Then Luke turned his gaze toward the side door of the stage. “The real donor of the emerald necklace is not the fake Mrs. Albright standing on this stage.

The true donor is my mother, Vivian Mendoza.”

Mr. Davis pulled back the velvet curtain, and I walked out.

I wasn’t wearing flashy diamonds or a ball gown. I wore nothing that could be mistaken for a costume. Only my black power suit, my clean face, and my father’s legal agreement held firmly in my hand.

The wealthy guests quickly parted to make a clear path for me. I heard my name repeated like a rolling wave through the crowd.

“It’s her,” a woman said.