4.

"You snake! You just had to say all of that in father's presence didn't you?" Emily was seething. What had happened? Did Ella become so jealous after seeing the bag father had bought for her that she became so difficult?

"Of course." Ella dabbed her lips with a napkin, dinner tonight was especially good. "Oh, and Emily, I guess you won't be getting a change of wardrobe this year, and who knows, I might finally get to cut the cake at the hour of my birth. Me, the legitimate daughter of this house, not some homewrecker's kid." Ella laughed as she left the dining room for her room. Aside causing a strain in her father's relationship with his wife, Ella intends to upset Emily enough, this way her plan for their birthday can go smoothly. Only by pushing her that far would Emily utter some of the words she needs her to speak out.

Ella's heart was pounding not with fear, but with anticipation for the night. She had spent her previous life watching Emily perfect her craft; the subtle accusations, the masterful manipulation of everyone around them. Emily had taught her well, and now it was time to put those lessons to use.

While in her room, Ella mentally reviewed her plans for the next few days. First she had to find a reporter.

She remembered there was a reporter who had sneaked into the event, hoping for gossip about their influential family. In her past life, he had been caught before Emily's plan was executed.

Ella remembered been hopeful that if her father watched the CCTV footage, he would see she hadn't pushed Emily into the pool as she was accused of, but not once did he say anything about it. Instead he had gotten her a new car as a birthday present.

Thinking about it, Ella laughed mockingly to herself. They had all believed Emily and told her off publicly embarrassing her. But when he discovered the truth, he still protected his dearest daughter by shutting her up with a car.

She searched for the reporters name using the name in her memory, she smiled staring at his profile. 'Hello partner.' She thought with a smile.

She has no intention of contacting him prior to the event day, she was certain that finding the reporter would be easy. She remembered exactly where he'd hidden last time.

Closing the tab, she pulled up the stock portfolios she has been studying. Six years of future market knowledge; it would be a shame to waste it.

Her plans were falling into place. The shares she had invested in were steadily climbing, her escape route meticulously mapped. All that remained was the birthday celebration, a stage for her to dismantle the false narrative Emily had so carefully constructed. Ella's lips curled into a faint smile. 'Oh Emily, I am going to be a sweet sister and create the best stage for you, the one that will let the world see how deserving of an actress you really are.'

A soft knock at her door pulled her from her reverie. "Miss Ella," a maid called from the other side, her voice a vast difference from what Ella is used to. "Your father wishes to see you in his study." The maids voice was respectful, not the clipped and disapproving voice Ella knew.

Smiling, 'I guess being this way will get me respected.' She cannot believe that after living a life respecting them and being quiet, being this overbearing would get her to be taken serious.

Ella left for her father's study. Encounters with her father were rarely pleasant, and most times, invites to his study meant scolding.

And tonight, she had expected it. The stunt she had pulled in the dining would definitely get to her father. She wondered if his favoritism would cast a shadow in his judgement tonight.

The study was a perfect example to her father's personality; dark wood paneling, shelves lined with books, and a desk devoid of any personal touches. Her father sat behind it, his expression unreadable.

"You wanted to see me, Father?" Ella asked, her tone neutral. Eric felt a prick in his heart. 'She always called me dad.'

He gestured for her to sit, his eyes scrutinizing her as though searching for something. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you about what father?" Ella asked. 'Father!' Eric closed his eyes at the address. It felt too strange.

"The rumors outside, Clara's treatment of you." Ella couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped her lips.

"Sorry about that. But isn't it funny father, nothing that has happened occured outside of this home." Ella's jaw tightened, but she forced herself to maintain her composure. "Of course, it is different when you just do not care." Eric stared at his daughter guiltily.

'How could she have told him anything? He never asked her.' The realization hit him hard, he had failed to keep his promise to Flora, he has failed as a father.

His gaze softened. "I do care Ella. I might not show it often and my actions might have made you think differently." Eric found it difficult not knowing how to apologize to his daughter. He didn't know where to start repairing their relationship from, 'Am I too late?' He wondered.

Ella nodded, suppressing the surge of anger that threatened to rise. "I understand father." Eric sighed defeatedly, 'how do I repair this?'

"Can I leave, I am tired and would like to sleep early." Ella felt suffocated, she had begged for this, for this look, for this gaze, for this words, but till her death, she never got any of that. Only his indifference, so why was he doing all of that now? Why now?!

Eric nodded, allowing her to leave. As she left the study, she couldn't stop the tear that slipped out of her eyes. She could hear her heart breaking. Emily who was watching her, smiled seeing her cry.

Emily had ran back to her mother, "Mom, she just came out of dad's study, she was crying. Dad must have scolded her for being rude to you." Emily told her mom happily. Her mother's mood has been down since dinner and she had thought this news will make her cheer up, but Clara only frowned more.

"She was crying?" She asked her daughter who nodded frantically. 'Why?' Clara wondered. Although others might not know, she knew very well that Ella is Eric's favorite among the two children. She was only able to use his absence to torture Ella, 'Why would he scold her after knowing she has been wronged by us all?'

"Mom don't worry, in two days, dad will hate her so much. I will make her into a vicious jealous stepsister." Emily said smirking.

The day of the celebration dawned bright and clear. The estate buzzed with activity as the staff prepared for the grand event. Emily watched the movements from her window, her expression unreadable. Today marked the beginning of her freedom.

As the evening approached, Ella dressed carefully. She chose a gown of deep emerald green, a stark contrast to Emily's ethereal white. The color was bold, commanding attention without demanding it. With her hair swept up and her makeup subtle yet striking, she looked every inch the woman she had become; strong, determined, unyielding.

When she descended the grand staircase, conversations hushed, and all eyes turned to her. Ella met their stares head-on, her chin held high. 'Let them look. This is my moment.'

Emily was seething with jealousy, but she knew well to show it. She walked over to her sister, "You look stunning," Emily said, her voice just the perfect pitch for the guest to hear.

Emily's dress was modest white, playing to her innocent image. "Though perhaps you should have worn the blue one Father bought you." She added casting a quick glance at her father who has been staring at Ella.

Eric hadn't heard Emily's words, his thoughts were different as he looked at his daughter, 'She looked exactly like Flora, a much more beautiful version of her.'

Ella smiled. She must be referring to the blue one she had ruined with bleach in her past life, ensuring she would wear the ridiculous red dress she had thoughtfully provided as a backup.

"I prefer this," Ella said. "It suits what's coming." Emily froze, 'Does she know? Impossible!' With that thought, Emily went about, her laughter like the chime of delicate bells. To everyone else, she was the perfect hostess, always has been. While Ella would stand at a corner every year. She had no friends to invite and her aunt doesn't stay in the country with them.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was noticing her, Ella slipped away from the crowd, her heart pounding. She found the reporter hiding near the hedge maze, just as she remembered.

"Hi, I believe you are looking for a story, aren't you?" She asked, her voice calm but cutting. The man jumped, startled, but recovered quickly.

"How did you find me?" He asked and Ella looked around chuckling.

"Even if I hadn't found you, someone else would have. So are you looking for one or not?" She asked again.

"I am," he admitted. "Do you have one for me?"

Ella smiled. "I will show you where to hide in the garden. You will get a great story, but aside from that, you will help me get a story." A scandal had broken during this party in her past life, it was the scandal that had helped suppressed her embarrassment that night.

"What do you mean?" The reporter asked and Ella motioned for him to follow her. While they walked, she told him what she needed him to do.

"Do we have a deal?" Ella asked the now amused reporter as they got to the very location where Emily had orchestrated her downfall in their past life.

"Only if I will be the one breaking the news when the time comes." He says stretching out a hand that Ella took sealing their partnership.