Chapter 1
"Miss, stop wasting everyone's time and just pay your bill."
The manager's tone was sharp and condescending, making it clear she thought I was trying to score a free meal. A few curious glances drifted our way from the surrounding tables.
Frowning, I decided not to waste any more time on this ridiculous situation. I pulled out my phone and dialed my younger brother, Julian Sterling.
The line rang busy. I tried again, but still got nothing.
It was a workday. What could that brat possibly be doing?
I put my phone away, met the pushy woman's gaze, and repeated myself with deliberate clarity. "I'll say it one more time. My name is Victoria Sterling. I'm Julian's older sister. If you can't reach him, just check his account. My photo and details are linked directly to his card."
I figured that was the most straightforward way to resolve the issue.
But when she heard my name, the manager didn't even bother to check the system. Instead, she let out a loud, mocking laugh that drew even more eyes in our direction.
She leaned in close, dropping her voice to a harsh whisper meant only for me. "Still playing pretend? I've seen your face on my honey Julian's social media. You're just some shameless homewrecker sneaking around with my man! And now you have the nerve to show up here and try to put your meal on his tab? Exactly how thick-skinned are you?"
For a moment, I was genuinely stunned. I glanced down at her nametag. Chloe Vance. A wave of speechlessness washed over me. So, this was Julian's so-called secret girlfriend—the one he had stubbornly refused to show me a picture of.
How could Julian have such terrible taste?
Suddenly, it all made sense. This outrageous fifty-thousand-dollar bill wasn't a misunderstanding at all. It was a deliberate setup, orchestrated entirely to humiliate me.
Before I could get another word in, her patience snapped. "If this lady wants to dine and dash, we'll just have to detain her until the police arrive!"
She waved a hand, and two burly security guards who had been hovering nearby immediately stepped in.
One clamped a heavy hand tightly over my mouth, while the other wrenched my arms behind my back like I was a common criminal.
I struggled, but the difference in physical strength made it completely hopeless.
Ignoring my furious glare and the shocked gasps from the other diners, they dragged me roughly toward the kitchen. They shoved me into a cramped storage room that reeked of harsh disinfectants and rotting food.
The heavy door slammed shut, instantly cutting me off from all light and sound.