I came into this world like a queen ascending her throne, flanked by three fierce guardians sworn to defend my reign.

My husband is the best lawyer in Ardenfield. Though he's unbeatable in court, he doesn't dare stand up to me when I scold him at home.

My childhood sweetheart leads the criminal investigation team and is a genius at solving cases. He even vows to eliminate any threat that surrounds me.

Meanwhile, my adoptive brother is a rising star in the business world. Having inherited the Joplin family's business empire at an early age, he spends money on me without hesitation.

Today marks both my seventh wedding anniversary and my birthday. I spend the entire day waiting for them at a rooftop restaurant, clutching a pregnancy test report in my hands.

But instead of basking in celebration, I receive the heartbreaking news that my five-year-old daughter has drowned.

To make matters worse, my husband decides to defend the culprit in court.

When I cry out in agony, my childhood sweetheart puts me in handcuffs.

My adoptive brother even goes to the extreme of reclaiming everything he has ever given me.

"Louise, it was just an unfortunate accident between two children. Will you let Violet's son go now?"

Before I could even respond, my husband, Will O'Hara, handed me a settlement agreement.

"Louise, stop making a scene. Just sign this document. I'm grieving Mia's death too, but it was a tragic accident.

"Violet's husband sacrificed his life to save us, leaving behind only his son. We owe their family this debt, and it's only right that we repay it."

For a moment, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Only yesterday, the three of them were lovingly preparing anniversary and birthday gifts for me.

But in just one day, I lost my beloved daughter, Mia O'Hara. To make matters worse, Will was now insisting that I sign a document pardoning the person who caused her death.

It wasn't an accident. Finn Brookshire, Violet's son, was clearly the one who pushed Mia. The surveillance footage showed it as plain as day, yet they still had the audacity to call it an accident.

I grabbed the agreement from Will and ripped it to shreds.

"Will, Mia was your daughter! On her birthday, you promised she'd be the happiest girl in the world. How could you turn your back on her now?

"Peter, Mia was your niece. When she drew that family portrait, you told her we'd be a family forever. Have you already forgotten that promise?

"And let's not forget you, Jeremy. Weren't you the one who vowed to protect me and Mia for the rest of our lives? Yet here you are, dismissing it all as an accident. How can you do this? Have you lost all sense of right and wrong?"

Tears streamed down my cheeks, but beneath the sorrow, my eyes blazed with anger.

I couldn't fathom how the three people who once cherished me so deeply could grow so cold overnight.

Just then, the door creaked open. Violet McGrath stepped inside, her lips trembling in a pout.

Before I could react, she suddenly dropped to her knees, her voice breaking through choked sobs. "I'm truly sorry, Ms. Joplin. I take full responsibility. If you need someone to blame, blame me. But please, spare my son…"

Before her head could fall to the floor, Will stepped forward. His face was etched with concern as he carefully helped her to her feet.

"Violet, none of this is your fault. It truly was just an accident."

My adoptive brother, Peter Joplin, suddenly went pale.

"Louise, Violet's a victim in all this as well. Finn was scared and has been running a high fever in the hospital. Must you be so harsh?"

I clenched my teeth, struggling to keep calm.

Why was Finn suddenly the victim just because he had a fever? What about justice for Mia? Who was going to fight for her?

"I will never sign that agreement!" I exclaimed.

Jeremy Clayton, my childhood sweetheart, couldn't help but chuckle. "Louise, I think we've spoiled you too much. You're completely detached from reality. I'm the lead officer on this case. If I say it's an accident, that's final."

Will's calm, calculating eyes held me in place. "Exactly, Louise. Go ahead and fight it if you must. But in all of Ardenfield, not a single soul would be foolish enough to take your case."

Peter avoided my gaze. "Louise, if you don't sign the settlement agreement, I'll freeze all your bank cards. You won't have a single cent to spend."

My heart broke in two. Driven by despair, I struck my head against them repeatedly. When I couldn't reach, I kicked them fiercely in frustration.

"I, Louise Joplin, swear I'll uncover the truth for my daughter!"

I spent three grueling days visiting law firms all over Ardenfield. But each time, I was turned away.

Will did exactly as he said he would. His warning was enough to scare off anyone who might take my case.

Even beyond Ardenfield, not a single lawyer would agree to represent me.

Peter was equally ruthless, cutting off all my sources of income without a second thought. Left with no other choice, I began selling my jewelry and handbags just to scrape together enough for legal fees.

But to my dismay, no one dared to buy them.

As soon as they found out that I was the seller, they walked away. No discount could change their minds.

Crushed and disheartened, I went to apply for a loan, only to be turned away once again.

I used to have everything I ever wanted within my grasp. But now, I was nothing more than a desperate woman begging at the bank.

As the security guards led me outside, I spotted Will's car parked just beyond the door.

Soon, the window rolled down. With a smug gleam in her eyes, Violet looked over at me from the passenger seat.

Will threw the settlement agreement my way, treating me like a beggar.

"Louise, I'm sure it's clear to you now. Without us, you can't do a thing. I'm giving you one last chance. Sign the agreement, and I'll take you home."

I looked at Will as though he were a stranger.

No one but me ever sat in that passenger seat, and he never spoke to me so coldly before.

My glare cut straight into Violet.

A few years ago, Peter, Will, and Jeremy went hiking when a sudden storm trapped them high in the mountains.

When the rescue team found them the next day, they also discovered Violet's husband, Xavier Brookshire. Unfortunately, his body was already cold and lifeless.

Will said they slipped down a slope during their descent and lost consciousness. He was certain that Xavier saved their lives; without him, they would have perished.

Out of gratitude, I sent Violet two million dollars in cash and a banner honoring Xavier's heroic act. But to my surprise, she asked for one more favor.

She demanded that I remove every report related to Xavier as well as the storm incident.

Xavier saved my loved ones, and for that, I owed Violet my thanks. Still, I never thought their son would be the one to shove my daughter into the water years down the line.

Perhaps Violet was the one who pushed him to do it.

My face went pale at the thought.

I would never let Mia's death go unanswered—not even for the man who once saved Will's life.

Without another glance back at Will, I turned and walked away.

Behind me, Violet's sugary-sweet voice drifted over. "Will, don't hold me back. I want to apologize to Ms. Joplin. If I don't give up, she'll forgive me sooner or later."

Will spoke sharply, his voice trembling with fury. "We've spoiled Louise far too much! The only thing she's mastered is throwing tantrums. You don't owe her an apology. I'd honestly like to see how she manages to continue living her carefree life without us."

The wind swept past, stinging my eyes.

They once told me they hoped I would always remain this naive. But now, I understood just how oblivious I was all along. I thought I was the luckiest woman on earth, blindly holding onto my illusions about them.

From here on out, I was determined to seek justice for Mia on my own.

As I struggled to gather funds for a lawyer, Violet went live online.

She displayed the banner I once gave her.

"The person who once thanked me with this banner is now trying to take me to court. Without funds for a lawyer, my only option was to start a livestream to make ends meet."

In less than an hour after Violet went live, her popularity skyrocketed.

Donations poured in, and several lawyers volunteered to take the case on pro bono. Violet's sobs intensified, her tears streaming even more theatrically on camera.

Shortly after, Jeremy uploaded a surveillance video online, claiming it "proved" that Finn never pushed Mia.

Will publicly tagged Violet on social media, pledging to uphold justice and fight in court for both her and Finn's sakes.

Peter even took to Joplin Group's official account to issue a statement promising to advocate for Violet's cause. He warned that if I continued to deny my "mistakes", he would sever all ties with me.

Before long, the internet dredged up the story of when I presented that banner to Violet.

My social media was bombarded with hateful messages from strangers. Some even sent packages filled with animal carcasses.

When I opened one, a scream escaped me, and I tossed it aside in horror.

Out of nowhere, Will's mocking laughter drifted behind me.

His voice came like a whisper from the darkest corners of hell. "You're frightened, aren't you? Do you really think it's wise to keep causing trouble?"

Goosebumps prickled along my skin.

Standing inches behind me, he murmured into my ear, his words sending a shiver down my spine. "If you keep causing a scene, I can't promise what those netizens might do to you next time."

I collapsed to the floor, my eyes brimming with sorrow.

I was so naive. I believed Will to be refined and courteous, Jeremy to embody honor and justice, and Peter to be kindhearted.

However, I overlooked the fact that their success wasn't built on being reasonable. They only ever indulged me, never revealing the cold ruthlessness that truly defined them.

"What is it that you want from me?" I asked.

A satisfied smile slowly spread across Will's lips. "If you'd asked me this question sooner, it would've made things simpler. In the end, you have to compromise anyway, so what was the point of holding out?

"Just so you know, the press conference is set for tomorrow. As an immediate family member, you're expected to publicly declare that Mia's death was an accident and has no ties to Violet or Finn. You will also issue a formal apology for the false accusations against them."

Before I could say a word, Will pressed his hand over my mouth.

"Don't be so quick to say no. Think carefully. Can you really handle what'll happen if you refuse today?"

With that, he pulled out his phone and displayed the live feed from the nursing home's surveillance cameras.

I gazed blankly at the screen, watching an old woman lying in bed.

It was my grandmother, Paula Hilliker. In fact, she was the only family member I had left.

Two years ago, she suffered a stroke. As a result, her lower body was completely paralyzed, and she had limited mobility in her upper body.

Even so, she asked the caregiver to pick up a handkerchief for her. Thread by thread, she embroidered my nickname onto the fabric, decorating it with a small crescent moon.

She said it was a birthday present for me.

Through the camera, I saw her holding the gift box tightly, her gaze locked on the door. It was obvious she was waiting for me.

We agreed I would visit her the day after my birthday. She wanted to hand me the gift herself. However, I never showed up, but she was still waiting to see me.

The guilt crushed me, and tears spilled down my cheeks. Furious, I lunged for Will's phone. "You bastard! How dare you use my grandmother to threaten me!" I screamed.

Will, however, caught my arm with ease. "How can you possibly call this a threat? Louise, I'm afraid you're still far too naive. Anyway, are you set for the press conference tomorrow? Have you figured out what you're going to say?"

He pinched my chin with one hand while absentmindedly twirling his phone with the other.

The sharp taste of blood filled my mouth, and at last, I found my voice.

"Yes, I have."