Chapter 57

The massive banquet hall fell into brief stillness as everyone's eyes shifted toward the stage.

After all, not only had Tristan shown up with his wife tonight, but even Wyatt came along with a date. That was basically a public announcement.

Whispers quickly bubbled up.

"Wait, why is the second young master of the Reid family in a wheelchair?"

"Heard he got that from Mr. Reid himself!"

"You're kidding-was it really that bad? He looks weak as hell."

"Isn't the woman pushing the wheelchair the second daughter of the Shaw family?"

"Second daughter, my foot. She's just a foster kid."

"For real? She never said a thing about that."

"Well duh! Who'd admit something like that? Being the real heiress sounds so much better."

"Talk about playing the long game."

The chatter wasn't loud, but it still pierced through to Molly, whose hands curled tighter in her lap. How could she not feel bitter? If Megan hadn't spilled the beans about her background, she'd still be the glorious heiress of the Shaw family now.

The Shaws may not be top-tier tycoons, but they're still leagues above her current nobody status.

Those girls who used to trip over themselves to flatter her were now just watching with thinly masked amusement.

Good thing she'd made her move earlier and clung to Wyatt.

Sure, he wasn't even in the same league as Tristan,but the Reid family was still king in Verduria, neck-and -neck with the Lewises. As the second son, Wyatt definitely outshone most others.

They had finally moved closer to the stage. Wyatt picked up the gift box from his lap and gently handed it to her.

"Here,Molly,give this to Grandfather."

"Okay."

Molly stood up gracefully, approaching Mr. Reid with a sweet smile. "Happy birthday, Grandfather. Wishing you health,happiness, and endless blessings."

Mr. Reid had met Molly before and knew about her background, but he'd never shown any sign of holding it against her for not being the Shaws' biological daughter.

He accepted the gift and handed it off to Mr. Stewart with a light chuckle. "Looks like the bond between our Reid family and the Shaws runs deep.

Tristan and Megan are husband and wife, and now you and Wyatt care for each other too. That's wonderful,simply wonderful."

Molly turned her gaze toward Megan and Tristan,her voice soft and demure. "HHi, Megan,hi, Tristan."

Looking at her timid little act, Megan really wanted to rip her fake mask off.

How could she ever forget the cruelty, the arrogance,the sheer malice from her past life-when Molly had shattered her arms and sewn her mouth shut?

That pain was etched into her soul.

She wasn't worried, though. Molly wouldn't be able to play this game much longer.

Wyatt scoffed, eyes narrowing. "Isn't she at least your future sister-in-law? As the elder brother and sister-in -law, don't you think basic manners are in order? Even the Reids should keep up appearances."

He was sure Tristan and Megan wouldn't stir up drama in public-after all, this was Mr. Reid's birthday, and the hall was full of influential guests. Too risky to make a scene.

But he'd clearly overestimated them.

Megan smirked inwardly. Oh, please.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear,smile faint.

"I could've sworn your legs were fine, W/yatt. But here you are, riding that wheelchair like it's your new throne.You know what they say-strong will despite broken limbs. Or maybe you're planning to marry that wheelchair for the rest of your life? Your brain was a lost cause to begin with, and now your body's following suit. What a tragedy for the Reid family."

Molly gave a trembling look, like she was about to cry."I know you don't like me, Megan, but do you really have to drag Wyatt down with me?"

Her soft little voice and pitiful face-anyone who didn't know better might've even'felt bad for her.

She sneaked a glance at Mr. Reid, hoping to paint Megan as too aggressive, too callous.

Let everyone see what kind of woman Megan really was. How could someone like that ever qualify to be the lady of the Reid family,to stand beside Tristan?Just then, a crisp voice cut through the noise."Then tell us-why exactly does Megan not like you? Why do you always play the victim?"

Molly looked up toward the source of the voice-Rachel.

She was strolling in with Penelope on her arm,followed closely by Lina.

Molly's gaze instinctively shifted to Penelope. Though she kept a gentle expression, there was something unmistakably judgmental and disdainful in her stare.

Molly clenched her fists so tightly, her nails dug into her palms. She wanted nothing more than to rip Rachel apart on the spot.

Ugh, this stupid girl. Tonight you're going down,hard.

Megan took a step forward and hooked a finger under Molly's chin. "Go on, in front of Grandpa. Tell everyone why I don't like you. Or better yet-why you got kicked out of the Shaw family?"

Tears streamed down Molly's face instantly. That helpless,poitiful look won her some sympathy from the onlookers who didn't know the full story.

Whispers started among the guests, some of them thinking Megan was being too harsh.

Penelope glanced around at those whispering skeptically about Megan, then smiled faintly. "Megan's never one to lash out for no reason. If she doesn't care for someone, there's always a reason behind it.Honestly, I'm curious what kind of 'misery' this girl-who called herself the second Shaw daughter for years-has faced that she's bawling her eyes out now."

Molly was seething. Clearly, Rachel had gone running to Penelope about what happened at school.

That backstabbing brat!

And now, Penelope was calling her the Shaw family's adopted daughter right in front of everyone-humiliating her completely.

Just when she thought things couldn't get worse,a real bomb dropped.

Chloe appeared, arm in arm with Diane Hartwell

Diane let out a cold laugh. "Our family didn't raise a daughter all these years. What we raised... was a snake.Ungrateful and scheming through and through."

Molly just wanted the floor to swallow her whole.Everyone here was singing Megan's praises and trampling all over her.

If it weren't for her plan tonight to take those two down with her, she would've never shown up to be dragged like this.

But now, her only move was the same old play-look weak,pretend to be innocent.

Her eyes welled up as she turned to Mr. Reid, silently begging him to speak up for her, to end this farce.

But things didn't play out the way she wanted.

Mr. Reid trusted Megan. He knew she wasn't the type to throw accusations around, so clearly there had to be a deeper reason.

His expression turned serious, and he fixed his gaze on Molly. His voice was solemn."Then tell me-why does Megan dislike you?

And what happened with the Shaw family that they cast you out?"

Wyatt was fuming inside, thinking Molly was a damned idiot. She was totally embarrassing herself.

Even Grandpa wouldn't defend his owvn grandson right now-why would he stick his neck out for an outsider like her? His eyes darkened. Bringing this woman tonight was a terrible miscalculation.

At that moment, Sophia walked up, with Pearl and Evelyn trailing behind.

Sophia was dressed in a deep red long-sleeved gown.She looked elegant and poised, but up close, the thick makeup couldn't fully hide her pale complexion.

Dark circles ringed her eyes, and she carried herself a bit stiffly-her injuries from a past incident clearly still bothering her.

"Well now, what is this? A birthday party turned interrogation?"

She smiled, but the sharp edge in her tone betrayed her displeasure.

Pearl and Evelyn, ever since seeing that video days ago,had known the power dynamics in the Reid family had shifted.

Anyone who dared go against Megan would get burned.

She'd even dared to hit Sophia-a "stepmother" in name-which meant no one was safe, not even an aunt.

Sophia noticed the other two offering no support, and she understood instantly-it was every woman for herself now.

Standing beside Wyatt, she kept on her graceful smile."Megan, sweetheart, it's your grandfather's birthday... so many people here tonight. Maybe let's not."