Belle, a 15-year-old orphan, discovers she has a famous singer mother, Madeline, after a chance encounter. Madeline claims Belle is her long-lost daughter and wants to re-adopt her. However, Belle soon realizes Madeline's intentions are not genuine but rather a publicity stunt to boost her career. Madeline has been using a voice double, Juliet, to sing for her and wants Belle to join in on the deception.
Belle is torn between her desire for fame and her disgust at Madeline's dishonesty. She ultimately decides to leave Madeline's mansion but returns when Madeline falls ill. Madeline then offers Belle a chance to become a pop star by featuring her in a duet with Juliet.
Belle's former caretaker, Miss Vivian, cautions her about the dangers of living a lie and being part of Madeline's secret. Belle is eventually convinced to do the right thing when Juliet reveals that she has been forced to be Madeline's singing voice due to a blackmailing scheme.
In the end, Belle decides to leave Madeline's mansion and join Miss Vivian, who is leaving for a new job. Belle is determined to pursue her music career honestly and make amends for her past mistakes.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The narrator, Belle, lives in an orphanage in France.
2. Belle has always been curious about her parents and asks the warden about them.
3. A famous singer named Madeline claims that Belle is her long-lost daughter.
4. Madeline says she had Belle 15 years ago, but abandoned her at the hospital due to her budding career.
5. Belle agrees to a DNA test, which confirms that Madeline is her mother.
6. Madeline wants to re-adopt Belle and offers her a life of luxury.
7. Belle decides to leave the orphanage and live with Madeline.
8. However, Belle soon discovers that Madeline's life is not as perfect as it seems.
9. Madeline's assistant, Juliet, is actually the one who sings on Madeline's albums, not Madeline.
10. Belle is shocked and feels betrayed by Madeline's deception.
11. Despite this, Belle decides to stay with Madeline and even agrees to record a duet with Juliet.
12. The album is a huge success, and Belle becomes a pop star overnight.
13. However, Belle's conscience is still troubled by the fact that she is living a lie.
14. When Madeline falls ill, Belle stays by her side and takes care of her.
15. Once Madeline recovers, she offers Belle a deal: she will launch Belle's solo career in exchange for Belle's continued silence about Madeline's deception.
16. Belle agrees, but is still unsure if she is doing the right thing.
17. Meanwhile, Juliet develops a bad throat infection and is no longer able to sing.
18. Madeline is devastated by the news and tries to find a way to get Juliet to sing again.
19. Juliet reveals that she has been repaying a debt to Madeline for 15 years, ever since her brother stole from Madeline's family.
20. Belle and Juliet decide to leave Madeline and start fresh.
21. Belle returns to the orphanage and catches up with Miss Vivian, who is leaving for a new job in another city.
22. Belle decides to join Miss Vivian and start a new life, free from the lies and deception of her past.