Damon: Hold my hand tight, Lily. We're going to go find your mom.
Lily: Is she in trouble, mister? She told me not to wander off...
Damon: No, sweetheart. She’s not in trouble. I just need to see her.
Damon walked through the crowd of wealthy donors, ignoring the whispered questions and shocked stares of Dallas high society.
Victoria stood near the cake table, her face flushed with rage as security guards approached her to escort her off the stage.
Victoria: You'll regret this, Vance! My husband's law firm handles your corporate trust funds!
Damon: Fire them too. My legal team will have the paperwork on your desk by morning.
Damon led Lily down the gravel driveway toward the grand iron gates of the estate.
Standing outside the gate, leaning heavily against a light pole, was a thin woman wearing an oversized winter coat despite the Texas heat.
Clara: Lily! Oh God, Lily, where did you go?
Lily: Mommy! Look! The nice man gave me cake!
Clara rushed forward, grabbing her daughter into a tight hug before her eyes slowly traveled up to meet Damon's gaze.
Clara: Damon...
Damon: Clara. It’s really you.
Clara: I... I didn't know this was your event. We were just walking past the neighborhood looking for a shelter...
Damon: Seven years, Clara. You disappeared without a trace. No call, no letter, nothing. I searched every hospital and city record in Texas.
Clara: I had to leave, Damon. If I stayed, your family would have destroyed everything you built.
Damon: What are you talking about? My family?
Clara: Your mother... she paid off the police to issue a warrant if I didn't leave town. She said I was a gold-digger trying to trap her heir.
Damon: My mother did what?
Clara: She forced me to sign a document relinquishing all rights to your estate before I even knew I was pregnant.
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