Chapter 3

The classmates chimed in, eager to please the future billionaire's wife:

"Exactly! If you're going to scam someone, at least do it right! You think we're stupid enough to believe your word?"

"Stop humiliating yourself, Audrey! Back in school, you always acted all pure and untouchable while pretending to be rich. We were sick of you then!"

"Total copycat! First she stole Jessica's art, then she copied Jessica's outfits! Even Dolly the cloned sheep didn't last that long!"

"Get on your knees and apologize to Jessica right now! She’s kind enough that she might actually let you off easy!"

Looking at their sneering, sycophantic faces, the reality of who these people were finally hit me.

"Fine. If you refuse to stop, I have no reason to spare your dignity."

"This estate is registered under my name and my husband's. Trespassing on private property is a felony."

I pulled out the master key to the villa and shoved it into the lock.

It didn't turn.

The key wouldn't budge an inch.

Jessica and her entourage burst into mocking laughter.

"Audrey, are you enjoying playing the clown this much?"

I stood frozen, completely dumbfounded.

How was that possible? This was my family's private villa!

Jessica covered her mouth, chuckling wickedly. "Since you refuse to wake up from your little fantasy, let me shatter it for you."

She gestured, and Chloe handed her a sleek folder.

Inside was a notarized property deed to the villa and an official marriage certificate.

Printed in crisp, bold lettering were the names: *Lucas Adams and Jessica Vance.*

"Impossible! You must have changed the locks!"

I was gasping for air, trembling from sheer fury. "Lucas and I are legally married! We just welcomed our daughter this year!"

I didn't know what her angle was or how she had forged official legal documents so quickly.

"Jessica, forging government documents is a federal crime! Back down right now!"

"Otherwise, I swear to God I will call the police!"

Jessica lunged forward and struck me with another vicious slap.

"Audrey, you ungrateful wretch! You think official state seals can be faked?!"

Brad stepped up, taking charge of the public execution.

"Audrey, since you want to push your luck, I won't hide the truth for you anymore!"

"Back in college, she was a kept woman! Every single night, different luxury cars picked her up right outside the campus gates!"

"She claimed her family bought all those designer bags, but from what I heard, her parents were just broke, low-class nobody traders!"

The alumni exchanged gasps of malicious revelation.

"I knew it! A serial home-wrecker!"

"She probably used that baby to trap some married man!"

"Jessica, you were way too merciful back in the day. That’s why she dares to ruin your wedding now!"

"She probably came here specifically to seduce your husband! You need to teach this bitch a lesson she'll never forget!"

Suddenly, several people lunged from behind, pinning my arms down hard.

I couldn't move.

Before I could utter another word, Brad’s hand came down across my face twice.

*Crack! Crack!*

My ears rang violently. Humiliation and burning fury scorched every nerve in my body.

"I didn't lie! My family is filthy rich!"

"Lucas IS my husband! If you don't believe me, let me go home and get our actual marriage certificate!"

"Or let me call him right now! One phone call, and you'll see who's lying!"

Jessica flicked her manicured fingers. "One last chance."

They released me. My hands shook as I grabbed my phone and dialed Lucas.

Once. Twice. Three times.

Voicemail every single time.

My heart plunged straight into an icy abyss.