Chapter 1

The moment I finished speaking, Victoria Sterling’s expression tightened.

Only briefly.

She had spent decades navigating the business world. Composure was second nature to her. Within a second, her usual air of superiority slipped back into place.

Her gaze flicked to the black card on the table, and she gave a cold, dismissive laugh.

“Ten million? At least try to make it sound believable. You think flashing some random card makes you an heiress? They hand those things out like flyers. That trick might fool someone else, but not me.”

Behind her, my dear half-sister Lily Bennett burst into tears as if on cue.

She clung to Victoria’s arm, her voice trembling.

“Please don’t blame her, Mrs. Sterling. She… she must have had a hard time abroad. Maybe that’s why she cares so much about appearances… and says things she can’t prove. This is all my fault. If I hadn’t come back, Adrian wouldn’t have noticed me, and Claire wouldn’t hate me so much…”

So fragile. So selfless. So perfectly rehearsed.

In just a few sentences, she turned me into a bitter, unstable woman who had failed overseas, while quietly emphasizing her closeness to Adrian. According to her version of events, I was nothing more than a jealous ex-girlfriend lashing out.

And Victoria bought every word.

She patted Lily’s hand, her expression softening before turning ice-cold again as she looked at me.

“Did you hear that? Even after everything you’ve done, Lily is still defending you. Compared to someone like her, you’re not even in the same league.”

Her voice hardened further.

“I don’t care what you are to your father. Illegitimate daughter, stray, whatever label you prefer. It has nothing to do with the Sterling family. But let me be very clear: Adrian is my only son. We do not welcome shameless liars into this family. Take the five million and disappear.”

I nearly laughed at the performance unfolding in front of me.

I was about to respond when the café door was shoved open.

A familiar figure strode in.

Adrian.

He walked straight over, first glancing at Lily, still crying, then at his mother’s furious expression. Only after that did he look at me, his brows drawn tight.

“Claire Bennett, have you caused enough trouble?”

That accusation was even more absurd than the check.

Before I could respond, Lily had already slipped out of Victoria’s arms and hurried to Adrian, tears streaming down her face.

“Adrian, please don’t blame Claire… she didn’t mean it. She just misunderstood us…”

Adrian placed his hands gently on her shoulders, his voice instantly softening.

“You’re too kind, Lily. You don’t need to explain anything for her.”

Once he had comforted her, he turned back to me. The warmth in his expression vanished, replaced by impatience.

“My mother isn’t well, and Lily has always been delicate. If you’re upset, take it out on me. Why bring this here and make things harder for them?”