"Mom, I believe Mary only hurt me because she was confused. After marrying into the Madden family, she won't see me anymore. Maybe she won't trouble me again after that."

Yelena's tears fell in big, pitiful drops, but her thoughts betrayed her.

"You stupid old woman. What are you waiting for? Do it now! Reprimand her already!"

As if struck by a snake, my mother suddenly shoved Yelena away and shouted, "You… What did you just say?"

She trembled with rage, and her expression was dark.

She pointed at Yelena, and her finger was shaking. However, words failed her as she seemed on the verge of passing out from rage.

Yelena collapsed onto the floor. Her face was filled with anguish and innocence. "Mom, what's wrong?"

While she seemed concerned, she was already cursing in her mind.

"What is this old crone freaking out about? Is she losing her mind or something? Oh well, if she drops dead, even better! With only two loyal dogs left in the house, they'll be much easier to control."

My mother's chest heaved violently. Her eyes were red with fury.

Before I could enjoy more of the unfolding drama, a knock sounded at the door. An attendant announced that it was time to head to the hall.

Johnny helped steady my mother and rubbed her back to soothe her.

My father pointed toward the designer gown laid out on the sofa bed and ordered reluctantly, "Change into this and head to the banquet hall. Remember, from now on, your name is Mary Sterling."

Only then did I realize I was still wearing my fishing outfit.

Once they left, two elegant attendants entered the room. One quickly applied makeup, while the other helped me into the designer gown.

By the time I arrived at the banquet hall, my parents and Johnny were already mingling with the guests.

On the way, I picked up an interesting tidbit from Yelena's thoughts—the banquet was actually my engagement party with Ashborough's top bachelor.

However, five years ago, this so-called top bachelor became paralyzed from the waist down due to an accident.

Originally, Yelena was supposed to marry him, but she refused to marry a cripple. Plus, his mother was known for being ruthless.

This wasn't his first engagement either. His last two fiancees had mysteriously died shortly after they confirmed their engagement.

Yelena had long suspected that his mother, dissatisfied with his potential brides, had them quietly eliminated.

That was why she would rather expose herself as a fake heiress than marry him. She needed me to take the fall in her place.

Conveniently, my latest mission happened to be in Ashborough. Since she had sought me out, I might as well play along.

The banquet hall was filled with Ashborough's elite circle.

As for me, I needed to find the man with a wolf-head tattoo on his wrist.

I grabbed a glass of wine from a passing tray and observed the room. I wove casually through the decadent crowd.

Suddenly, a group of women, dressed in luxurious gowns but reeking of cheap arrogance, surrounded me. They eyed me from head to toe with blatant disdain.

"So, you're Yelena's sister, Mary?"

The one leading the charge was Cindy Brown, one of Yelena's closest friends.

"I heard from Yelena that when she found you, you were… fishing in a river?"

Cindy giggled and covered her mouth with exaggerated delicateness.

"Ugh. I can still smell the fish on you. You're so disgusting! This entire banquet is ruined now."

The others immediately took a step back, laughing as they huddled closer to Yelena. They dramatically fanned their noses as if the very air had been tainted.

Yelena, of course, hid behind them and watched the show unfold with gleeful anticipation.

Before I knew it, the group had maneuvered me into a secluded corner of the hall.

I swept my gaze over the group, then slowly and deliberately corrected them. "I was catching a sturgeon, an endangered species. Its cartilage and spinal marrow contain anti-cancer factors, making it highly valuable for academic research and economic purposes. In fact, every single person here is worth far less than that fish."

The socialites bristled as if I had struck a nerve. They glared at me.

"Hah! Catching an endangered species? You must've been trying to sell it for money to survive. Oh, you poor, pathetic girl."

"Just because you returned to the Sterling family doesn't mean you're a real heiress. A barnyard hen perched on a high branch doesn't get to be called an eagle. You'll never be on the same level as Yelena."

"Exactly! It was Yelena's kindness and generosity that saved a stray like you from the slums. You should be thanking her on your knees right now."

With that, a few of them reached out to press down on my shoulders.

I grabbed two wrists, shifted my weight, and, using a simple redirection technique, sent both of them crashing to their knees before me.

Since they liked kneeling so much, I made sure they did it properly.

Gasps echoed around me as everyone's eyes widened in shock.

"Haven't you seen self-defense techniques before?" I asked while shaking my head. "I won't waste my breath arguing with fools. Even though you're shallow and uneducated, I'll still do you the courtesy of a little advice."

I turned to Cindy and said, "You—your tear troughs are dark, your sclera has a yellowish tint, and when I felt your pulse earlier, it was faint and trembling. That's a sign of excessive indulgence. You might want to cut back on your… nightly activities."

"And you—your breath reeks. Have none of your so-called best friends told you?"

…

The group's faces turned beet red. A mix of shame and rage contorted their expressions. They gritted their teeth but couldn't find the words to argue.

Seeing her friends flustered, Yelena quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Mary is from the countryside. She's used to being sharp-tongued. Don't take her words to heart."

She turned to Cindy and said, "Cindy, didn't you always want a Lady Dior? I just got one today and brought it for you. And for you, Jane, your Pandora bracelet—I've got one for you too. Don't worry, there's something for everyone."

Cindy clutched the handbag to her chest, practically trembling with excitement. Her eyes sparkled brightly.

Just as they were about to shower Yelena with praises, their expressions suddenly froze.

They had all heard her thoughts.

"Look at my little lapdogs, falling head over heels for some knockoff goods. Ugh, I went through all this trouble to get them into such a prestigious banquet, and look what they're wearing! What kind of trash is this? Standing next to them is so embarrassing.

"And Cindy—why does that shameless woman have such a handsome boyfriend? I tried seducing him a few times, and he didn't even take the bait. He must be blind or something. Why are they just standing there? Why aren't they flattering me yet? Are they so happy that they lost their minds?"

I nearly laughed out loud.

Meanwhile, Cindy and the others looked positively murderous. It was as if they wanted to strangle Yelena on the spot.

However, they didn't dare challenge her openly, not with the Sterling family's power looming over them.

Just then, the grand golden doors at the front of the banquet hall swung open. A woman with an icy, imposing presence pushed in a man seated in a wheelchair.

I focused my gaze and realized it was him!