Chapter 5 - Reclaiming the Throne
Julian Vance sat in a dim corner of a high-end bar, swirling a glass of whiskey, when a girl in a hoodie sat across from him. He raised an eyebrow at her violet eyes.
"You're the waitress who caused the riot at the banquet," Julian said, a smirk playing on his lips. "My aunt Evelyn says you're a fraud."
"Your aunt Evelyn murdered my mother and tried to burn me alive four hours ago," Maya said deadpan, throwing Lilith’s diary onto the table.
Julian’s smirk vanished. He picked up the diary, his eyes scanning the handwriting of his late aunt Lilith. As a private investigator who had always suspected foul play in Lilith’s death, the pieces suddenly fell into place.
"The rapid DNA test was faked," Julian muttered, his jaw clenching. "Evelyn owns the director of that lab. But we can't just walk into the mansion. Beatrice is surrounded by Evelyn’s security."
"We don't need to fight them," Maya said, her eyes flashing with strategic brilliance. "Tomorrow night is the annual Vance Global Gala. The media will be there. The board of directors will be there. Evelyn is planning to announce Chloe as the sole heir to the charity trust."
"And you want to crash it," Julian smiled, a dangerous glint in his eye. "I like your style, cousin. Let's get you ready for your grand return."
For the next twenty-four hours, Julian used his resources to bypass the mansion's security protocols. While the world prepared for a celebration of wealth, Maya prepared for a declaration of war.
The night of the Gala arrived. The Grand Ballroom was packed even tighter than before. Evelyn stood at the podium, basking in the applause, with Chloe standing proudly beside her. Duchess Beatrice sat in the front row, looking hollow, a shell of her former self.
"And so," Evelyn announced into the microphone, her voice dripping with artificial warmth, "it is our greatest honor to announce that the future of the Vance legacy rests in the capable hands of my daughter, Chloe Vance!"
"That legacy does not belong to a thief's daughter."
The voice boomed through the speakers, cutting Evelyn off. The giant double doors of the ballroom swung open.
Walking down the center aisle was Maya. But she was no longer wearing a stained waitress uniform. She wore a stunning, midnight-blue silk gown that perfectly matched her violet-gray eyes. Around her neck, catching the light of a thousand chandeliers, was the Willow Diamond pendant.
Beside her walked Julian, holding a tablet connected to the ballroom's giant projector screen.
May you like
The crowd gasped. Evelyn gripped the edges of the podium so hard her knuckles turned white. "You! Security, arrest this trespassing psycho!"
"Look at the screen, Evelyn," Maya said, her voice echoing with absolute authority.
