My husband shoved my face into our daughter's birthday cake in front of 47 guests—but he had no idea I was the missing billionaire heiress who would soon change his life forever

The custody mediation was held in a dreary downtown courthouse. Richard arrived in his best suit, flanked by Vanessa and his mother, Olivia. He strutted into the conference room, expecting to see Maya looking malnourished and terrified.

Instead, he found a team of three elite corporate attorneys sitting at the table.

Maya entered a moment later. Richard literally dropped his briefcase.

She wore a charcoal gray designer suit, a silk blouse, and a pair of Cartier glasses. She looked like a woman who owned the building. She sat down, crossing her legs, and didn't even look at him.

"Maya?" Richard stammered. "Who... whose clothes are you wearing? Are you scamming someone?"

"Mr. Vance," Maya’s lead attorney interrupted smoothly. "My client is here to finalize the absolute termination of your parental rights. We have submitted a dossier detailing your history of emotional abuse, public humiliation, and financial instability."

"Financial instability?" Olivia scoffed, stepping forward. "My son makes six figures! This little tramp doesn't have a dime to her name!"

Maya finally looked at Olivia, her eyes devoid of any warmth. "Your son is currently three million dollars in debt. His house is pending foreclosure, and his logistics firm is forty-eight hours away from bankruptcy."

Richard turned pale. "How do you know that?"

Maya stood up, leaning over the table. "Because I own your debt, Richard."

Richard laughed nervously. "You're delusional. You're a waitress."

"Check your email, Mr. Vance," the lawyer suggested.

Richard pulled out his phone. His inbox was flooded with notifications. Sterling Equity had acquired his debt and transferred the holding to a parent company: Hawthorne Enterprises.

"I don't understand," Richard breathed.

"You don't need to," Maya said coldly. "Sign the custody release, Richard. Or I will let the debt crush you into dust, and I will still take my daughter."