All Chapters of The Replacement Heiress : Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

The man’s feet dragged limply across the polished marble floor, his weight sagging between the two guards who hauled him forward without ceremony. His dark suit was rumpled, his tie askew, his head lolling like a puppet with its strings cut. Nina’s breath hitched. The crowd had begun to shift, murmurs swelling like an incoming tide. Guests exchanged glances, some craning their necks for a better view, others murmuring behind their gloved hands. But no one moved forward. No one dared to intervene. Who was he? A guest? A servant? Someone who had made the mistake of stepping out of line? Nina’s fingers curled tighter around the railing as she watched the security guards drag the unconscious man toward the exit. Just before they reached the door, one of them gave him a rough shake, as if trying to wake him. His head lolled lifelessly to the side. A surge of unease prickled up her spine. Who is he? Before she could get a clear look at his face, the guards yanked him forward aga

Mrs. Whitlock’s lips tightened, then softened. “We are counting on you,” she said, her voice low and weighted with expectation. “I know,” Nina replied, her voice steady, even if her hands weren’t. Mr. Whitlock stepped forward, commanding the room with an ease born from decades of power. “Now,” he said, his voice rich and authoritative, “it’s time for the celebrant to take her stage.” And with that, the moment she had been preparing for was finally here. The applause was deafening as Nina stepped forward, a sea of faces watching her with anticipation. They weren’t here for her, but for Adelaide—the girl whose life she was borrowing. The weight of it pressed on her, but she knew this was her moment to embody Adelaide, to deliver the speech she would have given if fate had been kinder. “Thank you, everyone,” she began, her voice steady despite the thundering of her heart. “For gracing this occasion with me today. I feel honored and loved to have you all here with me tonight. Th