"Shocking! The 80-year-old patriarch of the Walker family caught in a wildly passionate rendezvous!"
As this scandalous proclamation rippled through the crowd, a wave of intense curiosity surged among the onlookers. Whispers cascaded like a tidal wave, mixed with gasps of disbelief. “When the police arrived, the lady’s vibrant crimson bra was still draped over the old man’s trousers!” The cacophony of disdain swelled, creating an atmosphere crackling with intrigue and scandal.
Amid the throng of captivated spectators, Stella emerged like a vibrant flame against a backdrop of muted whispers. Her wild chestnut curls danced with each step, catching the afternoon sunlight, gleaming like liquid copper against the golden backdrop. Her bright emerald eyes sparkled mischievously as she surveyed the unfolding spectacle, where scandalous revelations hung thick in the air like the scent of perfume in a crowded ballroom. A slight smirk teased her lips, exuding an infectious allure that drew more curious glances.
"That old codger!" she mused, her heart racing at the thought of the tales of his youthful escapades. "He’s like an unstoppable force of nature—a stallion in a world that has long forgotten how to gallop!" The excitement thrummed through her, invigorating her spirit while she imagined the wild stories to share later, deep into the night when the world quieted down.
“More gossip, System,” she urged, playfully flicking her wrist as if beckoning in the next round of scandal.
"System: The next revelation concerns you, the host," a composed voice chimed in, unexpectedly laced with amusement.
“What?!” Stella’s surprise burst forth, mingling with incredulity, igniting a thrill through the crowd and amplifying the charged atmosphere. Her heart raced as anticipation coursed through her veins.
"System: That sleek black luxury car over there—do you see it? Inside, you’ll find your biological parents alongside the imposter heiress who has stealthily usurped your identity. They’ve come to acknowledge you as their rightful kin."
Just as the System's words hung heavily in the air, a magnificent black Rolls-Royce glided by, its polished body gleaming with lustrous elegance under the vibrant sun, before coming to a graceful halt a few steps away. The late afternoon light dappled the pavement like golden confetti, dancing alongside the luxurious vehicle.
The doors swung open, and from the shadows stepped a middle-aged couple exuding an air of refined sophistication. The man, tall and dignified, wore a tailored navy suit that accentuated his sharp features, imbued with an undeniable scholarly aura. Beside him stood a woman of elegant grace; her raven-black hair framed a composed face adorned with a knowing smile, a hint of mystery twinkling in her piercing gaze. She wore a classic emerald dress that shimmered softly, reflecting affluence and poise.
As their eyes locked onto Stella, recognition flickered, and they hurried toward her, eagerness and disbelief etched in their expressions.
“Ah, so these are my blind parents?” Stella quipped under her breath, sardonic amusement sparkling in her eyes. “They do look rather good for their age.”
Her facade softened slightly, tinged with sadness, as she reflected, “It’s a pity their hearts are entirely blind—deceived by the charming façade of my counterfeit twin.”
Suddenly, a distant voice echoed through her mind, sharp and insistent, cutting through the noise like a knife.
【They come to claim me; should I go with them? Going back might lead to wretched fate. Perhaps I should resist the pull of their call!】
A rush of panic surged through Stella’s veins, her instincts urging her to flee. Yet just as she turned to escape the weight of uncertainty, her older brother’s firm voice broke through the tension. “Please, wait a moment!”
Taken aback, her eyebrow arched in intrigue. “Can I help you with anything?” she inquired, leaning into her annoyance yet curious about the sudden interruption.
At the sound of her voice, the expressions of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson morphed into sheer astonishment, as though they were gazing upon a ghost—a specter from their past. Their eyes widened, a hesitant recognition stirring as they beheld the uncanny resemblance that tied them to this lost piece of their lives.
The tension in the air crackled with nostalgia, silence momentarily engulfing them, leaving Stella caught in a whirlwind of questions that blurred the lines between the past and present.
“Why can they hear my inner thoughts?” Stella pondered furtively, throwing a sidelong glance at her husband, Dymond. His steady presence anchored her amidst the chaos, allowing a sigh of relief to escape her lips.
With glistening tears brimming in her eyes, Mrs. Simpson stepped closer, her voice trembling with emotion. “Stella, we are your biological parents. You’ve endured so much pain, and we’ve come to take you home.”
A dark cloud passed over Stella's heart, with whispered disdain echoing from her inner dialogue. 【Take me home? You’re too late. The real Stella has been lost for good—swept away into the currents of a life far more dazzling than the one you remember.】
The truth struck her like a thunderbolt. The authentic Stella had perished mere days prior—a soul from the 21st century, yearning only for an enticing moment of amusement amid the chaotic threads of the system.
Mr. and Mrs. Simpson stood bewildered, confusion etched on their faces as they absorbed her cryptic musings. Mrs. Simpson advanced, her palpable longing filling the space between them. “Oh, dear child, please come home with us. I promise to make up for the lost years. I can provide you with everything you’ve wanted.”
“How will you make it up to me?” Countered Stella, sharpness edging her tone. “You’ve always doted on Scarlett. Whatever she says, you accept it unquestioningly. Did you not refer to my ‘black history’ before arriving? To you, I was nothing but an embarrassment!”
At the mention of Scarlett, a ripple of discomfort filtered through the air, as if an electric current passed between the three of them. Scarlett stood frozen, momentarily taken aback by her sister’s outspokenness, her composure faltering as she clutched her box a bit tighter.
Stella sensed the invisible tautness threading through their reunion, like a bowstring, each revelation threatening to snap loose the tension straining against the fragile bond of family.
Mr. Simpson's steady voice broke through the rising tide of hostility. “Seventy-seven, please; you mustn’t doubt us. In time, we will rebuild trust. You will no longer suffer.”
“Yes, sister,” chimed Scarlett, her forced cheerfulness returning as she leaned closer, the fabric of her dress brushing against Stella’s arm. “This is a pink diamond necklace that our parents gave me for my birthday last year—I’m giving it to you as a symbol of our reunion. Welcome home!”
As Scarlett extended the box, its satin exterior shimmering in the sunlight, her fingers brushed Stella’s, igniting an unexpected surge of warmth. It was a fleeting moment, yet it felt charged and electric, stirring a tempest of emotions within her.
Mr. and Mrs. Simpson exchanged hopeful glances, but Stella raised an eyebrow, skepticism draping her features. “Oh, but isn’t this a counterfeit?” Her tone dripped with sarcasm, laughter bubbling just beneath the surface. “The real one was sold by you not long ago, wasn’t it?”
Scarlett’s face paled, disbelief flooding her features, as if Stella had thrown cold water on an open flame. “What? How can you say that? I would never—”
“Your parents think the best of you. But did you not play the perfect daughter while I was just an embarrassment?” Stella challenged, her voice rising, echoing the sentiments of a painful past.
In that moment, the tension in the air thickened, binding them tight in an invisible web of truths and lies. Mrs. Simpson, her patience faltering, stepped forward and gently took the box from Scarlett, her petite fingers trembling slightly as she lifted the lid to reveal the shimmering pink diamond nestled inside.
As she examined it closer, dread washed over her features, casting a shadow on the warm atmosphere. “This necklace is a fake,” she finally murmured, her voice quivering.
Scarlett stared in disbelief, panic igniting her already frazzled demeanor. “What? How can it be a fake? Perhaps my friends switched it!” she pleaded, desperation lacing her words.
Stella rolled her eyes inwardly. 【Oh, please. The self-righteous game you play is impressive—blaming your friends for your faults. How tiresome it is to be around you.】
But Mrs. Simpson, not one for confrontation, forced a tender smile toward Stella. “Don’t be disheartened. When we get home, Mom will buy you more beautiful necklaces—anything your heart desires!”
With a sense of disbelief fluttering within her, Stella felt a glimmer of hope. 【Is this really happening? Everything I want just like that? Wow—am I dreaming or is this indeed my lucky day?】
Yet a flicker of contemplation crossed her mind as that inner voice spoke once more. 【Perhaps I should return just once. As a daughter of the Simpson family, it’s vital to acknowledge and honor my roots. But fear not! I’ll save up some money, and if the bullying resumes, I'll simply vanish!】
With newfound determination, Stella lifted her chin. “Are you truly my family? Then yes! I am willing to go home with you!”
Scarlett seized the moment like a hawk swooping down on prey. “That’s wonderful, sister! Come home with us!”
【Here comes the baited hook, as I expected. If I agree to amend my ‘poor habits,’ Mom and Dad will embrace me wholeheartedly.】
As if scripted, Scarlett responded, “But you’ve had some bad habits before, right? Don’t fret! Mom and Dad will love you as long as you’re willing to change.”
Simpson Dad and Simpson Mom exchanged glances, a dubious look creeping over their usually soft features. For the first time, they noticed their gentle and naive daughter speaking in an oddly composed manner, as if she were savoring a delightful treat before taking the first too eager bite.
But their hearts softened at the thought of their daughter’s obedience over the years.
“Alright then, let’s go home. We have an abundance of time ahead of us,” Mr. Simpson affirmed, resolve shining in his voice, though an undercurrent of uncertainty lay thickened in the air.
After gathering Stella’s belongings, they prepared to depart. Climbing into the back seat of the car, she was greeted with plush leather hugging her, its inviting scent tickling her senses—yet her heart remained untouched. This “home” felt more like a fleeting sentiment than a sanctuary.
She was a 21st-century female celebrity who traversed here after succumbing to cancer barely days ago. Now, she desperately desired liberation from such confines! Thankfully, the system revealed that fulfilling certain popcorn-eating tasks could yield life-altering rewards in the system mall. With that light of determination sparking within her, she resolved to navigate her turbulent future with cunning agility.
Sighing softly, she reveled in the irritating complexities of her new life.
Meanwhile, attempting to carve out camaraderie, Scarlett squeezed into the back seat beside Stella, her presence thick with veiled animosity. The tingling undercurrent of tension from earlier had not dissipated. “The nerve of her! She thought it clever to frame me, stuffing that limited edition bracelet into my bag and accusing me of theft. Because of that whiny main character aura, my parents and brothers all believe her, thinking I’m some dimwit sneak-thief!”
Stella could feel the tension wrapping around them like vines, thickening the atmosphere with an electric charge. The accusatory words poured from Scarlett’s lips as if trying to strip Stella of her emerging strength.
“I should have known better than to share my life with you,” Stella snapped back, her convictions flaring. “You’ve hidden your cruel nature behind a façade so long, it’s sickening.”
The weight of their exchanged sentiments cast a shadow in the car as Mr. and Mrs. Simpson exchanged tense glances. Could Scarlett possibly be as innocent as she pretended, especially when poring over past interactions?
Just as thoughts of doubt clouded their minds, an alarmed voice broke through the static of the car.
“Oh no! My limited edition bracelet has gone missing!” Scarlett cried out, panic dancing across her features like lightning flashing in a stormy sky.
The stakes heightened dramatically, tension transforming the vehicle into a near-powder keg of accusations and unspoken secrets. Stella braced herself; instincts sharpened, preparing for the inevitable explosion of truths that would unravel in their makeshift family dynamics.
It seemed that in accepting the call of her family, she was stepping onto a battlefield where every revelation would sharpen the knives hidden beneath polished exteriors, waiting for the moment to strike. The stage was set for a confrontation unlike any they had faced before, and Stella could feel the weight of the world—and a devastating storm—bearing down on them.