Chapter 2

Following the address Miranda sent, I rushed to a private hospital on the outskirts of the city.

Miranda had just flown in from the airport. She looked like she wanted to say something but held back.

I shook my head. "Save it, girl. We're going to catch them red-handed!"

As we approached the VIP ward, security stopped us.

"Sorry, CEO Sebastian has reserved this entire floor for his wife's liver transplant surgery. No unauthorized personnel allowed!"

Miranda's brow furrowed as she looked me up and down.

"His wife? Lily, are you sure you're not sick? ”

“Don't hide it from me. I'm the best transplant surgeon in the world. If you're ill, I'll treat you!"

I rolled my eyes. "You're the one who's sick, babe!"

Then I turned to the guard, teeth clenched.

"I'm Sebastian Brooks' 'friend.' I'm here to visit his wife, Lily Sterling, and their daughter Chloe!"

The security guard scoffed, eyeing me with pure disgust.

"You can't even get CEO Sebastian's wife's name right, and you're trying to kiss ass? Get this through your thick skull: His wife is Victoria Vance! The sole heiress to the Sterling Empire!"

"I've seen plenty of nobodies like you trying to suck up with gifts. Leave them here and get lost!"

Miranda's frown deepened.

"Sterling Empire? Isn't that your family's company? Who the hell is Victoria Vance?"

Rage boiled in my chest. I'd already pieced together the truth.

Victoria, the woman Sebastian always called "just a friend."

Also known as "mommy" to my daughter Chloe.

Miranda's eyes widened in shock.

Finally, she understood what was happening.

She took a deep breath and pulled out her credentials.

"I'm the lead surgeon for this operation. I just flew back from overseas."

The guards exchanged nervous glances and finally let us through.

The hallway outside the ward was packed with people.

I immediately spotted Sebastian and Victoria, arm-in-arm, soaking up compliments and congratulations.

"Mr. Brooks and CEO Victoria—what an enviable power couple!"

"The most enviable part? CEO Victoria gave Mr. Brooks such a sweet, devoted daughter!"

"So young, yet willing to risk her life to donate her liver to save her mother! That little girl is truly Ms. Vance's treasure!"

Victoria looked smug.

"What can I say? I'm absolutely obsessed with my daughter! Back when we wanted to conceive her, I had to beg Sebastian to try eighteen different positions before we finally succeeded!"

I frowned instinctively.

Sebastian was conservative.

In all our years of marriage, he'd been prudish about sex—never willing to experiment.

Even saying something flirty would earn me a cold glare and accusations of being shameless.

But now? He wasn't angry at all.

Instead, he playfully scolded her.

"How dare you say something like that in public?"

Sebastian wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close shamelessly.

"Did I lie? To give birth to our sweet Chloe, you practically drained me dry! I deserve a medal!"

The crowd erupted in laughter.

Some people joked they wanted to learn her "advanced techniques."

Sebastian grinned and pulled Victoria closer, pretending to reenact one of their positions.

My blood boiled.

"You bitch!"

I lunged forward and slapped Victoria hard across the face.

It happened so fast no one could react.

Sebastian gasped and rushed to catch Victoria before she stumbled.

He turned on me, furious.

"Who has the guts to lay a hand on my wife?"

Chloe, who'd been lying in the ward waiting for surgery, came running out.

"Mommy, are you okay?"

The next second, both father and daughter froze when they saw me.

Chloe stopped in her tracks and shrank back.

I laughed bitterly. "Sebastian Brooks, you're such a devoted father! You're actually letting my daughter donate her liver to your mistress?"