Chapter 1 — The Woman Everyone Called a Servant
The mansion remained silent.
No one dared breathe as the security footage replayed across the seventy-inch screen.
Every frame destroyed another one of Vanessa Hart's lies.
There she was, smiling as she cornered Claire Donovan.
There she was, ordering the servants to leave.
There she was, forcing Claire onto the marble floor before grinding her stiletto into her hand.
No editing.
No missing angles.
Just the truth.
Lucas Sterling never took his eyes off the screen.
His jaw tightened.
His fists clenched.
By the time the recording ended, every guest understood exactly who the victim was.
Vanessa's voice trembled.
"Lucas... I can explain..."
"You've already spoken enough."
His calm voice was far more terrifying than shouting.
"Security."
Two bodyguards stepped forward immediately.
"Remove Miss Hart from my house."
Vanessa's face turned pale.
"You can't do this! My father owns half of Sterling Holdings!"
Lucas finally looked at her.
"No."
"He owns three percent."
"I own the other ninety-seven."
The room exploded into whispers.
Vanessa had spent years pretending she would become Mrs. Sterling.
She had convinced everyone she controlled the family.
The truth was much simpler.
She had never belonged there.
As security escorted her toward the door, she screamed over her shoulder.
"She tricked you! She's just a servant!"
Lucas looked down at Claire, still trembling in his arms.
Then he answered without hesitation.
"She isn't my servant."
A heavy silence followed.
"She is my wife."
Gasps echoed throughout the mansion.
Even the oldest housekeeper covered her mouth in disbelief.
Only a handful of people had known Lucas had secretly married Claire eighteen months earlier to protect her from the ruthless families competing for the Sterling fortune.
Keeping the marriage hidden had been meant to keep her safe.
Instead...
It had nearly cost her life.
Lucas gently brushed a strand of hair away from Claire's face.
"I'm sorry."
"For hiding you."
"For failing to protect you."
Claire could only cry against his shoulder.
May you like
For the first time in months...
She finally felt safe.
