Chapter 2

I slid into the backseat and watched the dazzling city skyline outside. A cold smirk played on my lips.

"I want everyone in this city to see Richard Vance for what he truly is."

"Then what's our next move?" Ethan hesitated. "Vance Enterprises has run completely out of liquidity. If a cornered dog gets desperate..."

"A cornered dog will definitely snap."

I closed my eyes. Evelyn’s fake face and Richard’s arrogant sneer flashed across my mind.

"What they don't realize is that the 'trash' I bought is an actual goldmine."

As the car merged into traffic, I pulled out my phone and messaged my assistant: "Notify the heads of those three companies. Meeting tomorrow at 9 AM sharp. Also, look into Richard’s recent financial transactions. I have a feeling he’s hiding something."

An old fox like Richard would never surrender without a fight.

Sure enough, early the next morning, I woke up to my name trending all over Twitter and Instagram.

"#Heartless Vance Heiress Refuses to Save Dying Family#"

"#Biological Father Begs on His Knees While Real Daughter Watches Coldly#"

I clicked on the hashtag. It was a heavily edited video clip.

In the clip, Richard was crying his eyes out, Evelyn was pleading gently, and I sat there looking cold and callous, wiping my fingers before slamming my teacup down.

The caption was venomous: "Crisis hits Vance Enterprises! Biological daughter Chloe Vance sits on a five-billion-dollar fortune but refuses to lift a finger, publicly humiliating her aging father! Truly chilling!"

The comment section was filled with self-righteous keyboard warriors tearing me apart.

—"This girl is pure evil. How can anyone treat their own father like that?"

—"I heard she grew up in the slums. Zero class, zero manners. Guess it's true."

—"She has billions! Even if they had issues, she could at least spare some change!"

Reading through the comments, I didn't get mad. I actually chuckled.

Public opinion warfare? Using moral blackmail to force my hand?

Too bad Richard picked the wrong target.

"Ms. Vance, PR is asking if we should take down the trending topics," Ethan asked from the front seat.

"Take them down? Why?" I put my phone away and straightened my collar. "Get the car ready. We're going to Vance headquarters."

"You're going there in person?"

"If I don't go, how will they realize they're completely finished?"

Reporters were already swarming the entrance of the Vance Enterprises tower. Someone had clearly tipped them off.

The moment I stepped out of the car, camera flashes went off in a blinding frenzy.

"Ms. Vance, what is your take on the crisis at Vance Enterprises?"

"Ms. Vance, are you really going to abandon your biological father?"

"We heard your recent investments brought in billions. Why won't you help your family?"

Behind my sunglasses, I ignored the shoved microphones and walked straight toward the entrance.

My bodyguards pushed through the crowd. Just then, a shrill, trembling voice broke through the chaos.

"Chloe! You're finally here! Dad’s health is failing—can you please stop making a scene?"