With my support, the procedures for Yasmine's study abroad were processed quickly. The study destination of choice was decided after lengthy discussions between Harlan and Yasmine, and Lana helped pack her belongings—six large suitcases in total.

While waiting for the paperwork to be finalized, I started introducing Yasmine to the company operations. Under my subtle guidance, she quickly gained a firm foothold in the company and even cultivated her own circle of trusted aides.

The day of departure was a bright and sunny one. Harlan held his daughter’s hand, giving her endless reminders like a doting father.

Pushing five of the suitcases by herself, Lana looked at me and said with her head held high, "Dana, I’ve been raising Yasmine since I came to your home. I can’t bear the thought of her being all alone in a foreign country. This time, I’ll accompany her there. Harlan has already paid for everything."

Harlan awkwardly rubbed his hands and looked at me apologetically. "I’m just worried about Yasmine. She’s so used to Lana taking care of her. You don’t mind me making this decision on my own, do you?"

I smiled. "How could I? I’m glad you care so much about Yasmine."

Then, I turned to Lana. "Speaking of which, you’ve handled everything about Yasmine. These next four years will be hard on you."

Lana nodded with a smile. "You flatter me, Dana."

After the two of them boarded the plane, Harlan remained at the airport, teary-eyed as he watched the plane disappear into the sky.

Once Lana and Yasmine were gone, the house suddenly felt much quieter.

At first, Harlan pretended to be a devoted husband, but as time went on, it seemed like he didn’t even want to keep up the act. He’d either find excuses to go fishing with friends or claim he had enrolled in a culinary class to learn how to cook for Yasmine’s return.

I watched his performance, pretending not to notice the frequent notifications on his phone about flights to Australia. Instead, I played along, sighing. "You’ve put so much effort into Yasmine over the years. She won’t disappoint you in the future!"

Harlan straightened up proudly. "Of course! Our Yasmine is bound to be the best!" Although he emphasized the words "our Yasmine," his gaze seemingly passed right through me as if he were looking at someone else.

Four and a half years later, Yasmine returned, glowing with pride, accompanied by Lana. The two of them were dressed in matching mother-daughter outfits with identical hairstyles and even wore custom-made rings—one large, one small.

Harlan rushed forward, taking both of them into a tight embrace, rambling on about how much he had missed them. Passersby couldn’t help but think they were a picture-perfect family of three.

"Sorry, I got too excited and didn’t realize," Harlan explained when questioned about why he had embraced Lana as well.

Yasmine pushed him away with a playful smile and clung to my arm, shaking it. "Mom, I got straight A’s abroad! When can I take over the company? I’ve been dying to help you out!"

Couldn’t wait any longer, could she?

I smiled, holding her hand. "You can take over right now. I’ve already convened a shareholders’ meeting. Let’s go announce the handover!"

At the shareholders' meeting, not only were the most renowned stakeholders present, but so were several of the city's most prestigious media outlets. It was a grand scene with flashes of cameras and hungry reporters eager for a story.

Yasmine clung to me, her tone uncertain. "Mom, isn’t all this a bit too much?"

I patted her hand reassuringly. "You are my child, and everything I have belongs to you. If I’m passing it on to you, of course, the more people know about it, the better!"

Hearing this, Yasmine straightened her back proudly, shedding her earlier nervousness.

As for Harlan and Lana, they were nowhere to be seen, but I wasn’t concerned. What was meant to happen would eventually unfold.

Under the spotlight and the attention of the entire room, I signed my name on the transfer agreement that was prepared earlier, relinquishing the position of CEO of the Roberts Group. Since its establishment, the Roberts Group had only ever had two female CEOs—myself, and now, Yasmine. She became the youngest successor in the company’s history.

The reporters swarmed in, vying to interview Yasmine about the secrets to her success.

Under the glowing spotlight and amidst the lively atmosphere, Yasmine's face radiated with joy. Completely immersed in the attention, she held my hand tightly and expressed her gratitude to me in front of everyone.

For a moment, the crowd was united in admiration. "Who would have thought that beneath Dana Roberts’ iron-fisted leadership lies the heart of a devoted mother, tirelessly paving the way for the next generation!"

Just then, the lights in the room abruptly dimmed.

A single spotlight illuminated two figures who had just arrived: a man in a tuxedo and a woman in a high-slit gown, looking like the perfect golden couple. The audience watched in stunned silence, becoming witnesses to their apparent happiness.

Under the puzzled gazes of the reporters, Lana walked up to Yasmine, affectionately hooking her arm, and turned to me with a mocking smile. "Dana Roberts, the truth is, your child was stillborn. To spare you the shock, Harlan and I gave you our child to raise. Now, it’s time for her to know who her real mother is!"

She produced two documents: a paternity test and a psychiatric report. "Here’s the test proving I’m Yasmine’s biological mother, and this is the psychiatric evaluation from when you were emotionally unstable after childbirth. Harlan and I only gave you our child for so many years to protect you. We did it all for your sake!"

The crowd erupted in shock.

"Who is this woman? How could she be Yasmine Thorne’s biological mother?"

"I know her! She used to be the Thornes’ nanny! My God, was she having an affair with Harlan all along?"

"What a scandal! A nanny and the master of the house betraying Dana Roberts—this is unbelievable!"

Amid the barrage of criticism, Harlan firmly took Lana’s hand, brazenly showcasing their bond. "I’m not an ambitious man," he declared shamelessly. "All I’ve ever wanted in life is to find my one true love. Unfortunately, I wasted the first half of my life lost and aimless—until I met Lana.

"We are soulmates, and Yasmine is the fruit of our love. I won’t let anyone slander Lana or the mother of my child! Ask yourselves, is your marriage truly happy? I’m just braver than you for choosing to follow my heart!"

What an audacious display of shamelessness!

I shifted my gaze to Yasmine and spoke calmly, "Yasmine, tell me how you truly feel. Hmm?"

Ignoring me, Yasmine handed the transfer agreement to her lawyer, who carefully examined it.

Once it was confirmed to be valid, she dropped her earlier cheerful demeanor, replacing it with disdain and cold indifference. Scoffing, she sneered, "You only managed to break my parents up because of your privileged background. As the unloved one, you’re the true third wheel. I hope you recognize that, ‘Mom’."

At Lana’s prompting, Yasmine threw a divorce agreement in front of me. "If you sign this quickly and leave Dad without kicking a fuss, I’ll visit you at the nursing home once a year out of gratitude for raising me."

The crowd, initially swayed by Harlan’s speech, was now fuming.

"What kind of daughter is this? Raising a dog would’ve been more worthwhile!"

"This entire family is absolutely heartless! The nanny seduces the master, and now they want to take everything away!"

"Betrayed by those closest to her... Poor Dana Roberts just gave up a billion-dollar fortune, only for it to go to waste!"

Despite the uproar, Harlan, Lana, and Yasmine remained composed, as if the scorn was aimed at someone else. They kept their eyes fixed on me while Yasmine stood tall, certain I had no other options.

Under the crowd's sympathetic gazes, I took the divorce agreement and signed it with a flourish.

Lana eagerly snatched it away, inspecting every detail with care.

"Has Dana Roberts lost her mind? How could she agree to these scoundrels' demands?"

The trio exchanged triumphant smiles as if their long-awaited dream had finally come true.

I looked at them and smiled faintly. "Don’t be in such a hurry. After all, we’ve spent over a decade together. I’ve prepared a gift for you."