Chapter 2

Just as the words left my mouth, a fierce-looking nurse marched into the room and threw the bill onto the bed.

She rolled her eyes. "Pay up. Don't think you can play dumb and sneak out."

I looked around the dark, cramped, foul-smelling ward, then at my daughter's stained bedsheets. I couldn't take it anymore.

I made a single phone call.

Within minutes, the hospital's Chief Director rushed in, trailed by a dozen top medical specialists. The rude nurse paled.

"Your attitude towards patients makes you entirely unfit for this profession. You are fired," the Director announced coldly.

He then turned to me, bowing deeply in terror.

"Mrs. Vance, please forgive our negligence. We had no idea your daughter was here. We are deeply sorry."

The nurse finally realized she had crossed the wrong billionaire. She tried to beg for her job, but security dragged her out.

I declined the Director's offer to upgrade her to a VIP suite. Instead, I made another call.

In less than ten minutes, an elite private medical team arrived, gently transferring Seraphina into a luxury medical transport.

My executive assistant, Amy, stood beside me in her sharp designer suit and stilettos.

She lowered her head and reported in a quiet, professional tone.

"While you were away, Julian Miller started his own tech startup. He’s been telling everyone in New York that he’s your future son-in-law to secure funding and contracts."

"He claimed he would eventually inherit your empire, and used that lie to siphon off several major projects."

"He declared that he only recognizes Chloe as his fiancée. Chloe has seized all the trusts and properties you set up for Seraphina. And... she kicked Seraphina out of the Sterling estate."

With every word Amy spoke, my expression grew colder.

I had supported Julian since he was a kid because he seemed smart. I paid for his elite private schools. I gave him a little warmth, and he suddenly thought he owned the world.

As for Chloe, she had enjoyed eighteen years of luxury that belonged to my daughter. Instead of feeling a shred of guilt, she tried to destroy Seraphina.

I clenched my fists. It seemed they had forgotten who I was.

No one messes with Victoria Vance’s daughter and lives to tell the tale!

Just then, my phone buzzed with another notification. My Black Card had been used to buy entry tickets to an exclusive underground auction tonight.

"Mrs. Vance, should I cancel the card immediately?" Amy asked.

A cold smirk played on my lips. "No. Let them play. Cancel it at exactly 7:00 PM tonight."

"Also, arrange for Seraphina and me to attend that auction."

"Yes, Mrs. Vance. I’ll handle it right away." Amy bowed.

Oh, so they love my money? I’m going to throw them a party they’ll never forget.

"And find out where these bruises on Seraphina came from," I added, my heart aching as I thought of her scarred body.

My icy aura must have frightened Seraphina. She timidly tugged at my sleeve.

"Mom... are you mad at me?"

"I’m sorry. I won't talk bad about Chloe anymore. She can have everything."

"Please don't abandon me."

Seeing her beg for my affection broke me.

What kind of lies had those monsters fed my baby? How could I ever abandon her?

"I’m not mad at you, my angel. I’m mad at myself for not protecting you."

"What belongs to you stays yours. No one can steal it. And Mom will never, ever leave you."

Her eyes lit up, shining brighter than stars.

But then her head drooped again. "But Julian said you would prefer Chloe because she’s more poised and educated. He said if I don't behave, you’ll send me back to the orphanage."

"He said he is the heir chosen by the family, and whoever he chooses gets to be the real Sterling heiress."

I almost laughed out loud at his delusion. Where did Julian Miller get this sheer audacity?

He was Seraphina’s high school senior, handsome and seemingly polite. Girls her age often fell for that type.

When Seraphina first came back, she had no friends, so I allowed Julian to stay at the estate to help her adjust.

I had invited a wolf right into my home.

I gently lifted Seraphina's chin, looking into her tear-filled eyes.

"Seraphina Sterling, you are the one and only heir to the Sterling and Vance empires. You will inherit everything."

"You don't have a sister, and you don't need a man to help you run things. You will be the sole CEO of this empire."

"Do you understand me?"

My daughter’s face finally relaxed, and she nodded vigorously.

That's my girl.