Chapter 1

On my eighteenth birthday, my parents gifted me an estate.

My paternal grandparents transferred all the shares under their name to me.

My maternal grandparents also prepared a cool hundred million dollars as a present.

But my sister's fiancé anxiously blurted out,

“Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, I know you’re incredibly well-off, but you can’t just let Lily spend so recklessly.”

“Besides, Chloe and I are getting married soon. Shouldn’t we get a share too? Otherwise, it’s just not fair.”

Before I could even speak, my sister kicked him right out of the house.

“Who the hell do you think you are, coveting my sister’s fortune?!”

My parents had always spoiled me rotten. For my eighteenth birthday, they threw a lavish party.

Spotlights converged on the stage as I slowly walked to the center, listening to everyone’s heartfelt wishes.

My parents joined me on stage, a property deed in my mother’s hand.

“Sweetheart, when you were sixteen, you said you wanted to live in an estate that looked like a castle. Now, this estate is complete just in time for your birthday.”

“And now, it’s yours.”

I gazed at the photos in my mother’s hand, utterly stunned. The entire estate was designed exactly to my liking. I was so touched.

I couldn’t believe that a casual comment from me, a passing wish, could become a reality for my parents.

A lump formed in my throat, and I hugged them tight.

“Thank you, Dad, thank you, Mom. I absolutely adore it.”

Grandpa and Grandma Hayes also stepped onto the stage, their faces beaming with affection as they pulled out a contract.

“Darling, guess what this is?”

Curious, I took it. But when I opened it, I was shocked.

“Shares!”

Grandpa chuckled. “That’s right! Now our family business is yours to inherit. You’ll have to study hard from now on. Don’t you dare let the company go bust, or your old grandparents will be broke!”

I was incredibly surprised by this, but I confidently promised.

“Don’t worry, Grandpa and Grandma, I’ll work hard and manage the company well.”

Just then, my maternal grandfather, who’d just arrived, gave a theatrical huff. He walked up to me and slipped a bank card right into my hand.

“Running the company? That sounds like it’ll make my dear Lily too busy and too tired.”

Grandma Davies chimed in, “This card has a hundred million dollars on it, sweetheart. Keep it safe, and if you ever run out, you know who to call!”

I’d always known our family was wealthy, but today, this endless showering of money was making my head spin.

I playfully whined, leaning against Grandma, “It’s too much, too much! How will I ever spend it all?!”

Grandma pinched my nose, about to speak, but she was cut off by my sister’s boyfriend, who hadn’t said a word until now.

“Honestly, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, giving all this money to Lily, who’s just turned eighteen, seems a bit… inappropriate, doesn’t it?”

At his words, everyone in the room turned to look at him.

Leo Carter, my sister Chloe’s boyfriend, was her college classmate.

He'd pursued my sister for three years before she finally agreed to be with him. They’d just gotten engaged last month.

My parents and other relatives had always disapproved of him, feeling Chloe should marry someone from a family with similar wealth and standing.

But because Chloe loved him, they hadn't forced them apart.

Dad was already fuming at Leo’s comment. He instinctively pulled me behind him, glaring sternly at Leo.

“How much we want to give our daughter, do you really think it needs your approval?”

“What’s more, today is our daughter’s eighteenth birthday. Of course, we’ll give her something precious on such an important day.”

Leo felt Dad’s fury, but jealousy had clearly hijacked his reason. He stubbornly pressed on, ignoring the hostile atmosphere.

“If that’s the case, then why didn’t Chloe and I receive anything from you on our engagement, which was also a very important day?”