Chapter 1

It was late autumn in Idoton. The grand hall at the top of the Burton Group's CBD headquarters had been transformed into a solemn memorial service.

White orchids lined the perimeter of the hall, their cool fragrance filling the air. A massive black-and-white photo of Rhea Burton hung on the wall, her smile distant and serene.

"Rhea left us so suddenly. She never even got the chance to witness the Burton Group at its most glorious moment," Alicia Burton said. She wore a well-tailored black dress.

Her eyes were red, and her fingers were trembling as she turned on the microphone. "Dad said, to make up for what Rhea missed out on, he'll protect the family business for her."

The media's cameras were all trained on Marvin Burton, who was standing on stage. He wiped away a tear that wasn't there and solemnly took the share certificate from the lawyer.

He said, "I, Marvin Burton, officially take over today—"

"Uncle Marvin, you haven't even signed the papers yet. Isn't it a bit premature for the waterworks?" A voice, icy and sharp, echoed through the heavy doors of the hall.

The doors burst open, letting in the late autumn wind and a swirl of fallen leaves. With everyone watching, a woman in a black velvet gown walked in slowly.

Her long hair was as dark as ink, her skin paler than snow, and the crimson on her lips was like blood just spilled.

The pen in Marvin's hand clattered to the floor, splattering ink everywhere.

"R-Rhea?" Alicia gasped, stumbling back three steps, her stiletto heel twisting as she grabbed the podium for support.

The hall fell silent for three seconds, then erupted into a wave of shocked whispers.

"Wasn't she supposed to have died in a fall?"

"Is that really the Burton family's legendary heiress?"

*****

Rhea strode forward in her four-inch red-soled heels, every step steady as steel. Each sharp click of her heels on the marble floor echoed like a drumbeat in Marvin's chest, making his heart skip with every stride.

Following close behind was a man. He was tall and lean, wrapped in a slightly worn gray trench coat that gave him the vibe of a fallen aristocrat. He carried a quiet sadness with him.

That was Ethan Waller, once the pride of the Waller family, now disowned and the subject of every rumor in Idoton after his family's bankruptcy six months ago.

Rhea walked right up to Marvin, her eyes flicking to the share certificate as a smirk tugged at her lips.

"Uncle Marvin, I hear you're planning to 'look after' the family business for me?" she said, her fingers icy as she picked up the pen from the floor. "I'm not even properly dead yet, and you can't wait any longer to snatch up my inheritance?"

Marvin, always the sly one, quickly hid the fear in his eyes and coughed. "Rhea? You're alive? But the police were downstairs that day—"

"I pulled a disappearing act and spent six months abroad getting better," Rhea cut him off, tossing an official medical certificate stamped in red from her bag. "As for the unlucky one who took the fall, shouldn't you be the one who knows best?"

Marvin's face went ghostly pale, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

Alicia Burton suddenly rushed forward, reaching for Rhea's hand, but Rhea jerked away, disgust plain on her face.

"Rhea, thank god you're back. We were worried sick about you. But if you're alive, why wait until now to show up? And why bring an outsider?" Alicia gave Ethan a meaningful glare.

Rhea slipped her arm through Ethan's, and for a split second, he tensed up. But then he relaxed, letting her hold him close.

"An outsider?" Rhea arched an eyebrow, her smile never reaching her eyes. "Let me introduce you. This is my personal advisor, and my fiancé. Today, I'm not here to take back what's mine. I've got something big to announce."

Rhea gave the lawyer a look so sharp it could cut glass.

"Uncle Marvin, that agreement you signed doesn't count anymore. Because I've got a second will. Grandpa himself signed it right before he passed," Rhea said.

Marvin slumped into his chair, staring at the black USB drive in Rhea's hand like it was his ticket straight to hell.