Chapter 3

I didn't expect another uninvited guest to show up the very next day.

Lucas barged past my secretary and slammed my office door open.

"Well, look at you, Victoria! It really is you. When Dorothy told me, I didn't want to believe it. But here you are, back in the city."

"Bullying your own little sister the moment you get back? Some older sister you are."

Lucas had aged quite a bit over the last twenty years. There was gray hair at his temples, and he looked like a seasoned businessman.

But one thing hadn't changed: his blind devotion to Dorothy. Just like twenty years ago, he immediately took her side and started pointing fingers at me.

I slowly capped my pen and stood up.

"Sir, watch your mouth. There is no Victoria here. You are standing in the office of Victoria Samuels, the founder of CN Tech."

"Furthermore, I license my technology to whoever I want. It’s purely business."

"There is nothing personal about it."

"Now, if you are suffering from early-onset dementia, I suggest you visit a hospital."

"Why, you—!"

Lucas slammed his fist on my mahogany desk, his face turning red with anger.

"You’ve got some nerve, Victoria! Just because you got lucky and started a little company, you think you can look down on us now?"

Brother? I wanted to laugh.

Where was this 'brotherly love' twenty years ago when they conspired to send me to prison?

Where were they when I finally finished my three-year sentence, only to be handed a five-thousand-dollar card and kicked out of the country to starve?

They told me back then that the Johnson family couldn't have a 'criminal' ruining their reputation.

Why didn't anyone talk about family values back then?

And now he wanted to talk about feelings? What a joke.

I looked him up and down with pure disgust.

"Sir, I’ll say it one last time. My name is Victoria Samuels. I don't go by Victoria anymore."

"And I don't have any siblings. Get out of my office."

Lucas refused to budge, but my security guards quickly arrived and dragged him out by his arms.

After that incident, I tightened the security at the front desk. They weren't allowed anywhere near my floor.

I finally enjoyed a few days of peace.

That was until I received a VIP invitation to a high-society charity gala hosted by the Morgan family.

After some consideration, I decided to go.

But the moment I walked into the venue, I ran straight into Dorothy and Mario.

"Victoria!" Dorothy squealed, running toward me with a fake, bright smile.

"I knew it was you! I didn't expect to see you at Mrs. Brown’s gala tonight."

"Oh, but Victoria, you do know this event requires an exclusive VIP invite, right? Not just anyone can walk in."

"Do you actually have an invitation?"

She stared at me with her wide, innocent eyes, practically oozing superiority.

I frowned, thinking of Mrs. Brown who was waiting for me inside. I had zero interest in playing along with her little drama.

I brushed past her hand and turned to walk away.

But she wasn't having it. She chased after me and grabbed my arm, her face instantly shifting into a victim expression.

"Victoria, why are you ignoring me?"

"Is it my fault again? Did I do something to make you hate me?"

Her voice was just loud enough to draw the attention of the surrounding guests. In seconds, people began whispering.

"Wait, isn't that Victoria? The oldest Johnson daughter?"

"Oh my god, it is! Didn't she go to prison years ago and get disowned by her family? Why is she back?"

"Twenty years and she's still as toxic as ever. She’s throwing a tantrum the moment she sees Dorothy."

"Seriously. Everyone knows Victoria has a criminal record. She’s nothing compared to Dorothy, who is so talented and sweet."

"Victoria, Dorothy is just trying to be nice. Don't be so dramatic!" Mario stepped forward, shielding Dorothy as if I were some kind of monster.

But I hadn't even said a single word.

My phone buzzed in my hand. It was a text from Mrs. Brown, letting me know her husband was ready to discuss our project partnership in the private lounge.

"I have a business meeting. Move," I said coldly.

I tried to step around them, but someone grabbed my arm from behind and yanked me back.

The force caught me off guard. My heels slipped, and I fell hard onto the marble floor.

My phone flew out of my hand and smacked against the ground, the screen instantly going black.