All Chapters of The Stand‑In Meant to Fake Her Death: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Hayden began investigating what had happened to me at the hotel three years ago.Back then, my family had publicly claimed that I'd willingly entered his hotel room. He had always believed their story.That was why, even after allowing me to stay with him, he'd never truly respected me. In his eyes, I was no different from any other woman trying to marry into the wealthy Prescott family. I was simply prettier and quieter than the rest.The hotel's original surveillance footage had long since been deleted. But Hayden had his men recover the backups from the hotel's servers.The footage showed Jack helping me into the elevator while I was barely conscious. I struggled desperately, repeatedly grabbing at his sleeve. "Help me!" I kept crying.But Jack did nothing to save me. Instead, he pried my fingers off his sleeve and handed me over to the hotel manager, who was already waiting in the hallway.Ten minutes later, three reporters entered through the emergency stairwell. They had

After the truth came out, Lawson Group's share price plunged for several days straight. Business partners terminated their contracts, and banks demanded early repayment of their loans.Dad made more than 40 phone calls to Hayden in a single day. But Hayden didn't answer a single one. On the third day, Dad stormed into Prescott Group headquarters. "Hayden, our families have worked together for years. You can't just destroy us like this! Winifred's already dead! Even if the Lawson family goes bankrupt, it won't bring her back!"Hayden was signing the paperwork to withdraw his investments. At Dad's words, he looked up. "So, you figured you could get away with anything because the dead can't hold you accountable. That's what you believed three years ago, and you still believe it now."Dad's face turned livid. "She was my daughter!""Then why didn't you treat her like your daughter when you sold her off to save your company?"Hayden signed the final document. With that signature, Pre

Two weeks later, Winona returned to the Prescott family residence. She wore the white gown she had originally planned to wear to her engagement party.The Prescott family elders were all present.Winona's father, Vincent Monroe, placed the marriage alliance agreement on the table. "What happened with Winifred is in the past. Winona has suffered enough over the years. You can't just call off an engagement between our families over an outsider."Hayden sat at the head of the table, his expression cold. "She wasn't an outsider."Winona's eyes filled with tears. "Then what does that make me? You spent eight years looking for me."You went to such lengths to rescue me, putting together all those elaborate plans. Now that I'm finally back, you don't want me anymore?"Hayden looked at her.There had been a time when he genuinely believed he had spent his entire life waiting for Winona. There were the promises they had made as teenagers, the guilt he had carried after her disappearance,

My funeral was scheduled for an overcast day.Hayden had personally chosen a new burial plot for me. It had a beautiful view of the sunset, with orchids all around it.But just as he was about to finalize the arrangements, a lawyer arrived with my will. I had drawn it up the day before I boarded the yacht.It was brief. I had given up all assets registered under the name Willa Dawson. I had also requested that my body be cremated and my ashes entrusted to Rachel.No one from the Lawson or Prescott family was allowed to claim my remains, whether as a family member, lover, or fiancé.My headstone was to bear neither my parents' names nor Hayden's.Rachel was the only person I had authorized to see me off.The lawyer closed the file. "Ms. Lawson specifically stated that she did not want you to arrange her burial, Mr. Prescott."Hayden fell silent for a long time. "Why?" he finally asked."She said other people had made every decision for her while she was alive. And she wanted

After my funeral, Rachel released the final video I'd recorded before my death.I'd recorded it just before boarding the yacht. In the video, I was wearing a white sweater and the scarf Mom had given me.My face was pale, but my voice was steady. "If you're watching this, it means I'm already gone. Please don't be sad for me. I've just gone somewhere no one will ever find me."I glanced toward the left side of the camera. I imagined my parents sitting there, listening to me. "Dad, I hope the family business continues to thrive. "Mom, you always said my sister-in-law couldn't handle any stress during her pregnancy. Well, you don't have to worry anymore. I'll never cause her any trouble again."Jack, those lemon candies you always gave me were so sour. Actually, I stopped liking them a long time ago."At those words, Jack broke down sobbing. He remembered all the times he'd given me those candies. And how I'd accepted them every single time.He finally understood that I'd never t