Against fate : rebirth of the stubborn heiress

The jade hairpin lay on the marble countertop beside Summer's untouched latte. She stared at it, chin resting on her palm, lips pressed into a quiet frown.

It looked harmless enough—dainty, beautifully carved, something a gentle noblewoman might wear centuries ago. But now, it was humming softly under the early sunlight, like it remembered something even she didn't.

> Sham Sham: Devlin Lineage Confirmed. Unlocking Inherited Module: "Dominion Instinct."

Would host like to review origin data now?

Summer raised an eyebrow. "What kind of cheesy novel title is Dominion Instinct?"

> Sham Sham: It's inherited from your maternal bloodline. Your mother, Elena Devlin, was the last direct descendant of the Devlin Clan—once one of the most formidable aristocratic merchant families in the world. Their symbol was control. Their specialty: domination through trade, secrets, and bonds.

Your inheritance was sealed the moment your father erased your mother's name from family records.

Summer's fingers curled. She had faint memories of her mother—softer moments, lullabies and perfume. Then everything went blank. The jade hairpin must've been protected, hidden away from the family's restructuring.

> Sham Sham: With activation, you gain limited access to Devlin archives, instinctual detection of high-stakes financial deception, and charisma enhancement modules.

System Upgrade Level: 1 → 2.

"Okay." Her voice was quiet but sharp. "Then let's start building from there."

---

Later that afternoon, Summer was in her lounge again, hair pinned up, legs tucked beneath her. A tablet rested on her knees as stock tickers scrolled across the screen.

> [New Task Available]

"Gain 12% ROI on the Bellani Trust Mock Fund within 10 days."

Reward: Investment Algorithm Hint + Reputation Boost with Leo Bellani.

"Hmph." She tapped her pen against her lip. "Leo's trying to test me again."

The door creaked open. Speak of the devil.

Leo walked in, dressed in sharp slacks and a black shirt, sleeves rolled up like he meant business. He glanced once at her lounging figure. "Still acting like royalty?"

"I am royalty," she said sweetly. "besides you can't go back on your words. You are the one who spoiled me. Therefore, you have to take responsibility else Who do you plan on leaving me for ."

" except us who else can handle your temper??. " leo replied as he strided forward.

He dropped a file on the couch beside her. "Two projects. Choose one. Pitch by Monday. Or I cut the mock fund in half."

Summer flipped the folder open lazily. One was a sustainable fashion startup. The other: an AI risk analysis firm quietly gaining traction.

Her eyes lingered on the second one.

> Sham Sham: High volatility detected. Investment Instinct triggered.

Recommendation: Low-entry, short hold. This firm is being quietly acquired by a major international tech group.

Summer smirked.

"Done," she said, pushing the file back to him. "I'll pitch the AI firm."

Leo blinked. "You barely read the first paragraph."

"I'm built differently."

He snorted, but she caught the twitch of a smile as he turned away. "I'll be watching."

---

After dinner, she escaped to the greenhouse behind the estate—the only quiet corner where the brothers rarely intruded.

Except Travis.

She found him there already, standing in front of a bonsai, pruning shears in hand. Dressed in a loose dark hoodie and joggers, he looked like a beautiful shadow. His eyes didn't even flick toward her.

"You always show up before I do," she muttered, settling into the chair opposite.

"I like silence," he replied. "And you talk less when you're thinking."

Summer tilted her head. "Do I really?"

"You do now. You didn't used to."

She smiled faintly. "I'm changing."

"I know," he said, eyes still on the plant. "That's why I'm watching."

She didn't respond immediately. There was no need to. That was the thing with Travis—he didn't demand affection, but he gave it in subtle, obsessive doses.

"I'm planning to invest in a project before the market shift next week," she murmured. "Leo's testing me."

"I know."

"And there's… something more. Something about my mother's side. The name Devlin came up."

That made him pause.

When he finally turned to her, his expression was unreadable. "Devlin?"

"You've heard of them?"

"A long time ago. Grandfather had dealings with someone by that name before your mom disappeared."

Summer looked up sharply. "He never told me that."

"He didn't want to." Travis put down the shears and walked over to her, crouching at her feet. "If there's something hidden in your bloodline, you have to be careful. Even within the Bellani family, not everyone wants you to rise."

"Do you?"

Travis didn't answer. He just reached up and adjusted the jade pin in her hair. His touch was surprisingly gentle.

"You're the only person I look at and feel anything at all," he said, voice low.

Summer's chest tightened, but she didn't flinch.

---

> Sham Sham: Emotional Marker Detected. Bond Level with Travis Bellani: +3.

New Optional Mission: Protect Travis's Public Image During Upcoming Family Event.

Hint: Rumours are being planted.

Summer's eyes narrowed.

"Oh? Looks like someone's trying to mess with my brother," she whispered.

And just like that, a new thread pulled at her attention—one she wouldn't ignore.

In few weeks time , the Bellani family will be hosting an elite charity auction, and Travis's name was already being tossed around in quiet corners.

Summer smiled coldly.

Time to remind them what a spoiled little princess could do.