Chapter 4

Only after the bowl was completely scraped clean did Samantha finally release her grip.

I collapsed onto the floor like a puppet with its strings severed.

I shoved my fingers down my throat, coughing and dry-heaving uncontrollably. My stomach felt like it was on fire, twisting into violent knots. I curled into a tight ball, my body convulsing in spasms.

Tears, vomit, and that vile black residue smeared all over my face. I was so broken that I didn't even have the strength to lift my head.

Samantha held a clean napkin in her hand.

Hesitating for a second, she bent down to wipe my face.

My whole body jerked back in horror, recoiling as if she were a plague, and I smacked her hand away with everything I had left.

"Don't touch me!"

I lifted my head, glaring at her with bloodshot eyes.

In that instant, pure, unadulterated hatred consumed me.

Samantha froze as if scorched by my gaze.

She watched, paralyzed, as I dragged myself across the floor and scrambled blindly into the nearest bathroom.

Listening to the sounds of violent, agonizing retching echoing from the tiles—as if I were trying to tear my own stomach out—Samantha stood rooted to the spot.

"Stop staring," Lucas sneered, rolling his eyes. "You just forced him to drink sewage.

"You really expect him to look at you with heart-eyes now? He's just a walking sperm donor. Throw him a few thousand bucks later and call it a day. The Millers are absolute nobodies; I don't give a damn about them.

"Besides, his own family threw him out on the street. He’s completely powerless. We can do whatever we want to him."

Samantha turned around, her face dark and stony.

"Don't forget the funding."

"Relax, you'll get your money."

Lucas smirked. Just as he opened his mouth to mock me further, his phone rang.

He checked the caller ID, and his expression shifted abruptly. He answered in a hurry, listened for a few seconds, and then yelled toward Samantha:

"Samantha! Stop!"

Samantha had been walking toward the bathroom door, drawn by my ragged coughing.

"Don't waste your time on that trash!" Lucas snapped.

"My mom just sent an urgent alert. Alexander Sterling—the head of the Sterling Empire—just flew into New York for an emergency gala! Word is, they finally found his long-lost son and heir, and he’s officially introducing him tonight! If you don't go to that bathroom, I can take you into the VIP inner circle right now.

"You know better than anyone what kind of powerhouse the Sterling Empire is."

Samantha’s footsteps halted. She turned slowly away from the bathroom door.

Then came the sound of their hurried footsteps fading out of the villa.

From inside the bathroom, I heard every single word.

The third time.

This was the third time Samantha had abandoned me without a second thought, trading my dignity for profit.

I lay curled on the cold bathroom tiles, gasping for air.

A few minutes later, the sharp screech of tires echoed outside the courtyard gates.

I knew my real family had arrived.

...

Inside the Manhattan grand ballroom, crystal chandeliers glittered over an ocean of elite guests.

The Millers were relegated to an obscure corner. Spotting Samantha and Lucas, they immediately rushed over, bowing and scraping like loyal dogs.

"Miss Vance, Mr. Wright! That insolent brat Julian is completely out of his mind. He should have known his place, served as a quiet boy toy, and given Miss Vance a child. Demanding a real wedding was sheer stupidity! Please know he didn't offend you on purpose, Mr. Wright!"

Lucas merely scoffed, treating the couple with total disdain.

Yet, when an obscure, distant cousin of the Sterling family walked past, Lucas and Samantha instantly wore the exact same groveling faces.

"Mr. Sterling, when the head of the family comes out, we were hoping you might introduce us.

"The Wright Group and Vance Enterprises would love to collaborate..."

The distant relative didn't even bother to hear them out.

He walked right past them, brushing them off like a pair of buzzing flies.

Lucas’s sycophantic smile froze on his face. Glancing at the distracted Samantha beside him, he hissed:

"Stop daydreaming about that loser.

"Who else can he rely on besides you? What, you think he's going to sprout wings and fly away?"

Samantha still didn't say a word.

The sheer hatred in my eyes seemed to have burned a hole straight through her soul.

Right then, the master of the Sterling Empire finally took the stage.

Samantha forced herself to snap out of it and pay attention.

Alexander Sterling walked up to the podium, his sharp, commanding gaze sweeping over the crowd of billionaires and titans of industry.

He raised the microphone and announced:

"Thank you all for joining me in celebrating this monumental evening. Many years ago, my infant son was stolen from my home by human traffickers. I tore this country apart searching for him. And finally, after decades, I have brought my boy home.

"Allow me to officially introduce my son and sole heir—"

"Julian Sterling!"