Chapter 1

At Capital City's most elite charity gala, my fiancé, Lucas Grant, slipped the heirloom bracelet meant for the Matriarch of the Grant Family onto Charlotte Linwood's wrist, while my three brothers stepped in front of her, afraid I'd make a scene.

Andrew said, "You're already the heir to the Wynn family. You already have everything. Charlotte has nothing but us."

Every guest in the room watched me, the real heiress, like I was some kind of joke. They mocked me for being cold and overbearing, saying I couldn't even keep my own man. Even my usually stern father looked grim, and everyone seemed certain I was about to break down in tears.

Instead, I calmly lifted my wineglass and hid the wild smile tugging at my lips. They didn't know I had never wanted the man. What I wanted was control of the family.

The spotlight fell on the center of the ballroom. Charlotte stood there in a custom white gown, leaning shyly into Lucas's arms as he slid the bracelet onto her wrist. It was the heirloom passed down to every matriarch of the Grant family—the same bracelet Lucas had slipped onto my wrist on his twenty-fifth birthday when he swore he'd marry me.

Last night, Lucas took the bracelet back from me, saying it needed maintenance. Today, it was on Charlotte's hand instead. Around us, the guests whispered behind raised hands, pointing at me as though I were some sideshow, and their laughter reached me without the slightest attempt to hide it.

"Natalie Wynn is such a joke. So what if she came back to the Wynn family? She still can't even keep a man."

"Exactly. She's always got that stiff face on. How could she compare to sweet, thoughtful Miss Linwood?"

"At this rate, Charlotte's going to end up ruling the Wynn family sooner or later."

I sat at the main table, gently swirling half a glass of red wine, when my eldest brother, Andrew Wynn, strode over and blocked my view with his tall frame. He said, "Natalie, don't blame Lucas. Charlotte needs to feel safe right now."

My second brother, Michael Wynn, quickly chimed in. "You're already the rightful heiress of the Wynn family, and you've got plenty of resources in your hands. Charlotte only has us now, so be the bigger person."

My third brother, David Wynn, let out a cold snort. "Drop that pathetic victim act. If you hadn't insisted on coming back to the Wynn family, Charlotte never would've gotten depressed."

The three of them stood shoulder to shoulder, shielding Charlotte behind them. She peeked out from Lucas's arms with red-rimmed eyes and said softly, "Natalie, I'm sorry. Lucas was only trying to comfort me because he felt sorry for me. If you're upset, I'll take the bracelet off right now. Please don't be mad at our brothers." As she spoke, she reached for the bracelet on her wrist.

Lucas grabbed her hand at once and turned to glare at me. "Natalie, are you done yet? Charlotte is dealing with depression. Do you really have to drive her over the edge before you'll stop?"

I looked at that face, the same face that had once whispered countless sweet words to me. It made me sick.

From the seat of honor, my father, Richard Wynn, slammed his teacup down. The sharp clink of porcelain silenced the whole room as he shouted, "Natalie, apologize to your sister right now. You've humiliated the entire Wynn family."

I lowered my eyes to the text on my phone. [Ms. Wynn, all overseas funds are in place. Three days until the final closing.]

Three days. If I could hold out just three more, Wynn Holdings would be mine.

I stood up and walked over to Charlotte. Lucas immediately stepped in front of her with his arms spread wide. "What are you trying to do?"

"Since Charlotte likes it, she can keep it." Charlotte froze. Lucas froze too.

Andrew said, "Fine. At least you know what's good for you. But that attitude of yours still sucks. Charlotte's heels are rubbing her feet raw today. Help her to the lounge and change her shoes."

They wanted me, the true heir of the Wynn family, to help a fake heiress out of her shoes in front of all Capital City's elite. Quiet snickers rose around me, and Richard stared at me coldly. "Didn't you hear your brother? Go."

I tightened my grip on my clutch. The share transfer papers in my father's hand were supposed to be notarized first thing tomorrow morning, so I couldn't afford any surprises. I bent down, took Charlotte's arm, and said, "Charlotte, let's go."

Charlotte smiled smugly and leaned against me. "Thanks, Natalie." On the way to the lounge, she lowered her voice so only I could hear. "So what if Wynn blood runs through your veins? Dad, your brothers, and even your fiancé all belong to me. You're nothing but a dog under my feet."

I ignored her and pushed open the lounge door. She suddenly caught her own left foot and fell hard to the floor, her knee splitting open against the edge of the coffee table. "Ah! It hurts!"

The lounge door was shoved open with a bang, and Lucas rushed in with my three brothers.