Book To Read
Chapter 3
Rebecca’s words hung in the air, neither too heavy nor too light, yet they stirred a wave of murmurs among the crowd.
Indeed! How could a baby mix–up happen in a hospital? Maybe it was an intentional switch, a real–life changeling story.- Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.
Anthea’s biological mother was known as a home wrecker, and what lower act wouldn’t she
stoop to?
Anyone else might have been scared by Rebecca’s accusation, but the woman standing before Rebecca was a soul–changed Anthea, a titan who had once stood at the pinnacle of the world.
Anthea slightly lowered her gaze, looking at Rebecca with a calm voice. “Ms. Morris, you seem so convinced, and one would assume you have ample evidence to prove it was a deliberate act. Our Luxphinia Country’s laws are fair and just. Justice serves everyone right. I’ll await Ms. Morris at the courthouse, ready to face any claims with evidence!”
Rebecca squinted her eyes, sensing an inexplicable unease. This woman was Anthea, so why did she feel threatened? Was she losing to Anthea?
Rebecca managed to calm down, continuing, “It’s been eighteen years. Any evidence has been. buried by time. You’re grasping at straws!”
Anthea offered a slight smile. “In the absence of evidence, your actions might be called speculation at best and, at worst, false accusation. To be more severe, here in Luxphinia, we have defamation of character!”
The strange feeling inside Rebecca intensified. She knew she couldn’t continue this argument. with Anthea. After all, it was the underdog who captured the gaze and sympathy of the crowd.
She needed to recapture their attention. Rebecca’s eyes welled up, her voice choked with emotion, “You’ve taken my place in my family for eighteen years, living the good life, while I was stuck with your despicable mother in that dark, damp basement, unsure of my next meal! Anthea, what right do you have to stand there and judge me!”
Sandra trembled with fury, holding Rebecca’s hand tightly.
They had lived in a high–rise villa while her darling daughter languished in a basement.
Was a basement a fit place for anyone to live?
Sandra could have strangled Anthea right then and there.
The others looked on with faces full of sympathy toward Rebecca.
Anthea looked up slightly. “We are both victims here. I’m not blaming you. I’m just stating the facts. Moreover, I’ve already said I would leave this place. From now on, I’ll be Anthea Yeager, with no ties to the Morris family. There’s no need for you to cling to this.”
Eyes red, Rebecca retorted, “I’m not clinging to anything! Why must you be so aggressive? I’m just saying that something about the past seems suspicious! I know you don’t want to leave my family. After all, you’ve been my parents‘ daughter for so many years! I’ll treat you like a sister from now on…
“My God, Sherman! Your fiancée is too kind! Even after all this, she’s willing to forgive the impostor!” Daniel was moved beyond words, having never seen someone as benevolent as Rebecca.
After hearing that, the surrounding crowd started praising Rebecca for her kindness.
Anthea smiled. “Thank you for your kindness, but this place is not my home.”
Rebecca was shocked. What was going on with Anthea?
She had offered her a chance to stay, yet Anthea still chose to leave.
Daly Morris immediately gestured for someone to bring a document. “Since you’ve decided to leave, please sign this ‘Deed of Separation.“”
In Luxphinia, an adopted daughter had inheritance rights. Since Anthea had decided to sever ties with the Morris family, Daly wouldn’t intend to leave a legacy to someone essentially a stranger after a century.