Chapter 3

Sylvia was quiet for two seconds, then started the sports car again.

She wanted to see for herself — just who exactly was this family?

About forty minutes later, the car left the city and turned onto a private driveway.

The view suddenly opened up.

Sylvia hit the brakes without thinking. Stretching out before her was an estate with no visible end.

A thousand acres of land. A red carpet ran from the front gate all the way to the main building, lined on both sides with flowers and festive decorations.

The main building was a castle-style mansion — carved columns, arched floor-to-ceiling windows, and pointed turrets arranged in perfect harmony, radiating the quiet elegance of old money.

Owning an estate like this on land worth this much said everything about the family's power.

Hadn't Jade said her family lived in a poor neighborhood?

"Ms. Martinez, we're home." The driver Tobias's voice pulled her back.

Sylvia acknowledged him and stepped out of the car.

She had barely set foot on the red carpet when a pink sports car pulled in beside her and came to a smooth stop right in front of her.

The door opened, and a girl with loose blonde curls and designer clothes stepped out, her face lit up with excitement.

"Tobias, I just went on a little trip — why all this fuss? I was trying to surprise Mom and Dad."

There was a note of reproach in her voice, and her whole manner radiated entitlement.

She turned and noticed Sylvia, giving her outfit a quick once-over, a flicker of disdain crossing her eyes.

"You're new?" The girl tilted her chin up. "No sense of service at all. Can't you see my luggage? Get it inside. And make me a coffee — I'm dying of heat."

Sylvia stood with her hands in her pockets, watching this bossy girl, her expression completely blank.

The girl frowned, annoyed. "Are you deaf?"

Just then, a set of measured footsteps approached from a distance.

A man in a tailcoat walked over, his silver hair combed immaculately, a respectful smile on his face.

He stopped in front of Sylvia with a group of staff behind him, and they all bowed together. "Welcome home, Ms. Sylvia Martinez."

The arrogance on the girl's face froze instantly.

"Lonnie? What did you say? Ms. Sylvia Martinez?"

The butler Lonnie turned to the girl as if only just noticing her, his tone even. "Ms. Nora Martinez, this is Mr. Martinez's biological daughter. She's come home today. I'll take her inside first."

With that, he stepped to the side, gesturing with the utmost respect. "This way, Ms. Sylvia Martinez."

Sylvia gave a slight nod, walked past Nora without so much as a glance, and moved on.

Nora stood frozen, the color draining completely from her face.

She had known since she was very young that she wasn't the Martinezes' biological daughter. But all these years, she had carried herself as their only child, and even those who knew the truth still treated her with deference.

But now, the real Martinez daughter was back.

So what did that make her?

Nora clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.

Sylvia followed Lonnie into the main building.

The moment she stepped inside, Linda Jones hurried toward her.

Her eyes were red. She raised her arms to hug Sylvia, then hesitated, afraid of being too forward. "Sylvia, I — I'm your mother. You're finally home."

Richard Martinez's voice was rough. "Sylvia, you've been through so much."

Sylvia looked at her biological parents. They were trying hard to hold themselves together, but the pain and guilt in their eyes was almost too much to contain.

"I'm fine," Sylvia said, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly.

She meant it.

Linda couldn't hold back any longer. She pulled Sylvia into her arms and sobbed, barely able to catch her breath. "Did the Lynns not feed you? You're so thin. I'm so sorry — all these years, letting you suffer out there."

Sylvia could barely breathe with Linda holding her so tight. She stiffened for a moment, then gently patted her on the back. "Mom, I ate fine. I wasn't starving."

Linda cried even harder.

Richard stood nearby, helplessly trying to comfort his wife, but his eyes never left Sylvia — as if she might disappear the moment he looked away.

"Alright, alright. Sylvia coming home is a good thing. Don't cry — your eyes will hurt tonight."

Sylvia had been trying to hold out, but Linda's grip wasn't loosening. "Mom, I can't breathe."

Linda quickly let go, wiping her tears and laughing a little sheepishly. "I'm sorry, I'm just so happy."

Richard handed her a tissue. Linda blew her nose and took it, but her other hand held onto Sylvia's and wouldn't let go.

Then a syrupy-sweet voice came from the doorway.

"Mom, Dad — it's so wonderful that Sylvia's back."

Nora walked in wearing a gentle smile, though her eyes were dark.

"I've always wanted an older sister. Now I'll finally have someone to keep me company." Her tone was light and innocent.

Linda glanced at her, then turned to Sylvia. "Oh, right — Sylvia, this is Nora. Your little sister."

Sylvia gave Nora a brief nod. "Hi."

Nora felt the dismissal in it. Her eyes darkened slightly, and she bit her lip with a troubled look. "Oh, right — Mom, Dad, my engagement party with Mr. Carrington is next month."

She glanced at Sylvia, then quickly looked down. "Now that Sylvia's back, that engagement was really meant for her. I was only holding the place in her name. Now that she's here, I..."

The atmosphere in the room shifted immediately.

Linda instinctively looked at Richard.

Richard's expression grew uncomfortable. The engagement had originally been arranged for the Martinezes' biological daughter. It was only after Nora had established herself as their sole heir that the two families had moved forward with it.

Now that Sylvia was back, the question of who the engagement belonged to had become complicated.

Nora pretended not to notice the tension, watching Sylvia's reaction carefully. If Sylvia dared claim the engagement was rightfully hers, Nora was ready to break down in tears and let everyone see how Sylvia had come in and started pushing people around on day one.

"I'm not interested in any engagement," Sylvia said casually. "If you want it, keep it. Nothing has to change."

Nora blinked.

She had imagined Sylvia making a scene, fighting for it, refusing to back down. She hadn't imagined this — being told she could have it, as if it were something being handed down to her.

That feeling of being given a handout stung worse than being robbed.

Richard cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "We can deal with that later. Right now, what matters is letting everyone know my daughter is home."

Linda snapped back to the moment. "Right, right — we've arranged a welcome dinner for you at Platinum Haven Hotel. It's the biggest luxury hotel in the city. Your grandfather is already there waiting. Shall we head over now?"

Sylvia nodded. "Sure."

Nora followed behind the three of them, her jaw tight as she stared at Sylvia's back.

Half an hour later, the car pulled up in front of Platinum Haven Hotel.

Sylvia stepped out and looked up at the gleaming building in front of her.

She frowned slightly. Why did this hotel look so familiar?

"What's wrong, Sylvia?" Linda took her arm.

"Nothing." Sylvia looked away.