第2章

"She looks sweet and innocent, but she's rotten to the core."

"Her adoptive parents raised her, and she still tossed them aside. Imagine how awful she must be."

"Exactly. An ungrateful woman like that brings misery to everyone around her."

One accusation after another rose from the crowd.

Painful memories surged to the surface, and my nose stung with the threat of tears.

The older woman and her husband had already sided with Derek.

"Young lady, you can't treat people this way."

The older woman spat in disgust.

"Ordinary people work hard for their money. He sold his house and even sold his blood, all to save his mother.

"You took the money, so go donate the kidney."

I caught one corner of Derek's mouth lifting.

I clenched my fists and took a deep breath.

"You say I took your money and signed your agreement.

"Where's the proof?"

His expression darkened.

"You're the one who ran off with the money, and you're demanding proof from me?"

I stared at him coldly.

"So you don't have any?

"You grab someone off the street and make wild accusations, and you expect everyone to believe you?"

The crowd fell silent for a moment.

A young man stepped forward.

"If you have proof, show it. Stop wasting everyone's time.

"For all we know, you're a trafficker putting on an act."

Others chimed in.

"He's right. This kind of scam happens all the time."

"We can't just take your word for it."

"I have proof!"

Derek sent one of his men to fetch a document from the car.

"It's all here in black and white. See for yourself!

"Once you've read it, quit arguing and come to the hospital."

The signature on the donation agreement was mine. There was no question about that.

But the recipient field listed a woman's name I had never heard before.

I studied the terms more closely.

The original phrase, "voluntary, uncompensated donation," had been changed to "Party A voluntarily accepts $1.5 million from Party B as compensation."

This was not the agreement I had signed!

"And here's the wire-transfer receipt."

He flung it at my face, and it fell to the ground.

I bent to pick it up, my eyes widening.

The account belonged to my biological brother.

Nathan Mercer.

The entire $1.5 million had been wired to him.

Fragments of memory flashed through my mind as I clenched my fists.

"See it now?"

Derek gave a cold scoff.

"You signed it yourself. Nothing left to say, is there?

"Get in the car. I don't have time to stand here arguing."

I pointed to the recipient's name.

"I didn't receive the money. Go after the person who did.

"And someone altered this agreement. It isn't the document I signed!"

Derek's face darkened as he spoke through gritted teeth.

"Serena, that's your signature and the account you designated.

"Quit stalling. You're coming to the hospital right now."

His eyes reddened again.

"My mother is dying. We don't have any more time!"

He tried once more to drag me toward the car.

"Save the woman first! Miss, you took the money, so go to the hospital. Don't let his mother die!"

"Exactly. Whatever grudge you have, settle it after her life is saved."

Every onlooker now felt sorry for Derek. Some tried to persuade me; others hurled insults.

If I got into that car, would I come out alive?

I tore my arm from his grip.

"I didn't do this, and I refuse to accept the blame.

"I'm calling the police!"