The patriarch of the Vanderwood family, my great-uncle Augustus Vanderwood, put a stop to the farce. He struck the marble floor hard with his ivory-handled cane, silencing everyone.
“Quiet! What is the meaning of this spectacle?”
As the eldest person present, Augustus’s words carried weight. He turned to Theodore and Brielle, scrutinizing them. “Why must you cause such a scene at Orion’s birthday party?”
Brielle shot Theodore a look. Taking his cue, Theodore immediately let out a theatrical sigh.
“Since everyone is here today, I’d like to take this opportunity, in front of all the board members and distinguished guests, to announce something of the utmost importance.” He said this while casting a complicated look at Orion.
I watched his performance with cold disdain.
“Orion is not Cordelia’s son.”
Theodore’s words landed like a bombshell. The party guests, those New York socialites, began to whisper amongst themselves.
Orion’s shoulders trembled slightly. He looked at me, his eyes filled with confusion, fear, and panic. I stroked his head to comfort him, gently pulling him closer to my side.
A flicker of smug victory crossed Theodore’s eyes before it was quickly masked by a look of sorrow and regret.
He explained, “Cordelia and Brielle gave birth on the same day at Lenox Hill Hospital. When I was holding Cordelia’s baby and went to see Brielle, I made a fatal mistake and accidentally mixed up the two infants.”
He lowered his head as if in great distress, but I nearly laughed aloud at his hypocrisy.
It was his and Brielle’s own sordid deal, and now he was trying to disguise his wicked plan to swap the children by calling it a simple “mix-up.”
He stole a glance at me, no doubt hoping to see me break down. However, I remained impassive, simply sipping my champagne.
He continued, “I just want to clarify to everyone here that Brielle is Orion’s biological mother, not Cordelia.” He glanced at me again and added, “Cordelia, you gave birth to a daughter, not a son. We must correct this mistake today and return Orion to Brielle.”
A few of the board members, bribed by Theodore, immediately chimed in.
“So it was an accidental switch. Not a big deal, they can just be switched back.”
“That’s right. It’s not too late for the children to return to their rightful parents.”
“Cordelia gave birth to a daughter. Since a daughter cannot inherit the family business, Cordelia should take this opportunity to step down.”
I narrowed my eyes, scanning the faces of those who spoke. They were all Theodore’s cronies.
These useless, sycophantic nobodies in The Vanderwood Legacy had long resented me. They couldn't wait to see me gone.
Hearing those words, Orion clutched at the corner of my dress, unsettled. I comforted him, then looked at Theodore and let out a cold laugh.
“Do you think I was in so much pain, bleeding so profusely, that I couldn't recognize my own flesh and blood? Orion is my son. He will never call another woman ‘Mother.’”
I didn’t raise my voice, but it was exceptionally firm, leaving no room for doubt.
At my firm reply, the panic on Orion’s face gradually faded, and he pressed closer to me. Brielle’s tears immediately began to fall. She looked heartbroken, as if I had truly stolen her child.
“Cordelia, what Theodore said is true. Orion is my son. Stop deceiving yourself. I am Orion’s biological mother.”
