The grand ballroom was suffocatingly silent. All eyes locked on Selina, waiting—no, craving—to see if the mighty, untouchable queen would actually kneel.
Selina's heart pounded. That old, yellowed envelope Emily held… it felt like it weighed heavier than the entire Jiang family legacy.
Damian leaned closer, his low voice brushing against her ear."Selina, whatever's in that letter… it doesn't define you. You don't have to do this."
Selina closed her eyes for a brief moment. She had fought so hard to stand where she was now. But… if that letter contained the truth about her mother… how could she just walk away?
With every ounce of pride crushed under the weight of the unknown, Selina Jiang… slowly bent one knee.
The gasps were deafening.
Emily's laughter echoed through the hall, shrill and triumphant.
"Good girl!" she sneered, tossing the letter dramatically onto the marble floor. "Now, enjoy the show!"
Selina snatched the letter up, her fingers trembling as she ripped it open.
[Letter Contents – Handwritten in a delicate, fading script]
My dearest daughter,
If you're reading this, it means the past has finally caught up with you. There's something you were never meant to know… but perhaps it's time you do.
You are… not the true daughter of the Jiang family. You were born of another bloodline—one far more dangerous, far more powerful.
Your real father… is Lu Tianyi.
Selina's breath stopped. Her vision blurred.
That's right. You are the daughter of the Lu family's first patriarch—the founding emperor of the Lu Financial Empire. But for your safety, I hid you among the Jiangs to protect you from the blood feud that has plagued the Lu family for generations.
You were meant to live a quiet, safe life. But if you have found this letter… destiny has other plans for you.
Forgive me, my child. But the time will come when you must choose—claim your true birthright… or walk away from a throne that comes bathed in blood.
With love,Your mother.
Selina's hands trembled as she read the final line.
She turned toward Damian, eyes wide with disbelief."Damian… Lu Tianyi… that's your grandfather."
Damian's expression darkened instantly. His entire body tensed."Selina… that makes you…"
Selina's mind spun wildly.If this is true, then she wasn't just anyone—she was the true heir to the most powerful financial empire in Asia. And Damian… the man she had fallen for… could he be…
Before the thought could fully form, Damian grabbed her wrist.
"Don't think for a second this changes anything," he growled, his eyes burning. "You belong to me—fate, bloodline, nothing will change that."
But as Selina looked into his conflicted eyes, a horrifying realization settled in her heart.
Was their love… forbidden?
Fade to black.