Chapter 2

Sophia Laurent felt nothing but bitter irony.

Her life had diverged completely from Emily Lowell's at age thirteen. They should have returned to their rightful places, yet the Lowell family insisted on keeping their adopted daughter.

Emily was sent to Patriarch Lowell for elite upbringing, while Sophia—the true biological daughter—became an outsider in her own family.

"The Valdemar marriage contract will always belong to Emily." Those were the first words she heard upon returning to the Lowells.

Now that Alexander Valdemar lay in a vegetative state, suddenly they remembered her?

"Do you think just anyone can climb into the Valdemars' good graces?" Richard Lowell slammed the table. "If not for Patriarch Lowell's past favors, this opportunity would never fall to you."

Sophia's lips curled into a cold smile. "If it's such a golden opportunity, why not send your precious Emily?"

"You—!" Richard's face darkened.

Victoria Lowell immediately shielded Emily. "Sophia, how can you be so cruel? Emily was raised delicately. She's not as... resilient as you."

Sophia's fingers trembled slightly.

Resilient. Before thirteen, she'd gutted fish and chopped meat at the wet market for her adoptive parents, her hands perpetually chapped. In freezing winters, she'd scrubbed the family's laundry in icy water until her fingers turned raw.

And Emily? Playing piano in silk pajamas, basking in central heating.

"Does Fourth Brother think I should marry?" Sophia turned to Nathan Lowell, the entertainment industry's top idol.

Nathan's face twisted in disgust. "Even diminished, the Valdemars are aristocracy. Don't be ungrateful."

"A healing marriage?" Sophia scoffed. "Who still believes in that superstitious nonsense?"

"Sophia!" Richard thundered. "You know exactly what shape Lowell Entertainment is in! Without the Valdemars' support, we're finished!"

Sophia clenched her fists.

She knew better than anyone. As William Lowell's shadow strategist, she'd built Lowell Entertainment's success. Now that William's recklessness had backfired, she was expected to clean up the mess?

"Aunt Margaret's condition..." Richard suddenly softened his tone. "The Valdemars have the world's top medical team."

Sophia's breath hitched.

Margaret Clementson was the only one who'd ever shown her kindness. After the accident two years ago, Margaret had remained in a vegetative state.

"I'll marry." The words scraped from her throat.

Her parents' faces lit with triumph.

"On one condition." Sophia lifted her pale face. "I want three percent of Lowell Entertainment's shares."

The room plunged into silence.

Emily suddenly burst into tears against Victoria's shoulder. "Don't trouble yourselves, Mama, Papa. I'll—"

"Absolutely not!" William pulled Emily into a protective embrace, glaring at Sophia. "Must you torment Emily at every turn?"

Sophia studied their hypocritical expressions and laughed.

"No shares? Then let your precious daughter perform the healing marriage."