Chapter 268

Cynthia reasoned that admitting to creating the fake pendant would prove she hadn't intentionally returned it to the Xenos family, thus establishing her innocence.

Shirley accused Cynthia, pointing, "Cynthia, this is a fake pendant. Did you sell the real one and make this?"

Cynthia shook her head, feigning innocence. "No. Knowing you'd steal my pendant, I made a fake and hid it in a drawer at the Splendid Garden. I just wanted to avoid trouble."

The onlookers erupted in laughter, Naomi the loudest. She patted Cynthia's shoulder. "Sweetie, you're clever!" Praise flowed: "Ms. Jones is beautiful and smart!" "Your tactic is brilliant!" "The most intricately designed tactic I've ever heard!"

Shirley gritted her teeth, viewing the praise as sycophancy, fueled by Cynthia's status as Mrs. Bennett.

Turning to Ruby and Sam, Shirley seethed, "Cynthia deliberately set me up! She's vicious!" She pleaded with the Xenoses, "Mr. and Mrs. Xenos, I wasn't lying! It was Cynthia's fault! She made the fake pendant to frame me!"

George, having examined Ruby, announced, "It's a common allergic reaction to moldy incense. Apply ointment, and she'll be fine." He produced a tube of ointment.

Sam took the ointment and applied it to Ruby's rashes. He'd witnessed the dining room events.

Shirley dramatically accused Cynthia, feigning victimhood. "I'm framed! She's bullied me for years, setting traps because she hates and envies me!" She cried.

Sam coldly stated, "I heard everything. I have questions."

A flicker of hope ignited in Shirley. "Mr. Xenos, what questions? I'll answer them!"

Sam countered, "You said you knew she'd steal the pendant, so you made a fake. But isn't this your pendant? You said you'd had it over twenty years. Another lie?"

Shirley, speechless, opened her mouth but said nothing.

Sam continued, "You stole her incense and her pendant. What is your relationship to her?" Shirley stammered, "I didn't steal it! It was mine! You gave it to me" She seemed disoriented.

Seeing Shirley's uselessness, Sam turned to Justin. "Mr. Jones, I'm confused. What happened to the pendant I gave you? Shirley isn't your daughter? If she is, who is this girl?"

Sam looked sharply at Cynthia, noticing a strange familiarity. A gut feeling struck him: she was the baby from years ago.

Justin sighed, confessing, "Mr. Xenos, I lied. I must tell you the truth. Both are my daughters. Cynthia, my adopted daughter, and Shirley, my biological daughter. They were switched at birth by an enemy. They resumed their real names three years ago. The baby you saw was Cynthia; she had the pendant."

The truth dawned on the onlookers. Whispers arose: "Cynthia met Mr. Xenos as a child, receiving a gift. Decades later, their families reunite. The Jones family tried to replace their adopted daughter with their biological daughter to form an alliance!" "Blood ties… they felt nothing after twenty years?" "The Xenos family from Betrico… incredibly wealthy!" "The Jones family favored their biological daughter for a Xenos marriage."

Justin, humiliated and blushing, explained, "We shouldn't have brought Shirley. We planned to come with Cynthia, but she had a birthday party. We didn't intend to deceive you. We treat both daughters equally. Those rumors are false. Shirley made a huge mistake; she's uneducated and ill-mannered. Please forgive her."

He presented Cynthia to Sam. "Mr. Xenos, my other daughter, Cynthia. The rumors are false; we're close. I've given her 20% of my company's shares." He then addressed Cynthia, "Cynthia, this is Mr. and Mrs. Xenos."

Cynthia, nervous when Justin brought her near Sam and Ruby, recognized Ruby—her idol for eighteen years. Overwhelmed with excitement and nervousness, she stood motionless.

Hector intervened, "Mom, I've been friends with Ms. Jones for years."

Justin prompted Cynthia, "Cynthia, what's wrong? Say hello!"

Hector clarified, "Cynthia, this is my mother."

Cynthia, regaining composure, grasped Ruby's hands, exclaiming, "Mom!"

(The final "曲" and "SEND GIFT" appear to be unrelated to the text and likely artifacts from the original source.)