Chapter 3 Riding On His Coattails

Colette stood up from the sofa and pointed at Victoria indignantly. "Victoria, what is the meaning of this? You agreed to call off the engagement and allowed Mom to arrange for everything.

"Now, you're going back on your word! How do you expect Mom to explain this to Ms. Harper? You are deliberately making a fool out of her!"

Hearing Colette's words, Ginny was outraged. "Marriage is a serious matter and requires blessings from both parents. You have no right to go against our wishes!

"Did you believe your grandmother arranged this engagement because she likes you? She did it for my sake! She acted impulsively back then and has regretted her decision for years.

"She also felt sorry for Zachary. However, she was too embarrassed to go back on her word. Breaking off this engagement is both my decision and hers.

"Whether you agree or not, the engagement will be called off today. Apologize to Ms. Harper this instant and hand over the token. Otherwise, I will disown you!"

Sneering, Victoria had a mischievous and cunning look in her eyes. "Mrs. Jameson, didn't you mention it yourself? Zachary is handsome and from a good family.

"I would definitely be attracted to such an excellent man. Nonetheless, I will not break off the engagement. If you are unhappy about it, get Mrs. Warde Senior to take the token from me!

"If things were so simple, you wouldn't have called me so many times and insisted that I return." Victoria smiled.

Over the past years, whenever Ginny met with her mother, Elizabeth Green, she'd bring up Victoria's engagement. Sure enough, the Mrs. Warde Senior Victoria had mentioned was also none other than Elizabeth.

Ginny had always hoped that Colette could replace Victoria and marry Zachary. However, Elizabeth paid no heed to her.

Ginny's wishes were brushed aside. Elizabeth also accused Ginny of favoring Colette and displaying bias. Ginny couldn't think of any other solution, which was why she allowed Victoria to return.

Ginny was infuriated when Victoria brought up the sore subject. She grabbed a glass and threw it at Victoria. "Victoria Jameson!" she shrieked.

Victoria bent down and dodged the incoming glass. She straightened up and crossed her arms, giving them a cold look. "Well, if you want me to break off the engagement …"

Smiling, Victoria stretched out a finger at the three anxious women. "Give me one hundred million dollars. In addition, I want you to acknowledge my identity in public as the true Miss Jameson of the Jameson family!"

Colette's expression twisted in anger at the mention of one hundred million dollars. All of the Jameson family's money was hers.

Why would she give it to Victoria?

As for acknowledging Victoria's identity, there was no way!

She would never let anyone know that she was not the true daughter of the Jameson family. No one could know they were swapped at birth. No one could know she was a fake!

Ginny screamed, "Victoria, how dare you embarrass me in front of outsiders? It's unacceptable! There's no need to speak anymore. Ms. Harper, can I borrow some of your men?"

She called in Nicole's bodyguards. Then, she said, "Victoria, hand over the token right now, or I will order the men to take it from you by force!"

Nicole sat in a corner silently and watched the dramatic scene unfold.

Victoria cracked her knuckles nonchalantly. She remarked, "Let's see if they can subdue me."

She wasn't afraid of a fight. Plus, she was in a bad mood and needed to let off some steam.

"All of you, gang up and capture her immediately! Don't worry about hurting her!"

At Ginny's command, several bodyguards surrounded Victoria.

At that moment, a household staff rushed in from outside. "Madam, Mr. Benjamin and Mr. Zachary have both returned."

Frowning, Nicole stood up from the sofa and ordered, "Stop this instant!"

Victoria snorted. "Too late!"

As she spoke, she struck her foot and kicked at the bodyguard approaching her from the front.

The man, who was twice her size, gave a loud yelp in pain. His face contorted in agony. He was flung backward and slumped at Nicole's feet.

Nicole screamed her head off and climbed onto the sofa.

When Zachary arrived, the living room of the Harper manor was in a mess. Fallen bodies were strewn at Ginny's and Colette's feet around the room. They were all groaning in pain.

Victoria still had one man in her grip. She was holding him up by the collar and slapping his cheeks.

When Colette noticed Zachary, she hid the malice in her eyes and burst into tears. "Zachary, I'm scared."

She was shivering in fear as tears rolled down her cheeks. Seeing her in such a pitiable state, Zachary was filled with a desire to protect her.

If it hadn't been for Benjamin, he would have rushed over to comfort Colette in his arms.

Zachary turned to Victoria again. His impression of her was that she was a fierce and rude woman without an ounce of shame. He demanded, "What are you doing, you bitch?"

Victoria glanced at Zachary first. Then, she looked at the man behind him.

He was very tall and dressed in a plain shirt. The buttons on his shirt were fastened all the way to the top. He had rosary beads in his hands, and he emitted an air of restraint.

He also had attractive, well-defined features. Despite appearing to be in his late twenties, he did not have the charm and vigor of a youth.

Instead, there was an air of reserved maturity about him that could only come with experience. He carried himself with the dignity that befitted someone of high rank.

Was this the famous Mr. Benjamin of the Harper family in Youngville? The one that Grandma often praised?

At one glance, Benjamin recognized Victoria immediately. She wasn't forceful when she slapped the bodyguard. Nonetheless, Victoria exuded the air of a stern mafia boss reprimanding a subordinate.

Benjamin surveyed the groaning men on the ground. He couldn't help but smile. Victoria really was a skilled fighter.

Victoria released her grip. The bodyguard she was slapping earlier slumped to the ground.

Victoria turned to give Ginny a disdainful smile. "Next time you want to search me, make sure to bring some stronger men. These are too weak for a good fight."

Nicole and Ginny didn't expect Victoria to be such a good fighter. Victoria's taunts made them grit their teeth in anger. However, they had to hold back their frustrations.

Victoria raised her eyebrows mockingly and stared at Benjamin, who appeared emotionless. "Mr. Harper, your timing is perfect."

She took out a thick envelope from her pocket and waved it at him. "I have something interesting for you."

Victoria opened the envelope. Inside was a stack of photographs. She divided the stack and handed them out to each person present. "Once you have finished with your stack, exchange it with someone else's. Good things should be shared, after all."

Colette looked at the photographs in her hands. Horrified, she quickly looked through them.

The photos featured her and Zachary. The first was of them having a meal together. The second, they were holding hands, and she had her head on his shoulder. The third was them sharing a kiss in the car.

Victoria sat down on the sofa and crossed her legs. She radiated an unmistakable air of superiority.

"You have two options," she began. "You can give me one hundred million dollars and tell everyone I am the true Miss Jameson.

"Or, I can and will announce my engagement to Zachary and publicize these pictures. I even thought up some catchy headlines for the occasion. 'Sister-In-Law Seducing Her Own Sister's Fiancé' sounds pretty solid. Or, perhaps, 'Rich Scion in an Affair with His Sister-in-Law.' This would be some explosive news, don't you think?"