Chapter 163


    Lillian’s eyes brimmed with tears as she nodded in agreement with Miranda’s words. “Mom, don’t say


    that. I never intended to hide anything. I was just worried about hurting someone’s feelings.”


    She dabbed her eyes theatrically, feigning deep emotion.


    From her seat in the audience, Brielle couldn’t help but snicker at the charade. Miranda and Lillian were


    both clearly trying to sling mud her way. And Lillian had even crafted a perfect excuse for her little fling


    with Spencer. She imed their secret rendezvous was out of fear of breaking Brielle’s heart.


    How utterly shameless.


    The crowd picked up on the insinuation and their gazes turned toward Brielle, filled with scorn and


    disdain.


    “She’s been living someone else’s life for over a decade, and she doesn’t seem the least bit


    remorseful.”


    “So, Lillian and Spencer are the real couple, and Brielle’s just a homewrecker?”


    “Can you believe she even leaked that video, trying to ruin them with public opinion? Her actions are


    unforgivable.”


    At this point, everyone remembered the video that had circted in their social circles. If Spencer and


    Lillian were truly an engaged couple, what they did in private was their business.


    Brielle, the interloper, had stooped so low as to use such tactics against them. People felt


    ufortable sharing the same space with her, some even shifting away from her proximity.


    Despite their looks, Brielle’s face remained calm, with a faint smile. Everyone expected her to show


    signs of heartache, disappointment, or hysteria, but there was nothing. Brielle appeared so serene, as


    if the drama unfolding had nothing to do with her, as if she were just a spectator. Yet, the subject of the


    onstage discussion was undoubtedly her.


    Inexplicably, the crowd’s attention subtly shifted to Max, who sat in a corner,zily fiddling with his


    rosary. There was a striking simrity in their demeanor.


    Miranda and Lillian, who had been performing on the stage for so long, felt a bit awkward seeing Brielle


    being so indifferent. The atmosphere in the venue also became subtly tense.


    Finally, Miranda cut to the chase, “Bri,e up here. I have something to say to you.” Her tone


    softened, but her eyes held a veiled threat.


    Still smiling, Brielle replied, “Just say what you have to say. I can hear you perfectly fine from here.” Her


    voice was cool and detached as if she were addressing a stranger.


    Miranda was infuriated and embarrassed. After raising Brielle for so many years, herck of gratitude


    was appalling.


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    Chapter 163


    In front of everyone, she felt humiliated, unsure of how to react. It was Lillian who stepped in. “Mom,


    Brielle’s upset. Let’s not force her. This is my fault. We’ve got a house full of guests tonight. Let’s not


    discuss this now. We can talk privatelyter, okay?”


    Lillian’s defense of the very person who had stolen her identity for years could only be seen as a sign


    of her kindness. The crowd was moved, and their nces at Brielle wereced with irony.


    One kind and gentle, the other malicious and selfish. There was noparison.


    Unable to contain himself any longer, Spencer stood up. “Brielle, stop acting so holier–than–thou. Don’t


    you think you owe Lillian an apology?”


    No one expected Spencer to be the one to confront her. Faith was beside herself with rage. Hadn’t she


    warned him? The spotlight tonight was supposed to be on the Haywood family.


    Her fists clenched in anger, but she dared not step forward rashly.


    Spencer couldn’t stand the sight of Brielle acting as though she was above it all. Most troubling to him


    was how her demeanor seemed to mirror Max’s, which set him on edge.


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Even now, as he berated Brielle, as he resented her, the thought of breaking off their engagement


    made his eyes sting with pain. What was happening to him? Why was he so conflicted?


    “Apologize?” Brielle lifted her eyelids slightly, her gaze sweeping over him. “Apologize for what?”


    Spencer took a deep breath, his teeth clenched with anger. “For willfully taking over her life. For


    usurping her parents. If it weren’t for you, she wouldn’t have suffered all these years. And you have the


    nerve to ask for what you should apologize?”