The Real Heiress Rules the World (Sloane Rivers) novel Chapter 503

**Chapter 503: The Lost Years**

“My daughter plays the piano beautifully. I’ll make sure she performs for you all next time…”

Sloane found herself being dragged from one group to another, her mother’s enthusiasm on full display, as she felt the heat rise in her cheeks. It was a familiar sensation, one that came from being the center of attention, yet she felt utterly powerless to resist her mother’s desire to showcase her talent. Meanwhile, Tony was determined not to be overshadowed, and he switched into his own mode of boasting, his voice rising above the chatter of the men around him.

“My daughter was accepted into medical school at just sixteen! Look here, this is her award—an international medical grand prize! My daughter…”

Shawn, watching the scene unfold, could hardly bear it any longer. He leaned closer to Lucas, his voice barely above a whisper as he muttered, “My uncle, who’s usually the most reserved, is acting like a broken record today.”

Lucas simply chuckled and shook his head, his eyes fixed intently on Sloane. Just then, Beth, with a burst of inspiration, seized Sloane’s hand and guided her toward the grand piano that dominated the ballroom’s center.

“Sloane, darling, would you play a song for me? I’m eager to hear your beautiful music…” she urged, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Sloane nodded slowly, a blend of affection and resignation swirling within her as her delicate fingers began to glide over the piano keys. As the last note lingered in the air, the room erupted into a cacophony of applause, filling her with a rush of warmth and pride.

Beth enveloped her daughter in a tight embrace, her excitement palpable. “My daughter is simply incredible!” she exclaimed, turning to face the crowd with a beaming smile. “It’s a shame… I’ve missed so much of your childhood…”

Tony, sensing the emotional weight of the moment, quickly stepped in to redirect the conversation, raising his glass high for all to see. “Thank you all for being here to witness our family reunion. Next month is my daughter’s birthday, and the Oliver family will be hosting the grandest banquet you’ve ever seen. We would be honored by your presence!”

As they drove home, Sloane leaned her head against her mother’s shoulder, feeling the warmth radiate from her. “Mom, don’t you think you might have been exaggerating just a bit today…”

Beth, brimming with self-satisfaction, responded with mock indignation, “Exaggerating? How could I? My daughter is extraordinary; of course, the world should know!”

With trembling fingers, Sloane reached for the box marked “1 Year Old.” Inside, she discovered a stunning gold anklet, delicately engraved on the back with the words, “To our beloved Sloane, happy 1st birthday.”

“I had this ready the very year you were born…” Beth said, her voice thick with emotion as she gently fastened the anklet onto Sloane’s ankle, tears falling like pearls onto the shimmering gold.

Tony picked up the box labeled “5 Years Old,” a nostalgic smile crossing his face. “Little girls at this age adore dolls…” he said, opening it to reveal a limited-edition antique doll dressed in a miniature gown that mirrored one Sloane had worn as a baby.

Each box she opened felt like a bridge to a past that had been lost, a reclamation of time that had slipped through their fingers. There was the diamond hairclip from her tenth birthday, the custom violin from her fifteenth, and the coming-of-age necklace from her eighteenth…

When she finally reached the box labeled “22 Years Old,” Sloane paused, her breath catching in her throat. Inside, she found a key and a deed, the weight of them heavy with promise.

“These are the ownership documents for the Oliver Group Medical Research Center,” Tony declared proudly, his eyes shining with conviction. “I know how passionate you are about advancing cancer research. This will be your new starting point.”