Chapter 8: The Stewart Family Heirloom Belongs to Margaret
The Stewart Group’s 30th Anniversary Gala shimmered. The grand chandelier sparkled brilliantly, casting dazzling light over the opulent villa. In the center of the banquet hall, a renowned pianist played a smooth, elegant melody. Waiters in crisp tuxedos moved between the guests, carrying trays of wine. The men attending were dressed in sharp suits, and the women wore luxurious designer gowns.
Summer had chosen a simple, high-neck, one-shoulder black dress. The fabric hugged her curves perfectly, sleek yet understated. She had refused the dress Julia had sent—a deep V, backless gown that oozed seduction. There was no way she would wear something like that.
As she stepped into the hall, her gaze landed on Margaret. Margaret wore her hair in an elegant updo, her makeup flawless, her blue velvet gown dripping in extravagance. The deep V-neckline and exposed back sparkled with scattered diamond embellishments. The long train of her dress trailed behind her, making her look like a noble princess. One hand carried an Hermès crocodile leather purse; the other clung affectionately to Julia’s arm.
Whispers floated from a corner of the room.
“Look at Margaret, acting so high and mighty, making sure everyone knows she’s the favored one. But honestly, who in high society doesn’t know about the Stewart family’s real and fake daughter scandal?”
“Yeah, what is the Stewart family thinking? They treat the fake daughter like a treasure while their real daughter gets ignored.”
“I saw Julia taking Margaret on a shopping spree the other day, buying her tons of luxury goods. She had two bodyguards following her, carrying bags full of designer items.”
“Summer is so disappointing. She was brought back to the Stewart family, and instead of driving Margaret out, she let herself be completely overshadowed. She’s the real daughter but gets treated like the fake one.”
“You don’t get it. The Stewart family wants both daughters, but emotionally, of course, they’re going to favor the one they raised for twenty years.”
“If you ask me, Summer’s only chance to turn things around is to marry Trevor.”
“Speaking of Trevor, does she even have that chance anymore? You heard about his wedding to Peyton, right?”
“She’s really pitiful. Her real parents prefer the fake daughter, and even her fiancé is in love with someone else.”
Julia spotted Summer arriving late and immediately frowned. Her eyes flicked behind her, searching. No Trevor. Her expression turned even darker. Her voice was low but displeased. “Why are you alone? Where’s Trevor?”
Summer’s gaze swept over Margaret, who clung to Julia’s arm like she was afraid someone would take her place. She had no interest in explaining and simply replied, “He didn’t come with me.”
Truthfully, since the kidnapping, Summer had not contacted Trevor once. She had seen his missed call. But what did it matter? The moment he had told her kidnappers they could do whatever they wanted to her, she had already given up on him.
Margaret’s entire body tensed the second she saw Summer. She hated her. Ever since Summer’s return, her perfect life had been shattered. Jasper and Julia still loved her, but her status was no longer secure. At first, Summer had been no real threat. But as soon as the Stewart family started viewing her as Trevor’s future wife, things had changed. Margaret could not allow it. She was terrified that one day, the Stewart family would wake up and cast her out. If that happened, she would have nothing. So, she had to make sure she was the only daughter of the Stewart family.
Keeping her emotions in check, Margaret put on a perfect, gentle smile. “Summer, why are you dressed so plainly? Tonight is the Stewart Group’s 30th anniversary, and half of Havenbrook’s elite are here. As Dad and Mom’s daughter, shouldn’t you care about representing the Stewart family properly?”
Julia turned to look at Summer properly for the first time. The black dress highlighted her fair skin, and the fitted design accentuated her elegant figure. But while the rest of the Stewart family was decked out in lavish designer outfits and expensive jewelry, Summer wore not a single accessory. She looked far too…simple.
“I sent Zoey to deliver a gown to you. Why didn’t you wear it?”
Summer let out a mocking laugh. “In your eyes, Margaret is the real daughter of the Stewart family. You’re all one big happy family. What I wear doesn’t make a difference.”
She rarely spoke to Julia this way in public. One, because Trevor disliked it when she acted “unruly.” Two, because she had once held onto the foolish hope that Julia would love her like a mother should. But after everything that had happened—the kidnapping, Trevor’s betrayal, and the fake family affection—she was done. Her voice wasn’t loud, but they were in the middle of the banquet hall. People had already started to take notice.
Julia’s face darkened. “Do you know what day it is? Summer, don’t make a scene.”
Summer smiled. “Sorry, but twenty years ago, you didn’t teach me how to behave. So, you have no right to tell me what to do now.”
Without another word, she turned and walked away. Julia’s expression was ugly, but with so many people watching, she had no choice but to swallow her anger.
Margaret, on the other hand, was secretly delighted. She quickly comforted Julia. “Mom, Summer is so disrespectful to you. She’s too ungrateful! But don’t worry. Even if she doesn’t care about you, I do. You’ll always have me.”
Julia sighed and patted Margaret’s hand. Why was her biological daughter so stubborn, while her adopted daughter was so much more considerate?
At the buffet table, Summer picked up a plate and grabbed a slice of strawberry cake. Margaret followed her. Holding a cocktail in one hand, she smirked.
“Summer, after three years, you still haven’t learned anything. You think acting out like this will make Mom and Dad notice you more? They raised me for twenty years, not twenty days. To them, I am their real daughter. That bond isn’t something you can break. So be smart—leave the Stewart family before I make you leave.”
Summer took a bite of cake. The strawberries were a little sour. “Are you done?” she asked coolly.
“What?”
Summer’s expression turned icy. “If you’re done talking, then get lost.”
Margaret scoffed. “Still pretending to be the Stewart family’s daughter?” She lifted her hand, showing off the necklace around her neck—a six-pointed star-shaped diamond pendant. Smirking, she asked, “Recognize this?”
Summer’s fingers froze around her fork. She slowly put the cake down. The only person in the Stewart family who had ever genuinely loved her was her grandmother. But only a year after Summer returned, she had passed away. That had been one of the greatest pains of her life. Before her death, her grandmother had left behind two heirlooms—one was a pair of jade earrings, the other, a six-pointed diamond necklace. By Stewart family tradition, the jade earrings were for the family’s sons, while the diamond necklace was always passed down to the Stewart family’s daughter. On Margaret’s 18th birthday, the family had gifted the necklace to her. But before passing away, Summer’s grandmother had explicitly stated that the necklace must be returned to Summer. Summer had assumed Julia had taken it back but simply refused to give it to her. Yet here it was—still hanging around Margaret’s neck.
A sharp pain shot through her chest. Margaret saw the flicker of sadness in Summer’s eyes and felt a rush of satisfaction. Smirking, she said, “This necklace has stayed with me all these years. That just proves who our parents really consider their daughter.” She leaned in, her voice dropping to a vicious whisper. “And you? You’re nothing.”
Then—
“Ahh!” A sharp, ear-piercing scream shattered the air.