Chapter 98
Not Going To Hide.
Vanessa’s composure faltered. Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Eventually, she managed, “People talk. Everyone talked about Victor. I must have heard it from somewhere p>
“You’re right, though,” Serena said calmly. “I never received any inheritance from the Klines. You know why? Because p>
She didn’t get to finish.
A cluster of reporters appeared, voices overlapping as they rushed toward her.
“It’s Serena Kline p>
“Serena Kline is here p>
In seconds, Serena was surrounded. Cameras lifted. Microphones were thrust forward. The two older couples who had been standing nearby were forced to retreat, their expressions wary as they watched from a distance.
More guests drifted toward the entrance, drawn by the commotion.
From the corner of her vision, Serena saw Timothy Harlow step out of the ballroom. He stopped short when he saw the scene, his gaze locking onto her.
“Serena,” one reporter called out, “people are saying you disappeared to escape public scrutiny after Victor Kline’s crimes were exposed. Is that true p>
Another voice cut in.
“Your father died in prison. Meanwhile, many of Victor Kline’s victims never received justice p>
A camera pushed closer.
“What do you say to those families?” a reporter pressed. “Do you have anything to offer them, any form of consolation p>
The questions came faster, sharper.
Serena stood there, the noise closing in, Victor’s name dragged through the air again and again, attached to hers.
She saw it.
Just for a split second, but unmistakable.
Vanessa smirked.
Serena didn’t need proof. The media hadn’t found her by accident. Someone had tipped them off.
And as if that weren’t enough, another figure pushed through the crowd.
An older woman in a blue shirt stepped forward, fury blazing in her eyes.
“You are Victor’s daughter,” the woman cried. “He escaped justice by dying, but I demand that you answer for how he killed my husband p>
Her voice rose, shaking with grief and rage. She pointed accusingly. “How dare you stand there, dressed like that? How dare you try to escape your father’s crimes p>
Victor had been imprisoned for the charges Nathaniel brought to court, but he still had multiple cases pending when he died.
Serena understood then. This woman was one of the others, the voices Victor never lived long enough to answer.
“She doesn’t have to answer to any of you!” Timothy suddenly said. He pushed through the journalists, forcing cameras aside as he reached Serena. He extended his hand. “Come on. Let me help you p>
When Serena didn’t take it, he leaned closer, his voice low and tight. “You shouldn’t have come out like this. Not knowing how people see you p>
Timothy paused. “I don’t know what Nathaniel was thinking, inviting you here and taking you back, as if everything could go back to the way things were p>
Serena absolutely hated Timothy’s words. They sounded condescending, as if he knew what was good for her. ‘Who does he think he is p>
“No,” Serena said firmly. “I’m not going to hide p>
She lifted her chin and stared at the cameras. “What do I have to say to the families of Victor’s victims?” She paused. “I am one of you. Just like you, I didn’t get the justice I deserved p>
The reporters glanced at one another in confusion, but she went on.
“I am a victim too. I am not Victor’s daughter. I suffered living under his shadow, judged for being a Kline, when I was never his daughter in the first place. The truth is, he had someone kidnap me p>
Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the crowd. Serena noted the shock on Timothy’s face and the frown on Vanessa’s.
“Kidnapped?” Vanessa scoffed. “I mean, I get denying being Victor’s daughter, but that’s a bit far-fetched, don’t you think, Serena? Everyone knows Victor raised you p>
More people crowded around. Some agreed with Vanessa. Some reporters echoed the same doubt.
“Show us proof,” one reporter demanded.
“How dare she show up here? Isn’t this the Thorne family’s event?” a woman in the crowd said.
“Why is she lying about this?” another muttered.
Serena was ready to lay everything bare when a voice suddenly rang out.
“She is speaking the truth. And as for why she is here, it’s because I invited her.” Everyone turned.
Nathaniel arrived with Bianca and Gavin at his side. His jaw was tight, his eyes narrowed, his face flushed with anger.
“I did invite the media,” he said coolly, “but I’m very interested to know how you arrived earlier than scheduled p>
“Mr. Thorne,” a reporter said, “the public deserves answers about anything related to Victor Kline p>
The woman in the blue shirt sobbed harder. “Mr. Thorne, you helped me file a case against Victor Kline four years ago. Why are you helping his daughter now? Didn’t you divorce her p>
Qu
tel.
Nathaniel forced his way through the reporters, his furious gaze flicking briefly to Vanessa, then to Timothy. He wrapped an arm around Serena and said firmly, was wrong to divorce Serena because of my hatred for Victor. She was never part of his crimes, nor should she have carried their consequences p>
His hold tightened. “And for the record, Serena isn’t Victor’s daughter p>
Nathaniel turned to Serena, giving her the cue.
Serena then turned to the people around her and announced, “My real name is Serena Vander, of the
Vander family from Rexam City net
When was one
Victorkline
year o kidnapped me. I was taken from my family for twenty-four years and only
found them again when Heft
Velmon City p>
She turned to the woman in the blue shirt. “Like you, I am also his victim. Victor was
never punished for taking me from my family p>
Murmurs echoed in the ballroom’s entrance, shock apparent in everyone’s face.
Vanessa said evenly, “Even if you were kidnapped, you can’t just claim another
family p>
“The Vanders of VanderMed Technologies are respected in Rexam City: They won’t take kindly to their name being used this way p>
Vanessa raised her chest,
suggesting, “Take it back while you strcan. Otherwise the
consequences will be severe p>
‘The Vanders,’ Vanessa thought. Of all families Serena had to claim, it had to be a powerful family! No wonder Nathaniel fell right back into her spell. She was claiming to be part of the Vander family!
Vanessa laughed inside. ‘Just wait, Serena. I’ll contact the Vander family myself and let them teach you a lesson p>