Chapter 3
Seeing the fear flash across my face, Victoria’s red lips curved into a cruel smile “Getting nervous? That must be quite the hinte fuxury plecer“]}
Panic seized my chest. The value doesn’t matter tos personal – please give it backt“||
Treached desperately for the necklace.
This wasn’t just another plece from Cartier, it was a sacred memento that my mother had sacrificed everything to obtain for me.
Thad been deathly ill as a child, lying comatose in Mount Sinai Hospital at age four.
The specialists had advised my parents to prepare for the worst, but my mother refused to accept defeat
She sought out an ancient monastery in upstate New York, praying ceaselessly for my recovery.
My mother, in the sweltering August heat, made a grueling pilgrimage to the remote sanctuary.
I
She was nearly delirious when she finally received this blessed necklace, driven only by her desperate love for me.
It seemed as if divine intervention itself responded to her unwavering
faith
Miraculously, I emerged from the coma, but the ordeal had permanently damaged my mother’s health.
On her deathbed at Sloan Kettering, she made me promise to keep the necklace safe.
Since childhood, that necklace had been my talisman, a constant reminder of her love pressed against my heart.
It wasn’t about the precious metals or gems. It was my last connection to my mother, and I couldn’t bear to see it damager
“Try to get it back, and I’ll make sure it’s destroyed!” Victoria sneered
Before I could move, she slammed the necklace onto the marble hotel steps.
The sickening crack of shattering metal and gems resonated through my body as the pendant exploded into fragments across the polished stone.
“No!”
My heart shattered with it, watching my mother’s final gift disintegrate before my eyes.
I struggled to breathe, the world spinning around me.]
“You absolute monster!” I snapped.]
I slapped Victoria with every ounce of strength I had, leaving an angry red mark on her face.
“You psychotic bitch!” Victoria screamed, clutching her cheek, her voice echoing off the hotel’s facade.]
“Someone put this gold–digging whore in her place!
“A million cash to whoever gives me the best show”
The crowd turned savage in an instant.[]
ou can mess with Victoria? She’s about to be the First Lady of Global Prime Industriest Who do you think you
“You think you are?“]
“It’s just some stupid necklacel Shouldn’t you be used to losing things, selling yourself to the highest bidder? Why the dramatics?”
“Trashy homewrecker! You really thought you could show up here and play tough? Did you think we’d be intimidated?
Even Mrs. Reynolds couldn’t resist joining the mobs mentality!]
I hit the ground hard, shaking with fury and shame, jaw clenched tight.
“You’ll all live to regret this!
My former classmates laughter dripped with cruel derision.[]
“Regret? This isn’t high school anymore! Being valedictorian doesn’t make you untouchable now!“]
“Exactly! You’re just another failed wannabe! Out here being a sugar baby and still think you can threaten us?”
“Know your place, side piece! You should be grateful anyone even looks your way!”
“How low can you sink? Sleeping with your old classmate’s man? You’re digging your own grave!“]]
They pinned me against the cold marble, their vicious taunts mixing with the crowd’s jeers and spittle.[]
Victoria towered over me, victory gleaming in her eyes as she ground her Louboutin heel Into my
cheek
“Regret? I’ve never regretted a thing in my life! I can’t wait to see how you plan to make me regret this!”
Suddenly, a convoy of black Maybachs and Rolls–Royces thundered up to the hotel entrance.
Nathan stepped out of the lead car, su
