Nina Walsh hadn't lost her memory. She remembered everything, and she knew exactly who she was.
The building before her was the old Walsh family estate, where she had spent her childhood.
Her mother was Rose Walsh, the eldest daughter of the Walsh family. Twenty-five years ago, Brian Sherman had married into the family. The following year, Rose became pregnant and gave birth to Nina.
When Nina was ten, her maternal grandfather fell gravely ill and passed away. Brian Sherman then revealed his true colors. He usurped their home, seized the entire Walsh family fortune for himself, and drove Rose and Nina out.
Only after being thrown out did Nina learn that Brian Sherman had another family on the side all along. He also had another daughter—Wendy Sherman—who was just two months younger than her.
As Nina stepped into the villa, Brian Sherman was admiring the birthday gift Wendy Sherman had given him—a very ordinary fountain pen.
Wendy cooed, "I hope you sign billion-dollar deals every day, Dad, and that the company's profits double every year."
Hayley Vance chided from the side, "Your father gives you so much allowance, and you just buy a pen worth a few hundred to fob him off."
Brian Sherman corrected her, "How can you say she's faking it? This pen from Wendy is the perfect gift. I'm going to sign the Breyven project tomorrow, and isn't that a billion-dollar deal?"
"Do you like it, Daddy? If you sign that big project, can you buy your daughter a new car?" Wendy wheedled, even though her Porsche sports car was only six months old.
Brian Sherman readily agreed. "Who else does Daddy make money for, if not for my precious daughter? We'll go buy one tomorrow."
"Thanks, Daddy."
Wendy wrapped her arms around Brian Sherman's neck and gave him a kiss. As he looked up, he caught sight of the figure standing in the doorway.
The atmosphere instantly chilled. The smile vanished from Brian Sherman's face. He scanned her disheveled and provocative attire from top to bottom, his expression filled with disgust.
Brian Sherman snapped, "What are you doing here? Don't you know what day it is? You're just here to bring me bad luck!"
Nina's expression stiffened, and the "Happy birthday" on the tip of her tongue was swallowed back down.
"Follow me."
With a cold expression, Brian Sherman called Nina into the study.
The moment the door closed, Brian Sherman asked in a panic, "Does Aiden Sinclair know you're here?"
"No, he dumped me. Give me money. I need to leave Crestfall."
Nina had only one thought right now: leave Crestfall, as quickly as possible.
Brian Sherman's face fell. He opened his wallet, counted out a few bills, and tossed them on the desk.
"Since you're leaving, there's something I need to tell you. There's a marriage agreement between the Sheridan and Grant families. Although your mother arranged it back when she was on good terms with Mrs. Grant, your sister likes Declan Grant, so this engagement will naturally go to her. You don't have a problem with that, do you?"
Nina stared blankly at the five hundred yuan on the desk. After two seconds, she lifted her lifeless eyes and said slowly, "For the excellent marriage arrangement my mother negotiated for the Sheridan family, shouldn't my mother get some compensation?"
"How much?" Brian Sherman asked with disgust.
Nina held up two fingers.
With a long face, Brian Sherman got up, walked to his safe, and took out two stacks of cash.
Nina glanced down. "Not twenty thousand. Two hundred thousand."
"What?" Brian Sherman flew into a rage, as if someone had stepped on his tail.
"Two hundred thousand? You've got a lot of nerve! All you ever do is ask for money. Dream on!"
"Two hundred thousand to buy your daughter's past and future, as well as the future of the Sherman Group. Isn't it worth it?"
Nina forced a bitter, ugly smile. In Brian Sherman's eyes, that smile was a threat.
Just then, the study door opened, and Wendy came in carrying a cup of tea. "Dad, I made you some tea."
Brian Sherman waved a dismissive hand at Nina as if shooing a fly. "You can go. I'll transfer the money to your account. As soon as you get it, leave Crestfall and never come back."
Nina picked up the cash from the desk, turned, and left the study. As she was going downstairs, Wendy chased after her.
"Nina!" Wendy called out as she approached.
Despite sharing a father, Nina and Wendy were complete opposites in both looks and personality. Nina had delicate features and a gentle disposition; she wasn't stunning at first glance, but her beauty grew on you.
Wendy, on the other hand, was the spitting image of Brian Sherman, with a round face and small eyes. The word "cunning" was written all over her face.
"Nina, you remember your last name, don't you? It's Walsh. You have nothing to do with the Sheridan family. Therefore, the marriage agreement between the Sheridans and the Grants has nothing to do with you. Got it?" Wendy said bluntly.
"It doesn't matter if I get it. Declan Grant doesn't like you. You can't force him, even with a marriage agreement," Nina stated truthfully.
Wendy hated Nina's nonchalant demeanor the most. 'Who is she putting on this high-and-mighty act for?'
"When are you leaving?"
The Grants would all be at the banquet tonight, and Brian Sherman had promised her he would bring up the engagement with them. She definitely didn't want Nina to be there.
Nina saw right through her little scheme. "Give me twenty thousand, and I'll leave right now. I won't come back for a year."
"Is money all you can see? All you ever do is ask for cash," Wendy said with disgust.
Nina gave her a look. Wendy shut her mouth, took out her phone, and transferred the money.
Nina said, "I've changed my mind. I'll leave after I have some cake tonight."
Wendy was so angry her nose was practically crooked. She finished the twenty-thousand-yuan transfer and said in a softer tone, "Can you go now?"
Nina turned and left.
Wendy, still worried, escorted her to the door as if she were a prisoner. But just as they reached the entrance, an understated Mercedes-Benz sedan pulled up slowly. The door opened, a pair of long, straight legs stepped out, and Declan Grant, dressed sharply in a suit, walked over.
"Brother Declan, what are you doing here so early?" Wendy squealed, running over happily when she saw Declan Grant.
"My parents aren't free tonight, so they asked me to come ahead to wish Uncle Sherman a happy birthday."
Declan said, then turned and saw Nina. His face lit up with pleasant surprise. "Nina, when did you get back?"
Nina nodded at him. "I've been back for a few days."
"Where have you been all these years? You never returned any calls or emails."
Declan started walking toward Nina, and Wendy immediately shot her a look.
Nina said, "Long time no see, Second Brother Grant. I'm just going out to buy something."
Wendy silently thought that Nina knew her place, then turned with a beaming smile to grab Declan's arm. "Brother Declan, let's go inside."
Declan pushed her hand away, his gaze fixed on Nina. "What do you need to buy? I'll drive you. It'll be faster."
Wendy stuck to him again like a stubborn plaster. "Brother Declan, you're the guest. We can't have you running errands. Come inside with me for some tea."
"No need. It's just the convenience store at the intersection."
In the midst of their back-and-forth, Nina had already disappeared from view.
Nina walked a few steps and rounded a corner. Her attention was still on the pair behind her, and she glanced back several times. When she turned her head forward again, her vision suddenly went black as two burly men dragged her into a van...