"You've got some guts, huh? I've become like this all because of you!" "This was because of me?" Victoria scorned. "Wasn't it? You already saw me making a fool out of myself on the day of our school's commencement ceremony! You should have acted even more humiliating!What right does a country bumpkin like you have to steal the limelight while I became everyone's laughingstock?"Also, it was you who roped me in at the hotel the other night. Thanks to that, I was caught being with them and it ruined my reputation!" Cindy was enraged with fierce indignation. "If it wasn't because of you, I wouldn't have gotten involved with Ronald, let alone be raped and infected by AIDS! It should've been you!"My mom insulted me for misbehaving and neglected me; Brighton expelled me. And now I've been disfigured and blinded, living like a sewer rat. All of this was because of you!"I'd wanted to graduate from Brighton and marry into a wealthy family. Then, live a comfortable and luxurious lif
Colette grew flustered as she read the comments online. She immediately called Jane.Jane had just watched the videos and was at a loss when her phone rang. She checked to see who was calling and took a deep breath before answering."Lettie, have you watched the latest videos online? Is your cousin speaking the truth?" she asked bluntly.Colette stole a march on her as she demanded, "Does it matter whether or not she's speaking the truth? The priority now is to clear up my name. Get me several reporters that we're familiar with and schedule an interview for me!"Jane was starting to get a headache. Colette's response blatantly hinted that Cindy was speaking the truth."Of course, it matters," she replied. "Your cousin has recorded the conversation between you both. If she can prove you were the one who instructed her to splash the acid, you're going to court."What's the point in clearing up your name via the interview? Those who were accidentally burned by the acid were your die
Since they held the press conference, Colette's top concern was that Victoria would expose her true background.Although Victoria didn't do so, Colette was still constantly worried. She couldn't relax for even a minute.She would envy Victoria whenever she thought about it.Why were Roman and Ginny Victoria's biological parents? Why were her parents lowly farmers who couldn't make ends meet?But now, Colette heaved a long sigh of relief.What Victoria did was ruthless. Clearly, she didn't plan to accept Roman and Ginny as her parents.Likewise, they would never accept her as their daughter under such circumstances.If so, it didn't matter whether or not Colette, in whom they placed all their hopes, was their biological daughter.Because they had no other choice.She promised, "Dad, Mom, don't be afraid. I'm all grown up now. I can take care of you both. I'll work harder after I enter the entertainment industry and give you all my income."After she said that, realization dawn
Sarah glanced at Benjamin and was shocked to see him. "Mr. Harper!"Benjamin's eyes darkened. "Mrs. Connor."Yves was dumbfounded. He looked from Sarah to Benjamin. "Ben, you know each other?"Benjamin hummed softly in acknowledgment. "She used to be the Warde family's butler, Mrs. Warde Senior's most trusted assistant. No wonder you can't get any information after so long."His calm gaze fell on Sarah. He signaled her to sit and went straight to the point. "You know why I've brought you to Danube City."I want to know what happened to Victoria when she lived with the Jamesons. If you don't tell me, I'll personally meet Mrs. Warde Senior to discover the truth."Sarah immediately said, "Don't ask Mrs. Warde Senior about that."Benjamin immediately understood. "Seems like she knows about it."She was rendered speechless. It was then she understood she was tricked. She sighed. "Who is Ms. Victoria to you?" she asked.He told her straightforwardly, "She'll soon be the Harper famil
Sitting on the lounger, Victoria soaked up the sun as she tasted the wine. She felt relaxed.At that moment, there was a beep, and the door opened. She was startled and looked back to see Benjamin standing by the door.She sat upright. "Benjamin!"She didn't tell him her password, did she? How did he know what her password was?Benjamin stood at the door and gazed at her, basking in the sun.She was in a set of milky white loungewear and didn't have makeup on. Her eyes were big and bright, filled with surprise and confusion. She looked so docile.His heart wrenched even more.Victoria noticed that something about him wasn't right. She walked toward him. "Benjamin, what's wrong? Did something happen?"Benjamin ruffled her hair.He had something to ask her so badly. During those seven years of being separated from her family, what had she gone through to have changed so much? But he kept it to himself.Victoria watched as his lips quivered. "Benjamin, is there anything you want
Nicole frowned and stopped arguing with Zachary. They exchanged a glance and had a sense of foreboding.Zachary was irritated. "What's he here for?"Nicole glowered. She was miffed, too. "How would I know? Did you stir up trouble again?""No, I didn't!"Reporters were hovering outside his house. He had attracted a lot of attention because of Colette. How would he have the courage to loiter about outside?Zachary felt upset and wronged at being blamed.As they were speaking, Benjamin and Yves walked in with Benjamin in the lead. Yves followed him like a puppy and was carrying a laptop.Nicole's expression switched to one full of smiles once she saw them. She greeted them warmly, "Why hadn't you called before visiting?"Benjamin didn't even spare her a glance. He walked past her and sat on the sofa. Couldn't be bothered with pleasantries, he went straight to the point. "The annulment fee."Nicole was stunned. She did her best to maintain smiling. "I don't think I'm following."
Nicole stopped Benjamin from leaving. "Do you have a say in that? Is it necessary to hold a meeting over something so trivial?"Benjamin let out a soft hum. "I do have a say in this, and it's necessary if I say it is." He sounded calm, as though he was just stating a fact.But what he said pissed her off. "Ben, you're singling us out of spite!""So what if I am?"Nicole's eyes widened, and her face contorted with anger. She was at a loss for words.Things were tense between them. Joseph looked from one to another and tried to make peace. "Zachary is still young. He doesn't know what he's doing. Please don't bother yourself over him, Ben."Indeed, he's not a good fit for Ms. Victoria. We'll annul the engagement and pay the compensation. But we can't pay the lump sum. It's too much for us."Benjamin glanced at him. "You can mortgage your immovable assets and stock bonds if you don't have enough cash. I believe it's not a problem for you. I want it by today."Nicole blew a fuse. "
In the spacious living room, Zachary tried his best to lower his presence. He even stifled his breath as he tried to slip away.After toppling over the table, Nicole was still seething. She turned to glare at her son just in time to see him edging outward carefully.She immediately lost her temper. "Zachary Harper, look at what you've done! Get back here!" she bellowed as veins bulged on her temple.Startled, Zachary tried to flee. But he chickened out when he sensed Nicole glaring at him dangerously.Nicole hissed, "Why do I have such a good-for-nothing like you as a son? You're not only incompetent, but you're also a mischief-maker. I spend most of my days cleaning up after you."What use is there in me racking my brains for your future when you behave in such a way? I can grovel and beg all I want, but you'll still fail me!" Her anger flared as she spoke. She stomped toward Zachary and prodded him on the arm. "Where were your hands when you needed them? Did I give birth to an