Chapter 4

To the police, that all but proved I'd run off with the money, and they threw everything they had into arranging to go abroad and bring me in.

Seeing that, Mom and Dad kept laying on the sob story.

"See? If she weren't running off with the money, why would she need guns? She's guilty, plain and simple!

"Please, you have to help us bring our daughter back! The future of Talbot Holdings is in your hands!"

Only one veteran officer gave them a long, hard look.

"But we've checked, and there's no money missing from Talbot Holdings' books.

"Besides, buying a gun is legal over there. She could just be protecting herself.

"You two wouldn't be using the police to settle a private family matter, would you?"

Mom and Dad exchanged a look.

They shook their heads over and over and even swore they weren't.

Even though it was obviously a false report, the police got ready and went all in on the case.

In her hospital bed, a weak and battered Cora still refused to give up.

She was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, and ugly burns covered her everywhere.

"I'm going to the Frostmark!

"Mom, Dad, she did this to me on purpose. You have to stand up for me!

"I've always tried so hard to get on her good side. Why does Maeve hate me so much..."

Mom's eyes instantly welled up, her heart breaking for Cora.

"Don't you worry. I'll drag her back home even if I have to tie her up!"

Dad slammed his fist on the table.

"How dare she! Backwater places breed nothing but trouble. We never should've brought her home. We should've left her out in those hills to rot!"

Rhys's face was grim.

"Cora, you're not well right now. Going to the Frostmark is just asking for trouble. Why don't we go with your mom and dad to Solvarra and find Maeve instead? I'll make sure you get your payback.

"You know what? Maeve's been paying top scientists a fortune to secretly research a way to cancel the sensory swap.

"But I found her lab, and I've already sent people over to destroy everything they've done.

"With things where they are, the priority is bringing her back."

Cora was a little reluctant, but what he said made sense.

"Maeve, I won't let you get away with this!"

At that moment, she felt completely sure of herself. After all, everyone was on her side.

That huge mansion was full of photos documenting her life from the day she was born, keepsake baby teeth, and every award she'd ever won in school.

But I, the biological daughter they'd lost for twenty years, couldn't even get the most basic apology.

A family like this wasn't worth missing anymore.

With everything ready, they made a big show of it, descending on my hotel with police from home and from Solvarra.

Cora made a point of wearing a tank top and a micro-miniskirt, and she smugly texted me.

"This 118-degree heat can't burn me, but you're going to find out exactly what it feels like to have your skin scorched."

I scoffed.

Had they forgotten that the heat wasn't the only danger? A pampered family flashing its wealth in a country they knew nothing about made an easy target.

And so, their grand manhunt against me began.

Mom, Dad, and the police carefully surrounded my luxury suite.

Meanwhile, Cora was lounging in her skimpy outfit by the Ambrose River, soaking up the sun.

Everyone thought I was finished.

Elise called me, overjoyed.

"Ms. Talbot! The sensory swap has been successfully canceled!

"You're free!"

At that very moment, I was eating steak in Everglen, where it felt like spring all year round.

And Rhys and Dad got calls at the same time.

"Barron Group's been bought out completely—for two hundred dollars! And the people who went to make trouble at Maeve's lab were all beaten half to death!"

"The shareholders are pulling out, and our partners have all bailed! Talbot Holdings is finished!"

"Mr. Barron! Mr. Talbot! You have to come home now!"

Then Cora's screams for help exploded in their ears like a thunderclap.