Chapter 1

In my past life, I worked myself to death, only to discover that Vanessa, the fake heiress, had a cheat system.

No matter how hard I studied or practiced, all of my effort was doubled and rewarded straight to her.

So, while I bled and sweated, Vanessa only had to party and live in luxury to effortlessly outshine me in everything.

On the day I was reborn and brought back to the Hayes family, Vanessa smiled and invited me to practice piano with her.

I took the sheet music, tore it to shreds right in front of her, and decided to do absolutely nothing.

Let’s see how you dazzle the world without me.

"Brooke, you're finally home! I'm so thrilled!"

"Starting tomorrow, let's practice piano together, okay?"

I looked up and met Vanessa's sweet, affectionate smile.

It took me a second to realize I had been reborn.

I was back to the very day I returned to the Hayes mansion.

Vanessa held out a booklet of sheet music.

I looked down.

It was Chopin’s Nocturne in D-flat Major.

In my past life, desperate to fit into this wealthy family, I stayed up all night memorizing every single note.

The next morning, when I showed up at the breakfast table with dark circles under my eyes, my biological father glanced at me and offered a rare nod of approval.

I practiced day and night, refusing to stop even when my fingers cramped painfully.

Later, when I performed the piece in front of everyone, I thought I had nailed it.

Then Vanessa stepped forward with an innocent look, saying she wanted to play a song too.

She played better than me—infinitely better. Every note sounded like it had been kissed by an angel.

I stood there, pale and humiliated, convinced I simply hadn't worked hard enough. So I pushed myself even harder.

Yet every time I achieved something, Vanessa would crush me in that exact same field.

My family’s eyes shifted from high expectations to disappointment, and finally to cold indifference.

Everyone said Vanessa was the true lady of the Hayes family.

They claimed that growing up in the countryside had ruined me, leaving me worthless.

Eventually, I was kicked out of the Hayes house and died alone and sick in a cramped, miserable rental.

On my deathbed, Vanessa came to see me, holding her chin high like a proud white swan.

She sneered, "Brooke, to be honest, it’s not that you didn't work hard. You’re actually quite the genius."

"Blame your rotten luck. Unlike you, I have an Effort Cashback System."

"Every bit of work you put in is doubled and given to me. You practice for an hour, I get two hours of mastery. You grind for three years, I get six years of skill without lifting a finger."

"Hurry up and die! Once you're dead, I'll be the one and only Miss Hayes!"

I drew my final, resentful breath.

And then, I woke up here.

Vanessa stood before me, her smile dripping with fake affection.

Snapping out of my daze, I took the sheet music from her hands.

Then, right under her expectant gaze, I ripped it in half with a sharp tear, shredding it to pieces.

The torn white paper fluttered to the floor. She froze in sheer disbelief.

"Brooke, what are you..."

Vanessa’s eyes welled with tears instantly. "I know... I know you hate me. You think I stole your place. I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to. If my presence bothers you, I can just leave..."

She moved to stand up, her slender frame trembling as if she had suffered the greatest injustice in the world.

I watched her dramatic performance with cold detachment.

Footsteps echoed from behind, and a pair of well-manicured hands pulled Vanessa into a protective embrace.

"Don't be scared, sweetie! Mom is here."

Eleanor Hayes, my biological mother, wrapped her arms around Vanessa, gently patting her back to soothe her.

Richard Hayes, my biological father, stood beside them, glaring down at me with eyes sharp as daggers.

"Brooke! What do you think you're doing? You just walked through the front door and you're already throwing tantrums? Tearing up sheet music like a savage—where are your manners?!"