Chapter 4
Yeah, I had always been well-behaved since I was a kid, trying my best to be their good girl. Maybe that was why I ended up getting ignored.
Using the excuse that I needed some fresh air, I went out to meet Roland.
He handed me a neatly organized stack of documents.
"It's all done. Your grandmother's entire estate is yours. I've also taken care of the apartment and the school abroad. You can go whenever you're ready," he said.
"Thank you, Roland," I said softly.
"No need to be so formal with me," Roland replied, ruffling my hair. "If the Goodman family crosses the line, don't hold back."
I nodded.
The welcome party was scheduled for the weekend at one of the Goodman family's ultra-luxury hotels, and it was a grand affair.
Every influential figure in town had received an invitation.
My dad's intentions were clear. He wanted to let everyone know that he had finally found his real pride and joy.
On the night of the party, I wore an elegant dress and kept to myself in a quiet corner.
Delilah wore a couture princess gown and had priceless jewelry that belonged to my mom, looking like a real princess. My parents held her by hand and introduced her to every guest.
Halfway through the party, my dad stepped up to the stage and picked up the microphone.
"Thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate my daughter Delilah's welcome party," he said.
He looked radiant, full of pride and energy.
"While we're here, I also have something else to announce," he added.
He looked over at me, his gaze cutting through the crowd.
He said, "My adopted daughter, Maeve, has grown up and decided to move out and start her own independent life.
"From now on, she won't be a Goodman anymore. She'll be going back to her real last name, Stephens.
"But the Goodman family will always have Maeve's back."
His words sounded so grand and official.
The guests present began to whisper among themselves. And their gazes toward me were filled with sympathy, contempt, and the malicious glee of those eager to watch the spectacle.
My parents were going to kick me out of the house, and they even planned to pin on me a glowing reputation for being independent and self-reliant.
I gripped my glass tightly, not even having a chance to react yet.
But Delilah, holding up her skirt, headed straight for a corner of the guest area.
She stopped right in front of Roland.
Roland had been invited too, and as the Prichard family's heir, he was seated at the VIP table.
Delilah wore a triumphant smile as she called out to him sweetly.
"Roland, I didn't know you were here," she said.
But her eyes slid past Roland and landed on me, full of challenge.
My dad came over, all enthusiastic, chatting up Roland, while Harley shoved me toward that sleazy Hatcher heir.
"Maeve, go chat with Mr. Hatcher. You two are about the same age. I'm sure you have lots to talk about," she said.
Stuart's eyes roamed over me shamelessly, his grin downright predatory.
"Ms. Stephens, you're even more stunning in person than in your photos," he said, leering.
I frowned and pulled away from his reaching hand.
The gossip swirling around us grew even louder.
I looked at them all, feeling like this was a carefully staged public humiliation. And it was only the opening act.
I was suddenly the center of attention.
Everyone was waiting to see how I'd react.
I smoothed out my dress, holding my glass, and gave Delilah a small, knowing smile as I met her challenging stare.
"Congrats, Delilah. You finally got what you wanted and claimed your rightful place in your bloodline," I said.
Then I turned straight to Roland, totally ignoring Stuart and Delilah.
"Roland, thanks for coming all the way tonight just to see me off," I said.
A smile flickered in Roland's eyes as he stood up, playing along with me. "Wouldn't miss it."
Everyone froze, caught off guard.
This turned out nothing like the drama they had imagined.
Wait, a send-off?
Wasn't she the one who got kicked out of the house?
My dad's face was livid. He stormed over, snarled in a low voice, "Maeve. Are you causing trouble again? Apologize to Mr. Hatcher!"
"Causing trouble?" I lifted my glass and spoke out to the whole crowd. "Dad, didn't you say you supported me living independently and chasing my dreams overseas?
"Well, that's exactly what I'm about to do. I'm going after my dreams.
"And as for Mr. Hatcher, he's such a catch. Why not let Delilah have a shot at him?"
I turned to Delilah. "Honey, Mom and Dad are all yours now. Take good care of them."
With that, I downed my wine in one go and set the empty glass on a passing waiter's tray.
"I'll take my leave, everyone," I said.
Then I turned and strode out of the banquet hall without a backward glance.
"Stop right there!" My dad's furious shout boomed behind me.
I kept walking, not even slowing down.