Chapter 30
Chapter 3
Carol rushed over crying, grabbing Grandma’s hand. Her whole demeanor shifted instantly – suddenly all pitiful and heartbroken.
“Mom, I’ve been searching for you forever! Forty years out there on my own, and I finally found my family p>
“Thank God I didn’t give up – now I can finally have a home p>
Grandma’s expression didn’t change as she looked around the room. “You’re saying you’re my daughter p>
Carol nodded frantically, snatching the DNA report from my hands to show Grandma.
After reading it, Grandma stared at Carol for several long seconds.
Carol didn’t seem to notice, pulling her daughter forward.
The girl played her part perfectly, voice dripping with fake sweetness.
“Grandma, I’m Lily – your real granddaughter p>
They crowded around Grandma like bodyguards, shooting us suspicious looks like we might attack.
But Grandma didn’t give them the reaction they wanted. She sat down, her tone serious:
“Baby switches are no joke. My husband isn’t here yet. Tell me how you figured this out p>
Speaking of this, Carol’s lip started trembling again, the waterworks starting up.
“I grew up with nothing. All I ever wanted was to find my real family p>
“Thanks God, last month I was cleaning out my foster mom’s stuff after she passed, and I found her diary. That’s when I learned I was switched at birth forty years ago p>
“Do you have any idea how hard it was to find you? I even got the DNA test done first because I was scared you wouldn’t believe me p>
Carol’s voice was all humble and understanding.
“I know you’ve gotten attached to the fake heiress over the years. Even my brothers are protecting her stuff p>
“You don’t have to kick her out for my sake – the Hartwells can afford to keep us both around p>
With that, she kept dabbing at her eyes, constantly glancing at Grandma for approval.
Grandma stayed quiet while my uncles exchanged uncomfortable looks.
“ But Pearl and Aria have their own places anyway. They just visit here sometimes p>
Carol’s eyes went red, pointing at Mom and me in shock.
“Why do THEY get all those houses? That’s Hartwell money – it should all be MINE p>
Her voice cracked, and she nearly forgot all about playing the sweet victim. Pure jealousy poured out.
“Mom, now that I’m back, shouldn’t I get what was always meant to be mine p>
“The Hartwells are loaded! Pearl and Aria must have tons of assets – those houses, cars, and millions of dollars should all come to us p>
Then Carol turned to my uncles with a calculating look:
“Brothers, I’m just a woman – I don’t understand business. If Pearl gives me back what’s mine, I’ll sign over the company shares to you guys. ”
Chapter 3
But my uncles just looked at each other awkwardly.
“We don’t run the company either. We already signed our shares over to Aria – Mom and Dad have been grooming her as the heir p>
Now it was Lily’s turn to lose it. She pointed at me, eyes blazing with hate.
“Why does Aria get to inherit everything? I’m your real niece p>
“Grandma, are you seriously going to hand the family business over to outsiders p>
I snorted. “Get real. You think I’d trust the company to someone who’d burn through everything in a month?” This text is hosted at.net
Lily’s eyes flashed. “I’m the real Hartwell! Once I get what’s rightfully mine, everything belongs to me p>
“When Grandpa gets here, you’ll all pay for this p>
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.