Chapter 494
The room erupted into chaos the moment Jade’s words left her mouth. Shelia scoffed, “Ridiculous! Why on earth would I take your ring?” Jade’s eyes blazed with an almost palpable hatred. “You used my ring to bribe the warden and secure your early release from prison.” Shelia’s prison stint had been a scandal that rocked high society. Now, with sordid details resurfacing, the room buzzed with whispered speculation.
Shelia remained unruffled. “Since you’re so eager to cast aspersions, perhaps you’d like to explain how you ended up in prison in the first place.” Jade faltered, her cheeks flushing crimson. Shelia pressed on, turning to the captivated audience. “She was arrested for prostitution.” The crowd recoiled in revulsion. Shelia relished their reaction, turning back to Jade with a triumphant look. “You were jailed for selling your body, and when the other inmates made your life a living hell, I protected you. And how did you repay my kindness? By spinning this ridiculous lie about my stealing your ring. You’re just a pathetic gold digger, desperate to claw your way into the Blair family and escape your sordid past. I’ve seen your type a thousand times before.”
The room fell silent, the air thick with suspicion as all eyes turned to Jade. She stood exposed and humiliated, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
Chapter 44
Edgar broke the silence. “Why are you so harsh?” Shelia laughed, “I’m only speaking the truth, Edgar. You can’t just bring in some streetwalker to replace me because you couldn’t have me. It’s unseemly.” Her implication was clear: Edgar was trying to pass off a fake as the real deal out of spite. It might even be true.
Jade pleaded her case. “Dad, I really am your daughter. If you don’t believe me, we can do a paternity test.” “That won’t be necessary. I know who my daughter is,” Declan said brusquely. Jade staggered back. “Dad…” “My daughter is Shelia. She is my flesh and blood. You’re nothing but a crook,” Declan snapped, glancing at Edgar. “If anyone tries to drive a wedge between us, I will not stand for it.”
Edgar was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Declan to staunchly defend Shelia even in the face of the truth. “Dad…” Overwhelmed with grief, Jade fainted into Edgar’s arms. Edgar frowned, finding the situation troublesome but knowing he couldn’t lose his composure. He turned to Chace and said, “Take her to the hospital.” “Yes, sir.” Edgar’s plans to expose Shelia’s identity were now in tatters. He looked up at Juan on the second floor, who seemed to have anticipated this drama. Juan’s expression remained calm and unperturbed.