*Shelly PoV*
When I got home, Toren was talking to a woman in black just outside our house. She looked like a spy or a bodyguard, with her suit and sunglasses.
"Excuse me, can I help you?" I said
"Ah, hello. You must be Shelly. I was hoping to talk to both your brother and yourself."
"Okay, and you are...?"
"Call me Zara."
"Okay, Zara. What do you want to talk about?"
She hummed. "You sure seem exhausted. A hard day at work?"
I sighed, feeling so drained. I felt a bit ashamed for being so snappy, but there were just days when everything got to me.
"I'm sorry," Zara said. "That was insensitive of me. Shall we go inside?"
"Yeah," I muttered and opened the door.
Zara went inside and looked around. She wrinkled her nose at the rundown furniture and the general disarray, but didn't comment.
"Sorry for the mess," I said.
"Don't worry. I'm not here to judge your living conditions."
I scoffed. "Then why are you here? I doubt you're selling Girl Scout cookies."
"I'm here on behalf of the estate of Veyron de Luthaine."
I blinked. "Veyron de Luthaine? As in, the richest family in the country?"
"The very same."
"Okay, now I know you're playing a prank on me."
She pulled a letter out of her pocket and showed it to me.
I frowned, took it, and read through it. My eyes widened at the first part. It said my mom was the bastard child of the de Luthaine family. And that her father, the head of the family, had died recently and left her a part of his fortune.
"This is insane," I muttered. "My mom never talked about her family."
"She likely was never aware of the truth. Your grandmother was a lowly maid who caught the eye of Mr. Veyron."
"Okay, this is insane," I repeated.
"If you read the whole letter, it will explain things better."
I did, and what I found was shocking. My grandma had been pregnant with my mom when grandpa was running for the presidency. He couldn't afford a scandal, so he tried to pay her off to abort my mom and get out of his life. But she refused, saying her child was a blessing and she would have her.
My grandma was kicked out of the mansion and forced to live in poverty, while grandpa had his perfect life. Reading it made me so angry, and I felt so bad for my grandma and my mom. To have to live in this slum, to barely survive, and to be rejected by the man who should have cared about them. It wasn't right.
"Why are you telling me all this?" I asked, trying not to cry.
"Because Veyron finally acknowledged his daughter and wants her to come join the family. But since she herself is dead, the fortune passes on to you and your brother."
I stared at her, unable to believe my ears. "We're rich? We're suddenly rich?"
"Yes, you are."
"How much is this fortune, exactly?"
"Roughly three billion dollars."
My eyes almost popped out of my head. Three. Billion. Dollars. That was insane.
"Of course, the fortune is split between you and your brother," Zara continued. "As the elder sibling, you will be the main benefactor and your brother's guardian. So, the decision is ultimately up to you."
I couldn't speak. Me, the granddaughter of a maid, a nobody, was going to inherit a fortune? There had to be a catch.
"So, we have to move in with them, right? With the rest of the family?"
She smiled slight. "Indeed. However, I suggest you forfeit your inheritance."
"What? Why?"
"The Veyron de Luthaines are a nasty bunch. They are manipulative and greedy, and will do anything to get what they want. If you stay with them, you will lose your freedom and be under constant scrutiny. The moment you make a mistake, they will use it against you. And if they find out about your brother's condition..."
I gasped and glanced at Toren. But, if I had money I could get him some proper help. I could get him a private school and give him a chance at a normal life.
"I can see you are conflicted. I'll give you some time to think about it."
"Wait, don't go yet. Is the family that bad?"
She paused and gave me a sad look. "Some are said to be involved with the mafia. In honest truth, one of them might even be behind the death of your mother."
I felt sick. How could anyone kill another person like that? And how could grandpa live with someone like that?
"What will happen if I say no?"
"The de Luthaines have the resources to ruin your lives. They will sue you and drag your name through the mud. In the end, they will force you to give up the fortune, and your brother will be sent to a mental institution. However, you could try to win them over. If you were able to become the new head of the family, you could take charge and reform the clan from within."
I shivered. "That sounds dangerous."
"It is. Yet, my boss wishes you to join. Although, he isn't exactly benevolent."
"Why does he want me? I'm a nobody."
"He believes you will bring change and reform to the clan. Whether or not it is a good change or a bad one is up to you."
What kind of man did she work for, anyway? This whole thing was insane. Did I really want to put our lives on the line just for money?
But then, Toren would have a chance. He wouldn't have to live his whole life in poverty and fear. If I did this, he could live a good life.
"Is there anything I should know about this man? Is he a gangster, or something like that?"
Zara looked surprised. She soon smiled. "Maybe, he is a bit unhinged in his own way. He's a brilliant man and an excellent employer. But he is not someone you should cross."
"That's... reassuring."
"Well, what is your decision?"
I thought about it. The Veyron de Luthaines were bad people. But what if what Zara said about one of them being responsible for my mother's death was true? I would never forgive them.
"Okay. We'll do it."
"Are you sure? Once you join the family, there is no turning back."
"I'm sure. And please, call your boss. I want to meet him."
Zara nodded and held her arms out. "Follow me, Lady Shelly, Sir Toren. It is time to join your new family."