Chapter 1

Just back from studying abroad, my parents were beyond thrilled at my welcome party, ready to gift me a stunning ocean-view villa.

But before I could even say a word, my brother’s fiancée quickly interjected.

“Why would you give her, a girl, such an expensive villa?”

Her gaze, light and dismissive, swept over me.

“The baby I’m carrying, it’s already confirmed to be a boy!”

“If you dare give her that villa, I won’t have this child. Your family can just forget about having an heir.”

I listened to her words, utterly perplexed.

Didn't she know Caleb was just an adopted child in our family?

“Mom, Dad, I missed you both so much!”

Stepping out of the luxury car, I practically flew into my parents’ arms.

My mother, tears welling in her eyes, gently stroked my cheek.

“Chloe, our empire is vast, and you just had to go study abroad. Look at you, you’ve gotten so thin!”

I knew Mom was worried about me, so I just smiled and snuggled deeper into her shoulder.

She playfully squeezed my nose and led me to the dining room.

“I’ve prepared a whole table of your favorites, just for my little foodie.”

My father, seeing me glued to my mother, sounded a little jealous as he raised his voice.

“Chloe, since you’re back, your mother and I are planning to get you a villa.”

“Pick any villa you like, Dad’s footing the bill for everything.”

I immediately hugged his arm.

“You’re the best, Dad!”

Father beamed, a proud grin on his face.

“How about an ocean-view villa at Ocean Crest Estates?”

“You could even be neighbors with your brother.”

I was about to excitedly throw myself into his arms.

But then, Brittany, Caleb's fiancée, violently shoved her chair back.

“I object!”

“Why would you give *her*, a girl, such an expensive villa?”

“When she gets married, that house will just become someone else’s property.”

She rolled her eyes at me, then glanced at my parents before crossing her arms and turning her head away.

I’d heard about Caleb’s fiancée even while I was studying abroad.

Brittany and Caleb had been dating for three years, and she was already intimately familiar with everything about our family.

Once, when I was video calling Caleb, he’d even introduced her to me, sitting on our living room sofa with his arm around her.

We’d exchanged a few words ourselves.

Lately, with Brittany and Caleb discussing marriage, she’d really started acting like she owned the place.

But even so, my parents giving me a villa didn't need her permission, did it?

Still, remembering how sweet and approachable she’d seemed during our past conversations, I swallowed my annoyance and asked.

“What’s wrong, Brittany? Pre-wedding jitters?

“Where’s Caleb?”

Brittany shot me another disdainful look, but then, seeing my parents’ expressions darken, she quickly put on her familiar gentle façade.

“Oh, Dad, Mom!”

“Please don’t misunderstand me, I’m saying all this for the Sterling family’s good.”

“Caleb and I are getting married soon, and the company is on an upward trend under Caleb’s leadership. There are so many places where we need money.”

“But a villa at Ocean Crest Estates costs tens of millions. I’m just worried that the family’s funds might get tight, and then what would we do?”

Mom walked over to Brittany, gently coaxing her to sit down.

“You don’t need to worry about this. The money for Chloe’s villa was set aside a long time ago.”

“It won’t affect your wedding with Caleb or the company’s cash flow.”

Father, still comforting me, cast a cold glance at Brittany.

But she wouldn’t let it go.

“That may be true, but Caleb told me he wants to expand into some overseas markets, and the company needs a lot of capital during the initial phase.”

“Even if we don’t use those tens of millions, it would be much better to just keep it in the bank.”

“Who gives their daughter such an expensive house?”

“When Chloe gets married, that house will just take on someone else’s name!”

“Dad, Mom, how can you be so clueless?”

“Besides, Chloe has read so many books; she’s full of sly schemes. She’s definitely not going to treat you well in the future.”

Listening to Brittany’s increasingly outrageous comments, I couldn't help but frown.

Mom, too, looked at Dad and me, speechless.

Seeing no one refute her, Brittany grew bolder.

“Dad, you’re retired and enjoying life now; you truly don’t know how hard it is to earn money these days.”

“If it weren’t for Caleb bustling and toiling for the company, how could you be living such a comfortable life?”

“To be blunt, buying Chloe a villa is essentially taking Caleb’s money to buy a villa for Chloe.”