Chapter 1

My grandma was 50 when she found out she was the true heiress of a powerful family.

My whole family buzzed with excitement, already plotting how to cash in on Grandma’s newfound status.

Grandpa dreamed of using the money to find a younger woman to dote on him.

Uncle Shane calculated how to land a cushy executive position where he could line his pockets. Even my cousin, Kevin, just seven years old, was demanding a sprawling mansion in the most exclusive part of the city.

Grandma, as always, agreed to everything.

She smiled, looking at me, "Lily, what do *you* want?"

But a cold dread washed over me.

Because I saw it clearly.

A flicker of murderous intent in Grandma’s eyes.

When we found out Grandma was Eleanor Albright, the long-lost daughter of the Albright Group’s founder, our entire family went wild.

Grandpa immediately started scheming:

"Audrey's back with the rich folks, and as her husband, I'm certainly coming along. I don't need much over there, just a dedicated driver and a few nannies to cater to my every whim. No problem, right?"

"Dad, that's nothing!"

Uncle Shane chuckled, puffing out his chest with ambitious pride.

"Mom is the Albright Group CEO's own daughter! Me, as her only son, I should at least be made a Vice President, shouldn't I? And Kevin, he *has* to go to the best private school!"

Kevin is my cousin, seven years old this year, and the only male heir in our generation.

Right now, he was tugging on Grandma’s sleeve, yelling at the top of his lungs:

"Old hag, a mansion! Buy me a mansion in the city center!"

No one objected to this address.

Because that's exactly how they'd called Grandma for years.

"Alright, whatever you want."

Grandma smiled, agreeing to every request.

Everyone was ecstatic, imagining their lives were about to take off, like a sudden lottery win for the whole family.

Only I stood silently in the corner, saying nothing.

"Lily, is there anything you want?" Grandma asked me directly.

I shook my head, only asking:

"Grandma, two months ago, how did you survive?"

The moment I spoke, my family’s faces instantly changed.