Chapter 3

The words had barely left my lips when the menacing Nurse Reynolds stormed in, tossing a bill onto the bed.

Her eyes narrowed with blatant disdain. "Pay up! Don't think you can get away with this."

I took in the stench of disinfectant, the dim, crowded ward, and the filthy bed Lily lay on. My patience snapped.

With one phone call, Dr. Hayes, the hospital director, rushed in with a dozen medical staff. Nurse Reynolds's face went white with shock.

"Your attitude toward patients makes you unfit to work here. You're fired."

After his pronouncement, Dr. Hayes immediately bowed deferentially to me, profusely apologizing.

"Ms. Thorne, it was our oversight. We deeply regret the distress caused to your daughter."

It was only then that Nurse Reynolds realized the gravity of her mistake. She tried to plead her case, but security guards swiftly escorted her out.

I declined Dr. Hayes's offer to move Lily to a private ward. Instead, I made another call.

Within ten minutes, a professional medical team arrived, carefully transferring Lily to a private ambulance.

Clad in stilettos, my sharp and efficient assistant, Ms. Davies, followed behind me, respectfully reporting.

"During your absence, Julian started his own venture, publicly claiming to be your future son-in-law to gain business advantages."

"He asserted you would eventually let him inherit the company and took many projects from the corporation."

"He also declared he would only recognize Cassandra as his fiancée. Cassandra has appropriated all the assets you prepared for Lily and… even kicked Lily out of the Thorne family mansion."

The more she spoke, the colder my expression became.

I had seen a certain shrewdness in Julian, paying for his elite private academy since childhood. But I gave him a little kindness, and he thought he was hot stuff.

Cassandra lived as my daughter for over a decade. Not only did she show no guilt, but she was trying to completely usurp Lily's rightful place.

I clenched my fists. They seemed to have forgotten my methods.

No one bullies Seraphina Thorne's daughter and gets away with it!

At that moment, my phone buzzed again with a black card spending alert—an entry fee for an auction.

"Ms. Thorne, should I cancel this black card immediately?" Ms. Davies inquired.

A faint smile played on my lips. "Not so fast. Cancel it just before 7 PM."

"Also, Lily and I will be attending the underground auction tonight."

"Understood, Ms. Thorne. I'll make the arrangements." Ms. Davies respectfully agreed.

So, they like money, do they? I'll give them a grand gift tonight.

"Also, investigate how Lily got her injuries." Thinking of the myriad of cuts and bruises on my sweet daughter's body, I felt a fresh wave of anger and heartache.

The icy aura radiating from me startled Lily. She cautiously tugged at my sleeve.

"Mommy, are you mad at me?"

"I'm sorry, Mommy. I won't say bad things about my sister anymore. I can give her anything."

"Please, don't abandon Lily."

Watching her trying so hard to please me, my throat tightened.

What in the world have they been filling her head with? How could I ever abandon her?

"Mommy isn't mad at you, my sweet. Mommy's mad at herself for not protecting her precious daughter better."

"What belongs to Lily, no one can take away. And Mommy would never abandon you, my love."

Hearing my words, her eyes suddenly lit up, shining brighter than stars.

Then, she lowered her head again, murmuring softly.

"But Julian said Mommy would definitely prefer the more outstanding Cassandra, and if I wasn't obedient, I'd be sent away."

"He said he was the son-in-law chosen by Mom and Dad, and whoever he chose would be the Thorne family's daughter."

I let out a short, humorless laugh. Where did Julian get such confidence?

He was Lily's senior at school, seemingly accomplished and popular, the type young girls usually adored.

At the time, I was concerned Lily wouldn't know anyone after returning, so I allowed Julian to continue staying at the Thorne mansion to look after her.

I hadn't realized I was inviting a wolf into the fold.

I gently lifted Lily's chin, gazing into her tear-filled eyes.

I spoke each word clearly and deliberately. "Lily Thorne, you are the only child of my family and the Thorne Corporation. You will inherit everything."

"There's no such thing as a 'sister' you need to impress or appease, and you don't need a husband to 'help' you. You will be a future CEO, a powerhouse in your own right."

"Do you understand?"

My little girl's expression slowly cleared, and she nodded vigorously.

That's more like it.