In a small bedroom with simple decor, Chrystal Amethyst stared deeply at her reflection in the mirror, remaining silent. The room was so quiet that the only sound was the rustling of wind entering through the open window.

A sudden impatient shout broke the silence from the doorway. "Young Miss, why are you taking so long? Master Hendry is ready and waiting at the door! If you delay any further this serious matter, no one will be able to save you!"

Chrystal remained motionless for a moment before finally tearing her gaze away from the mirror. She gently grasped the jade pendant hanging around her neck, studying it briefly before letting it go. With a firm movement, she placed the pendant on the bed and turned toward the door.

As she approached, the door—unlocked—was harshly pushed open from the outside, nearly hitting Chrystal. She remained composed despite the close call.

The middle-aged maid standing at the door noticed the near accident but showed no sign of apology on her face. "Oh, so you finally decided to come out?" she remarked with a sneer.

"I've told you, you're lucky to be marrying into the Leon family! Yet, you still act so stubborn? It's beyond me..." she continued to mutter under her breath.

Chrystal raised an eyebrow, her eyes fixing on the maid with a flat, emotionless expression—except for a deep-seated loathing.

The maid rambled on, her words meaningless, until her gaze suddenly shifted upward, eyes widening in shock. Her face froze.

Chrystal let out a brief, disinterested snort and walked steadily out of the room. The maid could only watch in stunned silence as Chrystal left, haunted by the sharp look she had just witnessed. In her mind, she wondered, 'Has this foolish girl really changed? Why does her gaze seem so different? So terrifying!'

But as she looked at Chrystal’s long-sleeved attire, her surprise turned into scorn. "What could have changed? It's a hot day, and she's dressed like that. Utterly foolish!"

With that, she quietly slipped into the bedroom.

***

As Chrystal stepped out of the villa, a black car pulled up at the entrance. The back window rolled down, revealing a middle-aged man dressed sharply.

The man looked at Chrystal, his face showing clear displeasure at her lateness. "Why are you standing there like a fool? Get in the car, quickly!"

Chrystal felt a wave of disgust but opened the back door and got in slowly.

The car began moving immediately.

The middle-aged man adopted a stern demeanor as he warned Chrystal, "When we arrive at the Leon residence, you will obey my every word. This marriage is not just beneficial for you, but also for our family! If you dare to act out and tarnish the Hermann name, your grandfather and I will ensure you regret it!"

Chrystal pretended not to hear him and turned her head to gaze out the window.

Seeing her indifferent attitude, the man’s anger flared, causing him to stutter. "Your head is full of foolishness; you wouldn't understand even if I explained."

"......"

A brief, strange glint appeared in Chrystal’s eyes before quickly vanishing.

'Not understand? I've transmigrated into this world after reading a book. I understand better than anyone!'

This was the novel "The Exchanged Wealthy Daughter," filled with drama, bloodshed, and romance. It told the story of the protagonist, the young miss of the Hermann family, who, after being swapped at birth, relied on her personal strength to capture the attention and pursuit of many wealthy and influential families. In the end, she finds her true love, and they ride off into the sunset together.

Of course, the young miss of the Hermann family, the book’s protagonist, was not Chrystal.

Even though they shared the Hermann name and Chrystal was also the young miss of the Hermann family, the real Chrystal could only be described as a 'useless supporting character' in the story.

Her father had died young, and her mother had vanished without a trace. At ten years old, Chrystal had been pushed into a swimming pool and nearly drowned. When she awoke, she had become mentally impaired.

Usually isolated and silent, or behaving foolishly and erratically, Chrystal had long been the laughingstock of the Imperial Capital's elite circles, to the point where even her nanny dared to secretly trample on her.

The middle-aged man sitting beside her was Chrystal's uncle, Hendry Hermann, the director of Hermann Corporation.

To maintain his reputation as someone who 'treated his niece well,' Hendry always dressed Chrystal up beautifully for every banquet, guiding her through the motions with grace and care, while secretly treating her like an animal.

Chrystal was confined in a small, prison-like room all day, given three meals. If she did anything wrong, she was scolded, cursed, and even excessively mistreated.

Now, at twenty-two years old, Chrystal was being used as a pawn by the Hermann family, arranged to marry the Second Young Master of the Leon family, who was blind from a car accident.

What did she have to look forward to? Just a vicious wolf in human skin, ready to tear her apart!

Two days ago, upon hearing news of the marriage, the original Chrystal had been so distressed that she fled to the back of the Hermann Villa and jumped into the river.

Perhaps that was what allowed Chrystal Amethyst, who had transmigrated, to take over Chrystal Hermann’s body.

Chrystal gazed out the car window at the passing scenery, quickly reviewing the book's contents in her mind. There wasn’t much focus on the original Chrystal in "The Exchanged Wealthy Daughter," but it was enough to piece together her tragic end.

After the business marriage between the Hermann and Leon families, the Second Young Master of the Leon family disliked Chrystal and mostly ignored her.

Later, when turmoil erupted within the Leon family, the original Chrystal was expelled by them. By the time the Second Young Master learned of it and found her, Chrystal had already died tragically in the river, her body covered in wounds and bloated from the water.

Chrystal hadn’t deceived or provoked anyone, yet she ended up as a brief, tragic pawn in the battle among the rich and powerful.

Reflecting on this fate, Chrystal silently flipped the plot a mental middle finger.

"No words needed. The one who’s truly screwed over is me!"

***