Chapter 2
My heart sank.
Even though I stood up for myself in front of everyone and got the upper hand, the seed of doubt was already there.
"The video is real," I said calmly.
Richard's hand stilled on his cup, and Evelyn came in, looking worried.
"Grace, how could you try to scam someone?" Evelyn's voice carried a hint of disappointment. "If you needed money, you could've told us. We—"
"I didn't scam anyone," I interrupted her. "This happened about a month ago, near the train station.
"A kid suddenly dashed into the street, and I pushed him out of the way. A Ferrari clipped my leg. The owner was Jeffrey, the guy Lily mentioned.
"He jumped out and started yelling that I was trying to scam him, threatening to call the police. When the cops showed up, they checked the security cameras and talked to witnesses, which proved I was innocent.
"The kid's parents came and explained everything, apologized, and in the end, we settled things quietly. They paid my medical bills, and that was it.
"About the body cam footage, the police must've kept it on file. If Lily managed to get it, she must've really gone out of her way."
Richard and Evelyn's expressions shifted between surprise, suspicion, and a touch of guilt.
"So that's how it was," Evelyn said softly. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
I scoffed inwardly.
Would you have believed me if I had? In your eyes, I was just the daughter who's been scraping by for twenty years, always assumed to be at fault.
"I thought family shouldn't need explanations," I said.
Richard was silent for a long time before finally saying, "I'll get to the bottom of this. Don't worry. We won't let your grievance go unanswered."
His words sounded like a promise, but I could barely sense any real sincerity behind them.
The next morning, I was still asleep when Charles stood at the doorway, his face twisted with anger. He slammed his phone down in front of me.
"Grace, what are you trying to pull?" he shouted.
On the screen was a clip of Lily calling me out at the party yesterday, with a clickbait headline: [The Nolan Family Heiress or Scam Artist? Sordid Past Exposed—Nolan Reputation Shattered.]
The comment section was a dumpster fire. People were mocking me and predicting the Nolan family's downfall.
"Do you even realize how much the company lost because of you? How are Mom and Dad supposed to show their faces now?" Charles snapped.
"I'm the real victim here," I shot back.
"Victim? Just look at what Sophie posted online," he snapped.
He opened Sophie's page, and I saw her hypocritical post: [Grace just got back and is still adapting. She didn't do it on purpose. Let the past stay in the past. I hope everyone can show her some kindness and give her space.]
She made herself look spotless, confirmed I had a scandalous past, and painted herself as the generous, kind sister.
"Look at Sophie, always thinking about you. And you? All you ever do is blow things up. Go apologize to Lily and post a statement to clear this mess," Charles barked.
"I didn't do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?" I shot back.
"Because you're a Nolan," he yelled. "You're representing us now. All that dirty laundry from your past should've stayed hidden. Sophie has been with us for twenty years. Not once has she ever made us look bad."
So, in his eyes, I'd never be good enough compared to that fake heiress.
"What if I told you this whole thing was schemed by Sophie and Lily?" I said.
Charles paused for a moment and snapped, "Grace, stop acting like everyone's out to get you. Sophie's so nice. Why would she hurt you? Admit it. You're just jealous of her."
Jealous? My life was stolen by her for twenty years, and now I was blamed for being jealous of her?
I wasn't about to waste any more breath on him. I snatched up my coat and headed out the door.
"Where are you going?" he shouted after me.
"To clear my name," I shot back.
I wasn't about to put my faith in these so-called family members.
"Kayce, I need a favor," I said on the phone. "Get me all the original footage from the traffic accident on Westgate Avenue a month ago. Make sure it's high-def and complete."