Chapter 1
At my engagement party, my fiancé, Ryan Carter, suddenly produced a medical slip and declared before the crowd, "I'm breaking things off with Madeline. Lily is carrying my child, and I must take responsibility."
Ignoring my shock and humiliation, Ryan announced proudly to the assembled guests, "Lily is the adopted daughter of Victoria Sinclair, the wealthiest woman in the city."
Then he added, "If you were in my position, you would make the same choice."
Before I could denounce Ryan for his betrayal, the guests rushed to offer their congratulations, praising him as if he had secured the greatest fortune by marrying into the Sinclair family.
Some even lauded his ability, marveling that he could wed the adopted daughter of the wealthiest woman.
Surrounded by such sycophants, I was left both aghast and enraged.
For Victoria Sinclair, the wealthiest woman in the city, was my mother.
And my mother has never adopted a daughter.
By now, the crowd had already gathered around Ryan, their eyes alight with envy.
"Bro, how'd you land Lily, Mrs. Sinclair's adopted daughter? Share some of your wisdom with us," one of them urged eagerly.
"No wonder I always sensed a touch of fortune about you. It seems you were destined to join a great house," another remarked with a laugh.
Even my own colleagues abandoned me, rushing instead to curry favor with Ryan.
"I have to hand it to you, man—ending things when they're wrong and choosing the best path for yourself. Anyone can see you are destined for great things," one of them exclaimed.
Ryan's betrayal and abrupt rejection drew not a word of reproach.
Instead, he was revered as though he were a hero.
My best friend, Liv Morgan, could no longer keep silent. She stepped forward, her voice edged with fury. "You're praising a man like this? Then may you all find yourselves saddled with shallow, grasping partners just like him!"
Someone gave a derisive laugh.
He claimed, "This isn't vanity—it's foresight. If you had the chance to join the Sinclair family, you'd make the very same choice."
It seemed Ryan's betrayal was excused for one reason alone: the woman he cheated with happened to be rich.
So every sordid act of Ryan's was suddenly deemed acceptable, simply because his new fling had money.
My mother had always taught me: "When you go out into the world, keep a low profile. Do not lose yourself in the glory that wealth may bring. I hope others will recognize your own strength and your character, not the aura of my fortune."
My mother has always possessed a sound and upright mind.
Through her guidance and protection, I avoided much turmoil and grew into an independent woman who need not rely upon her family's wealth or name.
Yet I never imagined I would be taken advantage of that way.
The identity I'd carefully concealed—even changing my surname to Wilson to hide it—was stolen by an unknown hand. It became the spark that destroyed my love.
More than anger, I was filled with bewilderment. Who was using my mother's name to swagger about and deceive others?
I held Liv back, stopping her from speaking the truth, and then demanded of Ryan, my voice ringing with anger, "Since when did Victoria ever adopt a daughter? Who exactly is this Lily?"
At the sound of my voice, every head turned.
They regarded me as a spectacle, the "other woman," with their eyes full of disdain.
"If I were you, I'd have the sense to bow out quietly," someone snarked. "She is said to be Mrs. Sinclair's adopted daughter and may one day inherit the fortune. What do you have to compare with that?"
Liv was absolutely furious. The nasty comments pushed her over the edge, and before I could stop her, she burst out, "You guys seriously have no clue who Madeline really is! Just watch—you're all gonna regret running your mouths!"
Her words provoked only sharp laughter, ringing with scorn.
Surrounded by mockery and scorn, I felt my heart sink with each derisive glance.
Ryan, who had once sworn to love and protect me forever, now merely frowned with cool indifference.
"My fiancée will soon arrive," he said. "I only threw this engagement party for her, not you.
"For old times' sake, I can't stand watching you disgrace yourself further. Do yourself a favor and just leave."
Ryan's icy words struck me like a resounding slap across the face, leaving me shaken and humiliated before all.
We had been together for five years.
Though I concealed my true identity, whenever Ryan needed money, I gave generously without hesitation.
When his parents fell ill and were hospitalized, I discreetly used my connections to secure the finest hospital and doctors for them.
When his interviews ended in failure, I relied on my own network to place him as a business manager at a listed company.
Whenever work disheartened him, I took to the kitchen to prepare a meal, hoping to warm not only his body but also his heart.
I let my luxury car gather dust in the garage, choosing instead to take his old, creaky second-hand car every day—all just to accompany him to and from work.
Yet all my boundless devotion—every ounce of care I gave—proved meaningless in the end.
In return, I received nothing but his cruel betrayal.
Gazing at the face I had once loved so deeply, I forced back the ache in my chest, my eyes reddening as tears threatened to fall.
"Ryan, so that's it? Just because the so-called Lily is richer than me, you're tossing me aside?"
Deep down, I already knew his answer.
Yet unwilling to accept it, I longed to hear the words spoken from his own lips.