“Mr. Vance, you're really overthinking this.”
Martin sighed：
“Forget it.
“I'll take the loss.
“I can marry you.”
I froze.
He looked at me：
“Nadia, if that's what you're after, then fine. I accept.
“We go down to city hall right now and make it official. What do you say?”
I was so choked I couldn't speak for a long moment.
“My heart probably still won't be with you, but I'll do my best to fulfill a husband's duties.”
I couldn't stand another second of this.
“Show him out.”
“Nadia!”
Martin frowned：“Why do you have to keep going after Victoria and Anne?!”
I stared at him, cold：
“Show. Him. Out.”
He looked at me like I was beyond reason.
My people escorted him away.
I pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose：
“If anyone else comes looking for me, turn them away at the door.”
But the next day, one of my staff came in again：
“Chairwoman Henson, there's a visitor outside who insists on seeing you.
“She says she's your mother.”
More than twenty years had passed, and my mother still looked at me with that same cold indifference.
She stepped inside.
Her gaze swept the room first, taking in the surroundings.
A thin, scornful laugh：
“Twenty years, and you really have been biding your time.”
“Mrs. Henson, say what you came to say.”
She looked at me：
“Lying low for twenty years, all for today. Am I right?”
I frowned.
She stepped closer：
“Daughter. You are my daughter.
“I know you hate me.”
And with that, standing right in front of me, she dropped to her knees.
I stared at her, stunned：“Mom?”
“If this is what it takes for you to let go of your anger, then Mom can kneel.
“My little darling.”
She watched me：“Mom still likes calling you the name I picked out for you myself.”
My outstretched hand stopped in midair.
Her eyes locked onto mine, unblinking：
“What happened back then was entirely my choice.
“I won't regret it. But I will take responsibility.
“I owe you an apology.”
I looked at her with a bitter smile：
“For Victoria's sake, Mom, you're actually willing to go this far.”
“Yes.”
I quietly pulled my hand back：
“Mom. There's one question I've never understood.
“Will you answer me?”
“What?”
“How can you be a philanthropist celebrated at home and abroad, helping so many children in need?”
My voice cracked：“And yet you wouldn't even treat me fairly?”
She went still.
I looked at her through burning eyes：
“I even had a DNA test done in secret.
“I am your child too. Aren't I?”
She lowered her head.
“Mom. Say something.”
“I'm sorry.”
She looked up at me, her gaze absolutely unwavering：
“But I don't want Victoria to suffer.”
I laughed.
She didn't want Victoria to suffer.
So it was fine if I did?
My laugh turned bitter, mocking：
“Get up.
“I'm not going to forgive anyone.”
“My darling!”
I said nothing.
“Nadia……”
She was practically begging.
I stood by the window：“Show her out.”
She stared at me, eyes red.
The sorrow gave way to bitterness, then bitterness became resentment, even fury.
The door slammed behind her.
I watched her retreating figure from the window, then gave the order：
“Arrange a high-society matchmaking gala for Ronnie. No restrictions on wealth. Anyone with good character and the right age is welcome to attend.
“Anyone but Anne Stephens.”
“Yes.”
The gala was arranged within days.
Ronnie dressed impeccably for the occasion.
“Arranging a marriage like this, almost like an old-fashioned match. Will you resent me for it?”
“No.”
Ronnie surveyed the young women in the room.
“I've never forgotten that you raised me on your own.
“It's time I did something for this family.”
I smiled.
“If there's someone you like, even if her family isn't wealthy, that's fine.”
Ronnie looked at me. “As long as I like her?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Of course. She doesn't even have to be here today. You can choose anyone.”
“In that case.”
Ronnie stood, raised his arm, and swept the champagne tower—two stories of crystal—crashing to the floor. Glass exploded across the room. Every girl stumbled back screaming, and champagne soaked down my dress.
I looked up.
Ronnie was gripping the hand of Anne Stephens, who had just walked through the door.
“I'm sorry, Mom. I know you don't like Anne.
“But she's the one I'm going to marry.”
Anne looked down at me, her body leaned into Ronnie's, easy and familiar.
“Aw, sorry, Auntie. Guess your word doesn't carry much weight around here, does it~”
