Kieran’s career soared after that. With a little push from my family, he quickly gained a foothold in the entertainment industry and built a solid fan base.

He promised me that once he entered the second tier of stars, he would make our relationship public. I would no longer be his girlfriend in secret and I couldn’t help but think about the future.

When the New Year came around, I planned to bring Kieran home with me. I was eager to show him my family, to finally reveal my true identity to him. I imagined the look of surprise on his face when he realized just who I really was. But to my shock, on my birthday, he gave me a surprise I would never forget for the rest of my life.

Kieran hit me with a blow that would leave me shattered. For the sake of his career, he discarded me without a second thought. He’d left me behind, without hesitation, without any remorse. It was like a cruel twist of fate. The man I had helped to lift up, the man I believed in, had tossed me aside like I was nothing.

I had done everything for him, only to be cast aside when it mattered most. The sting of betrayal was unbearable, but I couldn’t help but think, “Kieran, you’ll regret this.” I would make sure of it.

That afternoon, the family butler drove me back to the estate.

The house was bustling with activity; guests had already started arriving for the evening’s celebrations. Many of the guests didn’t know me, which wasn’t surprising. I had always kept a low profile and my parents had gone to great lengths to protect me from the public eye.

My parents were mingling with some of the influential figures from the capital, engaged in casual conversation, while I decided to take a walk around the grounds with our Pomeranian, waiting for the evening’s birthday festivities to begin.

It was then that I saw them—Margot and Kieran, standing off to the side with a group of people, all smiles and laughter. They were surrounded by the cast and crew from the film Kieran had starred in and they were all fawning over Margot. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the scene. The way they all doted on her was nauseating.

“Margot, you really are amazing! To get the wrap party for our film hosted here, at the Fitzgerald estate? That’s unbelievable!”

“This estate is practically a legend in Wickerdale. I’ve heard so many big shots have tried to get an invitation and failed!”

“We owe you big time, Margot. And of course, we have to thank Kieran, too. Without his stellar performance, our movie wouldn’t have been half as good!”

“Yes, yes! Kieran, you’re the real MVP! And while we’re at it, here’s to you and Margot—may you two have a long and happy life together!”

“When the two of you get married, don’t forget to invite us!”

Their over-the-top flattery had Margot beaming with pride, while Kieran humbly accepted the compliments, a modest smile on his face.

Margot, basking in the attention, said with a smug grin, “It’s true, getting you all into the Fitzgerald estate took some doing. The young lady of the house is hosting her birthday party tonight and she and I… well, we have a bit of a personal connection. She was kind enough to let me bring you all along.”

“But let me remind you,” she continued, her tone turning serious, “the Fitzgeralds have very strict rules. They’re not your typical wealthy family. So watch your words, keep your phones away and for heaven’s sake, don’t do anything inappropriate. If you mess up tonight, even I won’t be able to save you.”

The crew nodded eagerly, like obedient schoolchildren. Watching from a distance, I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. Margot really knew how to flatter herself.

A personal connection with me? Since when?  Just hours ago, she slapped me in the face and now she was here, strutting around in my family’s home like she owned the place. I couldn’t hold back my disgust.

Sensing my annoyance, the Pomeranian in my arms barked sharply in Margot’s direction.

The sudden noise caught their attention and they all turned to look at me. When Margot and Kieran saw me, they froze for a moment, clearly not expecting to see me here.

Margot was the first to recover. She frowned, her expression filled with disdain. “You again? You always show up when we're having fun, like a fly on a carcass. You're such a buzzkill!”

“How did you get in here? This isn't a place for someone like you,” Margot growled, her voice cold as she turned to me.

“Lila, haven't you caused enough trouble?” Kieran added.

His gaze hardened as he continued, “I don’t know and I don’t want to know how did you get in, but you better leave right now. Otherwise, you’ll get yourself into a serious trouble.”

He stepped toward me, clearly ready to throw me out, but Margot swiftly moved to block him.

With a sharp glance at Kieran, Margot spoke in a low, menacing tone. “Remember where we are. We’re at the Moonlight Manor. If they know she sneaks in here, it's a direct insult to the Fitzgeralds.”

Kieran hesitated, his expression torn between fury and uncertainty. Margot's next words came with a bite. “Do you want to protect her? Sure you can do that?”

She scoffed and shook her head. “You’d better stay out of this and don't make things worse for yourself. One word from the Fitzgeralds and not only you, but even our company, Velvetline Entertainment, could disappear in an instant.”

Her words made Kieran shrink back. His face drained of color and he lowered his head, no longer daring to meet my gaze.

Turning back to the crew, Margot commanded, “Go get the estate's security. Tell them we've caught a trespasser trying to steal from the estate.”

A few crew members hurried off to do as she said, while Margot, still glaring at me, walked over. She came within inches of me and, without warning, slapped me hard across the face.

I was caught off guard. I hadn’t expected her to be this bold, especially in my family’s estate. I didn’t move in time to avoid the blow.

Margot's eyes glinted with malice as she sneered, “If it weren’t for Kieran, I would’ve had someone kill you already.”

Her voice was low and venomous and she continued, “What makes you think you have the right to fight me, you little nobody with no connections?”

She stepped closer, her voice dripping with scorn. “People like you? I could crush you without breaking a sweat, like squashing an ant beneath my heel.”

She paused, savoring her cruelty. “I thought I might let you off the hook, but it looks like you couldn’t stay out of trouble. You barged your own way into hell. Sneaking into the Moonlight Manor comes with consequences a peasant like you could ever afford.”

Her words were cut short as she suddenly screamed in pain.

The Pomeranian I had been holding must have seen her slap me. It yelped in fury and lunged at her, sinking its teeth into her ankle.

Kieran and the crew rushed over, their attention diverted to Margot's injury as she cried out in anger and pain. Her eyes turned furious as she glared at the dog and she yelled at Kieran and the others, “Somebody get and kill that damn dog! Now!”

Kieran and the crew, clearly unnerved, hesitated, their gazes flickering between me and the dog. I immediately stepped forward, shielding the dog with my body and snarled, “I dare you to lay a hand on my dog.”

Margot, red-faced with rage, sneered, “What are you waiting for? Go get it! Anyone who kills that fitly creature will be the lead in my next movie.”

At her words, the crew’s eyes lit up. Several of them moved forward, eager to carry out her orders and deal with the dog.

Just then, a voice boomed from across the room.

“Stop! What the hell do you imbeciles think you’re doing?”

The harsh shout made everyone freeze in place. A well-dressed, middle-aged man exuding an air of authority strode toward us.

It was Walton Gries, the owner of Velvetline Entertainment. Starting from nothing, he had built and grown his business into a powerhouse within just twenty years.

“Mr. Gries!”

Everyone quickly greeted him, bowing slightly in respect.

Walton’s sharp gaze swept over the group, his jaw clenched in anger as he barked, “Do you all have a death wish? Acting like a bunch of baboons on the loose?!”

He shot an incredulous look at Kieran and the crew. “Have you not realize where we are standing? Are you looking to throw your lives away?”

Kieran and the others lowered their heads, too scared to speak.

Margot, still nursing her injured ankle, pouted and spoke in a soft, almost pleading tone. “Mr. Gries, that woman’s dog bit me. I just didn’t want it to bite anyone else, so I told them to catch it. Kieran and the others were only trying to help me.”

Her voice then turned sharper. “It’s all because of that wretched woman! I don’t even know where she got that dog from. It came out of nowhere and bit me—hurt me so badly!” She turned to Walton with a pitiful expression. “Mr. Gries, you have to stand up for me!”

Seeing Margot’s dramatic display, I nearly threw up. I was so nauseating to see that.

The Pekingese I’ve had for over a decade is an old dog, nearly toothless at this point. While it might have looked like it bit Margot hard just now, the truth is, it didn’t even break the skin on her ankle.

Walton glanced at Margot’s foot, noticing the faint redness. His expression soured and he rolled his eyes at her theatrics.

Then Walton’s gaze fell on the small dog I was holding protectively. His expression froze for a moment, recognition flashing across his face.

“This dog... looks familiar!” Walton muttered. “This afternoon, I visited Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald here at the estate. Mrs. Fitzgerald was holding a dog look just like this in her arms.”

His words sent shockwaves through everyone present.

“That’s impossible!” Margot exclaimed. Her face twisted in disbelief.

“Mr. Gries, you must be mistaken,” she said, a nervous laugh escaping her. “The Fitzgeralds—those illustrious figures—would never own a mutt like that. If they ever kept a dog, it’d definitely be some rare, pedigreed breed!”

Walton shook his head firmly. “The Fitzgeralds aren’t the kind of family to care about such vanities. I know this is the same dog I saw in Mrs. Fitzgerald’s arms earlier.”

I liked this man—he had a sense of discernment. We’re not like others. Most affluent families with noble roots tend to keep purebred dogs, complete with pedigree certificates, believing it’s a way to flaunt their wealth and status. But not us. Such things are nothing but a joke to our family.

This Poodle? I picked it up from the side of the road when I was just a kid. It must’ve been abandoned shortly after it was born. I remember it was raining that day. The poor thing was trembling from the cold, staring at me with wide, frightened eyes.

When our eyes met, I felt an inexplicable connection. Without a second thought, I scooped it up and brought it home. It’s been part of our family ever since.

Walton’s words had a ripple effect. Margot’s face turned pale and the others around her weren’t faring much better. Those who’d been ready to pounce on my dog just moments ago now stood frozen, their faces drained of color, clearly terrified.

Margot’s lips trembled as she stammered, “If this… dog really belongs to the Fitzgeralds, then how could it be in her hands?” Her eyes lit up with malice as she pointed at me. “You! You better tell the truth! Did you steal this dog? Not only did you sneak into the Fitzgerald estate, but you also dared to steal Mrs. Fitzgerald’s dog?” she spat venomously. “You’re finished! There’s no saving you now!”

I couldn’t be bothered to argue with her absurd accusations. Margot clearly thought she had me pegged as some bumpkin from the countryside, incapable of having any connection to the Fitzgeralds. To her, I was nothing more than a thief.

Her baseless accusations seemed to ignite a spark in the group. After a brief pause, several of them sighed in relief, as though finding their courage in Margot's words and began to chime in.

“Margot’s right. Just look at her—she definitely looks like she’s up to no good!”

“Margot was only trying to protect the dog, but instead, that dog bit her!”

“We can’t let her walk away with Mrs. Fitzgerald’s dog. The Fitzgeralds would never forgive her!”

They were Margot’s loyal followers—or more accurately, her sycophants. Afraid that opposing her might jeopardize their own careers, they chose to side with her, joining in to slander and blame me.

However, not everyone seemed to share their blind loyalty.

Kieran, his expression conflicted, finally broke his silence. He hesitated, then asked cautiously, “Lila… you wouldn’t happen to be related with the Fitzgerald Family, would you?”

The murmurs died down as all eyes turned toward me, the atmosphere suddenly heavy with curiosity and suspicion.

“You managed to get into the Fitzgerald estate,” Kieran continued, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “And the dog seems so comfortable with you. Could it be that…”

Before he could finish, Margot cut him off with a sharp, derisive laugh.

“Impossible!” she sneered. “How could a lowly bitch like her have any connection to the Fitzgeralds, the wealthiest tycoons of Wickerdale?”

“You told me yourself she was just some small-town bumpkin, didn’t you? You said you two lived in a tiny rented apartment, struggling just to get by. If she really was a daughter of the Fitzgerald Family, why on earth would she choose to be with you and live a hard life like that?”

Her words hit Kieran like a bucket of cold water. He let out a quiet sigh, a complex mix of disappointment and relief flashing across his face.

Walton, meanwhile, was silent, his brows furrowed as he scrutinized me, clearly debating something in his mind.

Finally, after a tense pause, he spoke. “You know, now that I think about it… you do bear a striking resemblance to Mrs. Fitzgerald.”

I met his gaze steadily, my voice clear and unwavering as I replied, “That’s because the one you’re talking about is my mother. And this estate is my home.”