Chapter 6

The screen showed surveillance footage of Regina and me meeting at the café.

The image was crystal clear, and the angle was sharp and clever.

There was no audio, but it didn't matter. Everyone could clearly see me sitting across from Regina and sliding a bank card toward her.

The room went dead silent. Every eye turned to me.

Some looked shocked. Some looked confused. Most looked entertained.

Grace's face drained of color.

Ellery frowned, his voice low. "What is this supposed to mean?"

Zach walked over and stopped beside me. His voice was not loud, but it carried across the room. "Dad, Mom. She fooled all of you."

He pointed straight at me, his voice dripping with satisfaction at exposing me. "She never lost her memory again. She's been pretending this whole time.

"She met Regina behind our backs. She knew we kicked Regina out and even gave her money. Who knows what they're planning together?"

He turned to me, his gaze cold. "Melody, are you really going to stand there and say you're not acting?"

Behind him, Jeffrey looked at me. His eyes were full of hurt. "Melody, why did you lie to us?"

They had lined it all up perfectly.

They thought they had me cornered.

They thought I would panic and fall apart in front of everyone.

Once that happened, the promised ten percent of the shares would be gone.

And I would be nothing more than the scheming daughter who tricked her own family.

It was a vicious move.

I looked at their faces, full of confidence and almost eager. My mind stayed completely calm.

I didn't cry. I didn't argue. I didn't even look nervous.

I just smiled. "Zach, is this the gift you got me?"

He froze for a second. So did everyone else. They had all been waiting for a scene.

I reached into my clutch and took out my phone.

I looked up at Zach. There was a trace of pity in my eyes. "You like playing videos for everyone so much. Why don't we watch the one I prepared for you?"

I walked over to the sound technician and connected my phone to the projector.

Zach's expression changed right away. He had a bad feeling about this.

"Melody, what are you doing?" His voice turned sharp.

I ignored him and simply pressed play.

The screen switched. Now it showed Zach and Regina inside a car. The angle made it obvious. This had been recorded in secret.

Zach handed her a thick envelope. "Use it carefully. I'm a little short on cash myself these days."

Regina's voice shook. "Zach, are we really never going to see each other again? This is all Melody's fault. Everything fell apart the second she came back."

Zach's voice came through, clear and steady. "Relax. She won't be smug for long. That idiot actually thinks Mom and Dad care about her.

"Once I get the company, I'll send her far away. Then I'll bring you back.

"She never belonged in this family. She should've died in that flood."

The video was short. But every word hit like a blast.

The entire ballroom was stunned.

Ellery's face went from pale to dark red. His hands trembled with rage as he stared at Zach.

Grace covered her mouth with wide eyes, unable to process what she had just heard.

Zach and Jeffrey stood there, frozen. Their faces had gone completely white.

The screen went black. Silence filled the room.

I put my phone away. Then I turned and walked back to the center of the stage, step by step.

I stopped in front of Zach. His face was pale, and his body was stiff. Then I looked at Ellery, who looked like he might explode at any second.

I tilted my head and smiled. It was soft, almost sweet. But it was also cruel.

"Dad, do you still think Zach is innocent?" I asked. "Do you really think I still get to keep that ten percent of the shares?"