LOGINAfter seven years of secretly dating Ross Stockdale, I found a proposal folder hidden in his study. Inside were a seaside dinner plan, a fireworks schedule, and a handwritten vow card. I nearly cried from happiness. I thought Ross was finally going to bring me into the open and give me a home. But on our seventh anniversary, I saw a short video posted by Samora Leone. In the video, the Leone family’s private marina was lit like daylight. Fireworks burst over the water while Samora stood before the family representatives with her arm linked through Ross’s. The caption read: Thank you for loving me all these years. I said yes. The man in the video was Ross. His hand rested on Samora’s waist, and on his finger was the matching silver ring I had designed for him years ago. Everyone believed Samora was the long-lost daughter of the Leone family. They were wrong. The real Leone heir was me.
View MoreThree months later, Samora was sentenced.The charges included intentional injury, false accusation, and conspiracy connected to the crash that caused me to lose my child. Daphne testified in exchange for a reduced sentence, while Marcelline was convicted of switching the babies, falsifying medical records, and taking money from accounts that belonged to the Leone family.The newspapers called it the fall of the false princess.I did not read the articles.On the morning of Samora’s sentencing, I attended my first formal board meeting as Isabella Leone. My father sat at the head of the table until everyone arrived, then stood and placed the family seal in front of me.“You came home late,” he said, “but this seat was always yours.”I looked at the seal for a moment before taking my place.“Then I won’t let anyone sit here for me again.”From that day on, I began handling the Leone family’s public business. There were contracts to review, people to replace, accounts to clean, and partne
Daphne tried to retreat into the crowd, but the Leone guards stopped her.My mother glanced at her.“Take her as well. If she was willing to work for Samora, she can explain it with her.”Daphne panicked at once.“It wasn’t me! I only did what she told me to do. I didn’t know she arranged the car accident too!”The moment she said it, every face in the hall changed.Ross stood there, paler than before. His eyes turned to me.“Izzy…”I did not answer.Don Leone looked over the banquet hall.“From tonight on, the Leone family ends all investment and cooperation with Stockdale.”Ross looked up sharply.“Don Leone, Stockdale had nothing to do with what Samora did.”My father looked at him.“You were holding my daughter by the wrist and trying to send her to security.”Ross’s lips moved.“I didn’t know she was—”“The contracts will be handled by our lawyers,” my father said.Ross went still.He looked at me, as if waiting for an explanation, or a word that might help him.I only lowered my
The screen froze on Samora’s smiling face.The front hall stayed silent for a few seconds before Daphne broke first.“That proves nothing. Samora only asked me to hold the brooch for her. I was just—”I looked at her.“Then why did you put it in my bag?”Daphne froze.Samora’s eyes reddened at once.“Daphne, why would you do this? I trusted you.”Daphne stared at her in disbelief.“You told me to.”A low murmur spread through the hall.Samora’s expression cracked for a second before she recovered, wounded and tearful again.“You’re scared of taking the blame, so you’re putting it on me. I understand, but you can’t accuse me like this.”Daphne panicked completely.“You said if Izzy showed up tonight, everything would be ruined. You told me to make sure she couldn’t stay. You said no one would believe her because she had no background and had followed Ross for years. As long as the brooch was in her bag, everyone would think she was jealous of you.”Ross looked at Samora.“Is that true?”
The front hall went silent.Ross’s hand froze around my wrist before he slowly released me. He turned toward the head of the banquet hall, the anger on his face giving way to shock, while Samora went pale beside him.“Father…”Don Leone stood beside my mother, with a Leone adviser and two guards behind him. His eyes rested on Ross’s hand, and his voice stayed cold.“Mr. Stockdale, remove your hand.”Ross let go completely.He looked from Don Leone to me, as if he had heard the words but still could not understand them.“Your daughter?”My mother reached me first. She looked at my reddened wrist, then at my bag and belongings scattered across the floor, and her expression cooled. After a moment, she lifted a hand and smoothed back the hair on my shoulder.“Izzy,” she said softly. “Or rather, Isabella Leone.”A low murmur passed through the hall.Samora stepped forward immediately, her eyes red at just the right moment.“Mother, this must be a misunderstanding. Izzy used to work for Ross












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