Chapter 22

Rachel’s Pov

Sophia’s face contorted with pure rage as she pointed a perfectly manicured finger toward me.

“This is a complete fraud! Rachel isn’t the Sterling heiress! She must have bribed or threatened these people to lie for her!”

Gasps echoed through the grand hall, whispers quickly swelling into audible disbelief.

I allowed a cold smirk to form. Watching her unravel was deeply satisfying.

My grandfather’s expression turned thunderous. He stepped forward, his voice low but ringing with authority.

“Are you accusing me of lying, Sophia?”

She faltered only for a moment before lifting her chin in defiance.

“I’m speaking the truth. This woman—” she shot me a look of utter contempt “—was a mere housewife for eight years, serving Alexander day and night. Now you want us to believe she’s the heir to the Sterling fortune?” She let out a harsh laugh. “It’s absurd.”

My grandmother moved beside her husband, arms crossed. Her eyes were glacial.

“Choose your next words carefully, Sophia. Slander carries legal weight.”

Sophia laughed bitterly. “I’m only voicing what everyone is thinking! She’s a fake!”

My grandfather’s patience vanished. “One more word against my granddaughter, and I will have you charged with defamation.”

For a heartbeat, fear flashed across Sophia’s face before anger took over again.

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. “Oh, Sophia,” I said, my tone dripping with false sweetness. “You’re just furious because tonight isn’t about you. It must be devastating to realize you’ll never be anything like me.”

Sophia’s face flushed a dark, furious red. “You don’t deserve any of this.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And yet, here I stand. As Rachel Sterling Crawford. And you? You’re still just a desperate woman clinging to the scraps of your pride.”

“You deceitful little—”

“Aunt Sophia, stop!” Liam’s young voice pierced the tension, his small face twisted in anger. “Rachel is evil, Aunt! She hurt Daddy! She lied to everyone! And now she’s bullying you!”

I turned my gaze to the boy, my expression blank. “And to think,” I murmured, “I wasted eight years of my life raising you.”

Liam’s face burned with fury. “You faked loving me!” he yelled, tiny fists clenched. “You made me believe you cared! But you never did! You’re just cruel!”

Before I could respond, a powerful voice cut through the commotion, silencing the entire room.

“What in God’s name is happening here?”

All heads turned as William Russo marched forward, his face a storm of confusion and rage. His sharp eyes swept the room, locking on me first, then shifting to Sebastian.

His brows drew together in disbelief.

“How is this possible?” William demanded, voice rising. “How is my useless son standing? Speaking clearly? And how is the woman who wasted years on Alexander suddenly some heiress?”

The crowd broke into hushed murmurs once more.

I crossed my arms, meeting his glare without backing down. “I owe you no explanations.”

William’s nostrils flared. “The hell you don’t!”

Sebastian stepped forward, his presence dominating the space. “I didn’t remain crippled like those who murdered my mother intended.”

The moment the words left his mouth, gasps exploded across the hall.

Whispers spread like wildfire.

“The accident three years ago…”

“Are they saying it wasn’t an accident?”

“Someone tried to kill Sebastian?”

William’s jaw tightened as he grasped the damage being done.

“Enough,” he snapped, voice laced with threat. “You’re tearing this family apart with these baseless accusations.”

Sebastian gave a cold, hollow laugh. “Really? I thought this family’s name was already destroyed.”

William stepped closer, his voice dropping dangerously. “You believe you can just storm in here and make a circus out of our reputation?”

I leaned in slightly, my voice a venomous whisper. “Oh, William,” I mocked. “I’m not just here to make a scene.”

His glare intensified.

I tilted my head and smiled coldly. “I’m here to ruin you.”

For the first time that evening, genuine fear flickered in William’s eyes.

Before he could reply, Sebastian’s phone buzzed loudly.

I felt him tense immediately. His grip on my hand tightened, his entire body going rigid.

I turned to him, concern knitting my brows. “Sebastian?”

His jaw clenched as he looked at the screen.

Something was very wrong.