Chapter 2: The Woman Who Stole Two Sisters

Victoria turned toward her stepmother.

"Tell me the truth."

Eleanor forced a smile.

"She's manipulating you."

Emily quietly shook her head.

"I remember everything."

The ballroom listened.

"I wasn't killed."

"I was sold."

Gasps rippled through the guests.

Emily explained that after their father's fatal car accident, Eleanor had secretly arranged for a broker to take the younger child away.

She told Victoria the little girl had died during a flood while staying with distant relatives.

But in reality...

Emily had been handed to a struggling couple hundreds of miles away in exchange for money.

When they later died, she entered foster care.

She spent years moving from one family to another.

The only things she never lost were the silver locket...

...and the memory of whispering the same words every birthday.

"Happy birthday... big sister."

Victoria stared at Eleanor in disbelief.

"You destroyed our family."

Eleanor's composure finally cracked.

"I did what I had to do!" she shouted.

"If both daughters stayed, your father's fortune would've been divided!"

"I protected what belonged to us!"

Victoria looked at the woman who had raised her.

For the first time...

She saw a stranger.

Security quietly entered the ballroom.

Victoria never looked away.

"Eleanor Ashford..."

"Leave my house."

"And don't ever call yourself my family again."

The guests erupted into stunned whispers as security escorted the screaming woman toward the exit.

Her empire of lies collapsed in front of everyone.