Chapter 2

"Do you even believe what you're saying? Mrs. Lynn, understanding goes both ways. I never expected the gentle mother I've known for over ten years to be someone who can't tell right from wrong."

Jade never expected Sylvia to talk to her like this. Her face turned dark with rage, and she pointed a trembling finger at Sylvia, too furious to speak. "You—!"

Sylvia's expression remained completely blank as she quietly looked at the people she had once considered the most important in her life.

"I've said what I needed to say. Thank you for taking care of me all these years. I'll be leaving now."

Without another word, Sylvia picked up her things and headed for the door.

The butler walked in just then and bowed respectfully to Luna. "Sylvia's family is here."

Luna let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, let's see, let's see."

The butler opened his tablet, showing a video of a middle-aged man slowly driving a car through the gates of The Lynn Villa.

Luna leaned in for a closer look and sneered. "Sylvia, so this is your family? At least they managed to show up in a car."

"Though it's pretty beat-up. Not even a brand name on it."

Louis standing nearby couldn't hold back either, covering his mouth as he snickered.

Jade had composed herself by now, and said coldly, "Sylvia, you've got quite the sharp tongue. You think once you leave the Lynn family, with those nobody birth parents of yours, you'll still be able to hold your head up? Get on your knees and apologize to Luna right now, and I might still consider taking back my decision to throw you out. You can stay as a servant in the Lynn family — better than rotting away in the slums."

But Sylvia ignored them, her eyes fixed on the video screen. "Mrs. Lynn, do you actually want me to apologize?"

"Or do you just want to watch me beg like a dog?"

Jade's expression darkened instantly. "What's that supposed to mean? We're trying to be kind."

"Then keep your kindness. I don't want it." Sylvia smiled.

Because to her, even the poorest family was better than these wealthy, shameless people.

Luna let out a cold snort and stepped forward, turning to the butler. "Don't let those people in. I'd hate for them to dirty my garden."

The butler nodded respectfully.

"That won't be necessary." Sylvia said coolly. "I'll go meet my family myself."

With that, she pulled open the door and walked out, dragging her suitcase behind her.

"Sylvia." Luna's voice rang out one more time. "I'm giving you one last chance. Come back and apologize right now."

"Once you walk out of this villa, that chance is gone forever!"

Sylvia didn't even look back, her voice calm and light. "Then that's exactly what I want."

Luna stamped her feet in fury at the sight of her. "I'll be waiting for the day you regret this!"

The shouting continued, but Sylvia didn't stop. She walked through the garden and spotted the middle-aged man sitting in the car by the gate.

She opened her mouth, just about to call out, when she saw him step out of the car and bow respectfully to her. "Ms. Martinez! I'm so sorry I'm late."

Ms. Martinez?

Sylvia froze at the name.

"Ms. Martinez, I'm your personal driver. I'm here on Mr. Martinez's orders to bring you home." He continued, "I also brought documents from Mr. Martinez for the Lynn family — a gift of thanks for raising you — but they wouldn't let me in."

Sylvia was completely lost. What documents? What gift of thanks?

And what was this Ms. Martinez business?

A personal driver?

This wasn't sounding anything like what the Lynn family had told her.

Sylvia was pretty sure there had been some kind of mix-up. "Don't worry about the documents. The Lynn family doesn't deserve any thanks. They couldn't wait to get rid of me."

The driver hesitated. "It sounds like the Lynn family treated you poorly. I'll make sure to report that to Mr. Martinez. In that case, shall we head home?"

"Your family has everything ready and waiting. They're just looking forward to giving you a grand welcome."

Sylvia was stunned. A welcome ceremony?

Weren't they too sick to get out of bed?

Had the Lynn family gotten it wrong, or had she misunderstood something?

Sylvia pushed down all her questions. As they walked to the car, she realized this was no ordinary vehicle with no brand name.

This was a limited-edition race-grade supercar released last month by a collaboration of the world's top luxury automakers. Each one cost over a hundred million dollars to build. The launch had been kept very low-key, and purchasing one was extremely difficult, with strict buyer qualification requirements.

If you weren't into racing, you'd have no idea what it was.

No wonder Luna hadn't recognized it.

The driver caught the look of admiration in Sylvia's eyes right away and smiled. "Mr. Martinez heard you love racing, so he bought this as a gift for you."

Sylvia blinked, sure she had misheard. "This is for me?"

The driver pulled open the driver's side door. "Would you like to take it for a spin?"

Sylvia had always loved racing. The Lynn family had always thought it was too rough and unladylike, so they had kept her from pursuing it.

She hesitated, then climbed in, started the engine, and pressed down on the accelerator. The roar of the engine filled her ears, and a smile crept onto her face before she even realized it.

The two of them drove out of The Lynn Villa and tore down the street.

The driver looked impressed. "Ms. Martinez, you're a really skilled driver. You've got real talent. I used to race in F2 — I know what I'm talking about."

Sylvia was about to respond when she caught something in the rearview mirror — a line of black cars following close behind. No matter how she drove, they stayed right on her tail. Her voice tightened slightly. "We're being followed."

The driver glanced in the mirror and let out a quiet laugh. "No, Ms. Martinez, you've got it wrong."

At the driver's suggestion, Sylvia pulled over to the side of the road. The black cars behind her stopped too. The doors swung open in unison, and out stepped a row of broad-shouldered men in black suits and sunglasses.

They lined up on both sides of the car, faced Sylvia, and called out in unison, "Good day, Ms. Martinez."

Sylvia stood there, speechless. A luxury supercar, a former F2 driver as her personal chauffeur, a top-tier security team — just how wealthy was her family?

The driver smiled and gestured toward the car. "So, Ms. Martinez — shall we go home?"