Chapter 1

My dad's college sweetheart returned to the country.

He slammed the divorce papers into my mom’s face, sneering with pure arrogance.

"Take your useless brat and get the hell out of my house."

My mom signed in silence, and he strutted away, practically glowing with triumph.

I honestly wanted to pop champagne and set off fireworks for my mom.

"Congratulations to the newly reunited billionaire heiress—talk about double the blessings!"

The moment Arthur's long-lost flame returned from abroad, he didn't hesitate for a second to divorce my mom, laying down his venomous parting words.

"If your mom hadn't hidden the letters Lily left for me back then, I never would've missed out on all these years with her!"

"And as for you, you little mistake, don't you ever show your face in front of me again. Just looking at you reminds me of your mother’s sickening face."

Arthur threw the signed divorce papers directly into my mom’s face, turning on his heel and swaggering out the door.

Watching my mom sign the last page, I cheerfully packed up all our things.

We moved out of that cramped, fifty-square-meter dump in record time.

I could have set off fireworks right there.

After all, just this morning, my mom was officially confirmed as the long-lost daughter of a multi-billionaire.

She was already looking for a reason to kick him to the curb and get me a proper dad anyway.

Once everything was packed, I tossed every last remnant of our old life straight into the dumpster.

That very night, my billionaire grandfather sent his luxury fleet to bring my mom and me to his sprawling estate.

The next evening, Grandfather booked a table at the city's most exclusive five-star hotel to welcome us properly.

My mom walked ahead, gently supporting Grandfather's arm, while I followed close behind.

The moment I looked up, we ran right into Arthur, Lily, and Lily's daughter, Chloe.

The three of them looked cozy and cheerful, playing the part of a perfect, happy family.

Catching sight of my mom, Lily instantly hooked her arm through Arthur’s, pitching her voice into a soft, sickening purr.

"Oh my, isn't that Eleanor? What a coincidence, running into you here."

My mom frowned slightly, clearly not wanting to waste a breath on her.

Lily's daughter, Chloe, had no intention of letting it go. She eyed my grandfather with dripping disdain and thinly veiled jealousy.

Taking in Grandfather’s commanding presence and unmistakable aura of old money, her eyes turned green with envy.

She sneered nastily, "Well, Eleanor, look at you climbing the social ladder! Found yourself an old sugar daddy who spoils you rotten, huh? Must be nice."

My mom paused, quickly realizing what Chloe was implying.

Hearing that made my blood boil. Just as I stepped forward to put her in her place, my mom gave my wrist a gentle pat, signaling me to stay calm.

Chloe’s gaze dropped to my mom’s brand-new designer dress and the limited-edition crocodile-skin Hermes bag on her arm, fueling her malice even further.

She continued with venom dripping from every word, "Still, Eleanor, you really aren't picky, are you? Settling for an old fossil on his last legs just for cash... honestly, I admire your stomach."

I couldn't hold back anymore. I took a sharp step forward, glaring icily at Lily and Chloe.

"Are you two just envious, or are you genuinely that pathetic? How my mom lives her life is none of your damn business."

Arthur frowned, looking at my mom with a face full of self-righteous disappointment.

"What are you doing, Eleanor? You literally just finalized the divorce, and you’re already whoring yourself out for a sponsor? Don’t you have a shred of self-respect?"

"Lily and Chloe didn't say a single lie! What kind of daughter could a gold-digging tramp like you raise anyway? You both disgust me."

"Come on, Lily. Wasting our breath on people like this only lowers our standards."