Chapter 3

Vance collapsed onto the couch and buried his face in his hands. He couldn't come up with a million dollars.

Every penny he had, including the $300,000 he'd conned out of me, had already been transferred to Margot.

Bridget stood nearby, rubbing her hands anxiously as she between from Vance and me. "Lucy, you've really gone too far this time. How could you sell the house without discussing something this important with Vance?"

I let out a cold laugh. "Discuss what? Discuss how to sell my little house so I can become your personal ATM?"

Bridget's face went white. "What are you talking about?"

I ignored her, walked into the bedroom, and locked the door behind me.

From outside came the sound of Vance smashing things, along with Bridget's lowered voice trying to calm him down. I put on my headphones and shut out the noise.

The next day, Damon's report arrived in my email.

Margot wasn't Vance's half-sister at all. She was his first love.

Three years ago, Margot thought Vance was too poor and ran off with an older man. Six months ago, the older man went bankrupt and kicked Margot out. She came crawling back to Vance.

Not only did Vance take her back, but he also disguised her as his sick sister and used her supposed illness to drain me of my money.

The report also contained records of Margot's spending over the past six months—designer handbags, high-end skincare, VIP memberships at luxury beauty clinics.

Every single purchase had been paid for with my hard-earned money. Looking at those bills made me sick.

That afternoon, Quentin called to tell me the buyer had the full amount ready and could complete the transfer at any time.

The buyer was a reliable distant cousin I'd found.

Most of the money came from payments I'd received for several renovation projects I'd taken on for major corporations. I combined that with the mortgage I'd taken against my little house and a portion borrowed through a personal line of credit. I scraped it all together just enough.

I knew I was taking a gamble, but I had to win. I was going to get this property completely out of Vance's name.

The transfer went smoothly. Five million dollars was deposited into Vance's account.

However, the exact second the money arrived, the asset-preservation order I'd filed with the court took effect.

Vance's account was frozen in full. The stated reason was that he was suspected of transferring premarital assets.

After everything was done, I walked out of the property registry office, the sunlight stinging my eyes.

Vance still had no idea his account had been frozen. He thought the five million dollars was safely in his hands.

That evening, I took a cab to the hospital where Margot was staying. I waited for a while downstairs in the hospital.

Before long, Vance and Margot came out.

Margot was wearing a brand-new trench coat from the current season and walking in high heels. There wasn't the slightest sign of someone suffering from leukemia.

Vance carefully shielded her as they laughed and chatted their way into a taxi.

I immediately hailed another cab and followed them.

The car stopped outside the most luxurious shopping mall downtown. I put on a mask and hat and followed them from a distance. They walked into a luxury jewelry store.

Margot pointed at a diamond necklace in the display case and coyly tugged on Vance's arm. "Vance, I love this one. Will you buy it for me?"

Vance glanced at the price tag.

$120,000.

He nodded without hesitation. "Buy it. If you like it, I don't care how much it costs. Besides, the condo sold for five million. The money's already in the account."

Margot happily threw her arms around Vance and kissed him. "You're the best, Vance! That idiot could never imagine that all the money she worked so hard to get from selling her house would end up in my pocket."

Vance sneered. "She's just an ATM. Once we're back from the Maldives, I'll break up with her."

I stood behind a pillar outside the store, holding up my phone and recording everything clearly.

The sales associate smiled broadly as she brought over the card reader.

Vance pulled out his bank card and handed it to her.

Beep.

The card reader displayed: Transaction declined. Account frozen.

Vance froze. "How is that possible? Run it again."

The sales associate tried again. The transaction failed again.

Margot's expression changed. "Vance, what's going on? Didn't you say the money had arrived?"

Vance was sweating all over. He pulled out his phone and checked his balance.

The screen showed: Account status: Frozen.

He panicked and immediately called the bank's customer service line.

I watched him pace frantically around the store, put my phone away, and walked off.