Against fate : rebirth of the stubborn heiress

News traveled fast in the Bellani estate, and by morning, the internet had already caught wind of the blurry boutique photo. Ciara—ever the portrait of pitiful elegance—was now the subject of online gossip. Some accused her of being a scheming opportunist, while others defended her with the usual "but she looks so sweet" logic.

Summer watched the chaos unfold from her lounge chair in the sunroom, a crystal glass of chilled peach tea resting in her palm. The rays of the early morning sun made the surface of her drink sparkle like champagne.

> [Task 001 – Progress: 26%]

[Host's Aura of Dominance +2%]

Sham Sham: Soft scandal achieved. Public doubt successfully seeded.

She chuckled to herself, eyes sharp. "She'll try to play the victim again. That's her default move."

> Sham Sham: New Task Available – Task 002: Trigger Ciara into making a public contradiction. Reward: Charm +5.

Just as she swiped the system panel closed, Rosa entered carrying a tray of sliced fruit. "Young miss, Master leo just returned. He's in the side courtyard."

Summer blinked. "First brother ?" The name warmed her chest. She hadn't seen him since before her rebirth. Among all her brothers, Leonardo Bellani had always been the most grounded, the one with quiet strength. She rose at once.

---

In the courtyard, leo stood beneath the old olive tree in a cream shirt, sleeves rolled halfway up. His stance was relaxed, but the sharpness in his gaze hinted at a man not easily fooled.

Summer didn't wait—she ran into his arms.

"First brother!"

He caught her easily, chuckling under his breath. "Did you start stirring trouble without me?"

"Just a little warm-up," she muttered into his chest, holding him tighter. "There's a fake lotus blooming again in the backyard."

"Ciara."

She nodded, eyes closing. "I've changed. And this time... I won't lose."

Leo leaned back, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Then I'll do what I always do—walk behind you, and clear anything that dares to stand in your way."

He wasn't dramatic. He meant every word.

---

Later that day, Summer received a message from the university student council: a private gala was being held to celebrate young alumni and student investors. As a Bellani, she was expected to represent her family.

Summer smiled slowly. A stage? How perfect.

She summoned Sham Sham.

> Sham Sham: Gala detected. Opportunity Node confirmed.

Special Mode Activated: Event Manipulation.

"Let's expose a fake," Summer murmured, eyes flashing.

---

The gala was held atop the Vellaro Grand Hotel, in a glass-roofed rooftop garden overlooking the city. Fairy lights laced the hedges. Guests wore tuxedos and evening gowns, but none carried the effortless grace Summer did as she stepped out of the limo in a crimson satin dress. A slit cut high along her thigh, her back bare, the dress held together by the same sapphire pendant her mother once wore.

Third brother Davis was already waiting in the car, dressed to kill in navy and black. He looked her over with a grin. "Took you long enough. Travis bet you'd spend four hours just deciding on a 'weapon'—his word, not mine."

"Travis can keep his mysterious brooding to himself," she scoffed. "Is he not coming?"

"He's watching from the shadows. You know him—prefers being the ghost in the room."

Summer laughed. That sounded exactly like Travis.

---

The moment they entered the ballroom, all eyes turned.

"She's the real Bellani heiress..."

"I heard she turned down three European internships just to shadow her grandfather."

"And that's Davis Bellani. Wasn't he ranked first in that international esports tournament?"

Summer smiled sweetly at the whispers, her heels clicking against the marble. She didn't mind the attention—it felt earned. Unlike some people's.

Speaking of which...

Ciara slithered in late, alone, in soft white chiffon. She looked as harmless as ever. But Summer had played this game before.

Soon enough, a faculty member approached her. "Miss Bellani, would you be willing to speak a few words on stage about your career goals?"

Summer tilted her head with a smile. "Of course."

Onstage, she took the mic with the calm poise of someone born for it.

"I've spent the last two years studying international trade under the Bellani Group. This fall, I'll be joining our investment wing—specializing in green tech and emerging markets." She smiled wider. "And as someone who believes in legacy, I'm committed to only mentoring those who work for what they want—not those who claw for it."

The audience clapped politely. Except for one.

Ciara's smile cracked.

She moved toward a group of faculty members. "Professor Lin, thank you again for recommending me for the international scholarship last year. That chance really changed my life."

Professor Lin blinked. "I'm sorry, miss, I think there's a mistake. I've never submitted such a recommendation. Maybe Dean Sung?"

A journalist nearby looked up. "You said Professor Lin in last week's interview…"

"I-I must've remembered wrong," Ciara stammered.

From the edge of the room, Summer sipped champagne slowly, her eyes never leaving the scene.

> [Task 002 – Completed. Charm +5 acquired.]

Sham Sham: Ciara's Credibility -12%. Public Narrative Cracked.

Next Recommended Objective: Target Weak Links in Social Network.

Summer licked a smear of gloss off her lower lip. "Oh Ciara," she whispered. "You're unraveling so beautifully."