Abruptly, Zoey tightened her grip on the porcelain spoon in her hand.

Zoey wasn't foolish. She knew the old lady would never expose this matter to her before compiling substantial evidence.

Since the old lady had finally come to Zoey, it meant that Zoey's identity was mostly confirmed.

Although she didn't want to accept the truth, the reality was always harsh, so she was forced to face it.

“I already know what you want to say. Tell me your conditions. What do I have to do for you to keep this secret for me?”

Beatrice smiled elegantly. “Looks like you've already accepted the truth, Ms. Shurmer. That's great. Now, I'll stop beating around the bush. I want you to rescue my daughter.”

Zoey's face twitched violently as her expression turned malicious.

Who is this old lady's daughter? It's that b*tch, Rhonda! I was extremely delighted after I found out that Rhonda was pranked by Artemis and was abandoned to become a beggar's wife. However, she's asking me to rescue her now? She's clearly doing this on purpose to disgust me!

“I can't agree with this. Give me another condition.”

Beatrice stirred her cup of coffee and sneered, “It seems like you're still unaware of the current situation, Ms. Shurmer. I'm the one who has something on you. You don't really have a choice. After all, I have the leverage to make you lose everything.”

“You—” Zoey was frustrated, but she couldn't do anything because she was afraid.

She was afraid to lose everything and end up living a poverty-stricken life if she was stripped of her identity as the Shurmer family's heiress.

“Fine. I'll agree with your condition. But you can't force me to do anything else after this is done.”

“Oh, you silly girl. Do you think that's possible? Now that I have dirt on you, you can only do as I say.”

“You—”

Beatrice laughed maniacally. “You better think this through. Once your identity is exposed, Bailey will replace you and become the Shurmer family's beloved heiress.”

Hearing that, Zoey gritted her teeth so hard that a crunching noise could be heard coming from her jaw.


This old lady isn't easy to deal with. She secured her position in the family as a mistress, so she has plenty of tricks up her sleeves. If I anger her, she might resort to extreme methods.

“Give me three days. I will save Rhonda and send her back to the Jefferson residence.”

“In that case, thank you, Ms. Shurmer.”

Zoey remained quiet.

Bailey met up with Edmund in a restaurant.

She felt the need to have an open conversation with him.

Regardless of whether he could accept it or not, she couldn't continue keeping him in the dark.

Previously, there was nothing she could do, as she didn't know the truth.

Since she had found out about everything and finally understood her own feelings clearly, she should stop leading Edmund on so that he wouldn't continue wasting his time on her.

In a private room in the restaurant, Bailey poured two glasses of wine and handed a glass to Edmund.

“Come on. Let's have a couple of drinks.”

With that, Bailey lifted her glass and bumped it lightly with Edmund's glass. Then, she downed the wine in one go.

The alcohol was strong, but it felt great.

Edmund lowered his gaze and downed his wine, imitating her.

After a few rounds of drinking, Edmund stopped the woman from grabbing another wine bottle. He then said in a torn voice, “Bay, you're like strong alcohol. Everyone who has gotten a taste of it will definitely enjoy it, and I'm no exception. Falling in love with you is inevitable because you deserve to be loved by any man in the world. However, Artemis is slightly luckier than me, as he had gotten the bargaining chip to marry you.”

Bailey was stunned and looked at him in surprise. Then, she frowned and asked, “So, you already know?”

Edmund smiled bitterly. “What are you referring to? The fact that I already know you've fallen in love with Artemis? Or the fact that Zayron, Susan, and Max are Artemis' children?”

Bailey was stumped by his words. This man is too smart. He didn't fight for me, not because he couldn't win against Artemis, but because he already knows my heart is inclined toward Artemis.

“How did you find out about the children's background?”

“Is it difficult to guess? Rhonda didn't give birth to Max, so he must be stolen from someone close to her. Besides, your eldest son died unexpectedly right after you gave birth to him. Hence, the chance of him being swapped by others is high.”

Swapped?

This word reminded Bailey of her background.

She wasn't the Jefferson family's daughter, but Clarence thought she was. Therefore, there must be a hidden story behind this matter.

Looks like I shall investigate what happened back then. Does my mother's death have something to do with my parentage?

“Bingo. You've guessed it. They are Artemis' children. Edmund, I've spent six years trying to accept you. Yet, I finally realized today that I'll never be able to change the way I see someone no matter how hard I try. You are one of those people.”

A bitter smile appeared on Edmund's face as he asked in a hoarse voice, “Then, what am I to you? A friend?”

Bailey shook her head and murmured, “You're more than a friend, but less than a lover. You could say we're soulmates.”

Edmund's lips moved slightly. However, he said nothing in the end.

He reached for the bottle of wine and started chugging the content.
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