Chapter 8
I turned to the Tanner couple and spoke coldly.
“When Stella returned, she humiliated and framed me at every turn. You knew the truth but chose to look the other way. In the end, you threw me out with nothing, not even a coat, and I almost froze to
death on the streets.”
“I can understand that, since she’s your biological daughter. But Stella had people follow and secretly photograph me and my father, threatened my boyfriend, and posted my photos online. I won’t let this slide so easily.”
“Out of respect for the fact that you raised me, I’ll spare your lives. But from now on, in South City and in every elite social circle across the country, there will be no place for the Tanner family.”
This was essentially a public declaration of their bankruptcy, with no chance of recovery.
The Tanner couple, pale as ghosts, supported Stella as they left.
Moments ago, the newly appointed principal had issued a public notice to the entire school about Stella’s atrocious behavior, and she was officially expelled.
At the anniversary ceremony, my parents publicly announced my identity as the heiress of Forbs Corporation in front of all the students and media.
From this day forward, I would no longer be known as Caroline Tanner. My name was now Caroline
Forbs.
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In addition, they shared another joyous piece of news:
In one month, Landon Banks and I would be engaged.
I was busy scrubbing Landon Banks‘ face and ears with disinfectant wipes. By the end, Landon looked at me pitifully.
“Caroline, I already used a strong facial cleanser to wash my face ten times. If you keep scrubbing, my skin’s going to come off–it already hurts.”
I stopped, torn between feeling sorry for him and being angry.
“I wish I could replace your skin altogether! And you–when Stella Tanner’s pig mouth came near you, couldn’t you have dodged?”
The Billionaire’s Hidden Daughter
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He looked even more aggrieved.
You saw her size, didn’t you? She grabbed me. I couldn’t get away.”
Under my questioning, he swore repeatedly.
“Nothing happened between us. You don’t know–her weight is already affecting her health. Her period lasts for one or two months at a time. I used that as an excuse, pretending to care about her health, or I’d fake a stomach bleed to get admitted to the hospital–anything to avoid her.”
“During the summer, all I did was run errands for her and act as her human pack mule. I swear, there was nothing else. You have to believe in my taste!”
Afraid I wouldn’t believe him, Landon pulled out over a dozen hospital reports and admission slips.
My heart ached for this fool.
Unbeknownst to me, Stella, her face still covered in blood, was hiding behind a tree some distance away. Her eyes were filled with venom as she watched me and Landon.
Landon explained that it was Stella who told him I was the one secretly supporting him.
She also told him that after being thrown out by the Tanner family, I had no money, barely surviving on my own. She claimed all the sponsorship money and gifts I gave Landon were earned by selling
myself.
Landon had been shocked but also deeply moved and heartbroken. He blamed himself for being
useless.
To protect me, he agreed to Stella’s demands, sacrificed his pride, and asked her for one million dollars. He said it was the only thing he could give me.
Of course, he threw that bank card back at Stella during the anniversary ceremony.
Originally, Landon felt inferior about his family background and thought he wasn’t good enough for me. He was hesitant about both the engagement and joining my family’s company.
I understood his strong sense of pride–he didn’t want people to think he was a man who relied on
his wife.
Later,
my
father had a talk with him.
“With your current circumstances, you’re right–you don’t deserve Caroline.”
The Billionaire’s Hidden Daughter
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But I’ve seen your grades and the feedback from your internships. With your ability, it’s only a maiter of time before you succeed.”
“What does it mean to live off someone else? A man who’s lazy, unambitious, and relies entirely on his wife is the definition. All I’m offering you is a bigger platform to maximize your potential and save you unnecessary time. Beyond that, I won’t give you any shortcuts.”
“Think about it. Do you want to join a big platform, work hard, and prove yourself so you can give Caroline a good life sooner? Or do you want to struggle in a small company, slowly building your career while making her wait twenty years? The choice is yours.”
Landon thought about it for a long time and finally agreed to join my family’s company.
knew my father was right.
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