Chapter 3

My grandfather, my mom, and my two brothers.

Immediately, all eyes turned to my dad, and the room felt charged with tension. It was as if just a few glances could cut like knives. He quickly backed away, stammering in panic:

"No way! You all know me better than that. Even my assistant is a guy! There's no way I'm fooling around outside!"

I knew exactly who the girl was. I'd seen this drama play out even before I was born. I smirked to myself, thinking, "This old trick? I saw through it in a past life."

I pinched my thigh hard, then burst into a theatrical cry. Tears flowed freely as I exclaimed:

“Mom, Dad, are you going to abandon Nora... What did I do wrong to deserve this treatment...”

My mom rushed over to console me, flustered:

“Don't cry, sweetheart! Mommy loves you the most. I will definitely find out who this woman is and won't let you... ah!!”

Suddenly, Adeline went berserk and splashed red wine all over my face from the table. I turned my head to avoid most of it, but some still dripped from my hair onto my dress. The once-pristine white hem was now stained red, souring my mood instantly.

I gasped, having shifted from fake tears to genuine anger. Never in my life had I been so humiliated!

My dad hurried over to check if I was hurt:

“Nora, are you alright? Does it hurt?”

I shook my head, remaining silent. My dad, filled with fury, glared at Adeline:

“Who is this madwoman? I've never known you, nor could you be my daughter! How can you come in here, behaving so disgracefully and assaulting people? Is this how your family raised you?”

Adeline, startled, approached, biting her lip and trying to cling to my dad's arm:

“No, back then, the nurse mixed up the babies at the hospital. I am your real daughter, Dad!”

That one word, “Dad,” was so forceful it sent shivers down my dad's spine.

My mom rushed in, shielding me:

“You say you are, but where's your proof? Besides, with your rough manners, I couldn't have raised a daughter like you!”

My mom, brought up in comfort and luxury, was visibly flushed with anger but maintained her composure, avoiding any foul language.

My older brother also stared coldly at her.

As the family gathered protectively around me, I suddenly realized something was amiss.

Where was my second brother?