Chapter 16
Without sparing Wendel a glance, Iris let out a mocking laugh. “Why would I regret it? I can’t wait to leave you behind.”
Every word she spoke was like a sharp blade, stabbing straight into Wendel’s heart.
He had never heard such raw hatred before–especially not from the person who once adored him.
Clenching his fist, Wendel sneered, feigning nonchalance. “Even if I lost a leg. I could still marry someone a thousand times better than you. Who do you think you am?“)
Iris smirked, “Go ahead, marry whoever you want. Preferably Esther. The two of you have been sneaking around for so long anyway. At least now, you don’t have to pretend in front of me anymore,”
Upon hearing her words, Esther’s face turned pale and she hurriedly explained, “No! Iris, you’ve got it all wrong! Wendel and I… we really don’t have that kind of relationship
Iris gave her a once–over before scoffing. “Whether you do or don’t, it doesn’t matter to me. From now on, we’re nothing to each other. T
“Alright, alright, enough with the drama. Money is what really matters, Stella cut in, grinning obsequiously. “As long as we get the money, everything’s fine.”
Dominic, still cautious, took out a pen and paper
“I want it in writing,” he said, “a formal statement guaranteeing that you’ll never come after Iris again.”
Wendel took the paper without hesitation and signed his name with a flourish, even pressing his fingerprint onto it!
Then he held it up in front of Ins, a sneer on his lips. Take a good look. I don’t want you anymore. L, Wendel Lancaster, never goes back on his word.”
With that, he let go the paper fluttered to the floor!
Stella scrambled to pick it up, her grin stretching ear to ear. “Now, can we get the money?”
Only then did Ins‘ mother finally hand over the cash.
With the five thousand dollars in hand, the last tie between the two families was officially severed.
Wendel didn’t even bother keeping up appearances anymore. He pulled Esther into his arms, smirking at Iris. “You better not regret
Esther, nestled against him, flashed a triumphant smile at Iris.}
But Iris remained expressionless. “Then I wish you both a long, long life together–may you never be apart, not even in death.
Of course, she didn’t tell Wendel that Esther couldn’t have children.
What could be more satisfying than watching someone she despised walk willingly into a fire pit?
Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving behind the cage that had imprisoned her for a lifetime.
That night, Iris went with her biological parents to a high–end hotel in town to rest
It was only then that she finally learned the things she never had the chance to in her past life.
Her biological father was a businessman in the fumiture industry, while her mother was a musician.
She was supposed to bear the sumame Alba. Her parents had chosen a name for her even before she was born.8
After some thought, she decided to keep her current name!!
From now on, she would be Inis Alba.
Margaret held her hands tightly, repeating over and over again, “Iris, my daughter… I finally found you.”
Beside her, her father murmured, “You’ve suffered so much all these years. We’ll make it up to you. If you want to study, I’ll send you
to the best high school. And after graduation, our whole family will move to California. You can attend university abroad.”
Iris blinked in surprise. “Dad, is California far from here?”
Her father nodded. “Far, Very far. The Lancaster family will never find you again.”
Inis let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding
