something was wrong

A burning pain exploded across Ella's cheek.

The force of the slap sent her stumbling backward, but she refused to fall.

Slowly, she raised her head.

Her eyes met Andrew Eleanor's furious gaze.

For five years, she had called this man Father.

For five years, she had loved and respected him as her own.

Yet today, in front of hundreds of guests, he looked at her as though she were something filthy beneath his feet.

"How dare you harm your sister!"

Andrew's roar echoed throughout the grand banquet hall.

The crowd instantly fell silent.

Ella clenched her trembling fists.

Her cheek burned, but the pain in her heart was far worse.

Six months ago, she had still been the treasured daughter of the Eleanor family.

Everyone knew her.

Everyone respected her.

She was Andrew and Kathy Eleanor's pride.

Then Bella woke up.

The biological daughter who had spent six years in a coma finally opened her eyes.

And everything changed.

Overnight, Ella lost her place.

The love she had once received vanished.

The warmth she had once known disappeared.

It was as though the five years she had spent with them had never existed.

Bella hated her from the moment she woke up.

Every chance she got, she made Ella's life miserable.

Andrew and Kathy never stopped her.

Instead, they encouraged it.

To them, Ella had never truly been their daughter.

She had only been a substitute.

A replacement.

A temporary solution.

A blood bank.

Ella's eyes drifted toward Kathy.

The woman immediately avoided her gaze.

The last shred of hope inside Ella shattered.

For five years, she had dressed like Bella.

Talked like Bella.

Behaved like Bella.

All because Kathy couldn't bear the pain of losing her daughter.

She had willingly sacrificed her identity.

She had donated blood every month to keep Bella alive.

She had given everything she had.

And now that Bella had returned...

She was being discarded.

Like garbage.

"I treated you like my own daughter!" Andrew shouted. "Why would you poison Bella?"

The accusation struck harder than the slap.

"Or were you jealous?" Kathy added coldly. "Did you think you could take Bella's place forever?"

The crowd erupted.

"Oh my God..."

"So she poisoned her sister?"

"How vicious."

Whispers quickly became open condemnation.

Ella took a shaky breath.

"Father... I didn't do it."

Her voice sounded painfully small.

"I swear I know nothing about this."

Andrew laughed.

The sound was full of contempt.

"Still lying?"

He turned sharply.

"Bring the maid."

The crowd parted as a maid hurried forward.

The moment Ella saw her, a terrible feeling settled in her chest.

Earlier that evening, this same maid had insisted on helping her prepare for the engagement banquet.

Ella had refused at first.

But the maid claimed Kathy had sent her.

So Ella reluctantly agreed.

The maid immediately dropped to her knees.

Tears streamed down her face.

"Master, forgive me!"

She pointed directly at Ella.

"Miss Ella ordered me to poison Miss Bella's food!"

Gasps exploded around the room.

"She admitted it!"

"What a monster!"

"She wanted to kill the real daughter!"

The hall erupted into chaos.

Ella stood frozen.

Disbelief flooded her face.

Then her gaze landed on Shane.

The man she had once planned to marry.

The man she had loved for three years.

Bella's childhood best friend.

Ever since Bella woke up, Shane had become distant.

Ella never complained.

She told herself he simply missed his best friend.

Until she caught them kissing.

The memory stabbed into her chest.

Soon after, Shane ended their relationship without remorse.

Weeks later, he announced his engagement to Bella.

Tonight was their celebration.

And now they wanted to destroy her completely.

"Please don't call the police."

Bella suddenly stepped forward.

Tears glistened in her beautiful eyes.

"My sister must have acted out of impulse. Let's settle this privately."

The crowd immediately softened.

"Miss Bella is too kind."

"She's practically a saint."

"After everything, she still protects her sister."

Bella lowered her head modestly, accepting their praise.

Shane wrapped an arm around her shoulders protectively.

"No."

His voice was cold.

"Someone like Ella deserves punishment."

The hatred in his eyes struck Ella harder than any weapon.

For a moment, she couldn't breathe.

Five years.

Three years.

Countless sacrifices.

And this was what she received in return.

Andrew nodded approvingly.

"Since Bella is pleading for you, I won't send you to prison."

His voice became ruthless.

"But from today onward, you are no longer a member of the Eleanor family."

The hall fell silent.

"Get out."

A cruel smile appeared on Bella's lips.

Finally.

Everything was going according to plan.

Ella lowered her head.

Nobody could see the expression in her eyes.

A few moments later—

She laughed.

The sound was soft.

Yet strangely chilling.

Everyone froze.

Even Andrew frowned.

Slowly, Ella lifted her head.

The weakness that had always existed in her eyes was gone.

"What are you laughing at?" Andrew demanded.

Ella ignored him.

Instead, she stepped forward and faced the crowd.

"My name is Ella."

Every eye focused on her.

"I have been falsely accused."

Her voice rang clearly throughout the hall.

"Therefore, I request a police investigation."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Nobody expected those words.

Andrew's expression changed instantly.

Kathy's face paled.

Bella's smile disappeared.

They had expected tears.

Begging.

Submission.

Not resistance.

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the hall, a man quietly observed everything.

His sharp eyes narrowed slightly.

Zeke Fredamo.

The most powerful young man in the city.

The room buzzed with nervous excitement the moment someone recognized him.

Yet he remained seated.

Watching.

Observing.

Analyzing.

Andrew quickly regained his composure.

Nobody would dare oppose the Eleanor family.

Especially not for Ella.

"Throw her out."

Several bodyguards immediately rushed forward.

The guests watched indifferently.

Nobody intervened.

Why would they risk offending the Eleanor family for an adopted daughter?

The guards grabbed Ella's arms.

Then—

Bam!

Bam!

Two enormous bodies crashed onto the floor.

The crowd gasped.

Complete shock covered every face.

Ella casually rolled her shoulders.

"It's been a while."

She flexed her fingers.

"My muscles are a little stiff."

The bodyguards groaned on the ground.

Nobody could believe what they were seeing.

The timid adopted daughter...

Had just defeated two trained bodyguards.

Ella calmly looked around.

"Please call the police."

The hall exploded into whispers.

Andrew's face turned green.

Something was wrong.

The girl standing before him wasn't the obedient daughter he remembered.

She was someone else entirely.

Before he could react, a cold voice suddenly echoed from the back.

"She's right."

The crowd instinctively moved aside.

A tall figure stepped forward.

Every movement carried overwhelming authority.

Zeke.

The atmosphere instantly changed.

"If she's innocent, an investigation will clear her name."

His icy gaze swept across the room.

"If she's guilty, the law will punish her."

"Call the police."

The command left no room for argument.

Panic flashed across Andrew's face.

Kathy nearly lost her balance.

Bella's heart dropped into her stomach.

For the first time that night—

They were afraid.