Chapter 1 - The Shattered Glass
A luxurious Beverly Hills mansion glowed brightly beneath the evening lights.
An elegant pool party was in full swing.
Champagne flowed freely from crystal towers as the city's elite laughed and mingled.
A large American flag stood proudly beside the glowing infinity pool, catching the gentle California breeze.
Eleanor quietly carried a heavy silver serving tray through the massive crowd.
The elderly mother kept her head bowed in humility.
She wore a simple, faded dress that stood out awkwardly among the designer gowns.
She smiled politely, trying her best not to disturb anyone.
Suddenly, the dense crowd parted.
Cassandra, the billionaire's wife, stormed toward her with eyes full of pure rage.
Without a single word of warning, Cassandra shoved the fragile elderly woman hard in the chest.
Eleanor stumbled backward, losing her balance on the slippery edge of the infinity pool.
The heavy silver tray flew from her trembling hands.
Champagne glasses crashed into the deep water with a sharp, terrifying shatter.
Guests froze in horror, their conversations dying instantly.
Cassandra glared down at her and shouted for everyone to hear.
"You do not belong in my house!"
Eleanor plunged into the cold water, her heavy clothes dragging her under.
She struggled desperately to stay afloat.
Coughing and trembling, tears mixed with the chlorinated water as she whispered into the terrible silence.
"I didn't want to trouble anyone."
At that exact moment, Liam rushed from the mansion's grand double doors.
The wealthy businessman saw his mother drowning and did not hesitate for a second.
He dove straight into the pool, completely ruining his bespoke suit.
He wrapped his strong arm around his mother's frail shoulders.
Liam pulled her safely out of the water, gently setting her on the marble deck.
Holding her shivering body close, he slowly turned toward his wife.
His voice was ice cold, echoing loudly in the dead silence of the backyard.
"You just pushed the woman who gave me life."
Without another word, he raised his hand and slapped Cassandra fiercely across the face.
The loud smack caused the entire party to gasp in sheer shock.
Still supporting his soaked, weeping mother, Liam pointed toward the mansion.
He stared his wife dead in the eyes and declared his final verdict.
"Today you lost your husband, so leave my property immediately."
Eleanor held her son's hand, unable to stop her tears of relief.
With a trembling smile, she whispered that she finally got her son back.
Cassandra slowly touched her red cheek, but a wicked smile crept across her face.
She let out a dry, echoing laugh that chilled the guests to the bone.
"Leave your property?"
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Cassandra pulled a folded legal document from her clutch and dropped it onto the wet marble.
"I filed the final paperwork this morning, Liam, which means I now own fifty-one percent of everything, including the ground you are standing on."
