"That's Mary? The one who stole her own sister's fiancé and married into the Sutton Family? Did you see that video going around our circle? I can't believe the dignified Mrs. Sutton crawled on the hospital floor like a dog in public."
"And that daughter of hers was wetting and soiling herself? So filthy and disgusting."
"What's so surprising about that? If I were Mr. Sutton, I’d hate her and that bastard child too. The Sutton Family is far too generous to tolerate such a disgrace as a daughter-in-law."
"Come on, it was Mary herself who didn’t use birth control and got pregnant. Do you really think Mr. Sutton, who was so in love with Miss Yale, would’ve married someone else so easily? Especially a scheming woman who manipulated her way into that position?"
These words dragged my thoughts back to that night four years ago. The pain from that torn, helpless night still seemed to linger in my body.
Four years ago, my elder sister Sally was about to marry Leonard, the only son of the Sutton Family and her first lover. As her only sibling, I was brought back from the harsh countryside to the Yale Family as if it were some kinds of gracious favor.
My very first night in the Yale household was far from peaceful. I was jolted awake in the dead of night by a bucket of ice-cold water. As I opened my eyes, I met a gaze filled with disgust.
Then came my sister’s sobs and my parents' scolding and beating. Their voices filled every corner of that room.
As daylight fully broke, my sister decisively pushed the marriage that was originally hers onto me, then left the country alone.
From that moment on, the trajectory of my life changed completely.
Sally saw how pale I looked and came over with fake concern to check on me.
Standing behind her, Leonard's gaze lingered on me with a deeper meaning. Clearly, he had heard the mocking whispers too.
I pushed Sally’s hand away and forced myself to walk into the living room.
My father stood proudly at the center of the room, beaming. “Starting today, I officially hand over all of our Yale Family’s businesses to my daughter, Sally! She may still be young, so I hope everyone will offer her guidance and support in the future.”
The guests burst into applause and raised their glasses in celebration.
Sally held her head high, with a constant smile gracing her lips. “Thank you, Dad. I’ll do my best to manage everything and keep learning.”
Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, the butler suddenly entered and announced loudly, “The matriarch of the Sutton Family, Mrs. Kath Sutton, has arrived with gifts!”
Kath entered the hall with a beaming face.
Leonard stepped forward to open the gift box. It was filled with gold jewelry, along with the deed to a private villa on an island.
“Sally, congratulations! From now on, you are the director of the company.”
Kath affectionately held Sally’s hand and chatted warmly. Leonard stood beside them, his eyes brimming with tenderness as he watched.
While joy overflowed on that side, on this side, the Sutton Family’s butler quietly came over and called me away.
“Madam said that next Saturday’s family banquet is considered part of today’s gathering at the Yale residence and she wants you to return with her to the old estate after the banquet tonight so you can accompany her tomorrow to offer prayers to the ancestors.”
I froze, my hands hanging at my sides trembling slightly.
Just then, someone in the living room called out loudly.
“The Yale and Sutton families have both given gifts to Sally, what about the gift for Mary?”
“Gift? Mary should count herself lucky for not causing trouble!”
“That’s right. If I were a member of the Yale Family, I would’ve struck her name off the family registry after what she did. Sleeping with her future brother-in-law was a disgrace to the whole family!”
I clenched my fists, nearly unable to hold back the truth of what really happened that year.
Leonard’s assistant came out to find me and shoved a box into my hands. “Mr. Sutton said for you to take this inside and present it to Miss Sally.”
I lifted the lid of the box. Inside lay some handwritten apology letters.
