Chapter 3

Alex looked deeply at Lydia's sleeves. The cuffs had been washed so many times that the color had started to fade.

"Maya is right."

Alex's voice was calm, but his tone carried unquestionable authority. "Lydia has taken good care of your mother and your child these past few years. She has also kept this entire household running. If she didn't make all those sacrifices at home, would you be able to focus on your business without worry?"

Cold sweat appeared on Eric's forehead. "Dad, that's not what I meant..."

Alex snorted. "I know exactly what you meant. Lydia is your wife, so she deserves what she is entitled to. Tomorrow, have the lawyers come over. Transfer 50 percent of our family's assets and company shares into Lydia's name."

The words shocked everyone.

Eric shot to his feet. "Dad, how can you do that?"

Vivian was so shocked that she nearly fell off the couch.

She had worked so hard to get Lydia out of the family.

Yet Alex was now planning to give Lydia half of the Lincoln family's fortune.

Seeing how terrible Vivian's face looked, I felt excited.

There was no way I would let her take money that belonged to my family.

Vivian didn't do anything for the next two days after the transfer of the shares was finalized.

But I knew she would never give up that easily.

That weekend, Lydia was in the walk-in closet upstairs, sorting through clothes for the new season.

At some point, Vivian came upstairs.

She leaned against the doorframe and smiled. "Mrs. Lincoln, would you like me to help you organize everything? I noticed some of your coats are getting pretty old. Mr. Lincoln is going overseas for a business trip in a few days. I can ask him to pick up some new designer clothes for you while he's there."

As she spoke, she walked into the closet without waiting for permission.

I was sitting on the hallway carpet, hugging my stuffed doll.

When I looked up, I saw the "ultimate gold digger" label above Vivian's head suddenly flashing wildly.

Then it changed into a black word.

"Thief."

I froze for a second. Then I quickly put down my stuffed doll and quietly crept over to the closet door. I peeked inside.

Lydia had her back to Vivian. She was standing on a small stool, putting storage boxes onto a high shelf.

Vivian stood in front of the vanity. Her eyes were fixed on an open jewelry box sitting on the table.

Inside was a pink diamond ring.

It was the birthday gift Eric had given to Lydia last year and was worth 300,000 dollars.

Vivian looked around. When she saw that Lydia wasn't paying attention, she quickly reached out.

The moment she got the ring, she slipped it into her pocket as naturally as if she had done it many times before.

I took a deep breath.

Then I suddenly pushed the door open and pointed at Vivian. "Vivian! Why did you take Mom's ring?"

My voice was so loud that everyone on the second floor could hear me.

Lydia jumped in surprise and nearly fell off the stool.

Vivian's face instantly turned white.

She stammered, "Ma... Maya, what are you talking about? Why would I take something that belongs to your mom?"

I ran over and grabbed the bottom of her suit jacket. "I saw you take it with my own eyes! That was Dad's birthday gift to Mom! You're a thief!"