A possible concise summary is:
Valeri is an orphan who gets adopted by a fake grandmother, a politician who wants to use her for publicity. She becomes popular at school and stands up to a bully named Julie. She also bonds with her adoptive mother Amelia, who is the fake grandmother's daughter. When Valeri gets into a fight with Julie at a party, the fake grandmother threatens to kick her out. Amelia decides to leave with Valeri and they start a new life together.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker, Valeri, is from Portland and was raised in an orphanage.
2. Valeri was adopted by a politician, but she believes it's just for show.
3. Valeri meets her new mother, who she calls the "fake grandmother," and her daughter Amelia.
4. Valeri starts at a new school, where she meets a girl named Julie who is a bully.
5. Valeri stands up to Julie and becomes popular in school.
6. Valeri saves a girl from drowning in a lake and is hailed as a hero.
7. Valeri is selected as the captain of the school's swim team and leads them to victory.
8. Valeri's photo is selected for the cover of a magazine, which makes Julie jealous.
9. Valeri gets into a fight with Julie and Julie is thrown into a garbage can.
10. Valeri's fake grandmother yells at Amelia and Valeri stands up for her.
11. Valeri attends a party with her fake grandmother and meets a boy who Julie claims is her boyfriend.
12. Valeri gets into a fight with Julie at the party.
13. Valeri's fake grandmother tells her to apologize to Julie, but Valeri refuses.
14. Valeri and Amelia leave the house and the fake grandmother's wealth behind.
15. Amelia reveals that she has been saving money for years and they will be comfortable without the fake grandmother's wealth.