Chapter 107


    The buzz of confusion was palpable in the Antonio household, but none felt it more acutely than


    Billy and Lauren. They had been utterly swept away by the surprise their daughter had sprung on


    them, but now, rity was seeping in.


    Ruby''s eyes brimmed with tears as she defended herself, her voice quivering, "I lost my exam


    admission slip, and when the school called home, I thought they were talking about me..."


    Lauren''s heart ached as she watched her daughter cry. It wasn''t fair—this mess wasn''t Ruby''s fault


    at all. It was all Josefina''s doing!


    "You''ve made quite the spectacle, Josefina. Are you happy now? You watched Ruby get attacked,


    and your ns worked out just as you wanted, didn''t they? We don''t want you here, Josefina. Just


    leave!"


    In Lauren''s eyes, Josefina had orchestrated the entire debacle. She knew she was a top student


    and had shown off on purpose. Sure as day, Josefina was no good!


    Josefina let out a derisive snort, too proud to bother with an exnation. "I want everyone here to


    bear witness to the fact that from this moment on, I have no connection with the Antonio family.


    Let''s part ways. From now on, whatever happens with the Antonios has nothing to do with me."


    Her gaze shifted to Billy, and with a calm look, she addressed him, "Dad, this will be thest time I


    call you that. I still remember the kite you bought me when I was little. Even after Mom tore it to


    pieces, I kept it safe because it was the first and only gift you ever gave me. I thought you didn''t like


    me because I wasn''t trying hard enough or was good enough. I pushed myself to study, toe out


    on top, and you suspected me of cheating. Now I realize that no matter what I do, you''ll never really


    like me."


    "Mom," Josefina continued, her voice growing colder, "this is thest time I''ll call you that, too. You


    sent me away to the countryside as a child, and I never understood why you despised me so much.


    I tried so hard, just hoping for one nce back from you. Now I understand. Maybe you always


    knew I wasn''t your child. Even now, as the valedictorian of our final exams, I''m still not worthy to be


    your daughter. So, if I, one day, be wealthy and powerful, I hope the Antonio family won''te


    to me with regrets!"


    Josefina''s words were like ice. "From now on, I sever all ties with the Antonio family!" With that, she


    turned and walked away.


    Lauren heard Josefina''s deration and felt a nagging sense that she knew something.


    Had Josefina always known she wasn''t her biological child? Josefina didn''t seem to be making wild


    usations.


    "Josefina, stop right there!" Lauren rushed toward Josefina, inadvertently crashing into a nearby


    tableden with champagne flutes. The expensive wine wobbled with Lauren''s movements, and


    with a crashing sound, it all came tumbling down on her.


    ss mixed with red wine, and the pain made Lauren howl.


    The onlookers were all thinking the same thing – what a disgrace the Antonio family was!


    This celebration had turned into a farce.


    Lauren had fallen, and the room was in chaos. The guests began to show signs of disdain.


    "No wonder they never brought Josefina to any social events. They knew she wasn''t their real


    daughter all along?"


    "If they knew, why didn''t they find Josefina''s biological parents sooner?"


    "Josefina still managed to be the valedictorian under these circumstances—impressive!"


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    "Let''s go. If we stay any longer, we''ll just be rubberneckers."


    The principal and teachers exchanged nces, all equally stunned. Finally, they left. What else


    could they do but escape the spectacle?


    As for the rest of the guests, they also filed out, one by one.


    Ruby watched as Xavier strode confidently ahead as if someone was chasing him.