Chapter 9 Identity
weys
Over the years, I had always been careful not to make Cadell feel inferior, which was why I had never told him about my true
Identity.
As a result, the entire Hartman family, except for Charles, who was living abroad in retirement, had no idea who I really was.
Even Charles only knew bits and pieces. He was aware I was wealthy, and that I helped save the Hartman family, but that was
the extent of it.
So, whether it was Cadell or his parents, they all thought I was just an ordinary person.
When Cadell first started his company, he focused on jewelry.
To endow the jewelry with a sense of meaning, they deliberately publicized the story of Cadell and me–how a man from an old, wealthy family believed in true love and had a seven–year relationship with a “common” woman like me.
Even our wedding was part of their marketing strategy.
When Cadell announced our engagement, he also launched a new product, calling it the True Love Ring.”
With seven years of our love story behind it, the product was an instant hit, shattering sales records and surpassing anything Cadell had achieved before.
Well, it all felt so ironic now.
What I had once believed to be a proof of Cadell’s love now seemed like just another marketing tactic.
He probably always saw me as nothing more than a tool for profit.
While telling me he loved me, he was secretly seeing Lorna. Just thinking about it made me sick to my stomach.
Thank goodness Cyril sent me that video of him cheating, or I would’ve married him, and things would’ve been much worse.
I looked at Cadell, my eyes filled with mockery. After today, his True Love Ring” would become the biggest scam in the world.
What would happen when those angry customers demanded refunds? Could Cadell handle the fallout?
Cadell, must have sensed my gaze because he stared back at me, his eyes cold, but I could tell the deeper emotion was quilt and
unesse.
Lorna immediately jumped in, shouting. “You’re talking nonsense! Cadell got to where he is all on his own. What does that have
to do with you? Stop trying to take credit!”
I seemed like she’d finally figured things out, because instead of glancing at Edmund, she turned all her attention to defending
Cadell,
Edmund, who seemed to have predicted her reaction, looked at her with a slight sneer. “Before you think about others, shouldn’t
you consider your own situation?”
Lorna stiffened, realizing she couldn’t deceive Edmund anymore. She took a deep breath and said softly, “Sorry, Edmund, I admit I was wrong. When I insisted on marrying you, it was just to make Cadell jealous. I was so in love with him, and when I heard about his wedding, I just lost control… Do you think you could forgive me?”
Her words sounded so convincing. If you didn’t know better, you might have been touched by her sincerity.
But for me, it was just laughable.
“You got engaged to Edmund out of spite and still expected him to buy you a villa and give you money? Lorna Hill, do you really love Cadell? Or do you just love money?” I asked bluntly.
If it hadn’t been for the massive success of Cadell’s new product line, Lorna probably wouldn’t have been willing to give up on Edmund. If she truly loved Cadell, she wouldn’t have been so easily swayed by wealth.
Lorna froze, her expression turning rigid. She glared at me, her eyes burning with rage. If looks could kill, I would have been dead by now.
I wasn’t intimidated though. I stared right back at her. “What’s with the death stare? Did I hit a nerve?”
Lorna was fuming now. “You’re lying! I only love Cadell. I just made a mistaker
“Love?” I repeated the word and then let out a derisive laugh. “If you really loved Cadell, how could you sleep with him and then turn around and date Edmund? Are you some kind of sociopath who enjoys the thrill of betrayal?”
Lorna’s face flushed bright red, and she nearly broke down in tears.
I
I was beyond angry at this point. Turning to the waiting media, I said, “You all need to know the truth. I was drugged, but the dose wasn’t too high, so I’m still coherent. I heard Lorna and my husband plan to continue their affair!”
I paused, letting my voice c***k as I pretended to wipe away a tear, making sure I looked pitiful enough for the cameras. “My husband even said he’d let her get pregnant before me, and they’d inherit the family fortune. And me? I’d be raising their kids!”
The reporters, quick to empathize with me, looked furious.
They moved their cameras closer, trying to catch every detail of Lorna’s expression.
Loma shrieked, “You’re lying! It’s not like that! Everyone, don’t listen to her. She’s making things up!”
I pretended to dab at my eyes. “Are you saying I’m just going to make up lies to slander you? I’m a person with feelings, and i
can’t stand this humiliation
Turning to the media, I added, “Please make sure you report everything. I don’t want to see these two continue their shameless
behavior!”
The journalists nodded enthusiastically. “We’ll make sure the public knows the truth.”
This was a huge story and anyone who didn’t grab this opportunity was missing out.
I was just about to continue when a volice full of rage interrupted me. “I dare you!”
I paused, not surprised at all, and looked up to see Helen and Albert storming towards me.
Albert glared at me, fury in his eyes. “Aurora Wenmir, you really haven’t taken my warnings seriously, have you? Are you trying to
tear apart my family? Are you aware… of the consequences?”
Hearing that, I dropped my gaze, filled with sarcasm.
Was Albert really still trying to threaten me?
I’d already anticipated this reaction.
