Chapter 1

Ivan Judd continued babbling, "I know you're still young, you don't know what real hardship is. But I'm not like you. Kids who grow up poor have to grow up fast. I understand how hard your mom's life is way better than you do!"

He stepped closer, spit flying as he talked. "You blew 128 thousand dollars with a tap of your finger just like that, but do you have any idea how hard your mom has to work for that kind of money? She's had to put on a smile, down drink after drink, and spend countless nights working till dawn.

"Outsiders don't see the struggles of a lone woman fighting her way through the world alone. But you're her daughter. Shouldn't you, of all people, understand?"

I couldn't help but laugh from sheer anger watching Ivan look so heartbroken.

Disregarding the fact that Mom practically forced 200 thousand dollars into my hands as a monthly allowance, she even bought me a 1.28-million-dollar car for my 18th birthday two years ago. I had only casually asked for it, but she hadn't even blinked before agreeing.

Mom's favorite saying was, "Making money is way too easy. I was afraid I'd have no one to help spend it, so I had you through IVF just to help me out in the spending department."

How we spent our money was a family matter. Since when did some outsider get a say on it?

"Pick it up!" I glared at the parcel Ivan had grabbed from me and thrown on the ground, frowning hard. "Intentionally damaging someone's property is a crime. Touch my stuff again, and I'll call the cops!"

"Hah!" Instead of backing off, he doubled down. "You brat! You're ignoring me when I'm trying to talk some sense into you?"

Ivan stepped forward and grabbed my arm. His tone was threatening when he said, "I'm warning you—your mom and I are about to register our marriage. So, that makes me your stepfather legally! As your parent, I'm ordering you to return all this useless crap right now! Or else—"

Scoffing lightly, I smacked his pointing hand away with the parcel. "You're so eager to play dad. Do you even know my mom's full name?"

Ivan folded his arms and replied confidently, "Of course, I do! Charlotte Livingston, the chairwoman of Livingston Group who made her fortune in fashion. Who doesn't know her?

"Not only that, but I also know that your biological dad died young, so your mom raised you all on her own. That's what Lottie personally told me when we started dating! Still don't believe me?"

I wasn't stupid enough to believe in Ivan. After all, what he said was literally a simplified version of the fake info I'd filled up for my college enrollment record just to save myself the trouble.

He must've peeked at it the day he helped our advisor sort through the records.

I only made up a cover story about my father passing away early so people wouldn't pry into the fact that I was an IVF baby. I wasn't expecting Ivan to take advantage of that.

Judging by how unhinged he was acting, I figured this wasn't his first day being like this.

I lost my patience in dealing with Ivan as class was about to start. I bent down to pick up my parcel before turning to leave.

Soon enough, I heard him barking into the phone. "That's right, it's me! Freeze all bank cards under Mindy Livingston's name. Every single one! Let's see if this will teach her a lesson today!"

I rolled my eyes after hearing Ivan's words. He must've been watching too many trashy TV shows lately to be imagining he was the top dog. College had absolutely melted his brain.

But my phone started buzzing in my pocket just as I was about to step out of the mailroom's doorway.

A bad feeling shot straight through my chest.

I pulled my phone out, and on the screen was an urgent notification from the bank.