Before my business trip, I left my daughter an unlimited black card. My only rule was for her to spend at least five million a month, to cultivate good spending habits. At first, I thought that if my daughter spent well, it would motivate me to earn more. But after a while, something felt off. She bought hundreds of luxury items in three days, ten villas in five, and yesterday, she even bought 100 adult novelty toys. I secretly flew back to investigate. But to my horror, as soon as I landed, I was informed that my daughter had been hit by a car while scavenging for anything to sell and was in the hospital, unable to even pay for her medical bills. The nurse’s voice on the phone was laced with blame: “Ms. Cross, I’ve never seen parents as neglectful as you. If you don’t come soon, you might not see your child again!” My heart pounded as I rushed to the hospital, where I found her frail and emaciated body. As my heart ached, my phone suddenly pinged with a notification: the black card had just been used for a high-end spa. I immediately stopped my assistant from canceling the black card, a faint smile playing on my lips. She likes swiping cards, does she? Then let her swipe to her heart’s content!
I got off the plane, holding a meticulously chosen birthday gift, my mind filled with fantasies of my daughter’s adorable face when she saw the surprise. But as soon as I exited the airport, I checked my phone to find over a dozen missed calls. My phone rang again. I picked it up without thinking. “This is Crestwood Hospital. Are you Skylar Cross’s mother?” “She was hit by a car on the street yesterday while scavenging for anything to sell and was rushed to our hospital.” “She’s been revived, but you need to pay the medical fees.” I froze, completely stunned, as if struck by lightning. “How is that possible?” I blurted out, instinctively. The nurse’s voice on the other end suddenly grew louder: “You’re not trying to bail on the bill, are you? Get to the hospital and pay up, or we’ll have to throw your daughter out to fend for herself!” Then, she slammed the phone down. Confusion and alarm surged through me. I immediately told my driver to head to the hospital. How could Skylar be scavenging for anything to sell? Even if she ran out of money, with a nanny at home, she wouldn’t go hungry. And with an unlimited black card, how could she not afford medical bills? As soon as the car stopped, I sprinted to her room, where I saw my emaciated daughter lying on the bed. Her arm and right leg were broken, encased in thick plaster casts, making her already delicate limbs look even thinner. When she saw me, her once dull eyes instantly welled up with tears. I went over and pulled her into my embrace, patting her back to comfort her. “It’s okay, sweetheart, don’t be scared. Mommy’s back.” Her face was covered in bruises and swelling, and her exposed arms were full of scars. In just one year, my vibrant little princess had turned into this. My daughter’s tears poured out of her. She clung to my shoulder, sobbing, “Mommy, the nurse said today’s the deadline. If we don’t pay the medical fees, they’re going to throw me out.” Her tears burned my chest, making my heart clench. I stroked her hair and asked softly, “Didn’t Mommy leave you a black card? How could you be out of money?” Her small body trembled. Only with my encouraging gaze did she finally speak: “Brandon snatched my black card and gave it to Cassidy. He said I didn’t deserve to be a Thorne family heiress, or to be with him.” Brandon Miller was the son of Doris Green, our nanny. Cassidy White was the child who was swapped at birth, and they had grown quite close. Many people said Brandon was meant to be the Thorne family’s future son-in-law. After Skylar was found, I was worried she’d be unhappy, so I immediately sent Cassidy out of the mansion, giving her enough money to live comfortably for a lifetime. I thought I had been more than fair and generous with her. I never imagined these ungrateful vipers would dare to bully my daughter. I’ll make them regret it. Seeing my daughter’s timid and haggard appearance, my heart twisted in agony. “Mommy won’t let them get away with this. No one will ever dare to bully you again.”
Just as I finished speaking, a grim-faced nurse stormed in and threw a bill onto the bed. Her eyes practically rolled into her head: “Pay the medical fees quickly, don’t think you can get away with it!” I looked at the stale, dim, multi-bed ward, and the filthy bed my daughter was lying on. I couldn’t take it anymore. With one phone call, the Dean, along with dozens of medical staff, rushed in. The nurse’s face paled. “Your attitude towards patients makes you unfit to work here. You’re fired.” After the Dean’s declaration, he immediately bowed deeply and respectfully to me, apologizing profusely. “Ms. Cross, it was our oversight. We’re so sorry your daughter was subjected to such treatment.” Only then did the nurse realize who she had angered. She tried to plead, but security guards dragged her out. I declined the Dean’s offer to transfer rooms and made another call. Less than ten minutes later, a professional medical team arrived and escorted Skylar to a private car. My sharp, efficient assistant followed behind me, her heels clicking against the floor. She reported respectfully: “During your absence, Brandon Miller started his own company, claiming to be your future son-in-law to gain advantages.” “He said you would eventually let him inherit the company and took many projects from our firm.” “He also claimed he only recognized Cassidy White as his fiancée. Cassidy has taken possession of all the assets you prepared for your daughter, and… she even kicked your daughter out of the Thorne family mansion.” The more she spoke, the colder my expression became. I had seen some cleverness in Brandon. I’d paid for him to attend the most exclusive private academies since he was little. He got a little kindness and thought he was hot stuff. Cassidy had lived a heiress’s life for over a decade in my daughter’s place. Not only did she feel no guilt, she tried to usurp her rightful place. I clenched my fists. They seemed to have forgotten what I was capable of. No one messes with Victoria Cross’s daughter! Just then, my phone buzzed with another black card spending alert. I opened it to see an entry fee for an auction. “Ms. Cross, do you need me to cancel this black card immediately?” my assistant inquired. I curved my lips into a smile: “Not so fast. Just cancel it before seven tonight.” “Also, Skylar and I will be attending tonight’s underground auction.” “Understood, Ms. Cross. I’ll make the arrangements right away,” my assistant replied respectfully. They like money, do they? I’ll give them a grand gift soon enough. “Also, investigate how Skylar got those injuries.” Thinking of the numerous scars on my sweet daughter, I felt both furious and heartbroken. The chilling aura around me startled Skylar. She cautiously tugged at my sleeve. “Mommy, are you mad at me?” “I’m sorry, Mommy. I won’t say bad things about my sister anymore. You can give her anything.” “Please don’t abandon Skylar.” Seeing her timidly trying to please me, my nose stung. What had they been feeding her?! How could I ever abandon her?! “Mommy isn’t mad at her sweetheart. Mommy’s mad at herself for not protecting her precious daughter better.” “No one can snatch what belongs to Skylar, and how could Mommy ever abandon you?” Hearing my words, her eyes suddenly lit up, sparkling brighter than stars. Soon, though, she lowered her head again, murmuring, “But Brandon said Mommy would definitely prefer the more excellent Cassidy, and if I wasn’t obedient, I’d be sent away.” “He’s the son-in-law chosen by Mom and Dad. Whoever he chooses is the Thorne family heiress.” I chuckled coldly. Where did Brandon get such confidence? He was Skylar’s senior in school, seemingly excellent in both character and academics. Young girls usually liked that type. At the time, I was worried Skylar wouldn’t know anyone when she first came back, so I allowed Brandon to continue living in the Thorne mansion to look after her. I hadn’t expected to let a wolf into the house. I lifted Skylar’s chin, looking at her tear-filled eyes. I said each word carefully: “Skylar Cross, you are the only child of the Cross and Thorne families. You will inherit everything we have.” “There’s no such thing as that ‘sister’ nonsense, and you don’t need some husband to help you. You will be the future CEO.” “Did you get that?” The little girl’s brow gradually relaxed, and she nodded vigorously. That’s more like it.
At seven in the evening, I took Skylar into the opulent and dazzling auction house, located nine floors beneath the city center. Here, anything could be bought. “Distinguished guest, please proceed to the third-floor private rooms.” A hostess in a sleek, elegant gown saw me present my badge and immediately greeted us respectfully. This badge wasn’t something you could obtain with just money; it required both wealth and power. Fewer than five guests were allowed on the third floor. The people on the first floor were multi-millionaires, yet they were lucky to even get a regular seat. “Eat up.” The private room was filled with expensive, exquisite pastries and thousands of dollars worth of drinks. I handed a plate of delicate butterfly-shaped pastries to Skylar. Through the one-way glass, I saw Cassidy White and Brandon Miller among the crowd on the first floor. Cassidy was surrounded by her entire class like a princess. Seeing her fair, supple skin and the latest designer couture, then looking at my frail daughter, My heart felt like it was being constantly twisted by a knife. The auction quickly began. Cassidy announced it was her birthday and she wanted to buy something extravagant for everyone. Every time she made a bid, I would relentlessly raise the price. “Who’s that on the third floor, always going against me? Aren’t they afraid of offending the Thorne family?” Cassidy sounded annoyed, seeing an accessory that was originally one million suddenly inflated to five million. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Money is just a number. Once it’s over, I’ll find out who they are and make them pay,” Brandon said gently, pulling out a black card to soothe her. Skylar looked at me nervously, seeing me only bid up prices but never buy anything. Thinking she might want something, I, as if by magic, pulled out a black velvet box. “Those things outside are all common. This is the birthday gift Mommy prepared for you, sweetheart.” “See if you like it?” She took it, stunned. Inside was a rare emerald necklace, once worn by a British princess. It was one-of-a-kind and utterly priceless; all the items in today’s auction combined couldn’t buy it. “It’s too precious, I don’t deserve it…” The girl didn’t even dare to touch it. I took it directly from the box, my voice brooking no argument. “Only you deserve it, my little princess.” I personally fastened it around her neck, speaking seriously. Like she had received a priceless treasure, she hugged me for the first time. “Thank you, Mommy.” *Thank you, Mommy, for not despising me, utterly worthless as I am.* A wave of warmth spread through my chest. I resolved to give her the best of everything. Anyone who had bullied her would face severe consequences. After a brief mother-daughter chat, I took a work call. When I returned, I saw Skylar surrounded on the first floor. “Skylar Cross, Cassidy didn’t even invite you. Why are you so thick-skinned, tagging along?” “Today, Miss Thorne is treating the whole class to an experience, and she’s bought something extravagant for each of us, but that doesn’t include a little street rat like you!” “What cheap garbage is that around her neck? So green, it looks totally fake.” The short-haired girl spoke, and directly yanked the necklace off Skylar’s neck, leaving a bruised, bleeding mark. “I bet she’s still dreaming of being a rich heiress. She even has the nerve to say she’s a Thorne family member, hahaha!” A jock said this, and everyone burst into laughter, throwing insults at her, a barrage of “bitch” and “imposter.” In the chaos, someone snatched her crutch, and several hands pushed her to the ground. Seeing this, I instantly understood how Skylar had gotten her injuries. “Stop!”
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