Chapter 4

Lily flinched in terror and spun around, ready to bolt again.

I flicked a glance at the bodyguards, and they moved to block her path.

Thinking Mom was angry at my outburst, the security guards lunged to seize me again.

But the bodyguards surged forward, wrenching the security guards away from me. "Stand back!" one barked.

Freed at last, I wiped the blood from my brow, strode up to Lily, and seized her arm. "Aren't you Mrs. Sinclair's pampered adopted daughter? Come now, greet your dear mother."

Mom smiled faintly, though her gaze on Lily was as sharp as a hidden blade.

Lily, panicked and flustered, shoved me back.

"Madeline, who gave you the right to lay a hand on me? Let go!" she hissed, eyes flashing.

"Look what you've done—now my mom's involved. You crashed my engagement party, and here to settle accounts with you," Lily threw at me, voice shaking with anger.

"I've got other things to deal with, but trust me, my mom isn't done with you," she added, glaring before trying to slip away.

She muttered excuses with her head bowed, never daring to meet Mom's eyes.

Still reeling from Mom's slap, Ryan snapped to when he saw me grappling with Lily. He lunged forward and shoved me aside.

"Madeline, have you lost your mind? You dare lay hands on Mrs. Sinclair's precious adopted daughter right before her eyes? Leave now, or I won't hold back," Ryan growled, eyes blazing.

Clutching Lily tightly, he turned to Mom with a show of loyalty. "Mrs. Sinclair, you misunderstand—I never harmed your daughter. I've only been protecting her."

Lily, pinned in Ryan's arms, was freaking out, tears welling up in her eyes.

At the sight, Mom walked slowly toward Ryan, each step deliberate.

Mistaking her approach, Ryan forced a nervous smile, thinking she meant to speak.

Yet before all eyes, Mom struck him again with all her strength.

Mom snapped, her voice sharp and cold, "Is this how you protect my daughter?"

Without another word, Mom drew me to her side, her hands trembling with concern as she took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from my brow.

"All her life, I have shielded Madeline from harm," Mom snapped, anger and sorrow tangled in her voice. "But today? In your care, she's faced malice she's never had to know."

Her protection and warmth shattered the mask of strength I had worn. I collapsed into her arms and wept aloud, unable to hold back any longer.

Mom held me close, her hand patting my back as she choked out, "My precious girl, you don't deserve this pain."

"The moment I received your friend's message, I cast aside all work and came at once," Mom explained.

With that, she inclined her head to Liv in gratitude.

Liv finally let out a long breath. "If I hadn't messaged you right away when things went south, God knows how much more Madeline would've had to endure—she's always trying to act tough."

She wiped her tears, then gathered us both into a big, heartfelt group hug.

When she saw me sobbing too hard to speak, Liv quietly took my place.

She recounted everything to Mom—every detail I was too broken to put into words.

As Liv spoke, Mom's face grew darker with every word. Even the bodyguards clenched their fists, their eyes blazing with fury at Ryan and Lily.

The sight left everyone present dumbstruck, unable to believe what they were witnessing.

"What's going on? Could it be that Madeline is the true adopted daughter, and Lily has been an impostor all along?" someone whispered in disbelief.

"But Lily's also a Sinclair, isn't she? You don't think that's just a coincidence, do you?" another muttered, shaking their head in confusion.

The security guards who had shoved us earlier now stood pale as death.

Ryan was rooted to the spot like his system had crashed, mouth stuck wide open.

In a daze, he gave Lily a little shake, utterly at a loss for words.

"Lily, what the hell is going on?" he asked.

Lily buried her head in despair, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

Someone elbowed Ryan, teasing, "Bro, did you get the wrong girlfriend or something?"

"Man, don't tell me you've been scammed!"

Ryan swallowed hard, his face still twisted in shock.

Struggling to contain his disbelief, he turned to Mom, his voice shaking.

"M-Mrs. Sinclair... are you saying that Lily isn't actually your adopted daughter?"

Mom cast them a disdainful glance and said nothing. She simply lifted her hand, signaling the bodyguards.

At her signal, the bodyguards immediately brought someone in from outside.

It was a plainly dressed middle-aged woman.