Chapter 406

Natalie let out a bitter laugh. “So I’m the one talking nonsense now? Please. This whole setup tonight was just a show to drag me through the mud in public.” “I’ve been pretending not to know, carefully keeping up appearances for your sake. And you two? You figured I wouldn’t dare fight back, so you just teamed up and threw me under the bus like this!” “You act all high and mighty, acting like you’re doing what’s right. Talking about who’s the real Allen family heiress, huh? Well, guess what? Turns out my kid isn’t even worth as much as some woman you messed around with.” “You got your wish, didn’t you? I’ve become the joke of Smokefall. Fine, then. Let everyone see just how you’ve humiliated me.” Her words hit like a punch—grief-filled and cutting. They carried a lot of weight. First: Claire? Clearly being outed as Harold’s illegitimate daughter. Second: Natalie had always known. She just chose to pretend for the sake of face. Third: Eleanor propped Claire up in a deliberate slap to N