Chapter 99
The Proof Arrived.
“Yes, Serena, don’t make such claims,” Timothy suddenly said. “It’s not good to offend a powerful family. From what I know, the Vanders only have a son p>
Vanessa turned to the reporters, and some nodded.
“That’s what I know too,” Vanessa echoed. The truth was, she didn’t know anything apart from the Vanders being a wealthy family. But she would rather support Timothy on this.
Moreover, she knew the truth. Her father told her that Serena was adopted from a random orphanage. Serena had no parents.
Victor would not lie to her.
“But what I am saying is true,” Serena said firmly, looking proud and confident.
“Her words are true,” Bianca said, her voice pleading with everyone. “Serena was kidnapped, and her real family is the Vanders. Let’s stop this, please. Leave Serena alone p>
‘What the -‘ Vanessa was boiling inside. She couldn’t believe Bianca had also been manipulated into believing Serena was a Vander.
‘If Bianca thinks she could curry favors through Serena, she is dead wrong! Serena can’t be a Vander!’ Vanessa screamed in her head.
“We want proof,” one reporter said.
“Enough!” Nathaniel’s voice rose. “How dare anyone question me p>
“You want proof? Fine.” Nathaniel said evenly, meeting every gaze in the room. “You’ll have it. The proof will speak for itself p>
“And you, Timothy,” Nathaniel pointed at his best friend, his nose flaring. “How could you side with Vanessa p>
“Nathan, I wasn’t siding with anyone. I was concerned for Serena. If the Vanders ever find out, they would not let her go unpunished,” Timothy suggested.
“Don’t you think I don’t know that you brought Vanessa to this party? I made it clear she wasn’t invited,” Nathaniel shot back. When Timothy fell silent, he added, “I think this is where our friendship ends, Timothy p>
Timothy wanted to object, but Nathaniel left him no chance to speak.
At the same time, people around them began asking questions.
“Vanessa wasn’t invited? Why p>
“I thought she was Mr. Thorne’s girlfriend p>
“Let me make one thing clear,” Nathaniel declared. “Vanessa Holt and I were never
in a personal relationship. Our association was strictly professional. She served as a brand ambassador for Kline BioSolutions, nothing more p>
Vanessa’s face reddened. Despite glaring at Nathaniel, he kept going. “Vanessa Holt has been terminated. She has no affiliation with Kline BioSolutions in any capacity p>
“Any individual who facilitates her entry into my offices or events will be permanently barred. Any communication with her is her own and not connected to this company p>
“Going back to Serena, we will prove later that she is not Victor’s daughter,” Nathaniel repeated.
Vanessa was losing her grip. She started to feel nervous, but she thought back to her own fake birth certificate and more. Gathering herself, she said, “Nathan, it’s so easy to fake a birth certificate. I hope you won’t let Serena fool you p>
“Yes, Mr. Thorne, we want solid proof,” a reporter said.
“I get it. You love her,” Vanessa added, her voice trembling, “but don’t let that love fool you p>
At that point, She wept. “Even if she isn’t Victor’s daughter, he still raised her. Habits like that don’t disappear so easily Peoplestend to learn from, the ones who raised them, especially when it comes to underhanded methods p>
“That’s why she ran away. She wanted to escape her father’s crimes p>
“She’s a coward p>
“Listen, everybody,” Vanessa called out, drawing attention. She felt she had no choice but to bring it up. If Nathaniel had truly decided on cutting her out of his life, she might as well ruin Serena’s reputation for good. “You want the truth211l tell you the truth. There was key evidence against Victor Kline, something that was never made public p>
“What is it, Vanessa p>
“What evidence p>
Vanessa took out her phone, flashing it toward the reporters. “This is a statement from one of Victor Kline’s executives. Victor madea drunken confession,
admitting that his daughter, Serena kime, knew about his Megal acquisition of patents p>
“See?” Vanessa raised her voice. “Like father, like daughter p>
She was about to rejoice when a louder voice echoed through the hallway.
“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE p>
The shout was so loud it made Vanessa’s skin crawl.
When she turned, she saw a familiar-looking older man in a crisp gray suit. He stood
beside a younger gentleman who radiated affluence.
“Well, if it isn’t Sterling Vander p>
“And that’s his son, right? Silas Vander p>
Vanessa glanced sideways and realized the voice had come from the vice
president. He recognized Sterling Vander.
Only then did it sink in. She recognized him too.
He was the chairman of VanderMed Technologies. And beside him stood the CEO, Silas Vander.
Vanessa remembered that the Vanders had never accepted any of Nathaniel’s invitations. They were definitely not here for Nathaniel. Their presence was pure luck!
‘Oh, my God,’ she thought. ‘Everything is falling into place p>
She didn’t have time to think. She was only focused on herself and what she could gain by putting Serena down.
“Mr. Vander, what a coincidence that you are here.” Vanessa pointed at Serena. “That woman is claiming she’s your daughter. The nerve—the audacity—the stupidity of using your family’s name p>
As she spoke, her gaze fell on the woman walking behind Sterling Vander.
She gulped. ‘Why does this woman look like Serena p>
Before she could piece it together, Silas Vander stepped forward. His handsome face quickly took her breath away.
Then, something changed. Silas’s eyes turned lethal, and before Vanessa could react, his hand struck her cheek with a loud slap.
“No one gets to talk about my sister that way,” Silas said coldly. “She is not Victor’s daughter p>
“Serena is a Vander p>
“She is my twin sister! How dare you defame her p>