Chapter 3

Wiping my tears, I took Ryan's phone and punched in a number.

Watching me, Ryan sneered, "Still playing games? That is not President Sterling's private line!"

I sniffled. "This is my mom..."

My mom was a legendary Olympic champion. My dad spent years, traveling across the world, just to win her heart.

The day she said yes, my dad was so ecstatic he cried like a kid.

He wanted to scream it to the entire world that he had married the woman of his dreams. But my mom hated the spotlight. To respect her wishes, my dad kept their marriage strictly confidential from the press.

Mom also said our daughter shouldn’t grow up under paparazzi flashes.

Dad obeyed completely. From the day I was born, my identity had been hidden behind ironclad security.

The call went through, but only an automated voice answered.

"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable..."

I froze.

Then it hit me—Mom had an international tournament this week and was flying back today. She was still ten thousand feet in the air.

"What? Nobody picked up?"

Naomi laughed mockingly. "Let me guess, your 'champion mom' is on a private jet right now?"

My eyes burned red. "I'll... I'll call my dad..."

Ryan watched my fingers tap another number. "That's not his office line either!"

"It's his personal family phone, not his work phone..." I whispered timidly.

Ryan waved his hand dismissively. "Yeah, right. Let's see how long you can keep up this act!"

The phone rang twice, then abruptly clicked off.

He hung up.

My face went pale. I tried again.

Declined immediately.

Naomi doubled over laughing. "This is priceless!"

"Claims to be President Sterling's daughter, yet the man won't even pick up her call!"

Ryan breathed a sigh of relief, smirking. "Just another scammer."

His eyes drifted down my body with gross curiosity. "Pretty face, though. Which agency do you work for?"

Seeing Ryan check me out, Naomi’s jealousy flared. Her glare turned murderous. "Enough games. Let's talk about repayment!"

Sensing danger, I backed away. "No..."

"Your phone is broken, and your parents can't be reached," Naomi purred coldly.

"Luckily, you're wearing designer clothes."

"That top is worth at least a couple thousand, right? The pants too."

"Strip them off. Every single piece stays here to cover the debt!"

My eyes went wide in sheer horror.

Naomi snapped her fingers. "Security! Strip her clothes off!"

Two guards walked over. Hearing that they had to strip a young girl in public, they looked at each other, hesitating.

Naomi snarled, "Are you deaf?! Disobey me, and you're both fired by morning!"

Cornered, the guards gave me apologetic looks and stepped forward.

I clutched my shirt tightly, trembling in absolute despair.

"Dad... Mom..."

"Save me..."

"Mr. Vance! Mr. Vance is back!"

A shout echoed from the lobby entrance.

Naomi gasped with delight. "He came back to deposit the money?!"

"No! Mr. Vance says he's here to pick up his niece!"