Chapter 2

I turned to see Rowena walking over, holding a little girl dressed in designer children's clothing.

Her gaze swept over me before she covered her face and shrieked: "Claire, it really is you! Why are you dressed like this?"

Her deliberately shocked exclamation drew countless stares.

Among the crowd, several wealthy women who'd never liked me recognized me first and immediately mocked:

"Oh my, isn't this Mrs. Shaw? Haven't seen you in years---why do you look so shabby? Oh wait, my mistake---Mr. Shaw divorced you ages ago. No wonder you've fallen so far."

Rowena sighed, feigning sympathy:

"Claire, let me have the maid bring you some clothes. They're servant's clothes, but they're a hundred times better than what you're wearing."

Hugh Shaw pulled her into his embrace, his tone gentle: "Rowena, you're always so kind."

Watching their coordinated performance, I couldn't help but scoff. Six years later, Rowena was still this fake.

I looked up, my tone cold and hard: "No need. I can't accept anything from you."

The wealthy woman who'd mocked me earlier actually called security:

"How can just anyone get in here? Guards, throw these two beggars out! They're an eyesore!"

Several security guards strode forward, their expressions serious as they moved to escort Nora and me away.

My eyes flashed coldly as I pulled the invitation from my purse. "I was invited to attend this gala."

The guard took the invitation and verified it, momentarily unsure how to proceed.

Rowena stepped forward, feigning surprise: "Claire, you didn't steal that invitation, did you? After all, six years ago you were kicked out of the Shaw family for stealing. I didn't expect you to still be at it---even daring to steal an invitation to a charity gala."

My whole body trembled as towering rage surged in my heart. So after I left, they'd actually accused me of being a thief.

I stared hard at Rowena, my voice cold: "I steal things? Why don't you talk about how you steal men?"

Rowena's face instantly darkened, her eyes full of venom.

Whispers began circulating around us, and the looks people gave Rowena changed.

Just then, a reprimanding voice suddenly rang out: "You wretch! What are you doing back here?"

The crowd parted as two people pushed through---my adoptive parents.

My adoptive father's face was livid. He raised his hand to slap me across the face, shouting:

"You worthless thing! Stop spouting nonsense and ruining Rowena's reputation!"

Caught off guard, I was struck and turned my head, my ears ringing.

"Mom!" Nora rushed to my side, her voice tearful.

I forced a weak smile and gently comforted her: "I'm fine."

My adoptive mother immediately stepped forward, pointing at my nose and cursing:

"Claire Winston, you ungrateful wretch! Mrs. Shaw's position was always meant for Rowena. You, a fake who stole what wasn't yours---what right do you have to slander her here? If we hadn't adopted you, you would have died on the streets long ago, and yet you dare frame our precious daughter!"

Adopted? I laughed bitterly inside.

Years ago, when I went out with my birth parents, I accidentally got separated from my family and happened to be found by my adoptive mother, who had just lost her own child.

Seeing no one around, she'd hurriedly carried me away and used me as a replacement for her biological daughter.

If not for them, I wouldn't have been separated from my birth parents for so many years.

Fortunately, after the divorce, through a series of coincidences, I found my birth parents and finally learned the truth about my origins.

I held Nora tightly and snatched the invitation back from the guard, my voice cold: "Get out of my way!"

Rowena glanced at the name on the invitation and immediately laughed mockingly: "Claire is really bold---stealing from Pierce Ashford himself."

A busybody leaned in, and after seeing the signature, exclaimed dramatically:

"Everyone knows Mr. Ashford is the most valued successor of the board's senior members, and he heads the corporation's technology division with countless teams under him. You actually dared to steal from him---you're done for!"

Mocking voices surrounded me, but I remained unusually calm. Meeting everyone's gaze, I said each word deliberately: "He is my husband."