Chapter 1
Valerie Collins lay on a hospital bed surrounded by medical equipment, listening in on a man and a woman conversing.
“The eldest daughter of the Woodward family sure drew the short straw. She just arrived from the countryside to live with her family, and her father’s already putting her in surgery for her kidney. It’s a real shame for such a beauty,” remarked a man.
“Keep your voice down,” a woman warned. “She doesn’t know that one of her kidneys is about to be taken.”
The man scoffed. “What are you so worried about? She’s been given enough anesthesia to sleep through the operation. Are the match results out?”
“Yeah, they are. It’s a good match. Mr. Woodward’s condition has worsened, and he can’t wait any longer. Let’s schedule the surgery for 7:00 pm tonight,” she responded.
The man lifted Valerie’s T-shirt and traced circles on her waist. “It almost feels like a crime to
cut into skin this smooth and fair.”
He was about to take things further when Valerie’s eyes flew open, hard with murderous
intent.
The woman gasped. “She’s awake! Quick, give her the injection!”
The man lunged for the anesthetic and was about to approach Valerie, but she slapped him. ” How dare you lay your filthy hands on my body?”
The syringe clattered on the floor.
Valerie didn’t give him time to recover. In a heartbeat, she closed in on him and drove her leg straight into his chest, sending him crashing into the wall and coughing up a mouthful of
blood.
The woman panicked and dashed for the door. However, before she could touch the knob, a slender silver needle pierced the back of her neck, and her whole body went numb.
When she spun around, she saw Valerie twirling a uniquely designed pen between her fingers. It was the very device that had launched the needle.
“What did you…” Those were the only words she managed before collapsing to the ground.
The man trembled uncontrollably. “D-don’t come any closer! W-We were just following
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orders!”
Valerie sneered. “Harvesting someone’s kidney without consent? It seems your career ends here, Doc.”
Before he could beg for mercy, she plunged the syringe that was meant for her back into his arm. Looking at their limp bodies, she dusted off her clothes.
Valerie took a white lab coat from the hanger and slipped it on. After pulling on a mask and closing the door, she left the scene without drawing anyone’s attention.
Those two fools thought they could drug her while drawing her blood for a DNA test, but she’d anticipated their every move.
A few days ago, a man claiming to be her father had suddenly appeared, claiming she was his long-lost daughter. The man, Skyler Woodward, was a well-known figure in Windmere’s restaurant industry.
When he learned that she had suffered in the countryside with his ex-wife, he said he sincerely wanted to make up for all the years he had failed her. He had one condition, though. He needed Valerie to visit this private hospital for a paternity test.
Valerie hadn’t expected anything from her newfound family. She merely wondered if Skyler had deliberately sought her out with an ulterior motive. Hence, she played along and put on a little act for them.
As she expected, it was no simple reunion. Skyler hadn’t come to make it up to her, and he only wanted her kidney to save the precious heir his second wife had given him.
Valerie lived by one rule. She never went looking for trouble, but if anyone dared to cross her, she’d make them pay dearly. Since the Woodwards wanted to harvest her kidney, she would return the favor with a gift they would never forget.
Meanwhile, a signing ceremony was underway at The Glasshouse’s rooftop restaurant.
With a legacy spanning over a century, the White family reigned supreme in Windmere. Lucius White, the young head of the family, was already a legend, known as the White family’s seventh scion.
The one fortunate enough to sign a contract with the White family was Sonia Woodward, a genius born into privilege and hailed as a rising star in the world of hackers. The cybersecurity system she designed had recently won an award and caused her name to be on everyone’s lips in Windmere.
Recognizing her potential, Lucius signed her on before she graduated.
Chapter 1
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Aside from Lucius’ personal bodyguard and assistant, Sonia’s parents were also present at the signing ceremony.
“My daughter will be in your care from now on, Mr. White,” said Skyler, Sonia’s father.
At last, he had forged ties with the illustrious White family. He was so overjoyed that he even forgot about his son, who was in the hospital and waiting for a kidney transplant.
Sonia’s mother, Marnie Whitmore, had once been the brightest star in showbiz. With a bright smile, she praised her daughter. “With Sonia’s security system now in place at The Glasshouse, you will have nothing to worry about in the future, Mr. White.”
Lucius stayed courteous in the face of the Woodwards’ enthusiasm. “You’re too kind.”
Sonia stole glances at Lucius, who was seated across from her. The man was so unreasonably handsome, and the noble air about him was on a completely different level from the other heirs she had met. Her heart was set on one thing-becoming the lady of the White family.
As laughter and wine flowed, the lights suddenly flickered.
“What’s going on?” Marnie asked, startled.
In an instant, more than a dozen bodyguards sprang out from all directions, forming an impenetrable fortress around Lucius. Everything unfolded so abruptly that the Woodwards were caught flat-footed.
Then there was a loud bang, and the million-dollar chandelier on the ceiling shattered. The blast set off the fire alarm and sprinklers.
In one swift motion, a bodyguard popped open a black umbrella, shielding Lucius from the downpour. Lucius remained seated in his chair, looking as imperious and unshaken as a king
on his throne.
Marnie shrieked, “Is there a fire?”
“Calm down, Mom. Don’t forget whose ground we’re standing on.” Sonia comforted her.
The Glasshouse belonged to the White family. It had very recently gone live with the security system Sonia designed. Yet, this happened before it had run a full day.
Soon, a bodyguard disabled the alarm, and the sprinklers dwindled dry. The bodyguard shielding Lucius backed away with deference.
Just then, the doors swung open, and Valerie walked in unbidden, wearing a black baseball cap. Slender and statuesque, she couldn’t hide her natural beauty even with half her face hidden.
When Lucius got a good look at her face, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. It was her.
Noticing his bodyguards about to attack the intruder, Lucius silently stopped them, signaling
them to stay put and watch. He wanted to see what this woman was up to.
Valerie glanced at him and carried on as though he didn’t exist.
Skyler returned to his senses and demanded, “What are you doing here, Valerie?”
Shouldn’t she be at the private hospital for a kidney-matching test at this hour?
Valerie tossed him a test report. “You promised me half of your assets if I proved that I was your daughter. Here’s the DNA report. Are you going to honor it now?”
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