Chapter 6

Amelia's POV

Two weeks later, the Sterling family officially entered the New York market, hosting a grand celebration gala at The Plaza Hotel.

The Sterlings grandly announced that they had found their long-lost daughter, but to protect her privacy, her identity would remain undisclosed for now.

At the same time, Daniel Sterling emphatically stated to the media that their adopted daughter, Lily Sterling, remained the Sterling family's most beloved daughter, her status unshakeable.

As an indispensable figure in the New York business world, I received an invitation.

Dressed in a fiery red gown, I appeared at the gala, coolly stunning.

No one knew that I was the true protagonist of this evening, the daughter deliberately hidden, even guarded against, by my own birth parents.

In the hotel's garden, the massive outdoor pool shimmered, reflecting New York's dazzling neon lights.

I stood by the poolside, holding a wine glass, trying to suppress the churning turmoil in my chest.

Faint footsteps approached from behind, accompanied by a cloyingly sweet perfume.

"Amelia, what a coincidence."

Lily, in a custom-made princess dress, walked up to me like a triumphant swan.

The Lily of this moment no longer exhibited the timidity and innocence she showed Ethan. Her eyes held an undisguised malice and smug satisfaction.

"Do you need something?"

I couldn't even bother to spare her a glance, my eyes still fixed on the distant night skyline.

Lily leaned closer, lowering her voice to a whisper meant only for us.

"Amelia, I actually saw the Sterling family's investigation report a long time ago. I know you're the real Sterling daughter who was lost."

My hand, holding the wine glass, paused slightly. I turned, looking at her coldly.

"But so what?"

Lily's smile was vicious and unrestrained. "Mom and Dad chose not to reveal you to spare my feelings. And Ethan... he even personally warned the Sterling family that if you dared to come back and bully me, he would cut off all cooperation with them."

"Amelia, so what if you're high-born? The man you loved for seven years is now my protector. You're destined to be a pitiful soul no one wants."

Looking at Lily's arrogant face, I felt no anger, only a bleak desolation in my heart.

"Are you done?" My tone was indifferent, as if I were watching a clown. "If you're finished, leave."

Lily's eyes flashed, and a strange smile curved her lips. She suddenly lunged backward.

"Ah!"

With a piercing scream, Lily fell into the deep pool, splashing a huge amount of water.

"Lily!"

A furious roar erupted from nearby.

Ethan rushed over like a madman, not even taking off his suit jacket, and unhesitatingly leaped into the pool, pulling the flailing Lily to the surface.

The commotion drew all the guests, including my parents, who rushed over upon hearing the news.

Ethan carried a soaking wet, shivering Lily ashore.

Lily immediately clung to his neck, sobbing uncontrollably. "Ethan, I'm so scared... I just wanted to say hello to Amelia, why did she push me down..."

Ethan's head snapped up, his dark eyes burning with fury. He stared at me like an enemy.

"Amelia! You're utterly insane!"

Ethan gritted his teeth. "Are you using those dirty tricks from the business world on Lily now? What did she ever do to you to deserve such malice?"

"I didn't push her." I stood ramrod straight, my voice clear and cold, without a trace of panic.

Slap!

A sharp slap cracked through the night air, interrupting my defense.

It wasn't Ethan who slapped me, but a furious Mrs. Sterling, my birth mother.

Mrs. Sterling trembled with rage, pointing a finger at my nose and cursing.

"You evil woman! Lily is so kind, how dare you push her! I'm warning you, if anything happens to Lily, our Sterling family will not let you get away with it!"

I turned my head. Five red marks rapidly appeared on my fair cheek, bringing an unbearable pang of pain.

I looked at my birth mother, glaring at me, then at Ethan, who was tightly embracing Lily, his eyes filled with disgust for me.

Everyone present was condemning me, insulting me.

I stood alone, like a monster abandoned by the world.

"Ethan," I suddenly smiled, a beautiful, heartbreaking smile, my eyes filled with shattered despair. "In your eyes, I'm such a monster, capable of murder out of jealousy, aren't I?"

Ethan looked at my smile, then coldly turned his gaze away. "You disappoint me greatly."

"Understood, then."

I nodded, making no further attempt to defend myself.

I turned, my three-inch heels clicking, walking out of the Sterling family's gala step by step, proud and resolute.

The night wind blew, and my slender silhouette seemed as if it could be swallowed whole by this cold world at any moment.