The True Crown

The prestigious Paris exhibition hall descended into utter chaos. Shocked chatter rippled across the auditorium as guests and critics stared at Chloe in disbelief while she screamed hysterically on stage, frantically denying her crimes.

Minutes later, heavy footsteps echoed through the entrance. A team of French federal agents and local police marched into the venue to place Chloe under official arrest for grand corporate espionage, intellectual property theft, and high-value fraud.

The moment Jacob spotted the police uniforms, his face drained of color. He turned on his heel and sprinted toward the back exit, desperate to escape. But before he could take ten paces, two imposing figures from Drake’s private security team stepped out from the shadows, blocking his path and pinning him to the floor.

"No! Get off me!" Jacob shrieked, his voice rising in pathetic panic as the officers handcuffed him. "I have nothing to do with this! You can't arrest an innocent civilian! I'll sue all of you! Let me go!"

A dark, satisfied smile touched my lips as I watched them drag him away in utter disgrace.

It’s time to wipe out the Mendez family once and for all, I thought. And that rat Jacob is coming down with them.

I turned to Uncle Elias, giving him a quiet, decisive nod. It was the signal to initiate the full financial liquidation of David Mendez’s commercial assets—destroying his ambitious greed at its root.

Uncle Elias gave a subtle nod in return, a dark, amused smirk gracing his lips. Every single person who owed a debt to my mother and me was about to pay in full.

"Now," I whispered, watching the streaming cameras follow the police escorts out, "let's see how David and Valerie react when they realize their entire world has burned to ash."

"It's done, Aurelia," Vivian said excitedly, stepping up beside me with a tablet in hand. "Thanks to your last favor, I've officially registered your original masterpiece into the standing gallery roster. It's time for you to show the entire world who you really are."

She smirked mockingly toward the stage. "I wonder how those fools back home will feel when they realize they hid a brilliant gem while trying to polish a worthless piece of stone."

"I bet their faces will be quite colorful, won't they, kitten?" Drake interjected softly, stepping behind me.

I took a deep breath, turning to Mrs. Ann Smith and giving her the signal. Today, I would present the true work of Aurelia Mercer. I would prove to the world that I was no longer the weak, useless woman they once walked over. Today marked the total severance of my bloodline from the Mendez name.

At that very moment in New York, inside the grand Mendez mansion, two figures sat in paralyzed terror.

David and Valerie stared at the television screen, their faces as pale as ghosts. Before either of them could speak, every landline and mobile phone in the house began ringing simultaneously—sounding like a frantic disaster siren.

Dozens of furious business partners and private creditors were calling at once. Panic turned to absolute horror as automated notices flooded their screens: their corporate stock had plummeted to zero, their credit lines were terminated, and federal agents were actively freezing every bank account and piece of real estate under David's name.

Back in Paris, as the commotion from the arrest settled, Mrs. Smith stepped up to the main podium to address the remaining crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Mrs. Smith announced, her regal voice commanding immediate silence. "Tonight has been filled with intense revelations, but we now have the honor of introducing a true, undeniable talent—the daughter of our most cherished master, Evelyn Mercer. Please welcome Aurelia Mercer!"

Applause erupted across the hall. I walked gracefully onto the main stage, carrying myself with absolute poise as the crowd fell silent in respect.

"Good evening, everyone," I said into the microphone, my voice steady and clear. "Before I unveil my debut collection, I would like to dedicate this moment to my late mother. I want to tell her that I have begun collecting the debts owed to us... and I will not stop until every last piece is returned. Tonight, I officially present my work—born from a new beginning, and forged in vengeance."

Deep within my chest, a profound sense of peace took root. I was finally stepping out of the shadows, revealing my true self to the world. My only regret was that the mother who had first taught me how to hold a paintbrush was no longer here to see it.

A heavy curtain behind the podium pulled back, revealing my centerpiece painting.

The entire room froze. The piece was breathtaking—a vivid, lifelike masterpiece radiating raw emotion and mastery. Gasps of sheer awe swept through the venue as critics and collectors stood spellbound, completely mesmerized by the artwork.

I stepped off the stage with quiet satisfaction. Before I could even reach the VIP area, a pair of strong arms pulled me into a tight, possessive embrace.

It was Drake.

I was startled by his sudden public display of affection, but as his arms tightened around my waist, I understood. He wasn't just holding me; he was proud that I was finally free from the nightmare of my past life.

"Kitten, you're so brave," Drake whispered near my ear, his voice laced with a subtle tremor. "You shine so brightly now... I'm almost afraid I might lose you."

I let out a soft laugh, touched by his rare vulnerability. "What are you talking about? You won't lose me, Drake. As long as you never betray me—because that is the one thing I will never forgive. Remember that."

"Whooo! Lovebirds, calm down!" Vivian's teasing voice shattered our moment. "Get a room already! Stop showing off how sweet you two are!"

Drake let out an annoyed huff, glaring over his shoulder. "Tsk. Shut up, Vivian. Why are you even still standing here?"

I laughed softly at their childish banter, feeling lighter than I had in years.

Later that evening, after the exhibition concluded, Uncle Elias met us in the private lounge with a legal folder.

Because of Chloe's public fraud conviction and arrest, a hidden clause in my mother's original estate trust had officially been triggered. Elias and I finalized the paperwork, legally transferring the entire Mendez estate and David's remaining personal holdings directly into my name.

To celebrate our victory, Drake took me to an exclusive, candlelit private restaurant overlooking the Seine.

As we sat together enjoying our dinner, Drake looked across the table, his dark eyes intense and serious. "Kitten, now that you're free... when are you going to give me an official status?"

I looked at him, my expression softening. "Not yet, Drake. We need to return home first. Once Jacob is released on bail, he will frantically try to move those fake assets I set up for him. That will mark his absolute end. After that... we can officially begin our love story."

Drake's atmosphere shifted in an instant. His gaze grew dangerously sharp, like a predator eyeing his long-awaited reward.

Before I could explain further, Drake stood up in one fluid motion, casually sweeping the wine glasses and tableware off the wooden table with a sharp crash.

I gasped in surprise, but before I could utter a word, Drake leaned down, lifted me effortlessly, and set me down on the cleared table.

"I told you before, kitten," Drake growled, his voice thick with raw desire as his hands gripped my waist. "I promised I would take you on a table... and tonight, I am collecting my interest."

He began unbuttoning his tailored suit jacket, his dark eyes fixed entirely on mine. My pulse hammered against my ribs, my breath growing heavy in the quiet, heated room.

I looked at him with a mischievous, breathless smile, leaning forward to pull him close by his tie. If he thought I was his prey tonight... he was about to find out that I was more than ready to consume him, too.