Chapter 1: The Call They Never Expected
"Record everything."
The words left Amelia's lips in a whisper so soft that neither the blonde woman nor the housekeeper heard them.
On the other end of the line, a calm male voice replied immediately.
"We've been listening since the moment your emergency signal activated."
Amelia slowly lowered her hand from the phone. Every breath still hurt. A sharp pain spread through her abdomen, but years of surviving manipulation had taught her one thing—
Never let your enemy know when they've actually hurt you.
Above her, Victoria's performance became even more dramatic.
"I tried to help her!" she sobbed into the housekeeper's shoulder. "She lost her balance and now she's trying to blame me!"
The elderly woman glanced toward Amelia, conflicted.
"I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding..."
Amelia didn't answer.
Instead, she quietly slipped the phone beneath her sweater, letting the call remain connected.
Every lie.
Every accusation.
Every fake tear.
Someone was recording all of it.
Less than two minutes later, black SUVs rolled through the mansion gates.
Victoria frowned.
"We're not expecting visitors."
Neither was anyone else.
The front doors opened without a knock.
Six men in dark suits entered with military precision.
Behind them walked a silver-haired gentleman in an impeccably tailored navy suit.
The atmosphere inside the mansion changed instantly.
The housekeeper gasped.
"Mr... Mr. Whitmore?"
Victoria blinked.
She had seen that face before.
On magazine covers.
Business channels.
International conferences.
Charles Whitmore.
One of the country's most influential investors.
But why was he here?
His cold blue eyes ignored everyone else.
They stopped only when they found Amelia lying on the floor.
His expression hardened.
"My daughter."
The room fell silent.
Victoria's face lost every trace of color.
"Daughter...?"
Charles crossed the room in seconds and knelt beside Amelia.
His hands trembled as he checked her pulse.
"I told you," he said quietly, "if he ever failed to protect you, I would come myself."
Amelia managed a weak smile.
"I'm sorry, Dad."
Victoria stumbled backward.
"No..."
May you like
"No..."
"This can't be happening..."
