Over time, everyone simply took it for granted that my father was a man of extraordinary ability.
And my own vision, my skill, my methods—all of it, they assumed, came from his careful teaching.
Amid the whispering of the crowd, Alex Gilbert stepped forward and spoke without a flicker of hesitation.
"Mom, Dad, since the one I was engaged to is the true Pruitt daughter, then the engagement between me and Ida is void."
"My family is old money, a name that means something. We could never marry a fake heiress who took someone else's place in the nest."
Watching his expression change into something I no longer recognized, my chest sank all at once, my fingertips going stiff.
Just yesterday he'd held my hand and spoken of growing old together, the moment still fresh before my eyes; the sound of him swearing he'd love no one but me in this life still echoing in my ears.
Before I could say a word, he spoke again, and what came out of his mouth left me dumbstruck.
"Ida, we may have grown up together, childhood sweethearts and all, but I've always stood by my principles. I stand for the truth."
"Since you aren't the Pruitts' daughter, every core patent under your name, your R&D team, all your resources should go back to the Pruitts. These were always meant to belong to Irma."
My heart cooled, degree by degree, until a chill seemed to radiate from my whole body.
Seeing how grim my face had gone, my parents thought I was unwilling. They came over, their tone heavy with apology.
"Ida, we know this is hard to accept all at once, but what Alex says makes sense too. Irma has suffered twenty years of hardship. It's only right we make it up to her now."
"The resources and assets in your hands—just split half of them off for your sister. We owe her that much."
The whispers rose at once.
"Old Pruitt means business. Said it right out in front of all these people."
"He's set on this daughter, no question. Blood is something carved into the bone, isn't it. One look and it goes straight to the heart."
Every gaze settled on me—on the fake heiress who'd taken what wasn't hers—watching to see whether I'd refuse outright, whether I'd be greedy enough to cling to what belonged to someone else.
I watched Alex move to Irma's side, quietly take her hand, and I caught the flash of envy and spite that crossed her eyes.
I drew a deep breath.
Fine.
The Pruitts had raised me for twenty years, given me the best education, given me their love. The debt was mine.
"Mom, Dad, you're right. Irma's been through so much out there. I agree to give her half of everything under my name."
My parents let out a relief they couldn't quite hide.
The wedding banquet was canceled.
With a sweep of his hand, Hal Pruitt turned it into a reunion celebration instead.
Within moments, someone brought out new clothes, an expensive diamond necklace, bracelets……
Thirty minutes later, Irma made her slow entrance in a lavish gown, attendants at her side, radiant from head to toe, not a trace left of the timid, pitiful creature from before.
In that moment, every eye fixed on the four of them, one happy family. Like a farce, the wedding had become a reunion party.
My father only patted my hand, then turned and led Irma and Alex off to work the room among the guests.
Not one person offered me a single word of flattery after that.
I quietly slipped backstage, changed out of the wedding dress, and drove alone along the River City waterfront until dawn.
Early the next morning, I drove to Pruitt Group as usual.
The company was something I'd built with blood and sweat. I wouldn't—couldn't—throw a tantrum and walk away.
My parents had raised me. Even if they favored Irma, I could understand that.
I'd just reached my office door, hadn't even turned the key, when a soft, simpering voice drifted out from inside, answered by a man's low, doting tone.
"Alex, it's so hard. Do you really think I can do it, if they hand all of Pruitt Group over to me?"
"Irma, you have to believe in yourself. You're your father's own flesh and blood. You carry his brilliant genes. You'll absolutely manage it."
