Chapter 3

Michael came home furious and went straight to Blair.

"Blair, look at how you behaved today!"

"If you don't make an effort to please Daphne, what are you going to do after you marry into the Hamilton Family?"

Blair knew Michael wasn't playing the caring father - he just wanted to get more benefits from her.

She replied casually, "I marry into the Hamilton Family, you give me Mother's belongings. That's our deal."

Michael's eyes flickered. "I'll give you part of it after you get married."

"The rest... we'll talk about it after you give birth to the Hamilton Family heir."

Blair's face turned cold. "That's not what we agreed on before."

Michael hedged, "But I never said I'd give you everything."

He paused, softening a bit. "Besides, Arthur is a perfectly suitable match."

"A woman has to marry someone, right? I'm doing this for your own good."

A mocking smile appeared on Blair's lips as she looked at him intently.

"Father, going back on your word comes with a price."

Michael didn't take it seriously. Blair had been raised in the countryside since she was young.

A price? He didn't believe Blair had it in her.

Blair returned to her room and dialed a familiar number.

After Michael sent her to the countryside, she'd been taken in by a retired mafia boss who made her his adopted daughter.

Her adoptive father had passed on all his skills, along with his organization "Nocturne."

Over the years, she'd developed Nocturne into Harmony City's largest mafia group, becoming its ultimate leader behind the scenes.

A cheerful voice came through: "Blair, how does it feel to be home?"

Blair commanded coldly, "As we discussed, teach Michael a lesson."

The voice on the other end turned somewhat sinister. "Blair, if it doesn't work out, just come back. We'll find another way to get your mother's belongings."

Blair had considered that, but she didn't know how much Anna had left behind.

She couldn't let any of those belongings fall into Michael and Celeste's hands.

"Just follow my orders."

...

At the Hamilton Family residence, Rupert casually flipped through the documents in front of him.

They contained all of Blair's information from recent years - completely ordinary.

Her wandering into his room had been part of Celeste's plan.

Blair hadn't known and had mistaken him for Arthur.

After discovering he wasn't repulsed by Blair, he'd tried being around several other women - still felt disgusted and nauseous.

It seemed only Blair was special to him.

Rupert's interest was piqued. He had his assistant ask Blair out, using Arthur's name.

Seven PM, The Ledbury, twenty-eighth floor.

Blair wore a black mermaid dress that showed off her stunning figure.

The waiter respectfully led her to a window seat overlooking the entire Harmony City nightscape.

Blair raised an eyebrow. "Mrs. Hamilton invites me to afternoon tea, Mr. Arthur Hamilton invites me to dinner - did you two plan this together?"

Rupert's deep, magnetic voice responded, "I just want to get to know you more... intimately."

Blair's lips curved meaningfully. "Weren't we intimate enough already?"

She deliberately emphasized the words.

Rupert's eyes darkened, his Adam's apple bobbing.

His gaze swept over Blair's curves, pausing briefly before looking away naturally.

"Miss York, I understand your situation. Do you need me to teach Michael a lesson?"

Blair looked at Rupert. "Why would you do that?"

Rupert's thin lips parted slightly. "Your beauty is worth the effort to make you happy."

"Of course, if you're willing, we could continue doing things that please us both."

Blair understood - just lust at first sight. It fit Arthur's reputation.

She lowered her eyes lazily. "I'm not in the mood lately."

Rupert wasn't bothered by the rejection. He gentlemanly extended his well-defined right hand.

"I hope you'll contact me when you are in the mood."

"Of course, I'll be there right away."

Blair lazily placed her slender hand over his. "I'll think about it."

Feeling the delicate touch beneath his hand, Rupert wasn't repulsed - he was even reluctant to let go.

He stared intently at Blair, like a wolf eyeing its prey.

Before leaving, Rupert left behind a gold-embossed invitation.

It was for a birthday party thrown by the Churchill Group, Harmony City's famous real estate mogul, for their youngest son.

All of Harmony City's elite would gather there - the perfect opportunity to expand one's network.

Blair held it, playing with it, sensing Rupert's sincerity.

This Arthur wasn't quite like the rumors suggested.

Perhaps she could consider working with Arthur to get back Anna's belongings.

When she returned to the Brown Family home, it was completely dark.

Blair opened the door to see Michael, Celeste, and Elodie sitting on the sofa, chatting and laughing.

Seeing her, they fell silent, making her feel even more like an outsider.

"Blair, you're back."

Elodie spoke softly, "Dad received an invitation to a party, but he can only bring one person."

"I told him you're his real daughter - why insist on bringing me?"

Her words were complaining, but her eyes were triumphant.

Blair glanced at Elodie. "Seems you have some self-awareness."

Elodie's smile froze, leaving her embarrassed.

Celeste chimed in, "Blair's right."

She looked at Michael with a disappointed expression. "You're the real family. Elodie and I are just outsiders."

The tactic was crude, but it worked on Michael.

Michael frowned and scolded, "Blair, what are you saying!"

"Celeste married me - she's your mother!"

"Besides, you grew up in the countryside with no experience."

"What if you go to the Churchill Family party and cause trouble?"

He looked at Celeste reassuringly. "Let Elodie go. She's sensible and proper - no one's more suitable."

"We can look for a good match for her at the party too."

Elodie's face lit up as she linked arms with Michael, sweet-talking him endlessly.

When Michael wasn't looking, she shot Blair a challenging look.

"Mother? Not just anyone can be my mother."

"But I'm not interested in this party anyway."

She calmly pulled out the invitation Rupert had given her.

"An invitation to the Churchill Family party? What a coincidence - I have one too."

Elodie's voice rang out in disbelief. "That's impossible! How could you have one!"

She suddenly thought of something, covering her mouth in mock surprise.

"Blair, I know you want to attend the Churchill Family party."

"But you can't fake these invitations."