They Raised a Real Heiress to Be a MonsterChapter 3

The second he swung the whip, I caught it mid-air. I yanked it from his grasp and drove my foot into his knee. He yelped and crumpled to the floor, kneeling before me.

I pointed the whip at a small camera I’d placed on the bookshelf.

“You probably didn’t notice, but I installed a little security camera when I first came in,” I said with a sweet smile. “I didn’t expect to use it so soon. Why don’t we all watch and see who really ripped up the invitation?”

As the video played, Stella’s face grew paler and paler. The rest of the family’s expressions shifted from anger to confusion to awkwardness.

Realizing she was caught, Stella dropped to her knees and clutched my legs, putting on a show of profound shame. “I’m so sorry, sister! I was just so scared of losing Mom, Dad, and Ethan. I was terrified they’d abandon me once you came back. It was a moment of weakness! Please, sister, hit me! Punish me! I’ll do anything if you’ll just forgive me!”

Tears streamed down her face, and I could see the Vances’ resolve beginning to soften.

But I wasn’t a Vance.

I grabbed a glass water tumbler from the nightstand and smashed it over her head.

The glass shattered. Blood immediately began to trickle from a gash on her forehead.

“You’re the one who asked me to hit you,” I said calmly. “I’ve been alive for over twenty years, and I have to say, that’s a new one. But since you insisted, I’m happy to oblige.”

Stella was stunned into silence. She stared blankly for a full five seconds before letting out a piercing shriek.

The rest of them snapped out of their stupor. Ethan scooped her into his arms and bolted for the door, yelling, “To the hospital! We need to get her to a hospital!”

Mr. Vance glared at me, his face contorted with rage. “How could you be so violent? What if you scarred her face? How is she supposed to attend the Prescott gala now?”

Ah. So that’s what this was about. He wasn’t worried about Stella; he was worried about losing his connection to the Prescotts.

So much for all that unconditional love.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, my voice light. “Worried your plan to sell your daughter to a rich family will fail if she’s got a scar?”

My words hit their mark. His face flushed a deep red. “Insolence!” he roared. “You will stay here and reflect on what you’ve done! You are forbidden from attending the Prescott gala!”

I just laughed as he and Mrs. Vance stormed out. An empty threat from a powerless man.

I had received my invitation to the Prescott gala ages ago. Ben had delivered it himself, begging me to come.

“Selene, I want to announce our wedding date that night.”

The thought still made me laugh. “Ben, are you serious? It’s your brother’s birthday party. You’re going to announce our wedding? That’s kind of stealing his thunder, don’t you think?”

“It would be an honor for him,” Ben had replied, completely serious. “Besides, I don’t care. There are too many vultures circling you. I can’t wait any longer. I want the entire world to know that you are my wife.”