Chapter 4

Suppressing the urge to tear them apart right then and there, I walked down the stairs while taking photos with my phone.

Normally, cameras were strictly banned here. But for me, rules didn't apply.

I dialed a number that made both the legal and underground worlds of New York tremble.

"Missing me, honey? Did Sera love her birthday surprise?" If anyone outside heard the ruthless head of the Sterling syndicate speak in such a soft, doting voice, they would have died of shock.

"Look at the photos I just sent you."

"Harrison Sterling! Our biological daughter was beaten so badly she was hospitalized, and now they're abusing her right in front of me. What are you going to do about it?"

A heavy silence fell over the line. When he spoke again, his voice was pure ice.

"I’m landing in ten minutes."

I hung up. I knew they were done for. Harrison wasn't like me; when he lost his temper, he burnt down entire dynasties.

They would spend the rest of their lives regretting this day.

Around twenty students wearing Pinecrest Academy uniforms stood in a circle, sneering down at Seraphina, shoving her back down every time she tried to push herself up.

"Give me back my necklace."

"I came with my mom. I wasn't tracking you!" Seraphina cried out, her face pressed against the floor.

The short-haired girl laughed mockingly, dangling the royal necklace in front of her.

"Your mom? The trash-picking beggar woman? She probably couldn't even crawl past the front gate unless she slept with some old security guard."

"Shut up! Don't you dare talk about my mother like that!" Seraphina fought back with sudden fury, ripping a chunk of her own hair free as she lunged forward to grab the necklace.

She fell back to the floor, panting, staring at the girl like a cornered, feral wolf. The girl flinched, taking a step back in fear.

"Listen up, everyone. Whoever hits her once gets ten thousand dollars. When my mom gets back from Europe, I’ll make sure she helps your families’ businesses too!"

Chloe stepped forward, wearing a pristine designer gown, with Julian wrapping his arm tightly around her waist.

At her words, the eyes of the classmates lit up. Clearly, this wasn't the first time they had been paid to abuse Seraphina.

"You got it, Chloe! I’ve been practicing my swing. I’ll make sure you're satisfied," the short-haired girl sneered.

She unclipped the thick metal chain strap from her designer purse. It was made of solid, heavy iron links.

"Julian, you don't feel bad for her, do you?" Chloe cooed, looking up at him with faux concern.

Julian didn't even blink. "Whatever makes you happy, babe. This is just her destiny."

Seraphina, who had been struggling on the floor, went completely still. The boy she had secretly loved for years had just dismissed her life like she was a stray dog.

"Julian, you're the best," Chloe squealed.

The jock classmate immediately piped up, "Chloe is the daughter of the Sterling empire, and her mother is Victoria Vance. Julian is her perfect match.

They were born with gold spoons. Seraphina isn't even worthy of polishing their shoes!"

Chloe beamed, soaking in the adoration.

"You only have yourself to blame for trying to seduce Julian and pretending to be a Sterling," the short-haired girl laughed, raising the heavy iron chain to strike Seraphina.

"Stop right there!"