“You won’t let me take her because you’re afraid of what she might say—or because you’ve done something so vile it can’t be known!”
The crowd’s eyes snapped to the Carters. They stammered, unable to respond.
“No way… could they really be that cruel?”
“Imagine—ignoring your own flesh and blood, yet doting on a stranger’s child?”
“Well, she was raised as a pampered heiress for years, while the real daughter grew up in the countryside. People play favorites.”
“But this ‘countryside’ girl looks well-off. That bracelet and gown alone are beyond the Carters’ means.”
Whispers swirled through the room. The Carter family’s faces turned dark.
Chloe clutched her swollen cheek. Suddenly, the sound of a car horn came from outside, and her eyes lit up.
“Old witch, you’re dead! My uncle is here. Once he arrives, he’ll destroy you!”
Richard smirked as well. “That’s right. Do you know who’s coming? The richest man in New York City, Adrian Hughes—my wife’s brother. You’d better know your place.”
The onlookers gasped.
“The richest man in New York City? Not someone to mess with!”
“I didn’t say anything reckless, did I?”
“Who knows if it’s true. If it is, the Carters wouldn’t still be some third-rate family.”
The room buzzed with speculation. Richard ordered the doors opened, his face brimming with smugness.
I remained unimpressed. Today, they would see just how dangerous this ‘countryside madwoman’ could be.
When Adrian Hughes entered, Chloe rushed forward. “Uncle, Uncle!”
“Today’s my niece’s engagement. I came to support her. What happened—your face!”
Her face was a swollen, bloody mess, grotesque to look at.
Adrian frowned, scanning her up and down. “Who… who are you?”
“Uncle, it’s me! I’m your niece!”
“My niece isn’t some hideous monster. And where’s your bracelet?”
“It was her! Uncle!” Chloe jabbed a finger at me. “That crazy woman stole it and tore up my face! You have to help me!”
Her sobbing filled the hall.
Adrian’s brows furrowed with impatience. But when his eyes landed on me, he froze in shock.
“Catherine Hayes? Sister—what are you doing here?!”
“If I hadn’t come, your real niece would have been killed and replaced by this fraud!”
Chloe’s face went blank with horror.
Margaret paled as well. “Sister? What do you mean? Mr. Hughes, you must be mistaken!”
Adrian snapped, “How could I mistake my own sister? The question is, where is Bella? My niece?”
“I heard she was getting engaged today. I rushed back for this. Where is she?”
My voice turned to ice. “Ask them. They’ve stolen Bella’s bracelet and paraded around in her gown. Shameless impostors!”
“And you, Adrian—this is how you’ve been protecting Bella?”
At my words, Adrian raised his hand and slapped himself across the face. The crowd gasped in shock.
“Sister, I was wrong!”
“When Bella first returned, she called me. She told me she was doing well here. I visited her a few times. But for the past month, she stopped answering my calls—only texted me that she was busy.”
I gave a bitter laugh. “Clearly, someone was impersonating her. You fool!”
Realization dawned on Adrian. He turned and seized Chloe by the throat.
