Chapter 3
Before the steward or I could respond, the call ended abruptly. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I thought I heard a hint of satisfaction in the steward’s voice. He shrugged and said, “Miss, you heard them. There’s nothing I can do.” Then he added ten more locks, completely cutting off any hope of escape. The sulfuric acid crept closer. At that moment, I closed my eyes in despair. Dad, Mom, when will you finally realize that I’m your real daughter? That Blair was the fake one. Then, I heard the steward making a call just outside the door. “Miss Landers, it’s done. Just like you asked.” “The boiler room’s filled with sulfuric acid. Even if she survives, her face will be ruined. When that happens, even if the Lewis Family wants her back, they won’t be able to bring themselves to acknowledge someone so hideous.” “Miss Landers, from now on, you will be the Lewis Family’s one and only little princess! All of the Lewis Family’s fortune will belong to you alone!” The steward’s words felt like ice water pouring over me from head to toe. So this had all been a setup between the steward and Blair. She had tricked Mom and Dad just to steal everything from the Lewis Family. Then Blair’s smug voice came through the phone. “I never thought just switching the DNA samples would get me such a big reward! I already have everything that used to belong to Scarlett. Now, Scarlett’s parents treat me even better than they treated her!” “Who would’ve guessed that the powerful Lewis couple, so respected in the business world, could be fooled this easily? And that pathetic rich boyfriend of Scarlett? He worships me now like a loyal dog!” Her arrogant words echoed over and over. In the boiler room, tears streamed down my face. I never imagined my parents and Spencer would be so cruel to me, all because of one lie. In their eyes, I had never truly mattered. What they really valued were those unseen, intangible bloodlines. Tears of pain ran down my face and I made up my mind: I had to save myself. I tore down a wooden board and used it to shield my head as I moved toward the boiler room’s internal phone. It was only connected to the estate’s internal line, but after pulling it apart and fixing the wires, I managed to link it to the emergency rescue team. The toxic fumes and heavy blood loss were clouding my mind. With the last of my strength, I whispered into the phone. “Enrico… help me…” I heard a panicked voice on the other end, but I was too weak to respond. I didn’t know how much time had passed until suddenly, I heard someone pounding hard on the door. “Scarlett! Hold on!” But right after, I heard the steward trying to stop him. “Young Master Moore! You’re damaging Lewis Family property! Be careful, or the master will be furious and ruin you!” Enrico’s cold laugh rang out from outside. “A mere Lewis Family thinks they can bankrupt me? What a joke. Hand over the keys now, or I’ll ruin your life instead.” The steward was so scared that he didn’t dare resist. He stood frozen as Enrico snatched his phone and called my father. “Uncle Magnus, Scarlett is trapped in the boiler room. Her condition is very serious. Where is the spare key?”