Chapter 431

Uncovering the Truth

Inside the Rolls–Royce, the silence was thick enough to cut.

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Matthew leaned back in his seat, his face unreadable in the dim light. “Andy,” he said finally, his voice quiet but edged with something dangerous. “What exactly happened back there?”

Andy hesitated for only a second before answering. “Mr. Stewart, it was Naomi and Ruby. They set the whole thing up. If you hadn’t stepped out to the restroom when you did… things with Naomi could’ve gotten complicated. Real complicated.”

Matthew didn’t respond right away. He just lowered his gaze, staring at nothing. The quiet in the car felt heavier now, pressing in from all sides.

Robert shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. He glanced at Matthew, then away. “Look, the Hamiltons don’t want this getting out. I know what Naomi did was out of line, and I’m not saying it wasn’t. But… given your history with that family…” He trailed off, unsure how to finish.

When Matthew still didn’t speak, Robert let out a long breath. “Ah, forget it. You do what you think is right. I’m staying out of it.”

Matthew gave a faint nod. “Mm.”

Robert blinked, surprised. “Wait–so you’re really not gonna push back on this?”

“She probably doesn’t want it to blow up,” Matthew said quietly.

Robert’s eyes went wide. “She? You mean Dr. Hamilton?”

Matthew didn’t answer, but the silence said enough.

“Matthew,” Robert said carefully, leaning forward, “you and Dr. Hamilton… Is there something there?”

Matthew kept his eyes on the window, saying nothing. No confirmation. No denial.

Robert sat back, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Well, If it’s her you’re interested in, then I’ve got nothing to worry about.” He looked genuinely relieved. “At least now I won’t have to lie awake at night wondering if you’ll ever settle down.”

Matthew finally glanced at him. “Grandpa, don’t read too much into it.”

Robert snorted. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”

But inside, he was already celebrating. This was the first good news he’d gotten in a long time.

Matthew turned back to the window. The city lights blurred past as the car moved through the streets, but his mind was somewhere else entirely.

He kept thinking about Arabella–how calm she’d looked when she came back. How indifferent. After everything that just happened, was she really that composed? Or was she just better at hiding it?

Over at Cloudrise Manor, the family had gathered in the living room. The mood was heavy, the kind of silence that settled deep in your bones.

1/3

1:20 pm PM

Chapter 431 Uncovering the Truth

Naomi sat with her head down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. No one could tell what she was thinking

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Florence reached over and gently touched her arm. “Naomi, sweetheart, if you’re tired, why don’t you head up to your room and rest? You’ve been through a lot tonight.”

Naomi didn’t move at first. Then, slowly, she lifted her head. Her voice came out rough, worn. “Dad, Mom.”

Florence leaned in, her tone soft. “What is it, sweetie?”

Naomi looked at them both, her eyes glassy. “Those guys tonight–the ones you brought in. Which one are you planning to make my fiancé?”

Florence hesitated, exchanging a glance with Jonathan. “That’s… That’s up to you, sweetie. Whoever you want. And if none of them feel right, that’s okay too. We’re in no rush. You take your time and find someone you actually care about.”

Naomi let out a hollow laugh. “I only care about Matthew. Can you give him to me?”

Florence’s face fell. “Naomi…”

Jonathan sighed heavily. “Naomi, we understand how you feel. We do. But Matthew’s made it clear he doesn’t want to go through with the engagement. You can’t force something like that.”

Even if both families pushed them into a relationship, they’d never be truly happy.

Ethan, who had been quiet until now, spoke up gently, “Dad’s right, Naomi. You can’t make someone love you. Even if the families pushed it through, you’d just end up miserable.”

Naomi’s laugh turned sharp, bitter. “If he doesn’t love me, then who does he love? Her?”

She pointed straight at Arabella, who had just picked up a forkful of melon.

Arabella paused for half a second, then calmly took the bite.

Florence’s brows drew together. “What does Arabella have to do with any of this?”

“Are you kidding me?” Naomi’s voice cracked. “She’s the real Hamilton heiress. The real daughter. I’m just some stray you picked up along the way. Now that she’s back, I’m supposed to know my place, right? Step aside quietly like the good little imposter I am?”

Florence’s eyes welled up. “That’s not true, Naomi. You are our daughter. You always will be.”

Tears streamed down Naomi’s face, but she shook her head violently. “Stop lying to me. Stop lying to yourselves. The Hamilton name? Hers. The Stewart marriage? Hers. Mom and Dad? Hers. My brothers? Hers. What’s left for me?”

Her voice rose, raw and trembling. “I’ve known about the engagement since I was a kid. I waited my whole life to grow up and marry him. I loved him for years–and now it’s just… gone. Called off like it meant nothing. And you’re already ready to pass me off to some stranger like I’m a problem to be solved.”

She was sobbing now, barely getting the words out. “None of you even asked how I felt. Why would you? I’m just the fake. The stand–in. The only person whose feelings matter in this house is her–your real daughter.”

Alfred, who had been sitting rigidly the whole time, finally snapped. “Enough.”

His voice cut through the room like a blade. Naomi flinched, going pale.

2/3

3:20 pm PWM

Chapter 431 Uncovering the Truth

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Alfred stood up, his expression stern but not unkind. “Even if Arabella weren’t here–even if she’d never come back–if Matthew wanted to call off the engagement, we would’ve let him. This has nothing to do with Arabella. It never did. All we care about is whether you’re happy. That’s it.”