Chapter 169
“That’s next-level,” another woman whispered back. “Playing the innocent friend while getting cozy with your sister’s husband, all while pretending to care about their marriage. That’s a master class in manipulation p>
“Really p>
“Trust me, I know the type. My husband has collected a whole menagerie of them over the years. I’m an expert p>
The whispers started up again. Candice’s face turned crimson, but she didn’t dare say another word. Benjamin shot a single, menacing glare into the crowd, and the chatter immediately died down.
He turned back to Rebekah. “Do you have to make such a scene? I have tolerated all of your childish behavior lately. Must you do this at Shawn’s school p>
Rebekah smiled, a humorless, empty expression. “I’m not making a scene. I’m serious p>
Benjamin scoffed. He still didn’t believe she would actually leave him. This was all just a tantrum because he hadn’t stood up for her, because he had protected Candice. And all of it was because she had the Hawthornes in her corner now.
He decided it was time to remind her who had given her that power in the first place.
“You only want a divorce because you’ve latched onto the Hawthornes, don’t you? Well, I’m telling you right now, it’s not happening p>
As the words left his mouth, a crisp, clear voice cut through the hall.
“There seems to have been a mistake. Miss Fletcher has no connection to my family, the Hawthornes p>
Faye Hawthorne strode in from the entrance, her voice just loud enough for everyone to hear.
The color drained from Benjamin’s face.
“Is that… Miss Hawthorne p>
“The Hawthornes are here to set the record straight? This is better than a movie p>
“I should have brought popcorn p>
Benjamin stared at Faye. “Faye, the DNA test already proved that Rebekah is your niece. What is the meaning of this p>
Faye walked calmly down the aisle,
pulling a document from her
handbag. “The DNA test you
provided appears to have been, tampered with We had another one, done at a different facility. Here is the report p>
Benjamin’s hand trembled as he took the document. He already knew what it would say, but he had to look.
“And how do we know this one wasn’t tampered with?” he challenged, grasping at straws.
Faye’s smile was unwavering. “Because I personally supervised the entire process. Besides, our family has no missing daughter. We have a missing son p>
Her words landed like a bombshell. For Benjamin, it was the crushing realization that his entire plan was built on a false premise, Forst everyone else, it was a tantalizing new piece of gossip: the Hawthorne family had a missing heir.
Faye’s eyes bore into Benjamin, as if
she could see every one of his
schemes. “Mr Forrester,” she said her voice pleasant but firm, “I today simply to clear this up.
ver
Rebekah is a fine young woman, but
sadly, she is not one of us
She gave Rebekah a small, encouraging smile, and Rebekah returned it with a look of gratitude. Then, as quickly as she had appeared, Faye was gone.
Benjamin crushed the DNA report in his fist. The plan he and his grandfather had spent so long preparing was in ruins.
Rebekah looked at him, her voice steady. “So, how about it? Shall we go to city hall and file for divorce now p>
Benjamin turned to her, his eyes blazing with a furious, defeated storm. “If you want a divorce that badly, then fine! You can have it p>