital band around my tiny wrist clearly bore a different family name.

The nurse's face darkened.

"Which room are you assigned to? What are you doing with the baby from Bed 302?"

Wendy's face drained of color.

Helen panicked too, her mouth opening and closing without a sound.

The head nurse snatched me back, checked my wristband, and then glared at the name tag hanging above Helen's bed.

"Mrs. Vance, care to explain why this woman is trying to take your newborn out of the room?"

Caught red-handed.

Security escorted Wendy out of the hospital, banning her from the premises permanently.

The nurse placed me gently back into Helen's trembling arms.

Helen clutched me tight, repeating the same broken phrase over and over:

"Nora, I'm so sorry... Mommy lost her mind for a second... I promise I'll never let anyone hurt you again."

I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep against her chest.

I knew this was only the beginning.

My name is Nora Vance. And from this day forward, I will never surrender an inch of my life.