“This… This is the deed.”

I nodded slowly, savoring the moment.

“Not just the deed to the duplex. That’s child’s play. What you’re holding is the portfolio transfer. Every property I’ve purchased, every contract I’ve secured, all listed there. Duplex, condos, rental houses, dozens of them, all in my name, all under Lydia Holdings.”

My mother’s gasp echoed against the vaulted ceiling.

“Dozens? You can’t. You can’t possibly afford that.”

I kept my voice steady, almost conversational.

“Remember when you laughed at me for working those late night freelance gigs? When you told me my computer nonsense would never pay off?”

The memory of their mockery fueled my confidence.

“Well, those contracts turned into partnerships. Those partnerships turned into investments, and those investments turned into millions.”

I let that word hang in the air.

“Silent millions. While you were busy praising Nathan, I was buying up this city.”

The room fell into stunned silence, broken only by Victoria whispering under her breath.

“Millions.”

I looked directly at Nathan, voice sharp as a blade.

“So, the next time you think about moving into one of my properties for free, remember this. You’ll be filling out a rental application like everyone else.”

I paused for effect.

“And considering your credit score, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

The color drained from his face.

“You… You dug into my credit?”

“Of course I did,” I replied with a cold smile. “That’s what landlords do, Nathan. They check if tenants are reliable. And guess what? You’re not.”

I glanced at the financial reports I’d had my team compile last month when Nathan first started hinting about needing a place to stay.

His spending habits and loan defaults were all there in black and white.

My father tried to reassert his authority, voice booming across the table.

“Enough of this show, Lydia. You’re not embarrassing your brother in front of his family.”

I turned to him slowly, letting the silence stretch between us.

“Embarrassing him? Dad, I’ve been embarrassed my whole life. You called me useless. Told me Nathan was the real success. Treated me like trash.”

Each word released years of pentup pain.

“But tonight, the tables turn. Because in this house, in this city, every brick you’re standing on belongs to me.”

Everyone froze.

My mother covered her mouth with a trembling hand.

Victoria’s eyes welled with tears, and my father looked as though he’d been physically struck.

Nathan, shaking with rage, grabbed the portfolio and hurled it back at me.

“You’ll regret this, Lydia. You think you’ve won, but you’ve just made the biggest enemy of your life.”

I caught the folder midair and stood tall, my gaze locked on his.

“No, Nathan, I didn’t just win. I took back every piece of respect you all stole from me.”

I smiled, the final piece of my plan, ready to be revealed.

“And the best part, I haven’t even shared the biggest surprise yet.”

His words still echoed in the dining room, but I didn’t flinch.

Instead, I stood taller, clutching the folder like a shield.

“You think I’ve played my last card? No, Nathan.”