“And your birth parents? Who are they? The last time they came to our house, they were carrying a cheap duffel bag and a bunch of homemade jams, begging Mom and Dad to let you go
back with them.”
Jessica sneered. “A couple of farmers from the middle of nowhere. If it really came down to a fight, what do they have against Leo’s parents?”
I leaned against the coffee table for support, too weak to speak.
Leo thought I was scared
“If you don’t want these videos getting out, that’s fine,” he jeered. “You can buy them from me for a hundred thousand dollars.”
“Otherwise, I’ll sell them to everyone here!”
“This is what you get for making Jessica angry and trying to ruin my wedding!”
Growing up, every time Leo got into trouble, I was the one who cleaned up his mess. I had truly loved him like my own brother.
But now, looking at his hateful smirk, it was clear he felt nothing for our years together.
If that was the case, then why should I spare his feelings?
1
I took a deep breath. “Leo,” I said, my voice clear and steady, “actually, you’re the one who was adopted. And starting today, you are no longer welcome in the Vaughn family home.”
The room fell silent. Everyone stared, dumbfounded.
After a few seconds, Leo was the first to break the silence, roaring with laughter.
Jessica and her friends joined in, all of them laughing so hard they were bent over. They looked at me as if I were a complete idiot.
Jessica leaned into her live stream winking. “Did you guys hear that? This thief isn’t just stealing my jewelry, she’s trying to steal the real heir’s identity!
“I’m seriously impressed. How can someone be this stupid? Does shooty everyone else is an idiot?”
The live chat, egged on by her, exploded with hateful comments.
“Wow, I’ve seen it all now! The adopted kid is trying to kick out the real heir!*
“No wonder she’s so greedy. The Vaughn Corporation is a huge local company. That’s a massive fortune! She’s gotten used to the good life and doesn’t want to go back to being poor.”
“Can’t wait for the real young master to put this fake heiress in her place!*
When Leo had laughed his fill, he shook his head “Camille, I really didn’t think you’d sink this low. You’d even make up a lie like that just to stop me from releasing the videos.”
Tumbled for my phone, but then
I re was shattered on the floor. I held out my hand to Lex. CUT POCZ
“So you’re saying I’m the adopted one? Fine. Go ahead. Call Mom and Dad right now. Let’s see what they have to say!”
He didn’t hand it over Immediately. He raised an eyebrow, looking down his nose at me. “Camille, don’t say I never gave you a chance. You should learn to be content. Stop being greedy for our family’s properties. We can still give you a place to live, you know.”
“of
course, the condition
that you!
u have
do whatever Jessica says. If she tells you to go east, you don’t go west. If she says you have to marry her brother, you do it.”
a look
that screamed I’m doing this for your own good. “I’m being generous, right? If you kneel and apologize to Jessica right now, I’ll still give you a chance.”
“How about it?” Leo said, with
I let out a cold laugh and ed. “Giv
Leo swore under his breath and
I dialed. My mothe
“Hello? Leo?”
“Mom!”
Ishovey
‘s voi red
phone.”
One at me. “Who the hell do you think you are? Acting like you’re some real princess. Fine. I can’t wait for Mom and Dad to throw you out!”
All the pain and humiliation washed over me at once. The word was barely out of my mouth before tears started streaming down my face.
“Mom, is it true that Leo was the one you…”
Before I could
I finish, the phone was ripped from my hand.
Jessica’s brother, Darren, held it high in the air. He made a whooshing sound, as if it were a paper airplane, and then tossed it out the window.
little birdie, fly away!” he chirped, clapping his hands and giggling foolishly. “Fun, fun.”
“Fly away,
pping h
No one in the room seemed surprised. Not even Leo.
I stared at him, aghast. “Leo, you knew he wasn’t all there?”
And you still tried to force me to marry him, just for Jessica?
Leo just shrugged. “So what if he’s a little slow? With your background, you should be happy to marry anyone at all.”
Jessica stepped forward and shoved me several times.
“Camille, my brother isn’t stupid, he’s just… a little simple!”
“Besides, our family has a nice, renovated house in the country.
What
do you have?”
be good enough for my brother! Who are you to look down on him?”
“Once my in–laws take back everything they gave you, you won’t
T
I was already unsteady on my feet. The repeated shoves sent could barely get up.
me stumbling backward. My back slammed into the sharp carner of the coffee table, and a piercing pain shot through me. I
But Jessica wasn’t finished. She walked over and kicked me hard in the stomach, several times, then looked down at me from above.
“You deserve it! If you had just agreed to the exchange, we could have all had a nice, peaceful day! But no, you had to make a scene!”
I struggled to my feet, my words coming out in ragged gasps. “Jessica… Leo… My parents…. they won’t let you get away with this!”
Jessica placed a hand on her stomach and sneered.
“Camille, don’t push your luck. To tell you the truth, I’m already pregnant with the Vaughn family’s first grandchild.”
“So you
tell
me, who do you think Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn will side with? Their first grandchild, or their adopted daughter?”
She laughed, her face a mask of triumph.
Just then, the front door was kicked open.
My parents stood there, their faces like thunderclouds, a line of bodyguards behind them.
My father’s voice was like ice. “Side with who? Let me tell you who we side with.”
6
