Chapter 3 Ch3 - Betrayed by family

Lena returned home to the vast, empty mansion, once filled with warmth and life. Her family was gone, the household staff dismissed, leaving only a hollow shell of the place she used to know. The house itself was now collateral under the company's assets, with everything inside tagged for repossession. In a few days, it would be sealed off and auctioned to repay their debts.

She didn't have the energy to pack. Instead, she went straight to her bed, lying down and staring blankly at the ceiling. She kept thinking back to last month when her parents had celebrated her twenty-sixth birthday.

They had carefully planned every detail of the party: floral arrangements, balloons, creating a dreamy atmosphere. She wore a custom black satin gown with a delicate strap and 3D white feathers adorning it. One of her gifts that night was a set of jewelry with aquamarine gems, the same color as her eyes-a necklace, along with a pair of platinum earrings set with diamonds and pear-shaped aquamarine stones.

Her mother had fastened the necklace for her, saying, "Aquamarine is the birthstone for March, a symbol of youth, health, and optimism. I hope your life will be filled with the same."

Even her usually distant older brother had surprised her with a two-tiered castle cake, one that hit her right in the heart. She'd jokingly asked her friend Diya, "How did my brother know exactly what I'd like? Did you give him a hint?"

Diya just smiled, "Whoever thought of it doesn't matter. You're the star today. As long as you're happy, that's all that counts."

But a week ago, her family had vanished like a passing breeze.

Lena draped an arm over her eyes. She was exhausted, but sleep wouldn't come. The events from that day played over and over in her mind.

She'd been in bed when a maid had rushed in, looking alarmed, telling her to go to the front door. There, she found several officials, stern-faced and in formal suits.

"Miss Lena Carrington, as the legal representative of Carrington Group, we're here to inform you that all assets in your family's name will be seized for liquidation, including this residence."

Lena's brow furrowed. "Excuse me, but there must be a mistake..."

Anticipating her response, the official raised his ID and showed her the seizure order.

His voice echoed through the mansion, and the staff stopped their work, instinctively gathering by the door. Lena's vision blurred slightly. She forced herself to focus on the paper in front of her-it was indeed her family's company name on the document. Her mind went blank. "I... Let me call my parents."

She rushed into her room, grabbing her phone, her hands shaking. A horrible feeling gnawed at her, but she kept telling herself it was fine. She just needed to call her parents, and they'd handle it. But the only response was, "The number you've dialed is currently unavailable."

She ran back out and leaned over the railing, calling out to the housekeepers, "Did any of you see my parents today? Did they say where they were going?"

Her voice trembled, unaware that it had become fragile, like a glass window in a storm, close to shattering.

The five housekeepers exchanged uneasy glances. After a pause, one of them said, "I haven't seen them today."

"Me neither."

"I didn't see them after dinner last night."

Lena's face turned ashen. This couldn't be happening... it just couldn't...

Her heart pounded as she ran to her parents' room. The sound of her footsteps was heavy as she made her way there. Privacy and manners no longer mattered; she flung open the door, causing the curtains to ripple.

The room appeared untouched. She opened the wardrobe; most of their clothes were still there, but the glass case that held her mother's designer handbags was missing some of the most valuable pieces. She opened the jewelry cabinet and found the safe-it was empty. Her brother's room was the same...

She sank to the floor, feeling like her soul had been wrenched away.

Just then, she heard footsteps approaching on the stairs. "Sorry for the intrusion, Miss, but we need to begin our work," the lead official said politely, while his colleagues started affixing seals throughout the house.

Priceless vases, paintings, statues-each item was now marked. She realized that everything her parents had left behind was too difficult to take with them. Her parents and brother had planned their escape well in advance; she just hadn't been part of the plan.

Her temples throbbed painfully. She suddenly recalled the official's opening words, "As the legal representative of the Carrington Group..."

She scrambled to her feet. "I need to clarify something. I am not the legal representative. My parents are."

The man frowned. "The company transferred legal ownership a month ago. You are now the sole responsible party."

What? Her stomach lurched. Her face went pale, her eyes wide with disbelief, before her gaze dropped to the floor. She remembered how, on her birthday, her father had asked her to sign some papers, saying that since she was older, he wanted her more involved in the business and that these documents would increase her influence. She had trusted him, signing without question, assuming it was a gift.

Looking back now...

Nearly everything in the house was registered under the company's name for tax benefits, except for the aquamarine jewelry set, which was in her name. That was one of the few possessions that wouldn't be seized. Her bank accounts were frozen, the car and house confiscated, and she was given one week to vacate.

Her first thought was to contact her friend. After settling final payments for the staff, she took her jewelry and hurried to Diya's house.

Their homes were close, so she hadn't called ahead, thinking she'd find either Diya or her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore.

Fidgeting nervously outside their door, Lena bit her nails until a housekeeper came out. "Sorry, Miss, but Miss Diya isn't home."

"Oh, no worries. Are Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore here?"

"They're out as well, I'm afraid."

Lena's heart sank. "Out? Do you know when they'll be back? It's urgent."

The housekeeper looked uncomfortable, her gaze shifting. "I... I don't know."

"Oh... well, please tell them I stopped by when they return."

Lena lowered her head and turned away, hiding her expression behind her hair. Back at home, she finally got a message from Diya.

"I'm so sorry, Lena. You must be feeling terrible. I wish I could be there with you... but my parents won't let me contact you..."

News of her family's financial downfall had spread like wildfire. Lena didn't blame the Whitmores for wanting to protect their daughter.

But she still needed help, so she texted Diya back, "Diya, is there any chance you could lend me a little money? I can give you my birthday jewelry as collateral."

Diya replied, "Oh no, I couldn't possibly take that jewelry from you. It's too meaningful to you. I'll see how much I can pull together, but it won't be a lot."

Lena typed, "It doesn't matter. Thank you so much, Diya."