All Chapters of THE HEIRESS’ STOLEN IDENTITY : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The sound coming from the company cafeteria was loud. The clinking sound of cutleries, low chatter floating, trays sliding across metal rails…but none of it masked the tension brewing in the far corner.Gracelyn noticed it the moment she stepped in.It was as though she had come to the cafeteria specifically for that reason.Her eyes landed on them the moment she entered.Anna stood there again, her shoulders slightly hunched, and fingers clenching tightly around the edge of her tray as three women surrounded her like predators circling prey.Their laughter was loud, and mocking. One of them nudged Anna’s tray, causing a bit of stew to spill over the edge.“Oh no,” the tallest one cooed with fake sympathy. “Look what you’ve done. Clumsy as always.”Anna quickly began apologizing, her voice barely audible. “I—I’m sorry… I’ll clean it—”“Of course you will,” another cut in, rolling her eyes. “And after that, you’ll go pick up my dry cleaning. Don’t forget this time.”Gracelyn paused mid

Before Rex could make it back to the company, his phone rang.The sudden vibration cut through the silence of his car and even his mind, dragging his attention away from the road and the thoughts that had been circling his mind since the café.He glanced at the screen.Emergency.His jaw tightened as he answered. “What is it?”“Sir, there’s been an issue at the West Ridge project site,” the voice on the other end said urgently. “There were some structural and design flows detected this afternoon. The contractors are requesting your immediate presence.”Rex’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.Of course.Of course something had to go wrong today.“I’ll be there in twenty,” he said curtly before ending the call.For a brief second, he considered ignoring it.Going back to the office, and finding Gracelyn, demanding answers like he deserved them.But Rex wasn’t a man who neglected responsibility, especially not one tied to millions and his reputation.He exhaled sharply and turned the

Gracelyn paused mid-step, her fingers still curled around the edge of the door, and turned at the call of her name.“Miss V.”Anna stood a few feet away, slightly out of breath, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. The timid girl from before was still there but something had changed.There was a little strength in her posture now, like a flame that had just learned how to stay lit.Gracelyn’s gaze softened, but remained neutral.Anna glanced briefly toward Rex, who stood a short distance away, his presence as commanding as ever.She gave a respectful bow before quickly walking over to Gracelyn.“Can we… talk?” she asked quietly.Gracelyn nodded once. “Come in.”They stepped into the office together, and the door clicked shut behind them, sealing off the outside world and everything else.Gracelyn gestured toward the chair opposite her desk. “Sit.”Anna obeyed immediately, smoothing her skirt as she sat, her fingers still fidgeting. There was a brief silence before she looked u

The room had been filled with warmth before the question.Now, it felt cold.Gracelyn felt it first.The sudden silence.The way conversations paused mid-sentence as though they didn’t want to miss out any word from her reply.The way a few heads turned, exchanging glances as if someone had finally asked the question they’d always wanted to ask.The way the journalist leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen, his lips curved in something that barely passed as curiosity.“How does someone from such… humble beginnings rise this quickly? Care to share?”There it was.Wrapped in politeness.Dipped in false admiration.But underneath the question was…Accusation.Gracelyn’s fingers tightened slightly around the microphone, though her expression didn’t betray it.She had heard questions like this before. Not always said out loud, but implied amidst conversations.No one truly knew what she had been through, but judging from her background and her position now, questions like this would su

Gracelyn barely had one foot inside the house before Salome came rushing toward her, with a phone clutched tightly in her hand like it held breaking news of the world ending.“Grace!” she called, breathless, and her eyes wide with excitement. “Have you seen it? The news…your video, it’s everywhere!”Gracelyn paused, slowly slipping off her heels. “What video?”Salome’s jaw dropped. “The one with the journalist! Your response! People are reposting it everywhere. They’re calling you bold, fearless, some are even saying you humbled him.”A faint smile curved Gracelyn’s lips, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.It was not something to be excited about. She was stating facts, and they were true.“Is that so?”“Yes! Even celebrities are commenting. Someone said you’re the only woman who’s ever spoken to him like that and walked away with dignity intact.”Gracelyn chuckled softly, brushing past her. “People always exaggerate. It was just a conversation. He asked a question out of sheer curio