A Slap to the Face

The entire banquet fell into silence because of my words. Everyone exchanged glances and then began whispering among themselves.

Nevaeh Lacey's expression twisted for only a moment before she quickly recovered. She lowered her head and spoke in a pitiful tone, "Mag, I know you're upset that I didn't prepare a birthday gift for you. But this is Mrs. Scott Senior's birthday banquet.

"I only managed to get you here after begging Cam."

This humble demeanor quickly won her plenty of sympathy. Unable to hold back, someone spoke up for her, "Magnolia, the Saccone family might've adopted you, but do you truly believe you're one of them?

"Ms. Nevaeh is the Saccone family's only rightful heiress."

A hint of satisfaction flickered across Nevaeh's face upon hearing this. She stepped forward, grabbed my hand, and said, "Mag, can we not argue anymore?

"Didn't you say you wanted that Ocean's Heart necklace before? I'll give it to you when we get back, okay?"

As soon as she said that, a wave of astonishment swept through the banquet, breaking its earlier calm.

"The Ocean's Heart? Isn't that the Saccone family's treasured collection of many years? I heard it's worth over 30 million dollars."

"Ms. Nevaeh really is generous for giving it away just like that."

"How could this adopted daughter be so shameless?"

Accusations buzzed in my ears, aligning perfectly with what had happened in my previous life.

In my past life, my dad, Don Lacey, had blamed me for my mother's death. He adopted Nevaeh, and paraded her at events, making everyone believe she was the true Saccone heiress.

Even the birthday gift I had prepared was framed as something I had stolen from Nevaeh. I was ridiculed and humiliated by everyone.

But did they think I'd allow for such things to happen again now that I had been reborn?

I flung her hand aside, and said as I chuckled softly, "The Ocean's Heart belongs to me in the first place. What gives you the right to gift it to me? Nevaeh, you've been pretending to be me for so long that you've forgotten your place!

"Isn't your recently released father still looking for you? I wouldn't mind reuniting the two of you if you continue to show no remorse!"

A flash of fear appeared on Nevaeh's face when she heard the seriousness in my tone.

Just then, a voice suddenly sounded amid the stalemate. "What's going on here?"

The crowd quickly made way as Camden Scott's grandmother, Genevieve Bennett, approached with her cane. After understanding the situation, her eyes narrowed slightly.

"Magnolia, is it? I've heard Cam mention you a few times.

"Nevaeh is gracious and poised for not bothering to argue with you. But don't blame us for being rude if you keep causing trouble like this."

Catching the veiled threat in her words, I couldn't help but laugh and reply, "You're being rude to me?

"Wasn't it the Scott family who shamelessly begged for this marriage back then? And now you've mustered the nerve to talk about being rude to me?"

Not expecting me to be so blunt, Mrs. Scott Senior immediately snapped, "How dare you! You're just some adopted daughter, and yet you're trying to ruin my birthday banquet? Guards, throw her out!"

As the guards were about to rush forward, I spoke calmly, "This entire banquet hall belongs to the Saccone family.

"Whoever dares to lay a hand on me today will soon find it impossible to survive in the capital. And for those spouting nonsense, you'd better think carefully about whether you have what it takes to cross the Saccone family!"

Seeing how confident I was, everyone present began to hesitate. Mrs. Scott Senior slammed her cane on the ground in frustration but refrained from ordering me out directly.

"Go and call Cam over. He already met his fiancée at the Saccone family estate, after all. I'd like to see how much of this insolent young lady's words can actually be trusted!"

With those words, Camden arrived shortly after.