Four Ballots. Four Names. My Family Chose To Trade Me Away Chapter 02

Four Ballots. Four Names. My Family Chose To Trade Me Away Chapter 02

Seraphina suddenly stood up with a difficult expression, as if she found it hard to speak, and ran over to her mother’s side.

She leaned her head against Celeste’s shoulder, pouting with a face full of grievance.

“Wren, I know you’re attached to the family, but don’t give us that look.”

“I’m about to have my first stadium concert, and I was nice enough to arrange a duet with you as the most important part of the show.”

“But the minute you stepped into the recording booth, your voice was so harsh and raspy it was unlistenable. Not only were you off-key and out of tune, but you also kept coughing and couldn’t even finish a single complete line.”

“I have to answer to my fans. Listening to your gravelly voice every day was wrecking my pitch.”

“For the sake of my music career, I really need you to live somewhere else.”

“You understand, don’t you?”

“Even if she doesn’t, Seraphina, don’t feel guilty.” Dorian adjusted his glasses. “Wren, quit staring at your sister like that.”

“I brought you to my core team so you could learn something. And what did you do? Slow reactions, out of breath after two sentences—you scared away all my partners.”

“I have an IQ of 140. Having a sister who can’t solve middle-school logic problems is humiliating.”

The host walked over and put the mic near my mouth.

“Miss Holloway, do you have anything to say about your family’s decision?”

The live chat exploded.

“What’s wrong with this real daughter? Is she mute?”

“Such a downer. Making our Seraphina feel bad! No wonder her family can’t stand her.”

My father, Harrison Blake, cleared his throat.

“Wren, I’m teaching you independence.”

“I handed you the books for a multimillion-dollar subsidiary. I was going to mentor you myself.”

“But you stared at those ledgers like a wooden dummy. Couldn’t even do basic double-entry bookkeeping. Look at your sister, then look at yourself. My business empire can’t support deadweight.”

I raised my head and smiled at all of them, gripping my swap card.

“Since all of you want to trade me away so badly, then of course I’ll grant your wish.”

“This exchange is a valuable opportunity for you to get some real-world experience. Make the most of it,” Harrison added.

Dorian checked his watch. “Wren, what’s the holdup? We’re helping you, not hurting you.”

I lifted my head, met everyone’s eyes, smiled, and gripped my swap card tightly.

“Fine. If that’s what you all want, then that’s what you’ll get.”

—

The director called cut through his megaphone, then turned to the camera and raised his voice deliberately.

“Our show is about family harmony and redemption.”

“Since the Blakes can’t accept Miss Holloway, we’re bringing in a brand-new family member.”

“Someone to take her place and enjoy all that love and privilege.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a girl in a white sundress bounced cheerfully onto the stage.

Her name was Piper Langley, a moderately well-known food blogger.

She had a sweet face, with two shallow dimples when she smiled.

The moment Piper Langley stepped onto the stage, she threw her arms around Celeste in a big hug.

“Celeste! I’m obsessed with your movies—I can’t believe I’m meeting a real-life goddess! You look twenty years younger than on screen. People would believe you’re Seraphina’s sister!”

Celeste beamed and slid a Cartier Love bracelet off her wrist, putting it on Piper.

“Sweetheart, you’re just darling. Here, a little welcome gift.”

I remembered that bracelet.

When I first arrived, I’d once admired it casually. Celeste had snapped, “No taste. This is too fine for you.”

Now she gave it away to a complete stranger without a second thought.

Piper turned to Seraphina. “Your songs are on my playlist every single day—pure angelic vocals!”

“Really? I worried the high notes weren’t polished enough.” Seraphina hugged her back, exchanging numbers.

Then Piper poured Harrison coffee, gushing over his business insights.

“Mr. Blake, I’ve taken notes on your management philosophy—I reread them constantly!”

Harrison was beaming from all the flattery, and he directly told his assistant to transfer a million dollars to Piper’s account.

“Spending money, sweetheart. A Blake girl can’t look shabby.”

She turned her big eyes on Dorian. “Dorian, you’re so handsome and brilliant. Any girl who dates you would be the luckiest person alive.”

Dorian adjusted his glasses, clearly flattered, and handed her a credit card.

“Buy whatever you want. On me.”

The atmosphere turned warm and glowing, as if she’d always been their daughter.

And I was pushed into the corner like a stranger.

“Wren.” The director’s voice crackled over the speaker. “Per the show rules, you need to hand over your swap card now and exit the set.”

“For the coming days, Piper Langley will take your place living with the Blake family.”

All eyes landed on me.

Seraphina wrinkled her nose. “Finally leaving. The air in here might actually get breathable.”

I stood up and faced them. “Director, I’m ready to leave.”

“Just hope that in the days ahead, you all still think this trade was worth it.”