I couldn’t help but laugh. “Mother? Did you ever see me file a single adoption paper? All three of them are still officially registered to the orphanage.”
I felt a wave of relief. I had considered formally adopting them, but I worried that if they became Sophie’s legal brothers, it would complicate my plans for one of them to be her husband.
At my words, Gabriel shook his head, a cold sneer on his face. “So all this time, you were just being selfish. You only ever wanted us to be Sophie’s toy husbands.”
I looked at him and nodded. “Of course. Did you really think I would hand over the Shaw empire to an outsider? My original plan was that whichever of you became my son–in–law, the other two would not be left behind. I would have given you positions in the company, money, a life without worry. But I never imagined you would be so eager to throw my daughter out for a housekeeper’s daughter. Is that my fault too?”
I turned to the auctioneer. These men are nothing more than ungrateful parasites I once sponsored. Their actions have nothing to do with the Shaw family. From this day forward, I will no longer be funding them, and I will be reclaiming all Shaw family assets currently in their names. You can deal with them however you see fit.”
Without another word, I took my daughter and headed for the hospital. They tried to follow, but my assistant’s team blocked their path.
In the car, I looked at my silent daughter. “Did they… bully you in other ways? For example…”
At the question, her eyes filled with a raw, unspeakable pain.
understood immediately. I pulled her into a tight hug. “Okay, I won’t ask. It’s my fault… Don’t you worry. I will make them pay for what they did, and I will clear your name.”
At the hospital, the doctor treated Sophie’s external injuries. Seeing the dark bruises and raw patches on her arms and legs, my heart clenched with a pain so sharp it took my breath away.
“Miss Shaw’s allergic reaction is severe, but thankfully it hasn’t affected her internal organs,” the doctor said with a sigh. “Given the state of these wounds, if it had been left any longer, it could have been life–threatening.”
After treating her injuries, the doctor asked to speak with me privately. He handed me another report. My hands trembled as I took it.
He looked at me, his voice gentle but firm. “Miss Shaw has… there’s some abnormal tissue growth, and significant tearing. Based on the healing patterns, these injuries were not inflicted at one time. And in cases like this, it is almost always non–consensual.
I stared at the words on the page, a roaring in my ears. I had suspected it on the way here, but seeing it confirmed in black and white sent a chill through my entire body.
My assistant saw my pale face and rushed to support me. “Mrs. Shaw, don’t worry. I will investigate this to the very end.”
The doctor hesitated, then, added, “While these physical wounds can be treated, I strongly recommend arranging for psychological counseling for Miss. The trauma could have a
profound impact on her mental health.”
I nodded, and when I returned to the room, I forced a calm smile. “The doctor says it’s nothing serious. You’ll be better in no time.”
But Sophie grabbed my hand as poured her a glass of water, her knuckles white. “Mom, I know that you know.”
Her voice was choked with sobs. “I was so stupid. I always thought if I was just better, just good enough, they would finally like me. So whatever they asked me to do, I did….”
N
She shakily handed me her phone. For a while… I kept waking up next to strange men. The first time, I cried and begged them for help, but they just said I was being promiscuous, that I’d done it myself. The second time, I called the police, but all three of them lied and said I was a willing participant. That’s when I thought to install a camera.”
Her voice grew smaller. “It was them. They were drugging my drinks. They wanted to force me to marry Mr. Warren, to get me out of the Shaw family forever.”
I watched the videos on her phone, my heart feeling like it was being shredded. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
At my question, she finally broke down, collapsing into my arms with gut–wrenching sobs. “They told me you were ashamed of me, that you hated me for being a girl who couldn’t inherit the family name! They said you wished I were dead! And… and they took so many pictures and videos…. they threatened to release them if I ever told anyone…”
She looked up, her face streaked with tears. “Mom, I’m so sorry. I was wrong about you.”
I held her tighter. “No I was wrong. I was the one who trusted outsiders more than my own heart.”
That night, the auction house leaked the story of how Lucas, Shane, and Gabriel had defaulted on their bids, and how Rosalind had destroyed a priceless work of art. The news spread like wildfire through the city’s elite.
[Weren’t they so high and mighty at the auction? Trying to outbid everyone? Turns out they were just spending someone else’s money!]
[So they’re just three gold–digging losers and a servant girl. They got what they deserved!]
I heard Mrs. Shaw came back and put them in their place. Served them right!]
I felt nothing reading their comments. After settling Sophie in, I went back to the house alone.
The three of them were still there, crouched by the gate, refusing to leave. Their eyes were filled with a desperate hope. Mine were filled with an endless, burning hatred.
They saw me and rushed forward. Lucas spoke first, his voice pleading. “Charlotte, you’re finally back! How is Sophie?”
I pulled a small, sharp dagger from my purse and plunged it into his shoulder. He screamed, clutching his arm as he crumpled to the ground
Shane staggered back. “Charlotte, you know this is illegall
