Who is she?

The moment Violet returned upstairs, her thoughts became a whirlwind, centered on her family and, most of all, the staggering demand for 10 million. The amount was outrageous, but what shook her more was her father's brazen threat if she refused to comply. The blatant disregard for her safety festered in her mind, igniting a deep-seated anger.

Even as she replayed the scene in her head, not one member of her family, not even her mother, had stood up to defend her. The memory stung. Furious, she collapsed onto the bed, burying her face into the soft sheets, her emotions churning.

She felt anxious, though the knowledge that Cain was aware of her true identity provided a sliver of comfort. Yet, the lingering question haunted her: What if Cain hadn't known? The thought made her resentment toward her family—and especially her father—burn even hotter.