Chapter 1Heiress

I woke up on the cold marble floor of Hollywood’s "Zen Prince," Liam Pierce. He handed me my torn silk slip, his voice a low purr.

“Put this back on. It looks good.”

As I reached for it, a pop-up, like a chat box, flashed in front of my eyes.

【Heiress, drop it! That predator thinks torn silk is trashy. He saves the good stuff for his ‘White Moonlight.’ He’s just tricking you into wearing it.】

【Tomorrow, at your mother’s funeral, he’s going to publicly announce his relationship with her.】

【Seraphina, this dog is only after your company. Ditch him!】

...

Liam knelt at my feet, all perfect angles and feigned concern. “What’s wrong? Did I rip it badly?”

I smiled.

I wrapped the silk slip tightly around his neck.

“Are you trying to die?”

* * *

Liam Pierce’s perfect, camera-ready face instantly turned crimson.

I waited until he was about to pass out before I let go.

He looked at me, stunned and terrified.

I patted his cheek. “You only love me?”

Gasping for air, he looked up at me with an expression more devoted than a puppy’s. “Of course.”

I was momentarily lost.

When I was ten, my mother took me to some ridiculous spiritual retreat in Ojai. I saw him there—Liam, LA's "Zen Prince." Years later, when he announced he was entering show business, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep.

I chased him 999 times, using every resource at my disposal, before he finally agreed to date me.

And now this…

I was about to ask who his "White Moonlight" was when my butler, Alfred, called.

“Miss Seraphina. It's… it’s your mother. She’s not going to make it.”

I dropped Liam, threw on my clothes, and redlined my McLaren all the way home.

I made it. I saw her for one last time.

My "biological father," however, was nowhere to be found.

I sat vigil by her bed all night. Around 3 AM, I asked Alfred, “Has Arthur Chen died somewhere?”

Alfred, ever respectful, replied, “He is at his usual place, Miss. With Ms. Summers.”

I gritted my teeth. “He can join her. Permanently.”

Alfred cleared his throat. “Miss Seraphina, please remember your mother's final instructions.”

I took a deep breath. “...Fine.”