Chapter 2
“Margaret Barnes, if it weren’t for you, Gianna wouldn’t have suffered all these years. How dare you think you’re worthy of being with me? You’re nothing but a fraud. The person I’m meant to marry is Gianna.”
With that, Christian turned and slipped the engagement ring onto Gianna’s finger. Gianna
htly caressed the ring, casting me a smug, provocative glance.
The crowd of reporters and guests erupted into a frenzy, their murmurs echoing throughout the room. In that moment, every ounce of my dignity shattered, scattered like fragments on the floor.
Christian’s parents were furious, shouting at him, “Christian, have you lost your mind? Do you realize where you are and what you’re doing?”
But Christian remained indifferent, taking Gianna’s hand and announcing to everyone, “Perhaps you’re unaware, but she is the true Barnes daughter, Gianna. Margaret has been living in her place for all these years, stealing her rightful life, while Gianna endured hardships. Now that the real heiress has returned, the one I should be engaged to is
Gianna.”
The reporters, eager for such explosive news, pounced.
“Miss Margaret, is what he said true? How are you feeling right now?”
I glanced at the two of them. Gianna nestled against Christian’s chest like a delicate bird,
my
direction. flashing me a mocking smile, while Christian stared coldly in
I felt a flicker of sadness, but it didn’t consume me. I had faced far worse. With a calma smile, I replied to the reporters, “He’s right. There was a mix–up at birth. Although Christian and I have been together for years, I understand that once my sister returned, the two of them became inseparable. Today, we’re simply taking the opportunity to announce her identity. As for me, Margaret, the person I’m truly getting engaged to is Robert Hughes.”
The room fell into stunned silence before the chatter erupted anew. All eyes turned to Robert. He looked bewildered at first but quickly understood my signal. He strode toward me, pulled out a diamond ring, and slipped it onto my finger under the gaze of the entire
Chapter 2
crowd.
Christian, who had been watching with a cold sneer moments earlier, couldn’t sit still any
longer.
“Margaret, have you lost your mind? The Hughes family is on the brink of bankruptcy, and Robert is an illegitimate child. Even if I’ve abandoned you, there’s no need to throw yourself into such a pathetic engagement.”
Weld
Pheld back a laugh, the corners of my lips curling into a faint smirk.
“Mr. Christian Torres, this is my business. I don’t think it concerns you.”
Christian was momentarily speechless, while Gianna let out a disdainful scoff.
“A fraud and an illegitimate child–a perfect match.”
Maintaining my While it wasn’t intentional on my part, I’ll do my best to make amends. So, I’ve decided to leave the Barnes family from this day forward. From now on, my actions and choices will have nothing to do with them.”
Smile, I continued, “Regarding the mix–up with Gianna, I deeply regret it.
This was probably what Gianna had wanted all along, using public opinion to force me out of the Barnes family. The spectacle was over, and I imagined it would be plastered all over the headlines by tomorrow.
After the chaos subsided, Jacob slapped Gianna hard across the face.
“Do you even know what you’ve done? Driving your sister away–how does that benefit our
after your sister’s fiancé? family? Out of all the men you could’ve chosen, you had to go Have you no shame?”
Gianna clutched her cheek, tears of indignation spilling over.
“Why shouldn’t I? It was supposed to be mine! Christian should’ve been mine all along. She lived my life for years–why shouldn’t I take it back and kick her out?”
Jacob clutched his chest, overcome with anger. I hurriedly took out his medication and handed it to him.
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
I was probably the only one unimpressed by Christian’s so–called talent.
Once Jacob realized I was determined, he stopped trying to dissuade me. I moved out of the Barnes family home and into my long–awaited private villa. No one to fight me for a room–it was pure bliss.
The headlines now were all about Gianna and me. The real–and–fake–heiress drama had
turned into a media frenzy, something that could easily dominate the news cycle for days.
Robert called me:
“Margaret Butler, aren’t you planning to reveal your true identity yet? The media’s all over the story that you’re a fake heiress who got booted out and can’t even face the public. Even though I don’t have ties with the Hughes family anymore, they still care about appearances.
They’re pestering me to distance myself from you. It’s driving me crazy!”
I swirled the wine glass in my hand leisurely.
“What’s the rush? I’m finally enjoying some peace and quiet. By the way, thanks for last time. Didn’t expect you to actually have a ring–it saved me from too much.
embarrassment.”
Robert’s tone suddenly turned shy.
“Oh, come on, no need to thank me. I mean, what can I say? I’ve always had foresight.”
I chuckled and then remembered something.
“By the way
now that Christian and I have nothing to do with each other, pull out all the
investments I made in their projects.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, a woman’s heart is truly unfathomable. You pulling out those major investments will hit the Torres Group hard. That saying is true–never mess with a woman. It’s terrifying. Alright, I’ll arrange it immediately.”
Though he teased, he acted swiftly.
