Chapter 1
At the entrance of the Golden Film Awards, my gambling-addicted real dad, Elliot Harmon, who had vanished for eighteen years, suddenly burst out.
He knocked my crippled adoptive dad, Travis Harmon, to the ground.
He stomped right on Travis's crippled leg, plastering a big fake smile on his face as he reached for my arm.
He said, "Good girl, I will walk you down the red carpet for your big moment."
Travis curled up on the ground in pain. As the security guards were about to intervene, my fiancé, Louie Motley, lifted his hand, stopping them in their tracks.
Louie straightened his cuffs, his gaze icy. "That's your real dad. Blood runs thicker than water. Let him walk with you. That's the kind of drama that'll blow up the headlines tomorrow."
I watched as Travis was roughly dragged into a corner, his muddy pant leg smearing the red carpet.
Louie leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "Behave yourself. The company spent 100 million dollars to boost your career. Don't make my old man lose face."
Elliot, looking all smug, was about to lay his filthy hand on my million-dollar custom gown, while the flashbulbs went off like crazy.
Without hesitation, I ripped off my veil and flung it right in Louie's face.
"100 million dollars? Please. I'm done with this red carpet," I said coldly.
I turned around, helped Travis to his feet, and shot a cold smirk at the live camera. "Louie, did you forget the last name of the biggest shareholder of the Motley Group?"
*****
Without waiting for Louie to respond, I bent down to help Travis, who was still sprawled on the ground.
His crippled leg was twisted awkwardly, and his pant leg, caked in mud, had a big, fresh footprint stamped right on it.
That was where Elliot had stomped on him.
"Hazel, don't ruin your future because of me," Travis said, his voice trembling with pain.
He was drenched in cold sweat, his rough hands shaking as he tried to push me away, dirt still caked under his fingernails from when he'd clawed at the ground.
"Dad, it's okay. Let's go home," I said softly.
My eyes burned with unshed tears as I reached out to gently brush the dirt from his face.
Suddenly, a well-groomed hand cut in and grabbed my wrist, locking me in a grip so tight it felt like a trap.
The force was so strong, it was like he wanted to snap my bones.
"Hazel, are you done acting crazy?" Louie hissed.
Louie's voice was low, with a ruthless edge, like a king whose authority had been challenged.
Louie gave a quick signal to the bodyguards nearby.
Two hulking men rushed over, grabbed Travis like he was nothing but a corpse, and dragged him straight into the shadowy fire escape.
"Let him go!" I screamed while trying to run over.
But Louie pulled me hard against him, locking me in his grip so tight I couldn't even struggle.
The flashbulbs went off like crazy, the sound of cameras clicking nonstop, like a hail of gunfire.
Louie wore a perfect, fake smile, nodding politely at the cameras, but the words he whispered in my ear were pure venom.
"I've already had the live feed cut off. That little stunt about the biggest shareholder? No one heard you," he sneered.
His breath was hot against my ear, like a snake's hiss.
"If you want your adoptive dad's leg to be completely ruined, keep making a scene," he threatened.
I froze, helplessly watching Travis vanish into the shadows, discarded like yesterday's garbage.
Elliot lingered nearby, rubbing those grimy hands that had pawed at my dress, flashing a crooked smile full of yellowed teeth.
"Louie, you really get it. This brat needs to be put in her place," he snickered.
His greedy gaze lingered on the million-dollar watch strapped to Louie's wrist.
"Oh, is that a Patek Philippe? Damn. That's one fancy piece," Elliot said, practically drooling over the watch.
A flash of disgust crossed Louie's eyes, but it vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle, well-mannered smile.
Louie said, "Elliot, sorry you were startled. Tonight at the party, you'll have the seat of honor at the main table.
"That's more like it. My son-in-law really knows how to show respect!" Elliot cackled, grinning from ear to ear.
Elliot, riding high on his own arrogance, turned and spat right at me.
"Worthless daughter, you see that? Without the blood I gave you, you think you could ever climb your way up to someone like Mr. Motley?" he sneered.
I glared at the two of them, my eyes burning with hatred.
One was a beast in a suit, the other a shameless lowlife.
They were a match made in hell.
"Louie, you'll regret this," I snarled.
Every word burned in my throat, like I was coughing up blood.
Louie scoffed, fixing the tie I'd thrown out of place with a flick of his wrist.
"Regret it? Hazel, are you getting way too deep into your own drama?" he sneered.
He slapped my cheek, like I was nothing more than a stubborn mutt that refused to obey.
He sneered, "Without Motley Group pouring cash into you, you'd still be an orphan running bit parts in Pharnath.
"Don't think a Best Actress nomination means you can challenge me.
"In this industry, money is king."
Louie yanked my wrist, dragging me with brute force toward the signature wall at the end of the red carpet.
Louie commanded, "Smile.
"If you don't want your adoptive dad to end up dead outside the hospital, then give them the brightest smile you can muster."