Forsaken Daughter Turns the Game Upside Down

Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over the Davenier family's grand ballroom. Laughter floated through the air-hollow, rehearsed-mingling with the scent of expensive perfume and sweet wine. The capital's elite had gathered, not just for a party, but to welcome back the Davenier family's long-lost daughter.

And yet, it was through the back entrance that another girl slipped in unnoticed.

No one greeted her.

Not the butler. Not the maid who looked up, caught her gaze, and quickly looked away. And certainly not the woman waiting at the bottom of the grand staircase: Kendall Bond, draped in white silk and a fresh layer of betrayal.

"Well, well," Kendall said, lips curving into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I wondered if you'd show."

Esther didn't slow. "Move."

Kendall stepped in her path, one hand resting gracefully on the marble banister. "I just thought I'd say it face-to-face. We're not friends anymore."

Esther stopped-not out of shock, but at how well-rehearsed it sounded, as if Kendall had practiced the line in front of a mirror, over and over again.

"Do you remember who pulled you out when your family was drowning in debt?" Esther said quietly. "Who kept your name from landing in bankruptcy court?"

"I remember," Kendall replied, tone cool. "But gratitude doesn't change the fact that you're not the real daughter of this family."

Silence stretched between them.

Then Esther smiled-small, sharp.

"Return everything I ever gave you. Then we're even."

Kendall blinked. "You're serious?"

"I'm more than serious. I'm recording. If I don't get my stuff back, I'll post it online" Esther lifted her phone, the screen lit. "Try me."

The color drained from Kendall's face.

Esther brushed past her without another word. This so-called best friend-who had once promised to stand by her forever-was quick to switch sides the moment the real Davenier daughter came home. How predictable. How pathetic.

In the ballroom, the celebration was in full swing. At the center, Alan Davenier himself stood with a glass raised high, his hand resting lightly on Chloe's shoulder.

"Today, after twenty-four years, my daughter has returned. The Davenier family is whole again."

Thunderous applause followed.

Esther stood at the edge of the room like a ghost, unnoticed. She picked up a glass of champagne and held it, untouched, letting the room's warmth press against her skin without sinking in.

"Is that... her?"

"Esther Davenier? She actually came?"

"I heard she's not even legally a Davenier anymore. Why hasn't she changed her surname yet?"

"This is just the beginning. Now that they've revealed the true daughter, what's next-taking back Esther's fiancé?"

"What fiancé? The Westvale family would never stoop that low. They've already moved on. Evander has two kids now, doesn't he? Probably found someone better."

"Still, now that the Daveniers have a beautiful daughter again, they'll latch on to the first noble name they can find."

"Poor Esther. Her birth parents threw her away, the Westvale family rejected her, and now even the Daveniers want nothing to do with her."

"The Westvales? Marry an orphan with discarded blood? Please. They wouldn't risk polluting their bloodline."

"Shh!"

The gossip cut off all at once when someone from the next table hissed, "Shh!"

"Wait... is that Levi? Oh my god, Evander's assistant! What's he doing at a banquet like this?"

"No way, that's really Levi. Isn't Evander totally against the Davenier family? Why would he send him here?"

People craned their necks for a better look.

For a family like the Daveniers-barely holding on to their noble title-having someone like Levi show up was huge. Most of the guests tonight were small-time nobles and social climbers trying to stay relevant. Levi showing up was like Evander Westvale himself walking through the door. Exciting... and terrifying.

"Is he just here to show face or...?"

Before anyone could finish the thought, Alan stepped forward with Chloe by his side, smiling like he'd just won the lottery.

"Assistant Levi, thank you so much for coming to my daughter's welcome banquet," Alan said warmly. "Your arrival truly honors us. We're doubly blessed-"

"I'm not here for any Miss Davenier's banquet," Levi cut in, polite but firm.

Alan blinked, caught off guard.

Levi continued, calm as ever, "And I'm not here to meet Miss Davenier, either."

He looked at Chloe for half a second, then turned back to Alan.

"This event has nothing to do with Mr. Westvale," he said clearly. "We don't care about the Davenier family's celebrations."

Silence fell over the room.

Everyone heard it loud and clear: the Westvale family wanted no part of this.

The moment those words dropped, the whole ballroom fell into dead silence.

Alan looked like someone had just slapped him across the face, then thrown him to the floor and stepped on him for good measure. Esther, standing closest, caught the exact moment his face went from red... to green... to ghostly pale. She had to bite her lip to stop from laughing.

Sweet.

Everyone always said Evander Westvale was cold, emotionless-like some human-shaped calculator who only cared about profits. But who would've guessed his assistant could be this entertaining?

Whatever trace of sadness Esther had been feeling earlier disappeared. She almost burst out laughing. And she wasn't the only one. A few people nearby were already snickering under their breath, while a couple of social climbers-clearly from the lowest rungs-started quietly pulling out their phones to record the moment.

Then suddenly-

"How could I have nothing to do with Mr. Westvale?"

Just as Esther was enjoying the show, someone nudged her from behind. She turned-and saw Chloe.

Dressed in a sleek, white satin gown that clung to her like it was custom-made (because it probably was), Chloe stepped forward with a soft little smirk.

"Our families-the Daveniers and the Westvales-have always had a close relationship," she said, loud enough for the room to hear. "There's even a marriage agreement between us. I'm the rightful daughter of the Davenier family-and his fiancée."

She gave Levi a pointed look, all sugar and venom.

"So for Assistant Levi to say something like that... is he trying to make the Westvale family look ungrateful?"

***

Chloe looked confident-way too confident. She knew Levi wouldn't dare accuse Evander of being ungrateful in public. After all, the Westvale family was in the middle of acquiring two international companies. Even a tiny scandal could mess up the deals and tank their stock. That's why she was so bold about pushing her luck.

"I suggest you call Mr. Westvale before you speak again, Assistant Levi," she said smugly.

Levi glanced at her-cool, calm, not impressed. He pulled out his phone and dialed without a word.

"Mr. Westvale," he said, "your fiancée might need to be replaced."

Chloe froze.

Did he just say that... out loud?

This guy had guts.

Before Chloe could even react, Levi ended the call and gave her a small, polite bow.

"Mr. Westvale says: fiancées chosen by family don't just get swapped out by anyone."

Chloe lit up like she'd just won a prize. "See? That's what I've been saying. The Westvale family knows loyalty-they're not ungrateful."

But she didn't see the next line coming.

Levi didn't even blink.

"Exactly. When Esther Davenier turned eighteen, the Davenier family formally proposed a marriage alliance. Mr. Westvale is loyal. Cheating's not in his character."

Boom!

Chloe looked like she'd just been struck by lightning.

And Levi wasn't finished.

"Judging by your face, Miss Davenier, you didn't know? Let me remind you-being unaware doesn't make it okay to try and steal someone else's fiancé. Especially when that someone's your own sister. Esther's still very much alive. Trying to marry her fiancé? Not a good look."

Esther froze.

Engaged... to Evander? Since when?

She stared at Levi, still processing everything he'd just said. Why would Evander-this cold, untouchable, legendary figure-suddenly have his assistant show up at this mess of a banquet? Was this some kind of game?

Her mind raced, and without meaning to, it drifted back to twelve hours earlier.

"Code blue, Director! We've lost the patient's heartbeat!"

"No pulse for ten minutes!"

"No pulse for twenty!"

"No pulse for thirty... Director, resuscitation failed. Time of death is-"

"Shut up!" Adrian snapped, panic rising in his voice. His hands trembled as he checked his watch and fumbled for his phone. "Where the hell are you, my little savior? This is Evander's mother-the matriarch of the most powerful family in the capital! If she dies in my hospital, I might as well drop dead with her..."

BANG!

The OR doors burst open, slamming against the walls. A woman in full surgical gear stormed in like a force of nature.

Esther.

"Move," she ordered, already snapping on gloves.

"Scalpel team, stand by. I want three IV lines-blood, saline, adrenaline."

"Yes, Doctor!"

"Get ready for thoracotomy!"

"Yes, Doctor!"

"Scalpel. Forceps. Scissors!"

She worked fast-ribs opened, pericardium exposed, her hands steady as she began direct cardiac massage. Every movement was clean, precise. The surgical team could only stare, frozen.

Then-beep.

"We've got a heartbeat!"

Gasps echoed around the room. All eyes were on her. Esther had cracked open a chest, restarted a heart, and dragged someone back from death. It was nothing short of a miracle.

She checked the vitals-stable.

"Flush the chest cavity. Get ready to close."

Once everything was under control, she stepped back, peeled off her gloves, and left the rest to the attending surgeon. Outside, she pulled off her mask and goggles-her long chestnut hair spilling out around her shoulders.

"Thank you, thank you-sweetheart, you saved us all-"

"Save it," Esther cut in, voice cool. "No one can know I was here today."

Before Adrian could respond, she was already throwing on her trench coat and slipping on her mask.

"As for the people inside-shut them up. Or clean them up. I've got somewhere to be."

And just like that, she was gone.

Snapping back to the present, Esther swallowed hard.

Could Evander know?

That couldn't be. Her identity had been kept strictly confidential. She hadn't left a single trace.

Unless... he found out anyway.

And now his assistant was here, staring her down in front of the entire ballroom.

Things were starting to feel a little too personal.

'All right, enough excitement. I'm out of here!'

But just as Esther turned to leave, her wrist was suddenly grabbed. Before she could even react, a strong pull yanked her backward. As she blinked open her eyes, she saw it was Chloe pulling her-and the beret on her head was knocked off. Her chin was grabbed, and that palm-sized, rose-shaped red burn scar on her cheek suddenly came into full view of the crowd.

Esther gasped sharply.

Chloe's mocking voice rang over her head. "Assistant Levi, see this? This is Esther. With a face like that, are you really sure Mr. Westvale wants to marry her?"

"As long as her last name's Davenier, and she's a Davenier family daughter, that's enough."

Levi barely glanced at Esther's face before blurting out, his mind still on what Evander had said over the phone moments ago. Then he paused, looked properly at the face before him, and a corner of his mouth twitched awkwardly.

"My Boss has a very particular taste. He likes girls just like Miss Esther Davenier!"

Chloe was speechless.

It was like she'd just been slapped hard across the face. No doubt about it-the amused, sneaky smiles all around were enough to beat down the reputation of the Davenier family's newly revealed heiress.

Damn Esther! On her first day out in the public eye, she'd already humiliated her!

Chloe's eyes burned with fury. She clenched her fists and hissed through gritted teeth, "Esther, just wait. You're nothing but a freak. You really think you can fight me over a man? Keep dreaming."

...

One hour later, at Rexpark Villa, Building 8.

The helicopter landed with a thud.

Levi respectfully stood before Evander's plane.

"Boss, the Old Madam has been stabilized. She's now in ICU at Hospital A..."

"Buy the hospital."

Before Levi could finish his report, the sharply dressed man cut him off coldly.

"Also, arrange for me to meet the doctor who dared to operate on my mother's chest!"

***

"Sorry, Mr. Westvale." Levi, the usually flawless assistant who always said 'yes,' was saying sorry for the first time.

"The director of Hospital A is Adrian Lewis, but the largest shareholder is actually that doctor who performed the surgery. Without her approval, Adrian's signature means nothing."

"Then make her approve it."

Under the moonlight, the man's tall figure grew even colder. Patience was never his virtue.

"Sorry, Mr. Westvale. I haven't found her yet."

One second.

Two seconds...

Levi felt the temperature drop several degrees as Evander, who was about to head inside, suddenly turned his head toward him, tugging his necktie.

"Levi, do you think the African branch is a nice place to be?"

"Boss, mercy!"

Hearing that, sweat broke out on Levi's forehead.

"I still want to follow you, Mr. Westvale. I'll find that female doctor, buy the hospital to care for the Old Madam, and make amends!"

After saying this, Levi cautiously followed behind him, sneaking glances at his expression.

"And about the Davenier family matter..."

"Good job on that."

"But Miss Esther Davenier's appearance..."

Having almost been sent to Africa but now just narrowly praised felt like a second life to Levi. He didn't dare show Evander Esther's photo. While her face, features, and skin were good, the disfigurement was undeniable. If the guy were just any ordinary rich heir, that'd be one thing. But Evander was different.

"She really does kind of not match you-she's not pretty."

Thinking back on his public declaration earlier-'My Boss has a very particular taste. He likes girls just like Miss Esther Davenier'-Levi suddenly felt a little guilty.

"Is there any woman in this world worthy of me?"

Cold, sharp, and untouchably powerful-that was Evander Westvale. A man so feared and respected, people joked he could order both the King of Hell and the God of Wealth around.

Levi immediately replied with utmost respect, "No, there isn't!"

"No? Then why waste words..."

"Sir, you're finally back!"

The nanny rushed out as soon as she heard the helicopter land, interrupting him. "The little miss has been crying the whole time. The little master tried soothing her for a long while, but she insists on having Daddy with her!"

At that, the man's icy, murderous aura vanished instantly. Before anyone could react, Evander was already rushing-half running, half walking-toward the children's room upstairs.

Levi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He's stopped wasting time!

The little miss really is his saving angel!

But as his hand reached into his pants pocket for his phone, the photo he had accidentally received earlier flashed through his mind again-Esther's disfigured face. Should he show it to the boss? Or not?

...

At the Davenier family mansion, Chloe's welcome banquet had been abruptly cut short-thanks to Levi publicly exposing the truth and humiliating her.

When Esther headed upstairs, she was immediately stopped at the door by Maris.

"Esther," Maris said coldly, "today was your sister's recognition banquet. You shouldn't have shown up. Doing that in public-aren't you ashamed? Do you have any gratitude at all for the Davenier family raising you?"

"Mom, why waste your breath?" Chloe added tearfully. "She doesn't care. She just wants to marry into a rich family!"

Before Maris could respond, Chloe's eyes filled with tears as she stepped forward dramatically.

"I'm not even insisting on marrying into the Westvale family! But if my sister wanted to marry, couldn't she at least tell me? And to humiliate me like that in public-now people are calling me a mistress! I'm the Davenier family's real daughter! Sis, if you don't want me back, just say so. Are you trying to drive me to my death by embarrassing me like this?"

Esther: "..."

Look at that. The villain complains first-and so righteously, too. A true biological daughter.

She raised an eyebrow. "What if I am trying to drive you to death? Will you die?"

Chloe blinked. "...Of course not."

"Then what's the problem? If you're not dying, what's the point of your performance?"

"Mom, did you hear that?" Chloe pointed at Esther, sobbing. "This is the girl you raised for twenty years!"

Then she turned away dramatically. "Forget it. I'll leave. Since I'm not welcome, I might as well go. Better than being bullied to death in my own home..."

"The daughter I carried for ten months and gave birth to-who dares to let you leave!"

Maris cut in sharply before Chloe's tears even dried. Her expression was dark.

"Besides," she added coldly, "Levi said it in public-and you heard it too. The Westvale family only respects Esther because she's a Davenier. But what if she's not?"

She picked up her phone and shoved it in Esther's face, showing her a freshly posted announcement:

[Entrepreneur Alan Davenier publicly declares: social orphan Esther is no longer his daughter and all ties are severed.]

"See that?" Maris sneered. "From this moment on, you're no longer a Davenier. Whether you live or die-it's not our problem anymore."

Esther: "..."

So this is what it feels like to be kicked out.

Actually, not bad.

At least this way, she didn't have to pretend to be ungrateful. If they kicked her out, she didn't owe them anything.

For the first time in years, she felt a weight lift off her chest.

The Davenier family's collapsing business had drained her long enough. Her spoiled younger brother had left mess after mess. She'd sacrificed more than enough.

Now, she could finally let go.

She almost wanted to say "thank you" out loud-but her pride wouldn't let her.

Instead, she simply said, "Fine. Since that's the case, I'll move out tonight."

***