Chapter 3

After leaving the ballroom, I was taken directly to a heavily guarded villa community.

Attorney Hale walked me to the door and handed me a black card and a new phone.

“Miss Bennett, this is for your living expenses, and there is no limit. My number is saved in the phone, so you can contact me twenty-four hours a day if you need anything. Mr. Reed is handling some business overseas right now, and he will come see you as soon as he returns.”

I took the items and thanked him.

Attorney Hale nodded, then left with his people.

I walked into the villa and looked at the luxurious but cold house, while memories from my past life and this life tangled together and left me dazed.

I actually did not know Adrian Reed.

Or rather, in my last life, I had only seen him a few times on financial news.

He was Ethan Reed’s uncle, but he was a taboo in the Reed family. No one dared mention his name in Ethan’s presence.

Rumor said he was ruthless, self-made, and had built a massive business empire overseas, making him someone who truly stood at the top of the pyramid.

The reason I told that lie at the gala was nothing more than a desperate gamble when I had no other way out.

I bet that Adrian Reed did not get along with his nephew Ethan Reed, and I bet that he would enjoy seeing the Reed family and the Bennett family lose face.

I did not expect to win the bet.

Adrian Reed not only played along with me, but he also did it so thoroughly that he cut off all my escape routes and pushed me into a completely new and unknown situation.

Early the next morning, the drama at the Bennett family’s birthday gala swept across the internet.

#RealAndFakeHeiressTurnAgainstEachOtherAtBirthdayGala#

#BennettAdoptedDaughterTriesToMarryUpClaimsSheIsPregnantWithBillionairesChild#

#ReedGroupHeirPubliclyAnnouncesEngagementToRealBennettHeiress#

The Bennett family and Ethan Reed had clearly joined forces on PR, and the online comments almost all smeared and attacked me.

They painted me as a gold digger who was twisted by jealousy, would do anything for money, and had falsely accused others after failing to latch onto the wealthy.

Meanwhile, Sophia Bennett became the kind, innocent, perfect victim hurt by her evil sister.

The attached photo showed her “weakly” lying in a hospital bed, with Ethan Reed lovingly staying by her side.

As I looked at those reports that twisted right and wrong, I felt no anger at all and only found them ridiculous.

This was their usual trick, and in my last life, this was exactly how they ruined my reputation step by step until I was isolated and helpless.

My phone rang, and it was Attorney Hale.

“Miss Bennett, do you need us to handle the public opinion online?”

“No need.” I answered calmly. “Let them make noise, and the louder it gets, the harder they will fall when the truth comes out.”

“Understood.” Attorney Hale did not ask further. “Also, the legal process to sever your adoption relationship with the Bennett family has already started, and these are the documents you need to sign, so I will have someone deliver them to you shortly.”

“Okay, thank you.”

After hanging up, I looked at the bright sunlight outside the window, and my heart was perfectly calm.

The Bennett family, Ethan Reed, and Sophia Bennett.

I had seen enough of your performance.

Now it was my turn to take the stage.