"Sophia… why is she here?" Sophia Jameson yanked at the sleeve of the man beside her, voice sharp as she pointed straight at Nina Jameson, who had just stepped into the banquet hall looking pale‑skinned and stunning.

Nina was William Jameson’s daughter, but definitely not Sophia’s. She was the child he’d had with an ex‑girlfriend, and that woman had vanished right after giving birth. Nina had been raised by Mrs. Jameson out in the countryside.

Now, dressed in a long black gown, Nina stood with both hands held neatly before her, carrying some kind of framed object. Every small move she made radiated a cold, distant elegance.

Her hair fell smoothly down her back like a dark waterfall. Her face was delicate, lightly made up, and under the soft lights she looked breathtaking—so beautiful it felt unreal.

The moment she appeared, the whole room turned to look.

Everyone was silently wondering who this young lady was and planning how to strike up a conversation.

William hurried over to Nina, irritation written all over his face. "Didn’t I tell you to stay put and wait? Why did you come here? This place isn’t for you. Go. Now."

He grabbed her arm, trying to drag her out of the banquet hall.

Today was Mr. Whitmore’s birthday banquet. And yesterday—right when he was running around preparing for it—Nina had called to say Mrs. Jameson had passed away of natural causes. She’d asked him to go back home.

He hadn’t gone. And now she had come straight to him.

She was going to ruin him.

The Whitmore family was the wealthiest in Yingcheng, and William had married their only daughter, living the dream.

And Nina… Nina was the stain he’d spent years covering up.

Even though she was already eighteen, he’d barely seen her a handful of times in his life.

Aside from Sophia, no one knew William Jameson had an illegitimate daughter. So Nina had to leave. Immediately.

But… even though William was yanking her arm with all his strength, she didn’t move an inch. She stood rooted to the spot, calm and solid.

Fury sparked in William’s eyes. "Nina, what are you trying to do?"

Nina slowly turned the framed object toward him—it was a memorial photo. "I brought Grandma to see you. To ask why you never came back."

William’s face instantly went dark, almost pitch‑black. "Nina—are you out of your mind? How could you bring that here? Put it away. Now."

He babbled the words in panic as he reached out, trying to turn the frame around and hide it.

Nina Jameson was determined to expose the fake mask William Jameson liked to wear in public.

“Dad, fine, you don’t want to acknowledge me. But Grandma’s gone… and you didn’t even bother to see her one last time?” Nina clutched his wrist, her voice trembling as grief clouded her face.

William’s expression went dark. He yanked his hand free with a sharp motion. “What nonsense are you talking about?” The moment the words left his mouth, he darted a glance around. People were staring at him with that subtle, judging look that made his scalp tighten.

Whispers spread like wildfire, and every murmur felt like a slap, making William burn with humiliation.

Nina staggered backward, but someone reached out and steadied her.

She turned, only to crash into a pair of obsidian eyes, bright and sharp like polished stone.

“Careful.” The man gave a lazy smile, his features almost unreal in their striking elegance.

Harrison Sheffield wasn’t the type to meddle in other people’s messes. The only reason he stepped in was simple—this girl was the one he’d been looking for.

And now that he’d found her, no one was allowed to bully her. Period.

“Mr. Jameson, laying hands on a young lady like that… doesn’t really suit someone of your status, does it?” Harrison slid one hand casually into his pocket while the other rested on William’s shoulder.

William stiffened. The weight of that hand felt like a mountain pressing down. “She… Sheffield, you know her?”

Harrison Sheffield—heir of the leading Sheffield family among the four great houses of the capital, and the honored guest personally invited by Mr. Whitmore.

Someone like him… knowing his illegitimate daughter? Impossible.

Hopefully.

“No.”

“No.”

Harrison and Nina spoke in perfect unison.

William exhaled in relief, the tension in his face easing instantly. Good. As long as they didn’t know each other, Harrison must’ve just helped on a whim.

Nina shot Harrison a look. She hated owing favors—especially to someone she didn’t know.

Harrison’s lips curled into a teasing arc as he watched her.

Maybe they didn’t know each other now.

But soon… they’d be very, very familiar.