Inside a luxury villa at Silver Bay.
A small dining table.
Two teenagers sat across from each other, both wearing the navy-and-white uniforms of St. Claire's Academy, one of the most prestigious high schools in Riverdale City.
The girl had her long hair tied in a high ponytail, quietly eating her breakfast.
"Autumn, I want to tell you something."
Autumn James didn't respond, waiting calmly for her brother to continue.
"Anna's health hasn't been good. Now that her father has passed away, I plan to bring her here to live with us."
Ethan James spoke with a detached tone, casual as though he were making a simple announcement rather than a request.
To his surprise, Autumn didn't flare up. She merely nodded.
"Sure."
Ethan glanced at her strangely.
He went on, "Anna's body is weak. I think I'll give her the south-facing bedroom. It gets more sunlight, and she—"
Before he could finish, Autumn cut him off.
"Fine. I'll pack up right away so your precious little sister can have the best spot."
Ethan's brows furrowed. Rage rose inside him like a fire.
"Autumn James, what nonsense are you spouting?!"
Autumn shot him a cold look, her tone sharp and mocking.
"Isn't this exactly what you wanted? Why pretend otherwise?"
His expression twisted, embarrassed at having his real intentions so bluntly exposed.
"Get out!" he snapped, his voice harsh and shaking.
Autumn ignored him, wiping her mouth with deliberate ease before rising from her chair.
She headed straight for the waiting car outside.
"Let's go, Uncle Warren."
The driver, an older man who had watched her grow up, didn't ask any questions. He knew all too well that since Miss Anna showed up, young master Ethan's concern for his real sister had waned—replaced with indulgence for an outsider.
At Anna's request, Ethan had even split the rides into two cars, claiming the backseat was "too crowded."
So despite being siblings who attended the same elite school, Autumn and Ethan rarely ever rode together.
At St. Claire's, most people didn't even know Autumn was Ethan's sister. Instead, they assumed the delicate Anna Rivers—the girl he shielded and spoiled—was his blood sister.
That was how it had been in her previous life as well. On campus, Ethan had protected Anna at every turn. He had even publicly claimed that the James family had only one daughter: Anna Rivers.
As for Autumn?
Just an adopted child her father had taken in.
The memory made her lips curl bitterly.
Because she remembered how it all ended.
In her past life, she had died—stabbed again and again in an abandoned warehouse.
She remembered the chilling sensation as blood drained from her body.
She had looked to her brother for help.
But her "dear brother" had coldly told the thugs:
"Let her die outside. Don't let her ruin our product launch."
Her heart had shattered then.
The brother who had once spoiled her most was the same one who abandoned her.
And standing there in her final moments… was Anna Hawthorne.
The girl in a pristine white dress, looking innocent and untouchable.
But it was Anna who had been stealing confidential documents. It was Anna whom Autumn had caught red-handed.
And yet she had turned it all around—framing Autumn instead.
Because Autumn had tried to stop her, Anna's plan had failed.
So she wanted Autumn dead.
And Ethan had helped her.
How could Autumn not hate them?
Her so-called brother had no idea that the girl he kept at his side was nothing but a venomous snake.
This time, Autumn thought darkly, let's see how they survive without me.
The car glided smoothly through the morning traffic.
When they stopped near the academy, Uncle Warren pulled up at the usual spot—two hundred meters from the school gate.
Out of habit, Autumn had always refused to be dropped off at the entrance. Ethan had lectured her endlessly about being "humble and low-key." So she had obeyed, walking the extra stretch every day.
But Ethan himself?
He would swagger right through the school gates, driving in with Anna at his side, drawing every envious gaze.
Autumn suddenly felt ridiculous.
How stupid she had been, bowing to his double standards.
So when the car stopped, she didn't move.
Leaning against the window, she said casually, "Uncle Warren, I'm tired today. Drive inside. Our car is registered—we have clearance."
The old driver blinked, stunned. Then his face lit up.
"Yes, Miss Autumn! Of course!"
Finally, she wasn't forcing herself to suffer anymore.
The sleek black Mercedes rolled into the campus, drawing eyes as it parked right in front of the main building.
At the same time, a white Range Rover also stopped nearby.
Autumn stepped out, slinging her bag over one shoulder.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Ethan at the Range Rover, tenderly shielding Anna's head as she got out. His gestures were meticulous, protective—as if Anna were a fragile glass doll.
Autumn sneered.
"Autumn!" Ethan's voice rang out, sharp with reprimand.
She turned, already irritated. "You'd better have a good reason."
Seeing her attitude, Ethan stiffened. Then he barked, "Didn't I tell you to stay low-key? Why did you let Uncle Warren drive into the campus today?"
Autumn: …Excuse me, what?
A laugh slipped out of her. "Seriously, Ethan? You can drive in every day with Anna, but I can't? Aren't we both Father's children? Or do your rules only apply to me?"
The word brother on her lips carried unmistakable sarcasm.
Her gaze flicked meaningfully toward the Range Rover, full of mockery.
Ethan's face flushed. But quickly he gathered himself, reminding himself that he was the elder sibling. It was his right to discipline her.
"My situation is different," he said self-righteously. "I bring Anna with me. Her health is poor—you know she can't be walking that far."
By now, the morning rush was in full swing.
Students passing by noticed the two expensive cars.
Everyone knew the Range Rover—it belonged to school heartthrob Ethan James, whose father was one of St. Claire's major investors. His car had special permission to drive in.
But the Mercedes? That was new.
Students whispered among themselves.
"Wait… did I hear that right? Autumn James is Ethan's sister?"
"No way. She's been so low-profile! I thought she was just some average scholarship kid."
"Are you kidding? Ethan drives into school every day, but he wouldn't let his own sister do it? And instead he brings… some other girl?"
"I'm in Autumn's class. She really doesn't act like a rich daughter at all!"
"And who's Anna Hawthorne, anyway? I thought she was Ethan's sister, the way he babies her."
Anna's face went pale.
If this kept going, everyone would find out who Autumn James really was.