Chapter 12

In the grand Jones Mansion, what was meant to be the most joyous day had, in a single moment, turned unbearably gloomy.

In the living room, Amy sat on the couch, her face buried in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. Beside her, Erica rubbed her back gently, murmuring, “Dear, don’t cry… I can’t bear to see you like this.”

Mike, who had been pacing back and forth in frustration, rushed to Amy's side upon hearing her wails grow louder. His voice cracked as he said, “Sweetheart, please don’t cry. It breaks my heart to see you like this.”

But their efforts to console her were in vain. Through her sobs, Amy cried out, “D-Dad… today was supposed to be my e-engagement… and she… she ruined it!”

As Amy dissolved into deeper tears, Evelyn tried once again to explain herself—but Mike exploded.

“SHUT UP!” he roared, glaring at her. “Look what you’ve done! You made my precious daughter cry!”

A stunned silence fell. Evelyn’s lips trembled, and beside her, Olivia and Butler Lu stared at Mike with wide eyes. The same thought echoed in all their minds: Wasn’t Evelyn his daughter too?

Before Evelyn could utter a word in her defence, Jack stepped in with venom in his voice. “Why can’t you just let Amy be happy for once? Why do you always have to ruin every good thing that happens in this family?”

“I didn’t do anything—” Evelyn tried again, but Mike cut her off, his voice louder and colder than ever.

“I TOLD YOU NOT TO CAUSE A SCENE! But what did you do? You embarrassed me. You embarrassed Miss Shen—who, unlike you, is not useless or talentless! And now you’ve ruined the happiest day of my daughter’s life!”

He pointed furiously toward the stairs. “GO TO YOUR ROOM!”

Evelyn stood frozen. When she didn’t move, Mike shouted again. Jolted by fear, she turned and ran. Reaching her room, she slammed the door shut, locked it, and collapsed against it, sliding down as sobs wracked her body.

“Why…” she whispered through her tears. “Why me? Why is it always me?”

Her thoughts spiralled, bitter and broken.

None of you ever cared for me. Not like you care for sister Amy or Daisy. I kept quiet. I never asked for anything. But why? Am I that hateful? Was it my fault that Grandpa and Grandma threatened you? They only wanted to protect me—from my own parents.

All I’ve ever done is love this family. And what did I get in return? Hatred, ignorance, and cold shoulders…

Then, the truth she’d buried surfaced.

No. I knew this all along. I knew you’d never love me like I loved you. But I still hoped—like a fool. And today, even that last bit of hope is gone. You never saw my talent—for art, for business, for anything. My professors say I’m the most promising student in the university… that my parents would be proud. But what they don’t know is that my parents are disappointed in me. Always.

Her stomach growled painfully.

I haven’t eaten in two days. And no one even noticed. The second richest family in Japan… twelfth richest in the world… and they can’t even feed their third child.

She gave a bitter laugh, then sighed and tried to push the thoughts away.

Just then, her phone buzzed. An email. Curious, she opened it—and gasped softly. Her eyes widened as she read the words again and again. It was real. Her dream… had just become reality.

For a fleeting moment, joy lit up her heart… only to be dimmed by reality.

Father would never let me go, she thought, her gaze falling. But wait… he’s sending me away anyway.

Her fingers trembled.

Then I won’t tell anyone. Just Sis Olivia and Butler Lu. No one else needs to know. It’s past 10 already. I have an early flight tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Butler Lu stood in the hallway on a secure call. His expression was tense.

“James,” he snapped, losing patience. “What did you find? Tell me!”

James, understanding the urgency in Butler Lu’s voice, quickly sent over the files and continued the call. But then he asked the question he’d been holding back.

“How’s my Eve Baby?”

When Butler Lu revealed that Evelyn was being sent abroad and that he hadn’t intervened, James’s tone darkened with fury.

“You let them send her away?”

Butler Lu’s voice cracked. “You don’t understand. If she stays in this house… she might not survive. I love her like my own granddaughter. I just want her to be safe… to be happy.”

He then sent James the video clip of Evelyn’s punishment from earlier. As James watched it, his face twisted in horror and rage.

He remembered a little girl running up to him, clutching his leg, calling him “Uncle Jam.” No matter how many times he corrected her, she never stopped. Her puppy eyes always got to him, and he’d drop everything to play with her.

Those memories used to make him smile.

Today, they made his heart ache.

“Lu...” he said, his voice trembling, “she’s like a daughter to me. And they treat her like this…”

Butler Lu didn’t offer comfort. He knew words wouldn’t help. Instead, he gave James what he needed—an opportunity to see Evelyn.

He switched on the video call. On the screen, Evelyn lay asleep, her face peaceful at last. But James’s chest tightened.

“She’s still just a child…”

After a quiet pause, the call ended. They made a silent vow—not to inform the Old Master and Madam Jones about Evelyn's departure.

Not yet.

That’s it for now…

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