Chapter 7
“I’ve heard Miss Lilian is the apple of the Jamesons‘ eye and seeing her now, she truly lives up to the reputation.“}
Lilian lowered her head, giggling delicately. She looked up as if, by chance, her gaze landed directly on me standing by the door.
Suddenly, she called out in a clear voice, “Sister? What are you doing here?“}]
Her calling me “sister” immediately drew everyone’s attention.
I had no interest in attending Lilian’s matchmaking party. I turned to leave.”
However, Lilian got up and walked alone, looping her arm through mine like we were close. Beaming at the crowd, she said sweetly.” “This is my sister. She’s the best at picking men. If any of you want to marry me, you’ll have to pass her test first. Only if she approves will I even consider it.”
Her words made a few of the men laugh, their expressions filled with mockery and disdain.}
“Oh? So she’s the fake heiress, huh?”
“She’s got the nerve to show up? Didn’t the family kick her out once the truth came out?“}
“I heard she only managed to scrape by by marrying Mr. Sutherland. Tch. Kinda pitiful, honestly.”
I frowned but said nothing.”
Lilian leaned in close as if afraid the atmosphere wasn’t lively enough. Her voice dropped to a whisper, brushing against my skin like a knife.
“Did you know, sister? You deserve to be an orphan. No one could ever love you. They say Grandma doted on you the most? What a shame she died so early. Then again, it’s for the best. Saves me the trouble of pretending to care. That old hag wasn’t worth more than a tombstone anyway.“D
My eyes went bloodshot. How dare that bitch to insult my grandmother like that?}
“Say that again.” I glared at Lilian, my voice ice–cold.
“I said, it’s good that old thing died. And you? You deserve to be unwanted.“}
Bang!”
Before I could even raise a hand, Lilian suddenly stumbled backwards, knocking over a chair and collapsing onto the floor.
The men immediately jumped to their feet, shouting.
“Francesca, what’s wrong with you?“}
“How could you push someone? Were you raised by wolves?“}
“Heartless, just like the rumours said. No wonder the Jamesons didn’t want you!“}
Lying on the floor, Lilian looked up at me with tears in her eyes. “Francesca, why would you push me?“}
This kind of setup was a trick I’d seen far too many times.
She didn’t need to act. I was already planning my revenge.}
I strode forward, picked up a glass of red wine from the table and dumped it over her head.
“Ah!” she shrieked, scrambling up in a mess, her makeup smeared and red wine dripping from her hair.
“Francesca, are you out of your mind?“>
The next instant, Justin appeared as if from nowhere, quickly helping Lilian up.
He raised his eyes to look at me, his gaze as cold and sharp as a blade. His lips were tightly pressed together as he looked at me like a villain.}
My first thought was, why was Justin here?}
Was he afraid Lilian would take a fancy to someone else at the matchmaking event?
Before I could say anything, Justin snatched up a bottle of red wine and spilled it all over me without hesitation.”
Red wine streamed from my head, soaking my hair, clothes and skin. It seeped into the wounds that hadn’t healed and burned like fire.§
The air was dead silent.
He stood before me, looking down with a cold, almost harsh tone. “Are you calm now?”
I stood there amid alcohol and humiliation. I suddenly laughed while my hair dripped with red liquid. My voice was trembling. “That’s it?”
He frowned.”
“Why not just tie me up and beat me?“}
At that moment, his pupils visibly shook, as if he almost thought I knew the truth.
Justin’s face darkened. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the car despite my resistance. “Inside the car,” he said gloomily.
“Why do you keep targeting Lilian? She has clearly endured eighteen years of hardship for you. Shouldn’t you feel guilty?“}
“Guilty?” I glared at him, my voice rising in rage.”
“Why should I feel guilty? How was I supposed to know I wasn’t part of the Jamesons when I was born? She’s the real heiress, fine. I already gave back everything that belonged to her! So why are all of you acting like I stole her life?“>
“What did I do wrong that you all treat me like this?! That you keep forcing me to apologize?“}]
Justin just stared at me, stunned. He’d never seen me like this before. He instinctively reached for a tissue to wipe away my tears, but
stopped halfway.
After a long silence, he said coldly, “Fine, I’m not forcing you to apologize to Lilian. I just hope you two can get along.“2
“Go home first. I have some things to take care of. Don’t wait up for dinner.“}
