Chapter 3

“Giselle, it’s Renee’s birthday today. Come back to the Holt residence for dinner tonight.” The caller was Tony Holt, the man Giselle reluctantly considered her father.

Under normal circumstances, she would have ignored his call. But she needed to retrieve something important. After a brief hesitation, she agreed.

Giselle loathed discussing her past. Since childhood, Tony's infidelity with her aunt, Renee Moore, had culminated in the death of Giselle's mother, Rebecca Moore, who succumbed to depression. Renee's subsequent role as stepmother further alienated Giselle. At ten, Tony sent her overseas, providing minimal financial support and little paternal affection.

Now financially independent, Giselle aimed to sever all ties with the Holts. She sought a fresh start.

With that goal in mind, she arrived at the Holt residence just after 4:00 p.m. Thirty minutes later, her car pulled up before a timeless, elegant villa in an upscale neighborhood.

Inside the living room, Tony sat on the couch, engrossed in a phone conversation. Renee, nearby, barked orders at the butler, her face twisting into barely concealed disgust upon seeing Giselle.

“Didn’t I tell you today was Renee’s birthday? Why did you come empty-handed?” Tony snapped.

Giselle lacked patience for pleasantries. “I’m not here to celebrate anyone’s birthday. I came to retrieve my personal documents and sever ties with this family.”

Tony fell silent. Renee, however, noticed Giselle's Hermès bag and designer clothing.

“So, that’s why you’re suddenly cutting us off,” Renee sneered. “You found yourself a sugar daddy, didn’t you?”

Giselle scoffed. “Yes, I met an older man—older than Dad, even. He showers me with millions. Money’s no longer a problem.”

“You piece of shit!” Tony snarled, jabbing a finger at her. “You’re constantly galavanting around. Have you no shame? Are you trying to humiliate me?”

“Shame?” Giselle retorted, her voice dripping with indifference. “My parents died young. I had no one to raise me, so no, I don't know shame. But if you did, you wouldn’t have behaved so disgustingly.”

“How dare you!” Tony’s rage vibrated in his voice. “Do you think I can’t control you anymore?”

Giselle turned her back. “Save your breath. Hand over my documents. I’ll change my surname today, and when I die, I won’t even ask you to claim my body.”

“You can’t just walk away from the Holts!” Renee snapped. “Your father and I raised you for over twenty years. You didn’t think that was free, did you? You have two options—repay every cent, plus interest, or go through with the marriage I arranged.”

This “marriage” was a scheme to wed Giselle to a wealthy businessman’s disabled son, securing the Holts’ business interests.

Giselle didn't hesitate. “You don’t control me, Renee. Keep my documents. We’ll settle this in court.”

She locked eyes with Renee—the woman who’d driven Rebecca to her death—and unleashed the truth. “Let the world know about the ‘illustrious’ Renee Moore. You were the Moores’ adopted daughter, a backstabbing bitch who seduced their daughter’s husband and married him. You drove your adoptive parents to their graves to steal Moore Pharmaceuticals. Let’s see how high society treats you then—”

“Shut up!” Renee screamed, her face paling. Rage fueled her hand, raised to strike Giselle.

Giselle reacted swiftly, catching Renee’s wrist and returning the blow.

“H-How… How dare you!” Renee’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Mom!” Anne Holt, Renee’s daughter, rushed in, checking on her mother.

“Mom! Are you okay? Did she hurt you?”

Renee seethed, hands raised, then froze. Giselle followed her gaze to a cold, imposing man entering the room. His presence chilled the air. Upon seeing his face, Giselle's heart lurched. It was him.