Chapter 9

Sophia Laurent's bank card had been used by Victoria Lowell for two years straight. She'd never bothered to calculate the exact amount.

At most, she'd assumed it was two or three million. Nine million was impossible.

Victoria hesitated. Sophia's icy voice cut through the silence.

"The statement has been sent to your phone. Feel free to verify it."

Victoria's expression froze. "Let's not dwell on that now," she said awkwardly. "Just unfreeze the card so I can pay."

Sophia arched an eyebrow.

For the first time, she saw through the Lowell family's glamorous facade to the ugliness beneath.

"Mrs. Lowell, what makes you think I'd pay for you?"

Victoria choked before rallying. "I gave birth to you! Your money is mine by right!"

Sophia nearly laughed.

"Shall I refresh your memory?"

She turned toward the window, her voice dropping colder. "I was sent to Emily's family right after birth. They kept accounts from when I was six. Raising me until thirteen cost them seven thousand three hundred."

"At thirteen, I returned to the Lowells. Five years cost you seventeen thousand—including Emily's hand-me-downs."

"After college, I never took another cent from you."

Victoria frowned. "Your father didn't provide for you?"

She distinctly remembered her husband giving each child an allowance.

Sophia tapped the documents. "Freshman year, Emily 'lost' a necklace. You all decided I stole it."

"What does that have to do with money?"

"You cut off my allowance. Said it would resume when I confessed. Forgotten already?"

Victoria finally recalled.

Back then, she'd been too busy comforting Emily to remember.

"How was I supposed to know he actually stopped it? You should've spoken up if you needed money!"

Sophia nodded. "It's insignificant. But Mrs. Lowell, helping yourself to nine million of my money seems inappropriate, no?"

Once, she'd craved their love. That vulnerability had made her easy prey.

Victoria fell silent.

After a long pause, she mumbled, "Let bygones be bygones. Just pay for me now."

Sophia stared.

She laughed softly. "Victoria Lowell, where's your shame?"

The documents were tossed aside.

"The days of considering you family are over."

Her voice rang clear and cold.

"I'm severing ties with the Lowells."

When she cared, they were family. Now, they were just parasites.

A smirk curled Sophia's lips.

"Go ask your four sons and precious daughter..."

Let's see how much their beloved Emily can spare.

Victoria brightened. "They're far more capable than you—"

Sophia laughed outright. "Go collect then."

The call ended.

Oliver Granger, Pearl Group's CEO, asked gently, "Everything alright?"

"Perfect."

Sophia met his gaze. "Contact legal. I'm filing for misappropriation of assets."

Victoria stared at her disconnected phone, livid.

First priority: securing payment.

She dialed William Lowell, her eldest and most powerful son.

"Darling, I found some lovely things. Wire me some money?"

William, fresh from losing his temper at a bidding war, forced calm. "Of course."

Victoria hung up cheerfully.

The notification popped up: $10,000.00.

"What?"

She redialed immediately. "Ten thousand won't cover anything! Send three million!"

William paused. "How much?"

"Three million!"

"..."

"Where are you? This isn't some scam, is it?"