Chapter 5

After that day, Richard and Eleanor treated me like royalty.

They’d seen the DNA results. They didn’t understand how it happened, but they knew better than to cross me now.

Grandpa let them stay in the mansion, but Seraphina got thrown out—broken and alone.

Eleanor even started cooking for me personally.

Before, I’d been lucky to get Jasper’s leftovers. I’d eaten in the kitchen with the staff.

Funny how I’d once tried to kill myself for their attention.

Turns out, money works better than tears.

"Avery, today’s the big announcement. Do we look okay?"

They wanted to play the perfect parents for the cameras, of course.

But I remembered Damian’s face in that hospital room—how tender he’d been with Seraphina.

He’d looked at me like he was planning something. I knew he wasn’t done.

So I let them tag along.

Grandpa feigned illness that day, sending his lawyer to announce me as heir.

"I object!"

All eyes turned.

Damian strolled in, Seraphina on his arm. He shoulder-checked me as he passed:

"You don’t deserve the Maxwell name."

He hit a button, and a screen lit up behind him:

"Avery’s a criminal! She runs a DNA forgery ring and traffics people!"

"She faked the DNA results! None of you know if your own kids are really yours!"

"How many families has she torn apart? How many kids stolen?"

"Is this who you want leading Maxwell Industries?"

"Is this the woman you want as your leader?!"

Fake documents flashed across the screen.

Richard and Eleanor’s eyes lit up. They put on their shocked faces:

"Avery! Tell us this isn’t true!"

Seraphina clutched her chest, tears streaming:

"I saw her! I saw her making deals with them! It’s all true!"

"Dad, we’re your real children! How can she be the heir and not us?!"

"I swear on my life—if I’m lying, may God strike me down!"

The crowd turned on me, worried about their own fortunes.

Damian capitalized on their fear:

"Guards! Take her away! She belongs in prison!"

Richard and Eleanor mouthed to the guards: 'Make sure she disappears.'

They dragged me out, blood smearing the floor. I locked eyes with Seraphina and smiled.

Struck down by lightning? Terrible end?

You just cursed yourself, Seraphina.