Chapter 4

The Smith family arranged a storage room for me—dark, damp, and smelling of mold.

As soon as I entered the room, I opened my phone messages.

Declan's messages came pouring in.

"Baby, how did it go? Were they excited to see you? Did they frantically try to make it up to you?"

"Did they love you? Did they cry and hug you?"

"I said I'd come with you, but you refused. I really want to see you reunite with your family. It must have been so emotional and moving, with everyone in tears."

"Is it too late to come now? I miss you already after being apart for just a little while. Do you miss me?"

I shook my head at the messages. Others probably couldn't imagine that the usually cold and decisive Declan had such a clingy side.

Unfortunately, he'd guessed wrong.

I told him what happened.

He immediately called, his voice angry. "Baby, how can they treat you like this? They're so blind."

"I'm coming to get you right now and show them how wrong they are."

I refused directly. "No need. I have a better idea."

"Let them be happy for now."

I explained my plan. Declan nodded. "Okay, whatever you say, baby. I just don't want you to suffer. How can you stay in a storage room?"

"It's fine. It's only three days."

"But can you check something for me? I suspect I'm not actually their daughter."

No one would treat their biological daughter this outrageously. I suspected this was all a scam.

"Okay."

Declan readily agreed. After hanging up, smelling the moldy odor in the room, I really couldn't stand it. I'd spoken too confidently earlier—three days would be really hard to endure.

But then Jenny knocked on the door.

"Declan's banquet has been moved up to tonight. Don't forget what you promised—to marry Leo."

I froze. Declan had moved up the banquet.

Seeing that I didn't respond, she thought I was going back on my word and quickly said, "You promised this yourself. You can't go back on it."

I looked at her with a half-smile. "Don't leave out half of what I said. I said if Declan doesn't like me, then I'll marry Leo."

She snorted coldly. "Is there any way that could change? He'd have to be crazy to like a country girl like you."

"Remember, important people will be at the banquet tonight. Don't you dare embarrass the Smith family, or I'll skin you alive."

I nodded indifferently.

When we were about to leave, Tom frowned at me. "You're going to the banquet dressed like that? Not even wearing a gown? Are you deliberately trying to embarrass the Smith family?"

"But you didn't give me..."

Vivian immediately spoke up with fake concern, her eyes red. "Dad, don't blame Rhea. She grew up in the countryside, so she doesn't know you need to wear a gown to a banquet."

"Rhea, I have a few gowns in my room you can wear. But the banquet is about to start, so..."

Jenny waved her hand. "Someone like her wouldn't look like a socialite no matter what gown she wears. Just leave it."

A smug smile appeared on Vivian's lips.

But when I was about to get in the car, Vivian blocked me.

"Rhea, the car is full. Why don't you take a taxi?"

The car drove off. This family—this was an upscale neighborhood. Where was I supposed to find a taxi?

I called Declan directly.

"They left me behind. Send a car to pick me up immediately."