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“Well? Say something!” the woman yelled. “If he wasn’t Timothy, and you’re not a homewrecker, then who was he? Can’t say it, can you? Since you can’t, it just proves you’re a homewrecker!
“You’re just a social–climbing snake! You saw that the Hardwells were wealthier, so you used your dead ex–husband’s likeness with Timothy as an excuse to try and latch onto them! You’re so outrageous and vile!”
I had never been insulted or cursed like this in my entire life. But also didn’t know how to fight back. This was yet another trouble Irvin had brought upon me, and the thought of this only made me resent him even more.
Hearing the certainty in the woman’s tone, the people around us began casting strange glances in my direction. After all, I hadn’t said anything to defend myself, either.
Just then, Grace walked over, looking regal and elegant.
“Stop it, Lisa. Ms. Quill isn’t a homewrecker. Back then, she was just still in too much grief over the death of her ex–husband and mistook Tim for him, that’s all,” she admonished.
Hearing this, the woman named Lisa was visibly frustrated that Grace unexpectedly hadn’t sided with her.
“You’re too compassionate, Grace!” she exclaimed. “This gold digger has already bullied you on your own turf, yet you still think she’s a good person and are even defending her!
“She’s already divorced Irvin, so what’s there for her to grieve over? She’s clearly trying to cozy up to your family because of how much wealthier-”
“That’s enough, Lisa! Apologize to Ms. Quill immediately!” Grace chastised.
Then, looking apologetic as she turned to me, she said, “I apologize for my dear friend’s actions, Ms. Quill. She’s misunderstood you and tends to be blunt, so please don’t hold it against her.”
Grace’s magnanimity and grace made everyone around us look at her with admiration.
Those who had previously suspected that she intentionally used her unborn baby as a tool to frame me now thought otherwise. They believed they had read too much into the incident.
After all, Grace was so gentle, magnanimous, and poised. So, how could a woman like her possibly be capable of such a cold- hearted act?
Plus, the Hardwells had already confirmed that Timothy Hardwell was who he claimed to be, and wasn’t Irvin Sawyer impersonating him. So, for all they knew, I really was trying to worm my way into the Hardwell family because of how wealthy
they were.
As the sound of hushed discussions started to fill the air, Grace tauntingly gazed at me. She had said all this today because she
intended to kill two birds with one stone.
Meeting her gaze, I chuckled coldly as I walked over to her.
Then, leaning close to her ear, I spoke low enough so that only she could hear. “I have evidence proving that the current Timothy is actually Irvin, Mrs. Hardwell. Once that comes out, everyone will know the real Timothy died long ago. Shall I release it and shake things up for the Hardwells?”
Grace’s small, smug smile immediately turned stiff at my words.
“Just because I don’t want to start a mutually destructive feud with you, doesn’t mean I’m afraid of you. And it certainly doesn’t mean you can humiliate me.
“So, you better get your blunt, dear friend to give me an apology so real that it makes everyone around us believe I’m not a homewrecker—and you better do it right this minute.
“If you can’t, I’ll release the evidence immediately. Because if I’m going down, I’ll make sure we all go down together,” I
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threatened.
My work studio in Lestoria had surveillance cameras, and I had saved all the footage. Any random clip from the collection could prove that the current Timothy was Irvin, and that the real Timothy had passed away long ago. It was enough to instantly unravel the lies the Hardwells had worked so hard to weave.
Various emotions flashed across Grace’s eyes.
She came from a prestigious family and was clever. In truth, aside from her stepmother, she had never experienced any setbacks. Yet now, she kept getting outmaneuvered by me, who had a modest background.
It frustrated her–infuriated her, to the point where she wanted nothing more than to end me right here, right now. However, she knew the stronger that desire was, the more she needed to keep a level head. And in this current situation, she couldn’t afford to be the one to lose her cool.
Grace glanced toward her assistant, who was hidden among the crowd, to confirm the entire scene had been recorded.
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