Bow Down to the Real Heiress

Chapter 1 Humiliation at the Party

Dusk had barely settled over Sterling City, but Davenport Manor was already lit up like a beacon.

A line of black Bentleys and Rolls Royces idled past the wrought-iron gates while tuxedo-clad valets scrambled to open doors for the arriving elite.

Inside the vaulted grand hall, crystal chandeliers bathed towering champagne pyramids in gold light.

The room smelled heavily of expensive perfume and imported orchids.

The party marked exactly three years since the Davenports brought their biological daughter home.

Officially, the night belonged to Tessa Davenport.

In reality, everyone was staring at the girl standing in the center of the room. Chloe Davenport, the adopted daughter.

She wore a pale ivory couture gown. Her hair fell in perfect waves, and a massive saphhire rested against her collarbone.

Her makeup was flawless, giving her a completely innocent, untouchable glow.

"Chloe looks incredible," a woman whispered nearby.

"Right? The Davenports really know what they are doing," her friend replied, taking a sip of champagne. "She has more class than half the old-money girls here."

"Is Gabriel Grayson showing up?" a third woman chimed in. "Do you think they are finally making the engagement official?"

At those words, a few guests instinctively glanced across the room.

Tessa stood alone by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

She wore a simple black satin dress. Her hair was pinned up effortlessly, exposing the long, elegant line of her neck.

She hadn't tried to dress to the nines, but her sharp features and quiet intensity made her impossible to ignore.

She looked totally out of place.

More accurately, her family had made sure she felt that way.

The invites said "The Davenport Sisters," but everyone knew the drill. Tessa was just the biological kid they dragged back to the city three years ago.

They shared DNA, but there was zero love. Chloe was the golden child.

"Tessa." Chloe walked over holding a champagne flute.

A perfectly rehearsed smile stretched across her face. "Why are you hiding in the corner? Tonight is about you. You could at least try to look happy."

Tessa met her gaze, ignoring the drink. "Is it?" she asked flatly.

Chloe's smile slipped.

The group of socialites hovering behind her immediately closed ranks.

"Chloe is just trying to be nice. What is your problem?"

"Seriously, If they didn't throw this for you, you wouldn't even be on the guest list."

"Money can't buy class."

Tessa didn't flinch. She had spent three years listening to the exact same garbage.

Early on, she actually tried defending herself.

Eventually, she realized they didn't care about the truth. They just wanted her to look pathetic and kiss Chloe's ring.

Chloe bit her lip, playing the victim perfectly. "Guys, please don't talk to her like that," she said softly. "She just isn't used to this kind of crowd."

Chloe leaned in, dropping her voice to a whisper only Tessa could hear. "Mom and Dad are in a great mood tonight. Don't ruin it, okay?"

Tessa gave her a hard look. "Do you ever get tired, Chloe?"

Chloe blinked rapidly. "What do you mean?"

"Playing the saint in public and starting trash in private," Tessa replied, completely deadpan. "It's been three years. You have to be bored by now."

Chloe went pale. A vicious flash of anger crossed her face, but she instantly replaced it with tears.

"I don't know why you hate me so much," Chloe cried softly, pitching her voice just loud enough for the nearby crowd to hear. "I just wanted to help you fit in."

The girls glaring at Tessa looked completely disgusted.

"Stop trying, Chloe. She doesn't care."

"Who acts like this? She is absolute trash."

"The Davenports should have never brought her back in the first place."

Tessa grabbed a glass of ice water from a passing waiter and took a slow sip.

'They really will believe anything she says,' she thought, her eyes cool and indifferent.

A sudden hush fell over the room.

Gabriel Grayson had walked in.

He wore a tailored charcoal suit, looking exactly like the billionaire heir every girl in the city obsessed over.

Chloe's eyes immediately lit up. Instead of running to him, she threw a nervous glance at Tessa.

She played the part of a terrified sister perfectly.

Gabriel parted the crowd. He looked straight at Chloe, his eyes softening instantly.

Then he noticed Tessa. His expression turned to ice.

"Tessa," Gabriel said, his tone strictly business. "This is a public event. Keep the drama to a minimum."

Tessa almost laughed out loud.

She had literally stood in a corner all night.

But to Gabriel, if Chloe was crying, Tessa had to be the villain.

Chloe touched his arm, her voice shaking. "Gabe, don't be mad at her. It's my fault. I shouldn't have bothered her."

Gabriel frowned. He glared at Tessa. "Chloe is highly sensitive. Back off."

Tessa set her glass on a nearby table.

She looked up with a humorless smirk. "Who exactly do you think you are to lecture me, Gabriel?"

The room went completely silent. Gabriel's face darkened. Someone nearby gasped.

Someone nearby gasped.

Everyone knew they were officially engaged.

It was a business deal inked when Tessa first returned.

But Gabriel treated Chloe like his actual girlfriend.

When he showed up at events, Chloe was the one on his arm.

When he sent gifts, they went to Chloe.

The closest he came to being a decent fiancé was not overtly insulting Tessa in public.

Gabriel lowered his voice to a dangerous pitch. "Don't embarrass me, Tessa."

"You actually know what that word means?" Tessa shot back. "Then keep your mouth shut and stay out of my face."

A brief look of smug satisfaction crossed Chloe's face.

She quickly replaced it with sheer panic. "Tessa, please don't be mad! I swear I am not trying to steal him from you."

Before she even finished the sentence, Chloe swayed.

A sharp crash echoed through the room as her champagne glass hit the floor.

Chloe stumbled backward toward the grand staircase.

Tessa stood perfectly still. 'I didn't even touch her,' she thought, her brow furrowing slightly as she watched the performance unfold.

Chloe let out a terrified scream and fell backward.

"Chloe!" Gabriel yelled, lunging forward.

Guests shrieked.

Chloe tumbled down the bottom three steps. It wasn't a steep drop, but she crashed hard onto the carpet, scraping her arm badly.

Tears instantly poured down her pale face.

"Tessa…" Her voice was soft as a breath, but it was enough to make every eye in the room snap to Tessa.

Gabriel pulled Chloe into his arms. "What happened?" he demanded, his voice tight with panic.

Chloe bit her lip, sobbing. "It's fine. I just tripped. It wasn't Tessa's fault."

It wasn't Tessa's fault. Those four words hit harder than an outright accusation.

The crowd erupted.

"Did Tessa seriously just push her?"

"She is totally unhinged. Is she that jealous?"

"Chloe is literally bleeding and still defending her. She is too nice for her own good."

Gabriel snapped his head up, glaring at Tessa. "You pushed her?"

Tessa didn't move. She looked at Chloe, then back at Gabriel.

"Would you believe me if I said no?" she challenged.

Disgust flashed across Gabriel's face. "There is a room full of witnesses and you are still lying?"

Tessa let out a dry laugh. She should have known better than to ask.

Hearing the noise, the Davenport parents pushed through the crowd.

Victoria Davenport gasped in horror.

"Chloe!" She dropped to the floor and pulled the girl into a hug. "Oh my god, does it hurt?"

Chloe shook her head, choking on a sob. "Mom, I am okay. Don't be mad at Tessa."

Victoria stiffened. She slowly looked up at Tessa. There was no question in her eyes. Only pure blame.

"Why do you have to cause a scene tonight of all nights?" she demanded.

Tessa's expression went entirely blank.

Three years, same story. Chloe cries, Tessa is the villain. They never asked for proof.

Because in their minds, she had been born guilty.

Charles Davenport stormed over, furious.

He invited the city's biggest heavyweights tonight to boost their brand, and Tessa was ruining it.

"Apologize to your sister right now," he ordered through gritted teeth.

Tessa stared right back. "I didn't push her."

Charles scoffed. "Everyone saw it happen, and you are still lying?"

"If everyone saw it, pull the security footage," she stated calmly.

The room went dead quiet.

Chloe flinched, a subtle movement that almost went unnoticed.

Victoria frowned. "Chloe is bleeding, and you want to pull cameras? Do you want to turn this family into a complete joke?"

Tessa looked down at her mother. "So finding out the truth makes us a joke. But forcing me to lie to protect her image is prestige?"

Victoria looked horrified.

Chloe grabbed Victoria's hand. "Mom, drop it. Please. Don't ruin the party over me."

A maid suddenly pushed through the crowd, looking panicked. "Mr. Davenport, Mrs. Davenport, it is an emergency!"

"What now?" Charles barked.

The maid shot a hesitant glance at Tessa, nervously biting her lip.

"Spit it out," Charles demanded, his voice dropping to a warning growl.

The maid trembled. "Chloe's sapphire necklace for tonight is missing."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Chloe froze. Her hand flew to her collarbone, feeling only bare skin where the necklace had rested before her fall.

"How is that possible?" Victoria asked, going pale. "She literally just had it on."

The maid stammered. "We searched everywhere. We found the empty jewelry box in Ms. Davenport's lounge."

Dead silence blanketed the ballroom.

The mood in the room shifted instantly.

Thief. Bully. Psychotically jealous.

The unspoken accusations were written plainly across every face in the room.

Chloe stared at Tessa with wide, teary eyes.

"Tessa, if you wanted the necklace, you could have just asked. Why would you..." She trailed off, looking heartbroken.

Gabriel stepped in front of Chloe. "What do you have to say for yourself now, Tessa?"

Tessa stood directly under the chandelier.

The bright light washed over her pale skin.

The judgment from the crowd was suffocating, but she didn't flinch.

"You found it in my room?" Tessa asked.

The maid nodded, looking at the floor. "Yes."

"And who exactly found it?"

The maid blinked in surprise. "Martha and I did."

Tessa gave a slow nod. "Who gave you permission to search my room?" she pressed.

The maid went pale.

Chloe's crying stopped for a split second.

Tessa swept her gaze coolly over the crowd before locking eyes with Charles. "Did the house rules change recently?

"Are the staff allowed to waltz into my private quarters whenever they feel like it?"

Charles looked livid. He clearly had not expected Tessa to remain this composed under fire.

"Is this really the time to argue about protocol?" Victoria snapped, her voice shrill. "The necklace was found in your room. Are you still denying it?"

"Deny what, exactly?" Tessa countered.

Her voice was soft but carried perfectly across the quiet room. "Deny a blatant setup? Nobody bothered to check the security footage.

"The witnesses cannot get their stories straight. And a jewelry box just magically materializes out of thin air."

Chloe grew visibly paler.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Gabriel demanded, scowling at Tessa. "Are you claiming Chloe framed you?"

Tessa looked at him, a hint of mockery dancing in her eyes. "I never dropped her name. Why are you getting so defensive?"

Gabriel choked on his words, falling completely silent.

Chloe let her tears fall harder. "Tessa, I know you hate me, but you cannot just smear my name like this."

"Enough!" Charles roared.

His voice boomed through the hall, snapping the room back to silence.

His face was thunderous as he glared at Tessa like she was a stubborn stain.

"We have a house full of VIPs. Have you not embarrassed us enough for one night?" he scolded.

Tessa met his gaze head-on. "Am I the embarrassment, or is it the person who orchestrated this little stunt?"

Charles let out a dark, furious laugh. "Fine. Unbelievable."

He spun around to the butler. "Pull up the security footage right now."

Chloe dug her fingernails sharply into her palms.

Tessa caught the micro-expression, letting the corner of her lips curl up just a fraction.

The butler jogged back a moment later, looking absolutely panicked. "Mr. Davenport, the security system just went offline due to a glitch."

Chloe lowered her gaze, hiding a fleeting spark of triumph.

"Well, the cameras are dead," Gabriel sneered. "You must be thrilled, Tessa."

Tessa glanced at the dead camera tucked in the corner of the ceiling.

'Talk about convenient timing,' she mused to herself.

She stayed quiet. Instead, she pulled her phone from her clutch and tapped the screen twice.

The dark glass mirrored her striking, impassive features.

'When I moved back into this house three years ago, I learned pretty damn fast that nobody here would ever have my back,' Tessa reminded herself.

Because of that, she never left her vindication in someone else's hands.

Tessa looked up, locking eyes with Chloe.

A sudden flutter of panic seized Chloe under that intense stare.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked nervously.

Tessa slipped her phone back into her purse.

Her voice was flat and stripped of emotion. "Nothing much," she replied. "Just thinking you put on a hell of a show tonight."

Chloe went entirely stiff.

Charles finally snapped, completely out of patience. "Tessa, I am giving you one last chance.'

He pointed a finger at Chloe. "Apologize to your sister."

One could hear a pin drop in the ballroom.

Everyone waited with bated breath for Tessa to cave.

Gabriel watched her with cold disdain. Victoria looked at her with profound disappointment.

Chloe leaned softly against Victoria's shoulder, hiding the gloating pity of a winner in her eyes.

Tessa stood completely still for a few seconds. Then, a slow smile spread across her face.

It was not born from grievance, nor was it the sign of a breakdown. It was pure, bone-chilling mockery.

She casually reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"You want me to apologize?" she asked softly.

She locked her gaze on Charles, articulating every single word with deadly precision. "To the Davenport family? Please. As if you are worthy."

Chapter 2 The Public Breakup

"To the Davenport family? Please. As if you are worthy." Tessa's voice barely rose above a whisper, yet it sliced right through the party's polished veneer.

The grand ballroom went silent.

Crystal chandeliers threw light over a towering champagne fountain, but every guest standing in their designer couture had their eyes glued to Tessa.

She stood by the grand staircase in a sleek black satin gown, her posture impeccable.

Her eyes held none of the panic expected of someone backed into a corner.

She did not look like the one on trial.

The Davenports did.

Charles froze, his face darkening with fury. "What did you just say?"

He had spent decades clawing his way to the top of the one percent, and the Davenport brand meant everything to him.

In his eyes, Tessa was just a stray daughter he had dragged back into the fold.

She had lived off his dime for three years, and now she had the nerve to stand before the city's elite and call his family unworthy.

It was a massive public slap in the face.

Tessa met his glare without blinking. "I said what I said," she replied, her tone flat. "If you expect me to apologize, keep dreaming. The Davenports aren't worth it."

"You little brat!" Charles roared, raising his hand to strike her.

Victoria flinched at the outburst but did nothing to intervene.

Gabriel stood off to the side, his brow furrowed, firmly rooted to the floor.

Chloe clung to Victoria for support, though a quick flash of smugness crossed her eyes.

The swing came down hard.

Tessa did not blink.

But the hit never landed.

"Dad," a cold voice interrupted.

Sebastian Davenport stepped out of the crowd, catching his father's wrist mid-air.

Dressed in a tailored black suit, Sebastian looked like a younger, sharper version of Charles.

He was the eldest Davenport son, the VP of the family empire, and Chloe's ultimate defender.

Charles tried to yank his arm back, shaking with rage. "Why the hell are you stopping me? Look at her!"

Sebastian let go and turned his attention to Tessa. His gaze lacked any trace of sympathy, eyeing her like a bug on a windshield.

"Getting physical just gives the tabloids ammo," he stated coldly.

He locked eyes with Tessa. "Apologize."

Tessa stared at her so-called brother.

When she first moved in three years ago, he was the only one she tried to connect with.

She had honestly believed blood could bridge a twenty-year gap.

She used to make him hangover smoothies.

She had organized his messy office files and even sprinted through a downpour to get his ulcer medication after a brutal networking dinner.

But Sebastian did not care about any of that.

He only remembered Chloe handing him a glass of water, crying softly and begging him to stay healthy.

Tessa had figured out the truth a long time ago. 'People only see exactly what they want to see.'

"So, you think I pushed her down the stairs and jacked the necklace?" Tessa asked, her voice dangerously calm.

Sebastian frowned at her attitude. "All the evidence points to you."

"What evidence?" Tessa shot back. "Chloe sobbing that she doesn't blame me?

"Or the empty jewelry box the maid magically found in my room?"

Sebastian's jaw tightened. "Do you have to be so damn hostile?"

Tessa let out a dry laugh. "The truth is a lot uglier than my attitude."

Chloe visibly stiffened. Shrinking deeper into Victoria's arms, she turned on the waterworks.

"Tessa, why are you doing this?" Chloe whimpered. "I literally told everyone I do not blame you. The necklace thing is probably just a massive misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding?" Tessa pivoted to face her. "Chloe. You fell down the stairs.

"Ten minutes later, a jewelry box appears in my room, and the security cameras conveniently glitch out."

Tessa took a slow step forward. The sharp click of her heels echoed loudly against the marble floor.

"You tell me," she challenged. "What kind of misunderstanding lines up perfectly like that?"

Chloe went ghost pale.

The mood in the ballroom subtly shifted.

Tessa's logic made entirely too much sense, prompting guests to exchange knowing glances.

"She has a point," a woman muttered in the crowd.

It was entirely too convenient.

A dramatic fall, a missing diamond, and a busted security feed all happening simultaneously was highly suspicious.

Chloe clearly felt the room turning on her.

She bit her lip, her eyes going wide and teary. "Are you accusing me of setting you up?"

Tessa stopped right in front of her, offering zero sympathy. "You and I both know the answer to that."

Chloe swayed on her feet, looking like she might pass out.

Gabriel immediately stepped in, shielding Chloe with his own body.

"That is enough, Tessa," Gabriel warned, his voice vibrating with anger. "Chloe is already a wreck.

"Are you seriously going to keep bullying her?"

Tessa flicked her gaze up to him. "Gabriel," she started slowly. "Are you my fiancé, or hers?"

The atmosphere in the room instantly went from tense to incredibly awkward.

Gabriel froze.

Chloe's tears abruptly stopped, and she gripped her dress so hard her knuckles turned white.

Whispers erupted from the onlookers.

"Wait, isn't Grayson engaged to Tessa?"

"He's been hovering over Chloe all night. I thought she was the fiancé."

"Talk about messy."

Gabriel heard the murmurs loud and clear. His face darkened, making it obvious he had finally made up his mind.

"Since we are laying it all out there," Gabriel announced, "I guess I don't need to save your pride anymore."

Tessa watched him, her expression completely blank. 'Save my pride? Had Gabriel forgotten his own behavior?'

He had not shown her a single ounce of respect all night.

Gabriel turned to face the crowd, projecting his voice across the hall. "My engagement to Tessa was arranged by our grandparents. It was never what I wanted."

"Gabriel, wait," Victoria gasped.

He ignored her completely. "For three years, I hoped she would adapt to this lifestyle and learn basic boundaries.

"But the facts speak for themselves. She is toxic, insanely jealous, and constantly goes out of her way to hurt Chloe."

Chloe tugged at his sleeve. "Gabe, please, stop," she pleaded, her voice trembling.

Gabriel looked down at her, his eyes softening for a split second. "Chloe, you don't need to defend her."

Then, he snapped his attention back to Tessa, his tone ice cold. "Tessa Davenport. As of tonight, I am officially calling off our engagement."

The crowd gasped collectively.

Everyone knew Gabriel didn't love Tessa. But dumping her in public right after she was accused of theft and assault was ruthless.

He was dragging her name through the mud.

Charles looked absolutely livid.

The Grayson and Davenport engagement was tied up in massive corporate mergers. Breaking it off publicly was airing their dirty laundry for all of high society to see.

But given Tessa's behavior, Charles could not find the words to stop the fallout.

Gabriel was not finished. "I refuse to marry a woman who is morally bankrupt."

He paused, looking down at her like a king tossing crumbs to a peasant. "For the sake of our families' history, I will make you a deal.

"If you apologize to Chloe right now, I won't press charges for what happened tonight."

Tessa listened in absolute silence.

And then, she smiled. It was a faint, chilling smile.

She finally spoke, tilting her head. "Gabriel, do you honestly think you are such a catch?"

Gabriel scowled. "Excuse me?"

"You are calling off the engagement. You talk like you are the one dumping me."

Slowly, Tessa reached into her clutch and pulled out a massive diamond ring.

It was the engagement ring the Grayson family had sent over years ago.

In three years, she had barely worn it once.

Under the bright lights, the diamond flashed obnoxiously, looking exactly like the hollow promise it represented.

She raised her hand and tossed the ring straight into the champagne tower.

A sharp clink rang out.

The top glass wobbled dangerously, spilling a few drops of golden champagne over the rim.

The entire room stood in stunned silence.

Tessa looked up, her voice crystal clear. "The wedding is off. I am the one walking away."

Gabriel turned livid.

Chloe stared in stunned silence.

She had fully expected Gabriel's public rejection to leave Tessa humiliated and broken.

But Tessa did not flinch. She did not look heartbroken at all.

She had just chucked the diamond like a piece of cheap trash, projecting nothing but cold indifference.

"What did you—" Gabriel snarled, his face twisting with rage.

Tessa did not let him finish.

"Since you are so devoted to Chloe, Gabriel, maybe you can explain this," she said, picking up her phone.

She pulled up a photo and turned the screen toward the crowd.

The image showed Gabriel and Chloe outside an exclusive country club.

The timestamp read 11:47 PM, exactly two weeks ago.

Chloe wore Gabriel's suit jacket, gazing up at him in a clearly intimate manner.

Tessa swiped to the next photo, showing Gabriel fastening a necklace around Chloe's neck.

She swiped again. The two were hugging in a car. The angle was not explicit, but it was incredibly sketchy.

The crowd immediately erupted into whispers.

"Wait, is that Gabriel and Chloe?"

"Sneaking around at midnight? But he is engaged to Tessa."

"No wonder he jumped to Chloe's defense. They have been hooking up this whole time."

Chloe went pale, having no idea Tessa had kept receipts.

Gabriel looked just as blindsided. His eyes darkened. "You hired a private investigator to follow me?"

"You are not worth the cash," Tessa replied flatly. "But when someone leaves trash on my doorstep, I like to know who dropped it."

Gabriel scowled. Chloe immediately started crying. "It is not what it looks like. I felt sick that night, and Gabriel was just driving me to the ER.

"Tessa, why are you twisting things to make us look bad?"

"The ER?" Tessa raised a skeptical brow. "Since when did this city's most exclusive country club rebrand as a hospital?"

Someone snorted in the crowd.

Chloe looked like she might faint.

She was the golden child. The Davenports spoiled her, high society adored her, and Gabriel protected her.

This was the first time Tessa had publicly backed her into a corner.

Sebastian stepped forward, frowning. "Chloe, what is going on with these pictures?"

Chloe's eyes welled with fresh tears. "Sebastian, are you really doubting me too?"

That single sentence killed his interrogation. He frowned but dropped the subject.

Tessa watched the exchange without a hint of surprise.

This was Chloe's signature move. She never explained.

She just played the victim and waited for everyone else to invent excuses for her.

"A few photos taken out of context prove nothing," Gabriel stated coldly. "Tessa, do you really think this stunt covers up the fact that you pushed her and stole that jewelry today?"

"The fact?" Tessa met his gaze. "Is your version of the fact just convicting me without checking the evidence first?"

"They found the velvet box in your bedroom, and Chloe fell down the stairs right in front of you."

"Then answer me this," Tessa challenged, her voice dropping. "Where is the actual necklace?"

Gabriel froze.

Tessa turned her attention to the maid who had snitched earlier. "You said you found the box in my room. So where is the jewelry?"

The maid turned chalk white. "I-I don't know," she stammered, avoiding eye contact.

"You don't know?" Tessa took a step closer. "The box is in my room, but the necklace vanished.

"You are calling me a thief over an empty box?"

Sweat beaded on the maid's forehead. She nervously glanced at another staff member standing next to Chloe.

That second maid instantly ducked her head.

Tessa caught the silent exchange but kept her mouth shut. It was not time to strike yet.

One blow would not ruin Chloe. Tessa needed this circus to drag on, letting everyone pick sides and voice their accusations.

That way, when the truth finally dropped, the backlash would be brutal.

Charles had finally seen enough. "Tessa, are you done?" he barked, his voice dripping with authority. "This is a family party.

"First you shove Chloe, then you slander her and Gabriel, and now you are talking in circles.

"I don't care about the necklace, and I don't care about your attitude. You are going to apologize to Chloe and Gabriel right now."

Tessa stared right at him. "And if I refuse?"

Charles glared, stepping forward. "Then get the hell out of this family."

The ultimatum hung in the air.

Victoria flinched. "Charles," she warned weakly, but she did not actually step in.

Chloe kept her head down, hiding a tiny smirk.

Gabriel just looked at Tessa as if she were a pathetic loser finally being put in her place.

Tessa remained quiet for a moment. Then, she smiled.

'I thought I was completely numb to them by now,' she thought, feeling a faint sting in her chest. 'It's not because I will miss them.

'It's just ridiculous.'

Three years ago, the Davenports dragged her back, claiming they owed her and wanted to make things right.

Instead, they gave her three years of blatant favoritism, blame, and humiliation.

Now, they were literally kicking her to the curb.

'Fine,' she mused, adjusting her posture. 'This saves me the trouble of quitting.'

Tessa reached up, unclasping the delicate gold chain around her neck.

Victoria had given it to her on her first day at the estate.

It was not expensive, but back then, Tessa foolishly thought it was a mother's olive branch.

That was why she had kept it all this time.

Victoria's eyes wavered when she saw the jewelry.

"Tessa," she whispered.

Tessa ignored her. She walked over to the champagne tower and tossed the necklace right next to the engagement ring.

"Keep your charity. I am done," she announced. She turned to Charles. "And I am done with the Grayson engagement."

She swept her gaze over Victoria, Sebastian, and finally Chloe, who was hiding safely in the crowd. "As of right now, I have zero ties to the Davenport family."

The room went silent.

Charles had not expected her to call his bluff. His face flushed purple with rage. "Think this through, Tessa.

"Without the Davenport name, you are absolutely nothing."

"Then let's wait and see who ends up being nothing," Tessa replied coolly.

Chloe's fingers twitched. A strange sense of panic fluttered in her chest.

Tessa was officially out of the family, meaning Chloe had won.

Yet, Tessa was far too calm. She did not look like a girl who had just lost her entire life.

She looked like a player finally leaving a rigged game.

Tessa turned her back on them, heading for the stairs.

"Where are you going?" Charles demanded.

"To get my stuff," she replied, not looking back.

"You are not taking a single dime that belongs to this family," he scoffed loudly.

Tessa paused on the steps and looked back.

"Do not worry," she said softly, a mocking smile on her face. "I don't want your trash."

Ten minutes later, Tessa came downstairs pulling a tiny carry-on bag.

She was taking almost nothing.

A few clothes, an old laptop, and a cheap clutch were all she genuinely owned after three years in this house.

The guests were still lingering, watching her every move.

Some gloated, others stared, but a few realized the biological Davenport heiress did not look nearly as pathetic as they had expected.

As Tessa reached the front doors, Chloe's whiny voice echoed behind her.

"Tessa, wait," she called out.

Tessa stopped.

Chloe, leaning heavily on Victoria, acted as though she were pushing through sheer agony just to catch up.

Her eyes were red. "It's pouring out there. It isn't safe for you to leave alone. Why don't you just stay? If you just say sorry, I'll beg Dad to forgive you."

How sweet. How selfless. She was playing the victim while begging for her supposed abuser.

The crowd's eyes softened with pity for Chloe.

Tessa looked at her, letting out a soft laugh.

"Chloe," Tessa said, tilting her head. "You had better pray you wiped the security footage tonight."

Chloe's heart dropped at the threat.

"Because if you missed a spot, nobody is going to buy those fake tears next time," Tessa finished, her tone icy.

She did not look back again, dragging her suitcase out the doors and straight into the storm. It was pouring.

The freezing wind whipped the damp air against her face.

Tessa stood on the stone steps. Her black dress snapped in the wind, but her posture remained completely rigid.

Behind her sat the glowing luxury of Davenport Manor.

Ahead of her was nothing but dark rain.

She checked her phone, finding a text notification sitting quietly on the screen.

It read: [Footage backed up to the cloud.]

A cold smile touched her lips. She pocketed the device.

A second later, blinding headlights cut through the storm.

A sleek, black Maybach rolled to a stop right in front of the steps.

The rear door opened, and a massive black umbrella popped up in the rain.

A man stepped out into the downpour. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wearing a tailored suit that screamed old money.

A black onyx bracelet glinted on his wrist in the dim light.

He walked up to Tessa, taking his time.

The rain was deafening.

Inside, the guests stared through the glass doors, absolutely stunned.

It was Lucian Lancaster, the most ruthless billionaire in Sterling City.

He looked down at her soaked shoulders, his dark eyes unreadable.

After a second, he tilted his umbrella to cover her.

His voice was deep and smooth. "Miss Davenport," he said. "I am here to take you home."