Chapter 9
Dad shouted, “If we wanted to betray you, we would’ve handed you over right after the car accident five years ago! Why would we go through all the trouble of faking your death, sending you abroad, and giving you a comfortable life?”
His voice trembled with anger as he continued, “And now you’re saying this nonsense? You’re nothing but an ungrateful brat!”
Helena forced herself to stay calm. “That’s not what I meant, Dad. I’ve always known how much you and Mom have done for me. But if I have to go to court, my reputation as a businesswoman will be ruined. How am I supposed to run my company after this?”
“You’re still thinking about your damn company at a time like this? Sell the building tomorrow, and once this blows over, go back overseas and lay low.”
Helena’s expression stiffened–his words made it clear he expected her to testify. A strong wave of resistance flashed in her eyes, but in the end, she didn’t argue.
Over the next few days, Dad barely left the house. Gardner Corporation’s stock plummeted, and shareholders demanded answers. They argued that someone with questionable morals had no right to remain as chairman. Eventually, the board forced him to step down.
On the other hand, Bowen was busy searching for me, leaving Helena to stay with my parents at the villa. After being accused of bigamy, he posted his marriage certificate with Helena from abroad, but it only made things worse. People called him a greedy opportunist who wanted everything–marrying the heiress while secretly having a child with the “imposter” daughter.
Even Mom was not spared. People criticized her for prioritizing Helena over me, her biological daughter. Someone uploaded a video from my birthday party, and the comments exploded.
I always thought it was weird that the masked server cut Maisie’s birthday cake. Turns out it was Helena all along!” one person wrote.
“They share the same birthday because they were switched at the hospital. Maisie became an orphan at five and lived in an orphanage for ten years before being found. And every year after that, she was pushed to the sidelines while Helena stole the spotlight!” another commented.
“Exactly! And remember when they both fell into the pool during the party? I bet Helena pushed her! There’s no way Maisie, in a wheelchair, could’ve caused that. Helena’s lying through her teeth!” someone else added.
As more people dug into Helena’s past, her true nature became clear. Friends and acquaintances came forward, describing her as manipulative and capable of such cruelty. Some outraged protesters even showed up at our family’s villa, throwing trash and holding signs demanding that Helena face justice.
Two weeks later, Bowen finally found me. By then, I had already undergone surgery, and the doctors said I would be able to walk again after three months of recovery. Even the fallopian tube surgery had been a success as if fate was finally on my side.
When Bowen appeared at my hospital bed, he looked exhausted and much
thinner. “Darling, I’m so sorry-
I cut him off with a cold laugh. “Don’t call me that. I’m not your ‘darling.“”
”
Bowen sighed, his voice pleading. “Maisie, whether you believe me or not, I’ve always loved you. But Dad found out you couldn’t have children, and he didn’t want Helena to go to jail either, so he forced me to marry her and have a child.
“That way, even if you found out the truth, you couldn’t challenge Levi’s position as the heir.”
