Chapter 1 - The Shattered Gala
A glamorous charity gala was underway inside a breathtaking ballroom filled with wealthy guests.
Sparkling chandeliers cast a golden glow over the elegant music and flowing champagne.
Everything seemed perfectly flawless until a young boy in a tiny tuxedo suddenly broke away from the crowd.
He sprinted recklessly across the highly polished marble floor.
Guests stared in absolute confusion as the child dodged expensive gowns and waiters.
A handsome man in a tailored tuxedo called out in sheer shock.
"Noah, come back here!"
Ignoring his father completely, the little boy ran straight toward a quiet woman standing in a simple tan maid uniform.
The moment he reached her, he threw his small arms around her waist incredibly tightly.
"I am here, sweetheart," the maid whispered through heavy tears.
She held him as though she never wanted to let him go again.
For one brief moment, the entire wealthy world seemed to stand completely still.
Then a glamorous woman in a black evening gown stormed furiously across the ballroom.
She forcefully grabbed the crying boy from the maid's arms.
Without a second of hesitation, she violently slapped the worker across the face.
The sharp crack echoed loudly through the suddenly silent room.
"Stay away from my son right now!" the wealthy woman screamed furiously.
The little boy began crying uncontrollably as he reached his tiny hands out.
"Mommy, please do not leave me!"
Guests gasped loudly, completely failing to understand why the child was calling the hired help his mother.
The woman in the uniform fell heavily to the marble floor.
She held her burning cheek as tears streamed rapidly down her face.
The wealthy woman, Vivi, dragged the struggling boy toward the grand exit while he kept reaching back.
Standing frozen nearby, Julian watched the horrifying scene unfold with wide eyes.
He looked from the sobbing maid on the floor to the terrified child being carried away.
Suddenly, a terrible, world-shattering realization crossed the billionaire's handsome face.
The young child was not confused in the slightest.
Noah was desperately calling for his actual biological mother.
With his voice shaking, Julian whispered into the silent room.
"Vivi, what exactly have you done?"
Before Julian could demand answers, Vivi snapped her fingers and ordered the hotel security team forward.
"Arrest this insane maid immediately for attempting to kidnap the heir to the empire," Vivi commanded with a cruel smile.
Julian tried to step forward, but four armed guards suddenly blocked his path.
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Vivi looked back at her husband with cold, calculating eyes.
"If you take one more step toward her, I will ensure you never see your son again," Vivi threatened loudly.
