Chapter 3

Nelson spoke with passion and conviction. The room erupted in applause, and reporters praised him as a businessman willing to sacrifice his own flesh and blood for justice.

I lowered my head on cue, my body trembling slightly.

To outsiders, it looked like I was overwhelmed with emotion.

In reality, it was because Nelson's hand was locked tight around my injured forearm.

He leaned in close and hissed into my ear, his voice venomous.

"Smile more naturally, or I'll pull the plug on your grandmother's ventilator! That old hag is in a care facility. I can decide whether she lives or dies in one sentence."

My grandmother was my only weakness in this world.

Nelson knew exactly how to control me.

I lifted my head and forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

The interview ended, and we returned backstage.

Nelson released me with disgust, took a wet wipe from his assistant, and scrubbed his hands as if he had touched something filthy.

"I'm glad you know your place." He tossed an elegant gift box at me. "This is your compensation."

I opened it.

Inside was neither jewelry nor cash, but a Declaration of Renunciation of Inheritance Rights and a one-way plane ticket overseas.

"To avoid suspicion, the family assets will go to Lilith," Nelson said casually. "You were kidnapped, after all. Your reputation's damaged, and there's a stain on you. Staying here would hurt Howe Corporation's stock price."

He spoke as if it were only natural.

"Sign it, and go abroad. I'll give you some money to spend. Don't stay here and be an eyesore."

Nearby, Lilith was opening her own gift.

Inside was a dazzling pink diamond necklace. The center stone was enormous, its sparkle blinding.

Lilith squealed, "Thanks, Dad! How much did this cost?"

"Ten million dollars," Nelson said warmly, patting her head. "Exactly what the kidnappers asked for. See? I didn't give them a cent. I saved it and bought you a gift instead. That's keeping wealth in the family."

Ten million dollars.

So in my father's calculations, my life was worth exactly the stone hanging around the fake heiress's neck.

I looked at the document in my hand, the corner of my mouth lifting into a faint, cold smile.

"Fine. I'll sign it."

Only after signing would the show truly get interesting.

-

With the dirty money gone, a massive hole opened up in the company's accounts.

Nelson and my brother, Randall Howe, panicked like cats on a hot tin roof.

At dinner, Randall tossed a thick stack of documents in front of me.

"Since you're not leaving the country, go help out at the company," he said. "These are the subsidiary's financial statements. Check them and sign."

His tone was full of contempt.

"Dad's right. You're the elder sister. It's time you got some real experience."

I flipped through the files.

Every page was fake. Tax evasion, inflated profits, fabricated transactions. The moment I signed, I would become the legal scapegoat and rot in prison for the rest of my life.

This was their idea of experience.

Last time, I had signed like an idiot and died under torture in prison.

"Sure. I'll sign."

I picked up the pen and signed my name cleanly.

What they couldn't see was that I had already set a timed delivery of the real data backup straight to the inbox of the Regulatory Enforcement Division.

"There's more good news," Randall said, visibly pleased as he sliced into his steak. "Mr. Schultz really admires your so-called sense of justice. He wants to form a marriage alliance and invest in Howe Corporation."

Paul Schultz was infamous in their circles, a pervert who had caused the death of three wives.

This was the future they had arranged for me, selling me at a good price to plug the financial hole.

My mother placed the most tender piece of fish onto Lilith's plate and turned to advise me.

"Alexis, you lost a finger, and your reputation is ruined. You should count your lucky stars that Mr. Schultz doesn't mind! We don't want people to talk. Young men from decent families would think you're tainted. Marrying someone like Mr. Schultz is the practical choice. He's older and knows how to take care of a woman."