Chapter 3 Madeline's face expressión darkened, her fory barely contained. "You think you're somebody? You're nothing!" But she quickly smoothed her expression into something soft and innocent. "Anna, you've been in the mining district for years - you've surely heard of my fiancé. After all, he's the renowned Oil Prince" "Of course I've heard of him," I replied evenly. Her pride swelled as she lifted her chin, radiating haughty confidence. "Not only heard of him-we've grown up together, side by side." My words sent a jolt through the entire room. Madeline's eyes dropped to the necklace around my neck. Her pupils widened in shock. "Where did you get that necklace?" She lunged at me, yanking the necklace from around my neck. The chain scraped my skin, leaving me gasping in pain. "Give it back!" I cried, my voice raw. Madeline held it up, comparing it to the diamond ring on her own finger. The necklace and ring were part of a matching set-my adoptive mother's favorite before she passed away. I still remembered the day Edward Westbrook brought me into his home. I cowered behind him, quietly taking in every corner of the villa. Then his wife, my adoptive mother, gently took a towel and wiped my face. From the moment I was born, no one had ever treated me with such tenderness. I had thrown myself into her arms, starved for affection, clinging to that brief moment of motherly love. And now Madeline clutched the necklace with fire in her eyes. "You wretched thiet! How dare you seduce my fiancé?" "What nonsense are you spouting? Give me back the necklace!" I lunged to grab it-it was my adoptive mother's heirloom Madeline's face contorted with rage "How dare you spend my money!" Christopher frowned, clearly unsettled by her lack of composure. "It's just a piece of cheap plastic, Madeline" Madeline's eyes shimmered as she turned to him. "Chris, I saw this necklace on Alex himself. Now it's Chapter 3 11.54% around het neck. Don't you see? She's trying to steal him from me!" The crowd hissed and jeered. "So she's a mistress? I knew she looked shameless." "The Barringtons keep a girl like that around, and they dare call themselves high society?" Christopher's gaze was full of disappointment before he raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face. "I was going to beg Dad to let you come back as a servant, Anna. But I see now you're nothing but filth. You'd ruin Madeline's life just because she took your place." My cheek burned, but my anger cut deeper. "Do you have any idea how I survived eight years in that dump? That was my life she stole." Tears blurred my vision as I pulled out my phone, ready to call Alex and end this farce of an engagement. But Madeline snatched it away before I could dial. "Chris, look at her wallpaper. It's a photo of her with Alex! And she still dares say she isn't trying to steal him!" "No wonder a beggar like her dares to be so full of herself!" I laughed coldly. "Is this what passes for an heiress? Jumping to baseless conclusions and spreading lies?" Christopher looked up at me in sheer disbelief, her eyes widening. Madeline froze for a moment before panicking. "No, it's not possible..." I snatched my phone back and hit Alex's number. "Hello? Anna, where are you?" His voice was calm, steady. "Alex, I'm at-" Before I could finish, Madeline yanked my hair, wrenching my head back. My phone hit the floor, shattering into pieces. Her nails dug into my throat. "You slept with him, didn't you? You call him Alex while you're in his bed!" I was nearly choking, my face flushed as I reached out for help from the people around me. "I'm not a mistress. Alex is my brother, and I'm Edward Westbrook's daughter!" The room exploded with laughter. "The daughter of an oil tycoon, buying cheap ice cream?" Chapter 3 11.54% "That's the funniest thing I've heard all year. Why not claim you're the president's daughter too?" Madeline stomped her heel. "Chris, look at her! The Harringtons are a joke because of her!" Christopher's face flushed crimson at the murmurs around us. His pride snapped. He kicked me hard in the stomach. "Shameless piece of trash." The impact sent me flying two yards before I hit the floor, coughing blood. Not a single person moved to help me. I curled my fingers into fists, silently praying. Dad, Alex, please get here soon. Christopher roared, "You disgrace us all. Tonight, I'll clean up the Harrington family name myself!" A pack of security guards closed in, their shadows blotting out the light. My chest seized in panic. Just as I braced for the worst, a booming voice echoed through the room. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Outside, a convoy of luxury cars screeched to a halt. Chapter 3 11.54%