Chapter 2

My cheek burned.

A loud slap.

Brittany stormed into our company's annual gala.

Right in front of hundreds of employees.

She pointed a finger at my nose.

“Scarlett, you’re barely good enough to polish my brother’s shoes!”

“Stop acting all high and mighty as VP here, putting on a show!”

The room instantly fell silent.

Hundreds of eyes stared at me.

Some with pity, some with malicious glee, some just confused.

Brittany. My husband Ethan’s sister.

The Sterling family’s pampered princess.

Beside me sat Arthur Sterling, my father-in-law and the Chairman.

His face was already livid.

His hand gripped the armrest, veins pulsing on his knuckles.

His eyes cut through me like knives.

Reproach.

Rage.

He thought I had poor family upbringing, letting Brittany embarrass the Sterling name in public.

He was about to explode.

To reprimand me.

But I didn't look at Brittany.

I reached up and slowly smoothed my hair, which she had messed up.

My movements were calm.

Then, I turned and looked at Arthur, who was seated at the head table.

I called out to him.

“Dad.”

My voice wasn't loud, but it was clear.

Everyone in the room could hear me.

Arthur’s fury was cut short.

He froze, looking at me.

I continued.

“All these years, haven’t you ever had your doubts?”

His brows furrowed deeper.

“Doubts about what?”

I looked at Brittany, still making a scene on stage, hands on her hips, a triumphant look on her face, waiting for me to be scolded.

A faint smile even touched my lips.

“The way she is, always loud and rowdy, like a common street brawler.”

“Which part of her resembles anyone from our Sterling family?”

The moment I said that.

Brittany’s triumphant expression froze.

Arthur’s gaze also changed.

No longer anger, but a deep, chilling scrutiny.

He began to re-evaluate his own daughter.

I kept twisting the knife into his heart.

“I suggest you take her for a DNA test.”

“Wouldn't want you raising someone else’s daughter for half a lifetime, only to have her completely tarnish the Sterling name.”

“After all, you always say our Sterling family has a long and storied legacy.”

“A true heiress from a prominent family wouldn't throw a public scene like that.”

My words were like a bomb.

Exploding in the dead silent room.

Everyone gasped.

Brittany’s face went “white as a sheet” in an instant.

Completely bloodless.

Her指着的hand started to tremble.

“You… you’re talking nonsense!”

“Scarlett, you evil witch! You’re trying to ruin me!”

She was no longer arrogant, her voice filled with panic.

I knew it.

This family was about to be turned upside down today.

Arthur, my father-in-law, was completely stunned.

He stared at Brittany’s pale face.

His gaze shifted from scrutiny to bone-chilling coldness.

That look was like he was staring at a complete stranger.

He didn't look at me again.

Nor did he acknowledge Brittany’s screams.

He stood up, said nothing, and turned to leave.

Two bodyguards immediately followed.

The annual gala was interrupted just like that.

An absurd farce.

A secret about to be exposed.

Brittany tried to lunge at me again.

Ethan, my husband, held her back tightly.

“Ethan! Let go of me! I’m going to tear that bitch’s mouth off!”

Ethan is my husband, Arthur’s son.

His face was also very grim at this moment.

“Enough! Brittany! Haven’t you caused enough embarrassment!”

He roared in a low voice.

Brittany was still crying and making a scene.

I ignored them.

I walked to the microphone.

Facing the hundreds of employees below the stage.

I bowed.

“My apologies, a private family matter occurred today and affected everyone’s mood.”

“The gala ends here. Everyone will receive a double bonus this month.”

“Thank you all.”

With that, I turned off the microphone and stepped off the stage.

Employees began to whisper among themselves.

I didn't listen.

I walked directly backstage.

My hands were trembling slightly.

Not from fear.

But from excitement.

Ten years of enduring.

I finally waited for this day.

0