Chapter 5

I sat in the spacious and luxurious Richard family mansion again after many years.

Everything around me was grand and opulent, yet so unfamiliar that I felt utterly out of place.

Father sat opposite me, his eyes filled with weariness and guilt.

"I always thought your mother was doing well with you."

"I didn't know she passed so early. All these years, I never dared to disturb your lives."

"I only recently found out about you. You've suffered, and it's my fault, Sophia."

I gently shook my head, but tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.

Years of wandering and hardship flooded my mind in that moment.

He looked at my reddened eyes, his tone growing more distressed.

"Yesterday was your birthday, Sophia, and I missed it."

"I'll throw you a belated birthday party, publicly announcing your identity, telling everyone you are my daughter, a Richard."

I instinctively shook my head, wanting to refuse this belated amends.

It was too late; I no longer needed any of this.

But Father's attitude was exceptionally firm, not giving me a chance to decline.

He immediately gave orders for the preparations of the banquet.

The Richard family's efficiency was remarkably high.

Within a few days, a grand birthday banquet was meticulously arranged.

Meanwhile, my phone kept vibrating non-stop.

It was Liam.

An endless stream of transfer notifications filled my screen, followed by his coaxing messages.

He softly apologized, saying he had been momentarily confused and shouldn't have treated me that way.

I remained silent throughout.

I understood his intentions too well.

He wasn't missing *me*.

He only missed the Sophia who was hardworking, cheap, and easy to use.

He missed the Sophia who could be used as a reference point to highlight his deep affection and devotion to Victoria.

I looked up at my father beside me, my voice calm and steady.

"Dad, would you mind setting me up on a blind date?"

"I want to fend off these messy troubles."

Father readily agreed.

"No problem, Sophia. I'll introduce you to the most eligible bachelors in our circle."

On the night of the birthday banquet, the elite gathered; almost all the prominent figures in the city were present.

Liam and his friends were also, surprisingly, on the invitation list.

In a corner of the banquet hall, a few guys chatted.

Someone patted Liam's shoulder, their tone teasing.

"Hey Liam, didn't you say the other day you couldn't get in touch with Sophia anymore?"

"This newly recognized heiress of the Richard family is also called Sophia. It couldn't be your poor girlfriend, could it?"

Liam scoffed: "How could it be?"

"Someone like her, an ordinary girl with nothing, how could she be a Richard heiress?"

Someone nearby chimed in, with an envious tone.

"I heard that tonight's banquet isn't just a belated birthday celebration."

"Ethan Knight from Knight Industries is also here, specifically for a blind date with the Richard heiress."

Liam's disdain deepened, his voice certain.

"Then it's even less likely to be her."

"Someone who'll never climb to the top, how could she be worthy of Ethan Knight?"

As his words fell, the entrance to the banquet hall suddenly fell silent.

I, dressed in a haute couture gown, walked slowly into the venue, side by side with Ethan Knight.

My gaze fell directly on Liam.

The moment our eyes met, the smile on Liam's face instantly froze.

He stared, slowly scanning me from head to toe.

Taking in my expensive gown, my exquisite makeup.

*Clatter!*

A crisp shattering sound suddenly rang out.

The high-stemmed glass in his hand crashed heavily to the ground, wine splashing everywhere.