Margaret’s expression froze instantly.

Once those hidden scandals were dragged into the light, the Vance family stood to lose far more than just their dignity.

Stock prices, bank loans, and even this government project would collapse in an instant.

"This evidence," Seraphina said softly, "was something I stumbled upon in Xavier Sterling’s study back when he was 'protecting' me three years ago."

"He probably never expected that the leverage he kept to control the Vance family would end up in my hands."

Margaret stared at her as if she were seeing the "daughter" she had raised for over a decade for the very first time.

After tapping her fingers against the leather seat for a moment, she finally spoke.

"I cannot make this decision alone."

"Then go back and discuss it with my father." Seraphina tucked her phone away, her tone flat. "I doubt the Thorne family will wait much longer."

She knew they would agree.

Compared to the massive profits the Vance family would gain from the Thorne project, giving her half the estate was a small price to pay.

The black sedan drove silently away from the alleyway.

The street became empty once again.

Seraphina stood before a shop window, looking at the wrecked reflection inside, feeling a momentary sense of displacement.

After being kicked out of the Vance house, Xavier had taken her back to his villa.

For three whole years, she had been like a bird with clipped wings, content to stay in that gilded cage, thinking it was her home.

How pathetic.

Taking a deep breath, she turned and walked toward the Sterling villa.

She still had things there that had to be cleared out once and for all.

As she pushed the door open, the scent of incense hit her.

It was White Tea, her favorite fragrance.

A scent that once felt warm and safe now only made her stomach churn.

Xavier had just finished a phone call. Hearing the movement, he turned around. He paused when he saw her, a mocking curve appearing on his lips.

"And here I thought you had some backbone," he said, walking into the living room with an air of arrogance. "It turns out you just couldn't bear to leave."

He picked up a black bank card from the coffee table and slid it toward her.

"One hundred million. Take the money, and we’re even."

"Even?"

Seraphina laughed, though her eyes stung.

"Because of you, I was cast out and became the laughingstock of the city. Because of you, I spent three years as a shadow, a hidden substitute, enduring everyone’s insults."

"My parents abandoned me, and you ruined my reputation. Now you throw a card at me and expect me to get on my knees and thank you?"

She looked up, her eyes bloodshot. "Xavier Sterling, I told you—I will settle this debt slowly."

Xavier seemed amused by her stubbornness.

He suddenly leaned in close, his shadow looming over her, his voice carrying a clear threat.

"Seraphina, if I were you, I’d take the money and disappear quietly."

"If you insist on going against me, you’ll end up with nothing—no money, and no life."

"You want to collect a debt?" He smirked, his eyes scanning her pale face. "You’d better weigh your own worth first."

A surge of blood rushed to her head.

Seraphina bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted copper, barely suppressing the urge to slap him again.

She took a step back, her voice like a blade dipped in ice.

"Xavier Sterling, I will remember every single insult you’ve thrown at me today."

"One day, I will take it back. A thousand times over. Ten thousand times over."

The unmasked hatred in her eyes was like a red-hot needle, stabbing into Xavier’s heart when he least expected it.

He had seen her arrogant and vibrant; he had seen her curled in his arms with stars in her eyes; he had even seen her fragile and weeping.

But he had never seen her look at him like this.

As if she were looking at a pile of filthy, revolting trash.

His Adam's apple moved as if he wanted to say something.

But Seraphina had already turned, walking away with absolute finality, vanishing into the shadows of the foyer.

Chapter 3

Upon returning to her room, Seraphina Vance collapsed onto the floor, her strength completely spent.

From discovering the truth at the bar to negotiating the terms of the marriage alliance with Margaret, only a few hours had passed, yet they had exhausted every ounce of her energy.

On the dressing table not far away sat a framed photograph of her and Xavier Sterling.

In the photo, Xavier had his arm around her waist, smiling radiantly.

Over the past three years, she had experienced a level of care and attention from Xavier that she had never known before.

The moment she learned the truth, she had even harbored a pathetic thought: if he had wavered for even a single second, if he had ever entertained a serious thought of a future with her, she would have been willing to cast aside all her grievances and pretend none of it had ever happened.

But he hadn't.

From beginning to end, everything he did was for Sienna Vance.

At that realization, a towering wave of hatred ignited in her heart.

She hated those who gave her life only to abandon her; she hated Sienna, the true usurper who had snatched everything away; and most of all, she hated Xavier, the man who had played her for a fool for three years and trampled upon her sincerity.

Seraphina Vance had always been one to settle every score.

They had ground her into the dirt, but even if she had to crawl, she would make them pay the price they owed!

She fumbled for her phone and dialed a number.

The call was answered quickly, and a familiar, gentle voice came through:

"Sera? It’s so late, why are you calling so suddenly?"

It was Joy Evans, the only friend who hadn't distanced herself after the "Fake Heiress" scandal broke.

"Joy..."

The moment she spoke, Seraphina’s voice broke into uncontrollable sobs.

On the other end, Joy immediately panicked:

"Sera? What happened? Did someone bully you? Take your time, talk to me!"

Under Joy’s comforting words, Seraphina gradually regained her composure and, word by word, laid out the entire scheme orchestrated by Xavier and Sienna.

She gritted her teeth, the hatred in her voice nearly overflowing:

"They’re about to get engaged. After ruining me like this, why should they get to have a smooth path to happiness?"

"Joy, help me. Sienna is absolutely not as innocent as she appears, and Xavier’s hands certainly aren't clean."

"The evidence I have isn't enough. I want to destroy their reputations. I want them to pay the most agonizing price!"

After hanging up and arranging the follow-up investigation, a message from Margaret popped up:

[Your father agreed. Tomorrow at 10:00 AM, come back to the Vance estate to sign the contract.]

Seraphina replied with a simple "Okay." She spent the night packing every item belonging to her in Xavier’s villa and moved into a nearby hotel.

Early the next morning, she arrived at the Vance mansion exactly on time.

Arthur and Margaret Vance sat at opposite ends of the sofa, their expressions unreadable.

In her memory, since she was a child, this couple had rarely been seen in the same room unless it was a holiday and they had to put on a front for relatives.

Now, for the sake of marrying her off to the Thornes in South Haven, the two of them were actually sitting here "harmoniously." It was irony at its peak.

Two drafted contracts lay on the table. Most of the assets under Arthur and Margaret’s names—stocks and real estate—had been converted into cash, promised to be transferred to her in a lump sum after she married into the Thorne family.

Seraphina picked up the contracts and scrutinized every sentence. Once she confirmed there were no traps, she took the pen and briskly signed her name.

Margaret stood up, looking down at her:

"The Thornes are in a hurry. In three days, buy your own ticket and fly to South Haven. We won't be seeing you off!"

With that, she made an excuse and was the first to leave the room.

Seeing this, Arthur had no desire for small talk either. He followed suit and left immediately, as if staying a second longer was a torment.

The vast Vance mansion was suddenly left to Seraphina alone.

She took a deep breath, clutching the contracts to leave, only to run straight into Sienna, who was just returning from outside.

Both of them froze.

Sienna looked her up and down, her eyes flashing with suspicion when she saw the document folder in Seraphina's hand. Then, she curled her red lips into a smirk:

"What’s this? Did you find out the truth yesterday and couldn't wait to come back today to play daughter?"