Chapter 1

Serena Sutton, the spoiled princess of the Sutton crime family——They call her the human lie detector.

Lie to her face, and she snaps and slaps you across the face.

And somehow, she’s always right.

When Serena was barely two, her mother, Cheryl, lost her baby after being secretly drugged.

Little Serena could barely walk, but she toddled over to her father’s mistress.

She grabbed the woman by the hair and smacked her over and over with her tiny hand.

"Bad lady! Baby killer!"

That was the first time people started whispering.

The kid could smell a lie.

Then, at eight, she did it again.

This time, it happened at a dinner hosted by the Sinclairs—the most powerful mafia family on the East Coast.

That night, the Don was there.So was his wife, Diana.

And his favorite mistress was there too—the mother of his only son, Liam.

Serena marched right up to the mistress and slapped her clean across the face.

"Liar! You were sleeping with a bodyguard before you ever crawled into the Don’s bed!"

Within a week, the mistress was dead.

Officially, it was suicide.

Nobody bought it.

But nobody said a word, either.

Diana took the dead woman’s little boy and raised him as her own.

That boy grew up to be Liam Sinclair, heir to the family empire.

As for Serena Sutton?

Untouchable.

Nobody wanted to cross the girl who could expose your darkest secret with one slap.

Until today.

Liam’s engagement gala.

Diana wants a bride she can control.

Serena is her top pick.

And me?

I’m Yvonne Sheldon, daughter of Diana’s biggest obstacle.

My father is the Don’s right hand—the only man in the Family Diana can’t touch.

I walked in tonight as Liam’s other choice for a bride.

Cameras everywhere.

Half of Manhattan watching live.

Serena hasn’t slapped anyone in years.

But now she’s storming straight at me, hand raised.

"YOU! America’s golden girl? Please. You’ve been passed around by half the city!"

The room goes dead silent.

One slap, and my name is gone.

Too bad I’m not the easy target they think I am.

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Fine when she plays her little games with other girls.

But coming after me?

On live TV?

The slap was coming down when Daisy jumped in and caught her wrist mid-swing.

Serena yanked twice, couldn't break free, and out of pure humiliation whipped her other hand across Daisy's face.

"I'm a Sutton, you cheap little maid! You dare put your hands on me?"

Daisy took the hit and didn't let go. Her eyes went red.

“My lady is the Don’s right hand’s daughter! The Don himself has praised her character in front of the entire Family. You don’t get to smear her just because you’re throwing a tantrum!”

Serena snorted.

"You gonna use the Don to scare me? He knows about my thing. That dinner years ago—"

"Serena, shut up!"

The second the old scandal was mentioned, Cheryl—Serena’s mother—went white.

She rushed forward, stopping in front of Richard and Diana.

"Sir. Ma'am. My daughter didn't mean to drag Miss Sheldon into this. She's just—she's had this condition since she was a baby. She can't stand a lie. Every time the staff argues at home, she settles it, and she's never once been wrong.

Maybe it just misfired today. Let me take her home before she ruins the gala."

A chill ran down my spine.

Because what she just said? That wasn't an apology.

That was another headline waiting to happen.

Serena's a walking polygraph.

She does everything on instinct.

That dinner years ago proved it.

So whatever she said today must be true, too.

The room erupted in whispers.

Even Richard and Diana looked grim.

If I don't clean this up right now, I lose everything.

My name.

My father's name.

The entire Sheldon reputation—gone.

And once the other families hear this, my father won't be able to protect us anymore.

I stepped forward, keeping my back straight.

"Sir. Ma'am. My family's name is on the line. Give me a chance to prove myself."

"If Miss Sutton is telling the truth, I'll take whatever comes next. So will my family."

Silence.

Then Diana's voice cut through the room, cool as ice.

"Every criminal in prison says they're innocent."

Translation: don't waste your breath, sweetheart.

My heart shot up into my throat.

Then, thank God—the Don's deep voice cut her off.

It was low, cold, and final.

"I've praised the Sheldon girl myself. I'll give her a chance."

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