The Stolen Heiress: The Billionaires’ Little Star novel Chapter 12

[I can't believe the Sterlings are actually letting Xavier interact with her. I don't get it.]

"Give it to Mrs. Manning, Mr. Bishop..." Daisy counted off a few names on her fingers, completely catching the crew off guard.

"Why give it to them?" The crew's voice cracked slightly from pure astonishment.

"Before my dad left, he scammed them out of their money. I need to pay them back," Daisy said earnestly.

[Holy crap! Her dad was that kind of scum?]

[What kind of hellish start to life is this for such a young girl?]

[Don't try to whitewash this. Even if her family is trash, that's no excuse for her to steal and lie.]

"Do as she says," Xavier interjected, his face darkening.

"Yes, right away." The staff members snapped out of their shock, looking at the scrawny, malnourished little girl with far more complex gazes.

"Oh, right. When we left earlier, we gave Grandpa Lowell a hundred dollars as emotional compensation for Daisy." The staff hesitated for a moment before adding the explanation.

Xavier frowned. "What kind of nonsense is that? If it's compensation for Daisy, why didn't you just give it directly to her?"

The staff immediately looked embarrassed.

Xavier crouched down and asked Daisy, "Did you know about this?"

Daisy shook her head in confusion.

Grandpa hadn't mentioned anything about taking someone's money.

Xavier didn't say anything else.

This money... he had to get it back for Daisy. They couldn't just pick on her because she was young.

That Grandpa Lowell was a disgraceful old bastard!

The director drifted over at that moment and said cautiously, "Your mother asked us to confiscate your phone."

Xavier wanted to snap at him, but realizing he needed the crew's cooperation to stay with Daisy, he decided against escalating the tension.

So, he surprisingly handed over his phone without a fight.

The director breathed a sigh of relief. "If you want to use your phone, you'll need to exchange points for it."

"Points?" Xavier knew this was the introduction to the show's upcoming rules, all designed to increase viewership.

The director handed him the rulebook.

Xavier looked down and read:

Waking up early: 1 point.

Foraging for berries or mushrooms to sell: $1 = 1 point.

Respecting teachers at school: 1 point.

Volunteering at the library corner: 1 point.

...

10 points can be exchanged for 1 minute of phone usage.

Chloe Lowell asked the servants for some supplies and crafted a piece of handmade art.

She used the Morandi color palette, which wouldn't become popular until years later, creating a highly harmonious and instantly stunning combination.

The live comments were also shocked:

[She's got these kinds of skills? This kid is incredibly talented; she doesn't seem like a country child at all.]

Chloe couldn't see the online reviews, but she could easily guess how others were praising her.

She couldn't help but press her lips into a smile.

She remembered that Xavier's mother, Autumn, was a painter... This creation of hers would surely win the woman's favor, right?

Chloe carried the artwork downstairs and called out softly, "Mr. Butler, when will Mr. and Mrs. Sterling be home?"

The butler's expression remained neutral. "They won't be returning today either."

Disappointed, Chloe returned to her room and stepped into the bathroom, the only place without cameras.

She discreetly pulled out a phone, one her father had slipped to her before she left. She needed to check how the show was progressing... Was that Sterling heir doing well in her home?

But the moment she pulled it out—

39 missed calls on silent mode.

All from home.

Chloe's face changed. What had happened?