Chapter 3

The moment I finished speaking, the crowd burst out laughing, as if they'd just heard a joke.

"Abigail Bradford? You've got to be kidding. That woman's a powerful legend in Gryndon, but she's been missing for years. Rumor has it she's died overseas. You're not saying that's you, are you?"

"Well, Abigail Bradford is also a Bradford. Could it actually be the same Bradford family?"

"No way! The Bradfords only have one daughter."

Rachel covered her mouth and laughed softly. "Where did you find this imposter, Evonne? Her acting is terrible, and yet she dares to pretend she's Abigail Bradford?"

I looked at her, my gaze cold and indifferent.

The Bradford family had only ever presented Evonne to the public.

As I was the designated heir, I'd been raised in secrecy for my own protection. As such, only a few knew my real identity.

"Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough, Evonne? Get this imposter out of here!" Simon frowned at Evonne and me, his gaze filled with disgust.

Evonne clutched my sleeve tightly, looking worried.

I patted her hand reassuringly and turned to Simon with a sharp gaze. "You're not even qualified to speak to me. Where's Dominic? Tell him to get down here now!"

Rachel gave me a once-over before sneering. "You almost sound convincing. But unfortunately, if the real Abigail Bradford had returned, the elite circle of Gryndon would be in an uproar. There's no way it'd happen without anyone knowing."

The fury in my eyes blazed brighter. "I've told you, you're not worthy of talking to me. Have Dominic get down here immediately!"

Rachel rolled her eyes in contempt. "Do you really think you can see Mr. Clarke just because you want to? If you're going to run your mouth like that, don't blame me for putting an imposter like you in your place!"

She then turned to the men scattered around the bar. "Grab her and teach her a proper lesson! If I'm satisfied, you'll all be well rewarded."

"Don't worry, Ms. Lopez. We'll make sure she learns what men are capable of!"

"Since she said she's Evonne's older sister, we'll let her experience what Evonne went through last night!"

The men in the bar scrambled forward, their faces twisted with greed.

"How dare you touch me?" My gaze turned icy. Slipping a small blade from my sleeve, I slashed hard at the man charging in front.

The injured man clutched his face and screamed. He then roared in fury, "Get her! Kill this bitch!"

Ten men surged forward at once.

Seizing the opportunity, the injured man grabbed my neck, his face twisted in rage. "You slut! I showed you mercy, and you dared to hurt me? I'll make you pay for that now!"

Everyone pressed in from all sides. Some even pulled out their phones, ready to record.

Evonne rushed forward, trying to shield me behind her, but Rachel grabbed her by the hair and yanked her back.

"Still trying to pretend you're so chummy with the imposter? Once I'm done with her, you won't be getting away either!" Rachel sneered.

Teary-eyed, Evonne clutched at Rachel's skirt and begged desperately, "Please don't touch Abby. Let her go. I'll let you examine me!"

Rachel kicked her to the ground, frowning in disgust. "We'll definitely examine you, and we're dealing with this imposter too! Unless—"

She smiled cruelly. "Unless you get on your knees and start begging until I'm satisfied. Then maybe I'll consider letting your fake sister go."

Evonne turned toward Simon, who had been watching indifferently from the sidelines. Through clenched teeth, she gritted, "Abby is the big shot you're all talking about. If you lay a hand on her—"

He cut her off with a sneer. "Enough with the talking. Get down and beg already. If not, I'll get them to tear into your sister right here!"

Rachel looked down at Evonne condescendingly.

A bitter laugh tore out of Evonne's lips. "Fine, I'll beg!"

She dropped onto her knees, pressing herself close to the floor as she started begging. "Please… Let Abby go…"

Before long, the skin on her knees and forehead was swollen and scraped. A thin line of blood seeped through.

But Rachel never told Evonne to stop begging.

I struggled desperately to get up and stop it, yet my limbs were pinned down. My heart broke at the sound of each plea that came from her lips.

Evonne had grown up cherished and protected. When had she ever suffered this kind of humiliation?

Gillian should've been back by now. So, why wasn't she?

Rachel yawned lazily. "Alright, that's enough."

Relief flashed across Evonne's pale face. "So, you'll let Abby go now?"

Rachel let out a scornful laugh, as if mocking her naivety. "I said I'd consider letting her go. Well, I've thought it over. The answer is no."

"You—" Like a cornered animal, Evonne lunged forward to fight Rachel.

However, Simon kicked her away.

"Touch Evonne again and see what happens!" I yelled as pain tore through my chest.

Rachel stepped forward, jealousy flashing across her eyes as she glanced at my face. Suddenly, she grabbed my throat. "I'll start with you then!"

"Don't! Dominic won't let this go if you hurt Abby!" Evonne cried out in panic.

Rachel let out a cold snort. "You still think the Bradfords are what they used to be? Who do you think you are to threaten me?"

She picked up the blade from the floor and pressed it hard against my neck.

Just as Rachel was about to slash down, the private elevator doors from the top floor slid open.

Dominic slowly stepped out, a group of men in black filing out behind him.

The moment he saw Rachel holding a knife to my throat with blood seeping out, his expression immediately darkened.