"We have been more than kind," Deborah continued, her voice low. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be."

I jerked my hand back, meeting her gaze with cold indifference. "Harder? Mrs. Pedersen, your words are laughable. Is there anything more humiliating than what you're all doing to me now?"

Her composure flickered, but she quickly regained her polished mask. Lowering her voice, she hissed, "Know your place, Joanne. You're only here because of our lingering affection. Don't covet what isn't yours, especially Calvin."

...

Before I could retort, a commotion erupted in the banquet hall. Calvin had bid extravagantly and won a pair of diamond earrings.

He strode onto the stage, basking in the spotlight. After thanking the guests, he turned, his gaze locking onto Anna with theatrical affection.

"I'd like to share a personal decision," he announced.

I watched coldly from the shadows as he continued, "The engagement between the Thomas and Pedersen families was a vow between our fathers, a symbol of our bond."

He paused, the room hanging on his words. "But due to a twist of fate, the intended fiancée was misplaced."

All eyes turned to me.

"Today, I set things right." He extended a hand to Anna, who blushed demurely and glided to the stage. "I declare that my true fiancée is Anna Pedersen, the rightful heiress!"

His arm encircled her waist, his voice resolute. "The previous engagement was a mistake. As of today, it is void."

He kissed the back of her hand and slid the earrings onto her ears. Anna nestled into him, her eyes glinting with triumph.

Then, adopting her usual fragile demeanor, she turned to me. "Joanne, I'm so sorry. I know you're hurting. These past three years, watching you and Calvin misunderstand each other because of me has torn me apart."

Her voice broke just enough to draw the crowd's sympathy. "I've wanted to step back so many times, to give him back to you, but love is beyond control."

I watched her performance with cold detachment, sidestepping her outstretched hand. My rejection seemed to wound her; she swayed as if she were about to collapse.

Calvin caught her, then barked at me. "Anna is trying to console you, and you're throwing it in her face?"

Clinging to him, Anna looked up with tear-streaked cheeks and a bittersweet smile. "It's fine, Calvin. She has every right to be angry. My return disrupted her life.

Turning to me, she said, "Joanne, if you can't forgive me, I'll speak to Mother about transferring some of my shares as compensation. I only ask that you stop resenting Calvin. He's innocent."

She emphasized her return and compensation, a calculated reminder to all that I was the usurper, unwilling to let go, while she was the wronged heiress, generous despite her pain.

Sure enough, murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Anna is too kind."

"Still offering compensation to that fraud."

"The Pedersens are too soft. They should've sent her away long ago."

"Look at her, acting superior even when Anna is being so gracious."

My nails dug into my palms as the whispers buzzed like flies. I took a deep breath, raised my hand, and slapped Anna across the face. "Drop the stupid act!"

She stumbled, her head striking a table. Blood trickled down her cheek, and her gentle façade shattered.

"You witch! How dare you hit me?" she screamed.

"What happened to begging my forgiveness? Can't handle it now?" I taunted.

Calvin shoved me to the floor, the cold marble biting into my hands. "Forgiveness? You think you're worthy? Without our pity, you'd be rotting in some village and married to a thug!"

He grabbed my chin, his grip bruising. "This pampered life has made you forget who you are. Want me to throw you out right now?"

I pushed myself up, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "No need. As of today, I'm done with the Pedersen family!"

I turned and strode out of the ballroom, never glancing back at Calvin.

...

That night, I checked into a hotel.

At three in the morning, the door burst open. Black-clad men stormed in, shoving a rag into my mouth before I could scream. A sack went over my head, ropes bound my wrists, and I was dragged into a car.

When the sack was removed, I was in a private clinic. Deborah loomed over me, her expression cold and triumphant.

"You think cutting ties would free you?" A sinister smile curled her lips as she pressed a knife to my cheek. "My daughter bled because of you. You'll repay it tenfold."

A thick needle pierced my arm, pain searing through me. Two bodyguards pinned me down, the world blurring.

Just before I lost consciousness, she waved a hand. "Keep her alive. When she comes to, continue."

I was dragged to another room where Anna waited. She mocked, "Poor thing."

I gave her a glacial smile. "You're the pitiful one, Anna. Years in the countryside, and you still can't play the heiress. Jealous of me? So what if you're the true heiress? I stayed in your villa and lived with your parents. Even your man..."

I leaned closer, whispering, "was abandoned by me."

Anna lunged, her hands closing around my throat as I backed toward the window, my body half-hanging out. Her eyes were crimson with rage, but I smiled, eerie and sharp, then kicked off the ledge and let myself fall.

"Anna! What have you done?" Calvin's anguished cry echoed as I plummeted.

Anna froze, staring at her trembling hands. Below, a truck exploded, flames swallowing everything.