The Imposter Princess

Yin XinYi turned back on her laptop and plugged the flash drive back in. Logging in, she noticed that her friends were all online, chatting away. Her username was 001. In the messaging application, no one had their true names. The rest were 002, 003, 004, 005, and 006. In the chat, they mentioned no names, only events. It was just an extra layer of security for their protection and hers. After all, some were really influential and had targets upon their backs.

[002: You're on. Explain about your disownment.]

[006: Explain, explain]

[003: I'll beat them up.]

[004: How dare they?]

[001: Disowned. Simple as that. Done with them.]

[005: Why? What happened? Don't leave us in limbo like this!]

[002: 005 is right. You must explain.]

[001: Alright. Simply putting it, I was framed. I am the scapegoat of the true culprit. "I harassed a family member, planned her kidnapping", etc.]

[006: Disowned? Did your family use you as a scapegoat?]

[001: No. Even worst. They believed the lies and the evidence of an outsider instead of someone with them for almost 20 years.]

[003: Bull! Who framed you?]

[005: Was it that outsider who presented the evidence?]

[001: No. Still in investigation.]

[002: How will you investigate outside the country that it happened in?]

[001: I'll wait. That culprit is powerful for me right now. I must amass a better network, rather, I should say, rebuild it.]

[004: Rebuild? Whatever do you mean?]

[001: All my "friends" in Country 86 bailed on me during my lowest. So did my family.]

[005: What? How dare they?! Don't let them bully you! 001, I'm sure that you have heard of the famous art showing in your city. You should attended in order to build up connections.]

[001: Yes. I was planning to receive tickets soon. I need some decorations for my eventual apartment too.]

[003: 005 is right. You should not let them walk over you. You're more petty than that. Where is your pride?]

[006: Petty indeed.]

[002: You will have to become powerful to find the culprit. Why not get a little bit more satisfaction out of it? By waiting, you will lose clues, but in exchange, you get something greater. They are right. Build an empire. No emotions involved when destroying your enemies. They were your family but now they left you. You're more petty than that. Don't bow your head.]

[001: Petty?]

[004: Don't deny it. You know it's true. This is out of character for you. Don't cry over them! We'll be here for you.]

[005: True! True! We are all here!]

[001: Thank you for your support.]

[002: If you need help, we're here.]

[003: Let's meet up sometime to fully discuss this in person. Stay safe.]

[006: 001, make sure not to pry too deep yet. Let us build our connections stronger too so we can help.]

[001: Mm.]

Yin XinYi felt much lighter after talking to her friends that stood by her through thick and thin. She logged off and pulled the flashdrive out. It was time to get her cards from the bank. She left the hotel and returned to the Swine Bank.

•••

"Here you go!" The same assistant that had attended to her, handed the cards in a sealed envelope.

Yin XinYi quickly opened it. Inside were the two cards. She picked them up, scanning for any errors. Both were really lightweight. The black card was fully black except for the gold chip and the gold engravings on the card that spelled her name and card numbered. The silver card was very low key. It wasn't flashy and had a chrome colored chip and black lettering for the engravings. Yin XinYi stuck them both in her wallet and gave the envelope back to the attendant.

Yin XinYi thanked the attendant and left. It was turning dark out, but the city was still bright and lively as ever, even when the day turned to night.

Yin XinYi had wanted to go on a shopping spree but decided to do it tomorrow, after her meeting with the seller of the penthouse apartment she wanted to buy.

Yin XinYi felt much more stable with her two cards in her wallet. She walked back to the hotel and into her room. Since she was going shopping tomorrow, she needed to do some research on the best places to buy all that she needed.

She needed connections, and what better way to meet socialites than in the place they inhabit? Of course, there were huge risks involved. She would be vulnerable and they could easily do a backup check on her. She couldn't allow that. She would just be ridiculed again.

She was very thankful that her face was unknown in Country 86. The Yin family hadn't allowed the media to show a picture of Yin XinYi, just in case it reflects badly upon them. Although she was disowned, the media were like vultures. Very hungry for any bit of news. What better news than something that could bring the reputation of the Yins down? After all, the Yin's have quite a few enemies.

Remembering the advice of Tian, whom she had met on the plane, she knew that she needed to come up with a new name.

She quickly returned back to the hotel and turned in her computer. On her browser, she searched up female names and took her time

picking one.

She mumbled, trying to find the perfect name for her. "This one? It's too much. This one? No, doesn't sound nice." After a long time, she finally found a name for herself. "Madison. Not too long, not too short. A timeless name."

Once again, she plugged in the flash drive into her computer and messaged in the group chat requesting 006 to hide her real name and identity.

Finally done, she removed the flash drive went on with researching high end malls and stores in Country 1. She created a list of malls that she should shop in to increase her chances of knowing people before arriving at the art showing.