Chapter 4

Sam froze for a second before breaking into a smile.

"I heard you stopped painting after getting married and lost your touch. Looks like that was a lie.

"You haven't declined at all. If anything, your work has even more soul now. Later, I'm going to show this painting to those old critics and make them jealous."

I simply smiled without replying.

The car soon arrived at the banquet venue. The moment Sam and I entered, we immediately went to find the former maid.

She handed me a USB drive, guilt written all over her face as she apologized.

"Madam, I'm sorry for framing you back then. This contains the recording of Ms. Coot ordering me to do it, along with the video revealing the truth about the fire. I've kept them all these years.

"She threatened me at the time. She said if I refused to help her, she'd cut off my mother's medical expenses. I was foolish and made the wrong choice. I haven't had a single peaceful night of sleep since then.

"I could never get close to you or Mr. Beaumont to tell the truth. Thankfully, you came to find me. You gave me a chance to make up for what I did."

I took the USB drive from her hand.

After being buried for so many years, the truth had finally ended up within my reach.

I wondered what kind of expression Liam would have once he learned everything. He would realize that the innocent, pure Mandy he trusted so completely was actually a vicious woman hiding beneath the surface.

I slipped the USB drive into my pocket and walked into the main hall.

At that moment, the painting I had finished earlier had already been hung on the exhibition wall by Sam.

Liam and Charles had also arrived at the banquet. Charles stared at the painting in open admiration, while Liam frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on it as though lost in thought.

After all, he had once loved me.

He knew me well, and he knew my paintings even better.

Maybe he had already recognized my work.

Just as I was about to walk toward him, a beautiful woman stepped in front of me.

I did not remember her personally, but I had seen her photos on my phone before.

She was Mandy.

She looked me up and down in surprise before letting out a mocking laugh.

"Stella, I'm shocked you'd actually dare come out alone.

"After the fire years ago, I thought you'd be too ashamed to ever show your face in public again.

"Or is it because Liam is attending tonight? Were you afraid something might happen between us, so you couldn't resist following him here?"

I looked at her calmly.

"Liam and I are legally married. At most, you're just a mistress who never managed to replace the wife.

"So why exactly do you care where I go?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Mandy's face again before she smiled faintly.

"I didn't expect you to be able to control your emotions now. No more attacking people?

"So your illness is finally under control?

"But it doesn't matter. The person Liam trusts now is me.

"And you? You're still just a vicious woman accused of attempted murder. Even if you've regained your sanity, that stain will never disappear."

I looked at the smug expression on her face.

"You seem very confident that you can keep suppressing me forever."

Mandy curled her lips into a smile, a flash of malice passing through her eyes.

"Years ago, all it took was one simple fire to turn you into a woman everyone despised.

"I even warned you back then: stop flaunting your identity as Mrs. Beaumont everywhere you go.

"For all these years, you stayed obedient.

"So why stop now?

"Why insist on challenging my patience?

"Since you refuse to behave tonight, I'll make sure you're completely ruined."

Still gripping my hand, Mandy suddenly shoved herself backward.

Her body crashed into the table behind her. Wine glasses shattered across the surface with a loud crash as her palm slammed straight into the broken glass.

Blood dripped down the shards while she cried out in pain.

The surrounding guests immediately rushed over.

I stood there in shock.

I had never imagined she would be ruthless enough to hurt herself like this.

Liam hurried to her side at once.

"Mandy! Are you alright? Call an ambulance now!"

Mandy collapsed into Liam's arms, her eyes red as she spoke…