To Trust the Council or the Comments

I have only recently been reunited with my family. Desperate to fit into their wealthy world, I follow every instruction from the voice in my head, which calls itself the Council. At my father's birthday banquet, my stepsister, Giselle Chatham, suggests playing Truth or Dare. When it's my turn, the Council's authoritative voice rings out in my mind. "Choose truth! Admit that you stole Giselle's necklace. Sometimes, you have to hit rock bottom before you can rise to the top. Your father will see you as an honest person!" Just as I'm about to speak, a series of comments suddenly flashes before my eyes. "The Council is spouting nonsense! Don't listen to it!" "Don't admit to stealing if you never did it! If you do, you'll be kicked out of the family for good!" "Listen to the comments! Whatever you do, don't admit to it!" I bite down hard on my lip, torn between the Council's instructions and the warnings flashing before my eyes. Who should I trust? Chapter 1 "Truth or dare?" my stepsister, Giselle Chatham, asked as she looked at me with a half-smile. In my mind, the stern, aged voice that called itself the Council boomed, "Choose truth! Giselle is testing you! She's about to ask if you stole her ruby necklace. You must admit it in front of everyone! Your father values honesty above all else—confessing will prove you're a forthright young lady!" My hands on my knees tightened. Her ruby necklace? I had never even seen it before! Then, before my eyes, a flood of red bullet comments scrolled past frantically. "Don't listen to the old fart! Whatever you do, don't admit it!" "If you admit it, you'll be branded a thief!" The voice in my head and the words before my eyes clashed, making my temples throb. "Addy?" Giselle tilted her head and asked in a sweet and innocent voice, "Why aren't you saying anything? Are you really hiding an unspeakable secret?" The Council in my mind grew furious. "You fool! Why are you hesitating? You've utterly disgraced the Council! Quick, pick truth!" A sharp pain struck, and cold sweat broke out across my skin. For the past month, whenever I disobeyed the Council, I would be punished for it. I bit down hard on my lower lip and forced the words out through trembling lips. "I choose... truth." Giselle's smile widened. "Well, Addy, did you take my ruby necklace? If you did, just give it back. I won't blame you for it." Every gaze in the room focused on me, filled with scrutiny and contempt. My father, James Chatham, stood not far away, conversing with other guests, but he was clearly paying attention to what was going on over here, too. A bullet comment flashed before my eyes, the font larger, appearing almost distraught. "Hurry up and say it wasn't you!" But the Council in my mind roared, "Hurry up and admit it, you idiot! Just feel your handbag! That bitch already stuffed the necklace inside! If you don't admit it now, she'll demand a body search, and then you'll be caught red-handed! The only way out now is to admit it voluntarily!" I instinctively pressed my handbag. When my fingertips touched a hard, foreign object, my heart instantly went cold. It really was inside. The pain intensified, making it impossible for me to think, so I took a deep breath and muttered, "Yes. I took it." The entire room erupted in uproar, and the bullet comments flashing before my eyes wailed in despair. "It's over! Completely over! This fool is beyond saving!" "The real heiress has become a thief! She'll never wash this off!" Giselle covered her mouth in feigned surprise. "Addy, it really was you? If you were short on money, you could have just said so! Why did you have to steal? This was the keepsake my mom left me!" Her eyes reddened, and her suitors around her immediately glared at me. "She's shameless. Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." "Sticky fingers. She should just go back to the countryside where she belongs." James strode over to me, his expression dark. I lowered my head, shaking uncontrollably from head to toe. It was over. There was no way I could still be the heiress after this. "Dad, Addy didn't mean to..." Giselle was still pretending to plead for me. But the very next second, James whipped out a black bank card. "Good! Good for you, Addy! You actually owned up to what you did!" Everyone froze. James, however, smiled with approval. "I knew it! My daughter is upright to the core! She has the courage to admit her mistakes! I've wronged you before, Addy, so I'm going to make it up to you." He pressed the black card into my hand. "Addy, there's no spending limit on this card. Take it and spend it however you wish. You can buy whatever you want! There's no need to take other people's things!" The smile on Giselle's face froze instantly. "See that? I was right! Your father values character!" The Council laughed triumphantly. I clutched the cold black card and felt the gazes around me shift to ones of envy and jealousy. Honestly, how could I have doubted the Council? For over a month, it was entirely thanks to it that I had managed to gain a foothold in the Chatham family. I blocked out the frantically scrolling comments and lowered my head obediently. "Thanks, Dad. I know I was wrong." After the banquet ended and the guests dispersed, Giselle linked arms with me, as if she had never framed me. "Addy, you're really something! You've even got Dad's temper figured out! I don't even have a black card!" Just then, the butler announced from the doorway, "Mr. Chatham, Mr. Hudson is here." Maxwell Hudson was heir to the Hudson family, Silverlake City's top-tier elite, and the marriage prospect the Chatham family was desperate to court. Originally, the engagement had been Giselle's, but after my return, James intended for me to take her place instead. A man with a cold, predatory gaze walked in. His gaze swept over Giselle and me like he was appraising goods. The Council in my mind tensed. "Quick! This is your future husband! Go bring him a pair of slippers and get on your knees to help him change into them! He falls hardest for that. He'll develop a soft spot for you." I stared at Maxwell's leather shoes and wondered if I was really supposed to do that in front of everyone. The warning pain struck again. "Why are you hesitating? Are you already getting cocky now that you've just got the black card? If you can't get Maxwell's affection, the entire Chatham family is done for!" I gritted my teeth. The bullet comments screamed, "Don't kneel! He's treating you like a lowly maid!" Despite the comments, I walked quickly to the entryway. With a thud, I dropped to both knees. Then, holding up the slippers, I said, "Mr. Hudson, please change into these slippers." Chapter 2 The maids glanced sideways, and Giselle smirked, waiting to see how Maxwell would humiliate me. But the next second, a soft sigh came from above me. A pair of warm, large hands gently cradled my wrists. Maxwell crouched down. Those almond eyes that always carried a mocking glint now held nothing but heartache. "How could I possibly let you do something like this?" He firmly helped me to my feet and, in front of everyone, bent down to brush the dust off my knees. "You're the heiress of the Chatham family, and more than that, you're my fiancée. You should never be on your knees." Giselle's smile froze instantly, her eyes full of disbelief. The Council exclaimed excitedly in my head, "See that? That's meeting strength with gentleness! Men really fall for this! The moment you show weakness, it'll tug at his heartstrings!" I lowered my eyes. "Yes, Mr. Hudson." The bullet comments went wild. "He's acting! The look in this man's eyes is off!" "Adriana Chatham! You've fallen into a trap!" I ignored the comments, letting Maxwell lead me to the couch. Then, as Giselle watched on, he thoughtfully poured me a cup of hot tea, completely leaving her out in the cold. … Late at night, I lay in bed clutching the black card. The curses in the bullet comments still flashed before my eyes, one after another. But I heard the Council say in a gentle voice, "I am the Council. In all this time, have I ever harmed you? Just listen to me, and one day, the entire Chatham household will be yours." I closed my eyes and answered silently, "Yes. I'll listen to you, Council." Over the next week, I became the most obedient person in the Chatham family. When Giselle wanted hand-ground coffee in the middle of the night, the Council forced me to get up and grind the beans. "This is how you show sisterly love! Take good care of Giselle, and everyone will praise you for being sensible!" When James was smoking a cigar in his study, the Council ordered me to kneel at his feet and hold up an ashtray. "Wait on your father personally. Don't leave it to others. This is how a proper lady from a prestigious family should behave." No matter how absurd the Council's demands, I did them all. … One afternoon, Giselle brought a group of socialites home for a tea party. They sat in the garden having afternoon tea, pointing and gossiping about me. "So this is the real heiress? She dresses so tastelessly." "I heard she got on her knees and helped Mr. Hudson change into slippers just to please him. How cheap!" Giselle waved me over. "Addy, come sit with us." After I reluctantly walked over, Giselle pointed at the topaz necklace around my neck, the only keepsake my mother had left me. With an innocent expression, she said, "Addy, this pendant is so unique! May I have it?" The socialites egged me on. "Ms. Adriana, you can't be so stingy, can you?" "Come on, Gigi already asked for it. Surely you can bear to part with an old necklace?" I instinctively clutched the topaz pendant. It was the only comfort my mother had left me. But the Council's voice turned sharp. "Give it to her! This is a chance to win people over! An old pendant in exchange for her speaking well of you in the social circle is an excellent bargain!" "But..." "No buts! Are you going to defy me?" The pain struck again. Trembling, I took off the pendant. "Gigi, if you like it, then it's yours." Giselle took the pendant and casually tossed it aside, her eyes full of disdain. "Thanks, Addy. Even though the quality is poor, it's the thought that counts." Then, she turned and threw the pendant to the poodle beside her. "Here, Chester, I've got a new toy for you!" The socialites burst into laughter. Meanwhile, the bullet comments exploded. "I'm livid! That's the keepsake left by her own mother!" "Adriana, I really have half a mind to kill you! How can you be so spineless?" As I watched the dog gnaw on the pendant, my hands clenched into fists. The Council chattered on, "That's right. Great people don't sweat the small stuff. Your father will definitely think more highly of you now." That evening, when James came back, he specifically called me to the study. "I heard you gave Gigi the topaz pendant?" "Yes, Dad." James lit a cigar with satisfaction. "Good. You have a sense of the bigger picture. The Chatham family has no lack of money or jewelry. You can do without trinkets from the countryside." Then, he took out an invitation. "Since you're sensible, you'll get to attend the family banquet this weekend, too. I'll be announcing something important during the banquet." My hands trembled as I accepted the invitation. That was the occasion to establish the heir's status. In my mind, the Council was ecstatic. "See that? Your father is going to announce you as the heir!" I smiled and responded, "Council, you're brilliant." … Back in my room, I saw Giselle's latest social media post. The photo showed the topaz pendant covered in dog bite marks, with me standing meekly beside her. The caption read, "Adriana behaves like a well-trained maid. I find it rather adorable in a way." Below the post was a string of likes and mocking comments. The bullet comments flashing before me were so furious that they flooded my vision with curses. I simply turned off my phone and walked to the window. In my mind, I asked, "Council, will Dad really hand the Chatham family over to me as long as I obey you?" "Of course! I'm the only one you have now. Who else would I help if not you? As long as you behave during this banquet, all of Silverlake City will soon be yours!" I looked at my reflection in the window and mumbled inaudibly, "I guess I'll just have to... wait and see." Chapter 3 The day before the banquet, James had an evening gown made specially for me, and he even hired the best stylist in the city for me. Giselle was so jealous that she spent the entire afternoon smashing things up. At dinner, her eyes were red-rimmed as she said, "Dad, I want an art studio. I've looked everywhere, but I just can't seem to find a suitable place..." James frowned. "There are plenty of empty rooms at home. Just pick one." Giselle looked at me. "That's not it. I've got my eye on that vacant plot downtown. The lighting and environment there are great, but... the land is in Addy's name." My movements paused. My maternal grandfather had left that plot of land to my mother, and she had legally signed it over to me. It was also the only core asset I had in my hands, with a market value of at least a billion dollars. The bullet comments exploded instantly. "Isn't that...? Ugh, I can't remember!" "Whatever you do, just don't give it to her! This is your last card!" James was also taken aback. He stared at me for a moment and muttered, "Addy, that plot..." "Give it to her!" the Council roared. "This is the touchstone! This is their way to see if you have the capacity to accommodate others! It's just a piece of land! What is it compared to the entire Chatham Corporation? "You must transfer it to Giselle without the slightest hesitation, right in front of your father! Once he is happy, he'll announce tomorrow that you're the one inheriting the multi-billion-dollar fortune!" A billion dollars... in exchange for a vague promise? "What? Are you not willing to give up the plot, Addy?" Giselle asked, her eyes welling up. "Then again, this is the only thing that Addy has to her name. It's my fault for being thoughtless..." Sure enough, James' expression darkened. "Oh, it's alright. After all, that's the only inheritance your mother left you. Maybe we should just... forget it." My mind raced. I quickly set down my cutlery and put on a gentle smile. "Dad! I never said I wouldn't give it. If Gigi likes it, she can have it. Never mind a plot of land—if she wanted my life, I'd give that too!" James' expression immediately lifted. He was so delighted that he said, "Good! Addy, I wasn't wrong about you! With such generosity, you'll certainly achieve great things in the future!" A lawyer drafted the transfer agreement on the spot. The bullet comments flashed and cursed wildly. "Don't sign it! Adriana, are you an idiot?" However, the Council laughed wildly and urged me on, "Sign it! Hurry up and sign it! Once you sign it, your father will think much more highly of you! Giselle will surely regret this one day!" I picked up the pen and signed my name at the end of the agreement. Giselle was so thrilled that she kissed the agreement and ran upstairs with it, not even staying for dinner. James' eyes were wet as he patted my shoulder. "Addy, don't worry. I won't let you suffer a loss. Tomorrow at the banquet, I'll have a surprise for you that's a thousand times more valuable than that plot!" "Thank you, Dad," I answered obediently. … The next day, the banquet proceeded as scheduled. Dressed in the expensive gown, I followed James around the banquet hall. Although I had lost the billion-dollar plot, in the eyes of outsiders, I was James' most favored daughter, and my limelight was unmatched for the moment. Maxwell, in a white suit, walked elegantly toward me. Ignoring Giselle, who stood nearby, dressed to the nines, he adjusted a few stray strands of hair at my temple in public. "Don't be nervous," he whispered affectionately in my ear. "Tonight is your chance to show your ability. I'll support you all along." Beside us, Giselle glared at us, her eyes practically burning with jealousy. When Maxwell turned away to socialize, she viciously bumped my shoulder and whispered mockingly, "Addy, you're so adorably stupid. I had that plot appraised—even a quick resale would fetch a sky-high price. Thanks for the gift." I smiled at her faintly. "The Council said that taking a loss can be a form of blessing, too." At the climax of the banquet, James took the stage. "Thank you all for coming. Today, I'm going to announce a matter concerning the fate of the Chatham family for the next 30 years!" Thunderous applause followed. In my mind, the Council trembled with excitement. "Here it comes! He's going to announce you as the heir! Get ready to receive the cheers!" I straightened my back as James cleared his throat. "Chatham Corporation is seeking a business transformation and has finally secured a partnership agreement with the Hudson family of Silverlake City!" Gasps rose from the audience. James changed tack. "However, the collaboration involves tens of billions of dollars in funds and requires the signing of a valuation adjustment mechanism agreement. If Chatham Corporation doubles its performance in three years, the Hudson family will inject 20 billion dollars into the company. But if it fails to meet that target..." His gaze swept over Giselle and me. "The person who signs the agreement will bear all the debt." The entire hall fell silent. James raised the document. "Whoever dares to sign the agreement will be the future head of the Chatham family and receive 51% of the company shares! Gigi, Addy, who among you is willing to take the risk for the family?" Giselle's face turned deathly pale, and she instinctively shrank back. That was tens of billions of dollars in debt. Only a fool would sign it! I looked calmly at Maxwell. He said nothing, only giving me a slight nod, his gaze full of trust. "See the look in Maxwell's eyes? He's testing you!" the Council suddenly roared. "Giselle doesn't dare to sign it, but you should go! Sign it, and the Chatham family is yours! This so-called risk is just a bluff! With the Hudson family behind it, how could you possibly lose? Hurry and grab the chance!" I stared at the document, my heart pounding violently. The bullet comments had already turned blood red. "Don't go! This is a scapegoat agreement!" "Chatham Corporation's finances are rotten to the core! It's impossible to achieve what's mentioned in the agreement." "That's not a valuation adjustment at all! Your dad is just looking for someone to take the fall!" A flicker of disappointment and unease crossed James' eyes. "Is there no one who will step up to it? Will the Chatham family have no successor, then?" "I'll do it!" Chapter 4 I pushed through the crowd and walked toward the main stage. The crowd automatically parted for me. Giselle rushed up, pretending to be concerned, and grabbed my hand. "Addy! Don't act impulsively! If you lose, your whole life will be over! Let me do it!" Although she offered to sign it, she made no move to approach the document. "Get lost!" the Council roared. "That bitch is putting on a show to steal the credit! Push her away!" I flung Giselle off, with enough force to almost knock her over. "Gigi, if you're afraid, then just stand back and watch!" I broke into a light run and charged onto the stage. James, moved to tears, hugged me and patted my back hard. "Oh, my child! Only you are a true child of the Chatham family! Gigi has been spoiled rotten! Trust you to step up to save the family!" The audience below offered only scattered applause, most of them whispering among themselves. "Has the heiress lost her mind? Will she really sign a doomed agreement like this?" "James is truly ruthless—dumping the debt on his daughter who just came back." The bullet comments fell into complete despair. "It's over! She can't be saved. We'll just have to leave her be." I stood under the spotlight, looking at the blank guarantee column on the last page of the agreement. "Sign it, quick!" the Council urged, eerily excited. "Once you sign your name, you'll bring pride to your family! Don't hesitate!" James handed me the pen, his eyes full of encouragement. "Addy, sign it. Once you sign it, the Chatham family will be yours." My hand trembled as I took the pen. I looked up in fear. "I... Can I really do this?" "Of course you can!" James exclaimed, grabbing my hand and guiding the pen tip toward the paper. "You have my support! How could you possibly lose?" "Hurry and sign it! Why are you still dawdling?" the Council roared, and a wave of pain struck me again. I closed my eyes and scrawled my name on the paper. Once my name was signed, the outcome was set. "It's done!" The Council let out a shriek of wild joy in my mind, then vanished. In an instant, the tearful expression on James' face changed. The excitement faded and was replaced by a cold look of relief. He swiftly pulled the agreement away and handed it to the lawyer. "Notarize it immediately. Put it into effect at once!" The lawyer took the document and ran off. Giselle dropped the act and strolled onto the stage to stand beside James, smiling. "Addy, how noble of you. All those debts will be hard on you from now on." Maxwell came onto the stage holding a glass of wine, laughing. "Congratulations, Mr. Chatham, on finding the perfect scapegoat. The collaboration officially begins." He didn't even look at me and simply clinked glasses with James. The guests looked at me as though I were an idiot. "She really signed it. There's no saving her now." "James really sacrificed his daughter, who came back from the countryside, to save the family." I stood frozen, staring blankly at them. "Dad... What is the meaning of this? Didn't you say... I was the heir?" James sipped on his red wine, his eyes full of contempt. "Heir? You? Since you signed the agreement, all of Chatham Corporation's debts are now under your name. From today onward, you are no longer the heiress of the Chatham family! I need you to move into the basement so as not to affect the company's image." Giselle added with a jab, "The basement is damp and dark. Perhaps it'd be better to let Addy live in the pigsty! She's used to it from the countryside, anyway." The two of them exchanged glances and laughed without restraint. In their eyes, I was already a dead person, burdened with tens of billions of dollars in debt and about to go to prison. The bullet comments fell into a dead silence, with only a few scattered words of misery drifting by. But I slowly lifted my head and looked at the three of them, still raising their glasses in celebration, before speaking in a faint voice. "Do you really think this signature is valid?"