CHAPTER 1: THE CALL THAT FROZE THE ROOM
“Dad… everything happened exactly as you warned me…”
The entire mansion fell silent.
Kyle frowned.
Thalia’s smirk slowly faded.
Then a deep, calm voice echoed through the phone.
“Are you hurt, sweetheart?”
Her eyes filled with tears for the first time that night.
“No, Dad. But everything is over now.”
There was a brief pause.
Then the man spoke again.
“Good. Stay where you are. I’m coming.”
Kyle scoffed.
“Who exactly is this? Another pathetic attempt to scare me?”
She looked at him quietly.
For years she had endured every insult.
Every betrayal.
Every lie.
But tonight, something inside her had changed forever.
“Kyle,” she said softly. “Do you know why I never cared about your money?”
He laughed.
“Because without me, you would have nothing.”
She smiled for the first time.
A smile that terrified him.
“No. Because everything you own exists because my family allowed it.”
His expression darkened.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
She slowly walked toward the giant window overlooking the city.
“Do you remember three years ago when your company was on the verge of bankruptcy?”
Kyle froze.
“You suddenly received investors.”
“You suddenly got government contracts.”
“You suddenly became one of the fastest-growing businessmen in the state.”
She turned around.
“You thought that was your talent.”
“It wasn’t.”
“Every single door was opened because my father ordered it.”
Kyle’s face immediately turned pale.
“That’s impossible.”
But before anyone could say another word…
The sound of dozens of black vehicles entering the estate filled the night air.
Security guards rushed outside.
Luxury sedans lined the entire driveway.
Then everyone saw him.
An older man with silver hair stepped out.
Every guard instantly lowered their heads.
Because he wasn’t just another wealthy businessman.
He was Ethan Whitmore.
One of the most influential men in America.
The founder of an empire worth hundreds of billions.
May you like
And her father.
Kyle suddenly couldn’t breathe.
