Chapter 6

The convoy of armored Maybachs glided through towering wrought-iron gates that parted automatically as they approached.

As the cars wound down a long, meticulously manicured avenue lined with ancient weeping willows and blooming white hydrangeas, Liana caught her first glimpse of the Carver estate.

Her breath hitched.

Victor’s suburban villa, which he had always boasted about as the pinnacle of elite modern architecture, looked like a modest guest cottage compared to the sprawling, historic limestone mansion that rose before them.

Built in classic European neoclassical style, the estate possessed an air of timeless, regal grandeur, surrounded by vast gardens, sparkling fountains, and a pristine private lake reflecting the morning sun.

The vehicles rolled to a smooth halt in front of the grand marble portico.

Before Liana could even reach for the door handle, the heavy oak entrance swung wide open.

Liana stepped out of the Maybach and froze in sheer astonishment.

Lined up in two pristine, orderly rows across the grand staircase and foyer stood the entire household staff—over a hundred butler-dressed attendants, private chefs, estate managers, and specialized curators—all bowing deeply and respectfully in unison.

"Welcome home, Miss Liana," a silver-haired head butler announced with profound reverence, his voice echoing across the courtyard.

Liana’s chest tightened with a sweet, unfamiliar swell of emotion.

She was no longer an invisible servant walking on eggshells in a hostile house; she was the honored daughter of this ancient dynasty.

As she stepped into the breathtaking foyer, bathed in natural light filtering through a magnificent stained-glass dome, her brothers moved swiftly to surround her with unreserved affection.

Leo stepped forward, pulling a sleek, obsidian-colored card from his breast pocket and sliding it gently into Liana’s palm.

"Here," Leo said, his tone softening into absolute warmth.

"This is a global unlimited black card linked directly to the primary family trust. There are no spending limits, no restrictions, and no approvals required. Buy whatever brings you joy, Liana. If you want a yacht, a private jet, or an entire boutique, you simply sign for it."

Before Liana could process the weight of an unlimited black card, Dante grabbed her hand excitedly, practically vibrating with enthusiastic energy.

"Come on, come on! Wait until you see what I had the designers prep for you!"

Dante practically dragged her up the grand marble staircase, guiding her down a wide, high-ceilinged corridor to a pair of heavy, hand-carved mahogany double doors.

When Dante pushed them open, Liana gasped.

Her private suite spanned the entire eastern wing of the mansion.

The massive bedroom was decorated in soft ivory and rose-gold accents, featuring a plush king-sized bed, a private reading study, and a sun-drenched walk-in closet that resembled a high-end luxury boutique.

Racks upon racks of custom-tailored designer dresses from Milan and Paris filled the wardrobes, alongside velvet display cases housing rare diamonds, pearls, and emeralds.

Fragrant, endless arrangements of fresh pink peonies and white orchids filled every corner of the room, sweetening the air.

"I had my personal stylists curate your wardrobe overnight," Dante beamed proudly, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.

"No more wearing old clothes or hiding in the background. From now on, you shine brighter than anyone else."

Before she could fully absorb the breathtaking extravagance of her new home, Cassian appeared at the doorway holding a sleek leather document portfolio.

His expression shifted from brotherly warmth into the sharp, calculating focus of a master litigator.

"Take a seat for a moment, Liana," Cassian instructed gently, guiding her toward a plush velvet sofa in her private study. He flipped open the folder, spreading out copies of the marriage and property documents she had signed three years ago under Victor's pressure.

"While Dante spoils you, my job is to ensure justice is absolute."

Cassian adjusted his gold wire-rimmed glasses, his blue eyes narrowing as he scanned the fine print.

"I’ve been reviewing the marriage and property distribution clauses Victor forced you to sign when you married him. Look right here, clause fourteen and paragraph nine."

Liana leaned forward, looking at the highlighted legal text.

"He deliberately inserted predatory, illegal asset-waiver clauses," Cassian explained, a cold, predatory smile touching his lips.

"He legally coerced you into signing away your prospective claims to marital assets under false pretenses of mutual contribution, while simultaneously hiding corporate holdings under shell companies. Under federal law, these clauses are completely null and void due to fraud and bad-faith concealment."

Cassian closed the folder with a sharp snap, his smile widening into a terrifyingly confident grin. "Victor thought he was being clever by letting you walk away with nothing. Instead, he left behind a legally explosive paper trail. His attempt to leave you destitute is about to cost him every single asset, share, and property he owns. I will strip him down to his last penny."

Liana felt a profound sense of vindication washing over her soul.

The helplessness she had carried for three years dissolved into ash, replaced by the comforting, invincible armor of her family's protection.

Just as Liana stood up to walk toward the expansive glass doors leading to her private balcony, the heavy silence of the suite was shattered by a harsh, shrill sound.

BZZZ... BZZZ...

Her old, cracked mobile phone—lying on the marble coffee table—vibrated violently.

Liana paused, stepping over to pick it up. The caller ID flashed a name she never wanted to see again: Victor.

She pressed the accept button and held the phone to her ear.

Before she could utter a single word, Victor’s furious, panicked voice blasted through the speaker, distorted by sheer rage and desperation.

"Liana! What the hell did you do?!" Victor screamed hysterically, the sound of slamming office doors and rustling papers echoing in the background.

"My CFO just called! Carver Group has frozen all our accounts, and every bank in the city has blacklisted Hayes Enterprises! Did you call your pathetic friends to sabotage my multi-million-dollar contract?! You ungrateful, manipulative bitch, you call them right now and fix this, or so help me God, I will hunt you down!"