Chapter 1 - The Arrival
The heavy mahogany doors of the banquet hall suddenly blew open with a deafening crash.
Mrs. Sterling froze completely, her hand still reaching aggressively for the lapel of my coat.
Chloe stumbled backward in shock, her eyes wide as a dozen men in tailored black suits stormed into the room.
They moved with terrifying precision, forming a solid wall between me and the Sterling family.
The guests in the room gasped, completely paralyzed by the sudden shift in power.
Liam stepped forward, his face pale and sweating.
"Hey, who are you people?" Liam demanded, though his voice shook uncontrollably.
"You cannot just barge into a private event!" he yelled, trying to sound authoritative.
The men in black did not answer him, nor did they even acknowledge his existence.
Instead, the crowd parted as a tall, imposing man with silver hair walked slowly into the hall.
It was Arthur, my father's right-hand man and the head of our family's security empire.
He wore a custom Italian suit, and his eyes were as cold as absolute ice.
"Nora, are you hurt?" Arthur asked gently, his tone contrasting sharply with his dangerous appearance.
"I am fine, Arthur, but they were just about to forcefully strip me," I replied clearly.
Arthur’s gaze slowly shifted to Mrs. Sterling, and I watched the color completely drain from her arrogant face.
"You were going to lay hands on the sole heiress of the Vance Corporation?" Arthur asked in a deadly whisper.
The entire banquet hall erupted into shocked murmurs at the mention of my true family name.
Liam’s jaw dropped to the floor, staring at me as if he was looking at a ghost.
"Vance? What is he talking about, Nora?" Liam stammered.
May you like
I straightened my coat and looked my spineless husband right in the eye.
"It means this charade is over, Liam."
