Her reaction was pretty normal, knowing that Maria did a 180 degrees change in personality. It's pretty good that she didn't fling me away and accuse me of being an impersonator.

Pouty Maria: SWITCH ON!

"Mommy, how could you say that? Don't you recognize me anymore?"

Emilda's face was now a mixture of confusion, shock and revulsion. She took a deep breath and she looked like contemplating something in her mind as she exhaled. In a slow but steady motion, she positioned me in front of her and held my shoulders with her two hands.

"Is this your true self, Maria?" Emilda's sharp eyes were digging through my own eyes, trying to peer unto my soul.

I laughed and returned her sharp gaze with my own. "True or not doesn't matter. From now on, this will be who I am."

Emilda released me from her grasp but she continued the dagger-like gaze.

I sneered at her look. "Worry not mommy, troubles may come due to my change in att.i.tude but I a.s.sure you that as a Burnsworth, I will solve those problems promptly."

The elegant Emilda snorted at my statement. "Hmph! An illegitimate child like you will always be a source of troubles."

Emilda frowned; she didn't expect that Maria was glib enough to use pretty words with underlying messages. "You are merely an illegitimate child, an UNWANTED child."

When Emilda emphasized a certain word, I couldn't stop myself from glaring at her. I took one heavy step towards her as if I was already stomping on the floor.

"Unwanted? Did you even think that illegitimate children wanted to be born with that kind of label? Do illegitimate children like me have a choice on which mother will bear us?"

The ferocity in my voice made Emilda take two steps backwards. The rage within me haven't subsided however I masked my fury with a crafty smile.

"I believe that the reason you are antagonizing me is because of your frustration that your husband betrayed you and…" My eyes trailed to nearby large painting of Sis Eli. "You see me as a threat on her inheritance."

From the corner of my eyes, I could Emilda clenched her fists either due to frustration or anger.

"Mommy, I propose a contract."

"What makes you think I'll agree to your contract?" She shot back angrily.

I chuckled and kept my crafty smile. "You WILL agree or rather, you HAVE to agree. You do know that in the business world, only the people who are tenacious to power and determined will succeed. However, has Sis Eli shown any interest in inheriting the Burnsworth Empire?"

Emilda vividly quivered. When Sis Eli was sharing to me the information about the Burnsworth family, she voiced out her reluctance on succeeding the family business. She actually plans to join the military once she turns 21.

I made one final push on Emilda's obvious fall to my trap. "Care to listen to my proposal now?"

She bit her lower lip as she nodded in agreement.

"Mommy, I want you to deposit an amount of 100 million into my account by tomorrow morning –"

Emilda interrupted, "100 million for someone like you?! Outrageous!"

"I agree mommy! It is outrageous! I'm a Burnsworth so it should be 500 million right?!" I retorted.

"Fine, then 100 million it is." Emillda was visibly annoyed.

"Good, then I shall expect 250 million in my bank account tomorrow." I couldn't help but applaud on my own haggling skills. I continued, "By giving me 250 million, I will withdraw from the fight of the inheritance and convince Sis Eli to inherit the family business."

Before Emilda could respond, I ran towards the door and bid her goodbye.

"Bye Mommy! I'll be expecting your gift before 10am tomorrow!"

Then I slammed the door shut.

When I got out, I noticed that there were two people anxiously waiting for me to get out of the room. Vivian was on the verge of crying while Sis Eli was a little bit pale.

"Miss Maria!"

"Maria!"

Their anxious selves immediately brightened with joy as they saw me survive from the battlefield. They escorted me back to my room while they nagged me about my rash actions.

"Maria, illegitimate or not, you will always be my sister. Even if the soul within you had change, I will continue to treasure as my cute little sister." Sis Eli's voice was very warm and gentle. I never had a sister in my previous life so this foreign warmth baffles me a little bit.

Sis Eli and Vivian finally let me off on my own when I got inside my room.

'Illegitimate huh…'

A memory flashed upon my mind; a malnourished child dressed in rags crying amidst the rain and mud.