Grandma scoffed. “Robert, Ashley is our family. Think carefully before you speak.”
Dad’s face darkened. He pulled out his phone and sent a message. Moments later, the house was surrounded by people with cameras and microphones, crowding around a white van and Tiffany.
I pushed through the crowd. Tiffany was sobbing. “…I did it all for her, but she keeps insulting me! I want everyone to see the truth! Let’s see if my dear sister is as pure as she
pretends to be!”
Jason stepped forward and gently wiped away her tears. “Tiffany, you’ve suffered enough.” They exchanged a look. Then Tiffany turned to me and shouted, “Ashley, you say you haven’t
been sleeping around. The reporters and
doctors are here. Do you dare let them examine
you?”
<
My head spun. Grandma trembled beside me.
“You animals! Ashley’s my granddaughter! How
dare you do this to her!”
Dad stepped into the crowd, beaming. “Sorry,
Mom. The marriage between our family and the
Millers is too important. We can’t send a
daughter who’s had multiple abortions and ruin
the deal.”
The crowd murmured.
“Look at Mr. Stone, a real man, making sure his
kids stay on the right path!”
“Ashley looks terrified. Maybe it’s true.”
“I think it is. Look how calm Tiffany is.”
I stood there, looking at the growing crowd,
gripping Grandma’s hand. Then, I spoke.
“Fine. Since Dad’s so concerned about the
- ))
100
marriage, let’s not just examine me. Let’s have your precious ‘second daughter‘ examined,
too.”
Tiffany’s face drained of color. She practically collapsed into Jason’s arms.
“Jason, look at her! Humiliating me like this in
front of everyone! I’m innocent! I don’t want to live anymore!”
She dramatically lunged toward the wall.
The crowd rushed to stop her, then glared at
- me.
“You spoiled brat! Just because you’re the
Stone heiress, you think you can bully someone
to death?”
“So disgusting! Even turning on her own.
sister!”
<
I scanned the faces, a cold smile playing on my
lips. “You’re mistaken. I’m an only child. I don’t
have a sister.” My voice rose. “As for Tiffany,
she’s just the nanny’s kid.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
“Wait, the nanny’s daughter is forcing the
employer to get a medical exam? Is she
insane?”
“Didn’t you see Mr. Stone and Jason protecting
her? She’s not insane; she’s trying to steal
Ashley’s life!”
Tiffany, just moments ago so smug, now
trembled with rage. Tears welled in her eyes as
she glared at me.
“Ashley, I know you look down on me, and
you’re angry I didn’t cover for you. But the
marriage is important for both families. I
couldn’t just let you ruin it with your… lifestyle.
く
Jason looked like he wanted to comfort her, but
with the cameras rolling, he hesitated. “Ashley,
you’re the one who messed up, and you’re
blaming Tiffany! This is unforgivable! Today,
our family disowns you!”
As soon as he finished, a group of security
guards pushed through the crowd. My mom
walked toward us, her face like stone.
“Jason, who gave you the right to speak for the
Stone family?”
Jason, Tiffany, and my dad all paled.
My dad stared at my mom, dumbfounded.
“You… are you a ghost?”
Mom scoffed, her eyes cold. “Disappointed? I’m
very much alive. I heard everything. Since
you’ve all decided to gang up on my daughter,
let’s investigate who’s really living a messy
life.”
2000
<
Jason, prompted by my dad’s look, approached my mom. “Mom, you don’t understand. Let’s go home, and I’ll explain everything.”
Mom shook him off. “Explanations can wait.
Tiffany’s reputation is at stake. I’m sure she’s eager to clear her name, right?”
Tiffany flinched, taking a step back. Jason
whispered something in her ear. She quickly regained her composure.
“Fine! If you two want to slander a poor, defenseless girl like me, then bring it on! Examine me! And if I’m clean, you two give up your shares and get out of the Stone family!”
