Chapter 2

The moment the mask was torn off, the entire ballroom fell silent.

Camera flashes went off continuously, capturing my panicked expression with perfect clarity.

I instinctively tried to cover my face, but Robinson gripped my wrist tightly.

His strength was terrifying, as if he wanted to crush my bones.

"What's wrong? Can do it but can't own up to it?"

His low voice carried mockery, echoing through the quiet hall.

I looked at his face so close to mine, those eyes churning with anger and disappointment I couldn't understand.

The entire venue erupted in discussion.

The guests' whispers pierced my ears like needles.

"Oh my God, that's not Chloe Franklin, the eldest daughter!"

"Who is this? Why does she look exactly like Chloe?"

"Twins? No, I remember hearing at the hospital back then that they had one daughter."

"A substitute? Using a substitute at an engagement party? Has the Franklin family lost their minds?"

My father Johnson's face turned iron-blue.

He rushed over first, raising his hand to slap me.

But his hand stopped mid-swing, halted by Robinson's sharp gaze.

Johnson could only resort to cursing instead. "You wretched girl! Who told you to come out here and embarrass us!"

"Apologize to Mr. Wilson right now!"

Johnson's wife Bella rushed over next, squeezing out a few tears as she complained to Robinson.

"Mr. Wilson, please don't misunderstand. It's all because of Jennifer! She's jealous of Chloe!"

"She's been twisted since childhood. She must have deliberately come to ruin Chloe's engagement party!"

"We'll take her away immediately. We won't let her offend your eyes any longer!"

I watched them frantically trying to distance themselves, my heart growing colder bit by bit.

Of course it was like this again.

Chloe arrived late, her face covered in tears as she looked at me.

"Jennifer, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at the hospital?"

In my past life, it was the same.

Whenever I finished cleaning up Chloe's messes, they would immediately hide me away.

As if I were a rat in the gutter, something that couldn't see the light of day.

This time, I didn't want to endure it anymore.

Just as I was about to speak, Robinson beat me to it.

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to lift my head.

His thumb rubbed against my cheek, the motion hardly gentle, even carrying a hint of punishment.

"Your face is much easier on the eyes than Chloe's plastic surgery face."

His words made all three members of the Franklin family turn deathly pale.

Chloe bit her lip hard, the jealousy in her eyes practically overflowing.

Robinson completely ignored them, releasing my chin and pulling me into his arms instead.

His warm chest collided with me, leaving me somewhat dazed.

The man's crisp woody scent enveloped me.

He wrapped his arm around my waist and announced to the entire venue.

"The engagement is canceled."

Everyone gasped.

Johnson's legs went weak, nearly collapsing to the ground.

Robinson paused, then dropped an even bigger bombshell.

"From today on, she—Jennifer—is mine."

With that, under the shocked gazes of my parents, Chloe, and all the guests.

Robinson tightened his arm and lifted me up horizontally.

Not a princess carry—he hoisted me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

My head hung down, my stomach pressed painfully against his shoulder.

All I could see were swaying figures and crystal chandeliers.

"Robinson! Put me down!"

He completely ignored me, striding with long steps through the crowd toward the ballroom exit.

Behind us came my parents' frantic shouting.

"Mr. Wilson! Mr. Wilson, please let us explain!"

"The marriage alliance was supposed to be with Chloe! You must have made a mistake!"

Robinson's footsteps didn't pause for even a moment.

I was thrown into the back seat of his sports car, the soft leather seat unable to cushion my impact.

The car door slammed shut with a bang, cutting off the chaos outside.

The next second, the man leaned over me, pinning me beneath him.

In the cramped space, all I could smell was his scent.

His scorching breath hit my ear, his voice low and hoarse.

"Jennifer, did you think you could escape?"

"You should have been mine three years ago."