"You know how it is. She's just someone from the slums who somehow managed to get adopted by the Whitewood Family. That woman acts all high and mighty, thinking she's the Whitewood Family's daughter just because she's living under their roof. What's worse, I don't know how she sweet-talked Linara's mom and dad into letting her move into Linara's room," Abigail fumed, clearly upset on behalf of her friend. Her temper flared at the mention of Seraphina. This whole mess is because of that little b*tch Seraphina! If not for her, none of this would've happened, and I wouldn't have ended up getting slapped! Darn you, Seraphina! Abigail gnashed her teeth at the name. She was straightforward and not one to scheme, but her parents were different. They exchanged a glance, sensing something amiss. "Who told you all this?" Aubriana asked. "Linara, of course," Abigail replied. Realizing she might make her good friend seem gossipy by saying that, she quickly added, "We noticed she seemed upset, so we asked. You know her. She'd never make up things like this." Aubriana looked at her innocent-minded daughter, shaking her head in resignation. "Tell Mary to put some medicine on your face." After sending her daughter away, she turned to Damarion and said, "Chloe isn't the type to suddenly adopt a child. She was reluctant even when adopting Aidan. It doesn't make sense for her to adopt a girl out of the blue." "Yeah," Damarion agreed, nodding. He made a phone call. "Find out more about the Whitewood Family's adopted daughter. Yes, the adopted one. The more details, the better." Twenty minutes later, the results came back. "Our guess was right. The child they recently brought in is Chloe and Oberon's biological daughter. It turns out Linara's the one who was mistakenly taken," Damarion said with some regret.He had heard of such things before, but seeing it happen to someone close was a first. Aubriana was astonished, and then realization dawned on her. "No wonder. Linara didn't tell Abigail the truth." She chuckled softly. "This whole thing started because of her, and now it might just solve the troubles between our families. I bet these people would be interested in such a rare incident, especially in wealthy families. A child from the slums and a case of mistaken identity replacing the real heiress—it's more thrilling than any TV drama. Don't you think so, dear?" Damarion pulled his wife into his arms, smiling. "You always have the best ideas. But what if people online don't buy it?" "It's simple. Spend some money, hire a troll army, steer public opinion, and shift everyone's focus to this matter. Even if some keep harping on about us, it won't stir up much trouble." Ultimately, this incident caught both families off guard. Damarion kissed her on the forehead. "Go comfort our daughter. I might have been a bit harsh just now." "Now you feel sorry?" Aubriana teased with a smile. "She probably deserved it." Finding Abigail, she looked at her swollen face, torn between concern and anger. "You, my dear, need to be more careful in the future." "Mom, even you're scolding me," Abigail said, pouting. "Next time Linara says something, don't take it all to heart. Use your head," Aubriana advised firmly. Abigail was still upset and unable to absorb the advice. It went in one ear and out the other as she placated her mother with, "Okay, okay, I get it." … "I finally reached you." Grady Sloan, the tabloid reporter, breathed a sigh of relief. "The tide has turned online; both families have intervened. If you want to keep the momentum going, you'll need to spend on internet trolls. Otherwise, you won't outplay them." Seraphina scrolled through the latest news updates while listening calmly to him. After he finished, she replied, "No need. This matter ends here. I'm transferring the final payment to you now." After hanging up, she extracted the SIM card from her phone and flushed it down the toilet, watching it swirl away and disappear. "Miss Seraphina, dinner is ready." Just as Seraphina reached the staircase, a stern voice called out behind her. "Stop right there!" Ignoring the command, Seraphina continued downstairs. Seeing her disregard, Linara rushed down in anger, attempting to grab her. In her haste, she lost her footing, tilting forward and crashing heavily to the ground. "Ah!" She let out a piercing scream of pain. The sharp sound echoed through the entire villa, reaching Chloe in the living room, Oberon in his study, and Jasmine, among others, who all hurried over. "What's going on?" Chloe rushed forward anxiously as she saw her daughter lying on the ground. "Linara, what happened to you?" "What's all the fuss about?" Oberon came from upstairs, his brow furrowing slightly as he saw Linara sitting on the floor. "What's going on here?" Linara's eyes misted over as she endured the pain. "I'm fine. Mom, Dad, don't blame Seraphina. It was my own clumsiness that caused me to fall." Chloe's anger flared instantly. She charged toward Seraphina, raising her hand to slap her. The sound of the slap that Linara hoped for didn't come. Instead, Seraphina firmly grasped Chloe's wrist. With a swift motion, Chloe stumbled back a couple of steps. "You've gone too far! You hit your sister, and now you dare to raise your hand against me? Do you have any regard left for me as your mother?" Chloe rebuked angrily."If you treat me as your daughter, then I'll treat you as my mother. If you don't see me as your daughter, then you're not my mother," Seraphina retorted coldly. "Why you…!" Chloe turned to Oberon. "Honey, did you hear what nonsense she's saying?" "Nonsense?" Seraphina let out a sneer. "You believe her one-sided story and slap me without hesitation. Have you ever treated me as your daughter? If not, what right do you have to judge me?" Linara tried to get up to intervene, but as soon as she rose, she fell back heavily, seemingly too hurt to stand straight. Her expression was anxious as she exclaimed, "Mom, it really has nothing to do with Seraphina. It was my own carelessness. Don't blame Seraphina. It's all my fault. My bad." The more desperately she confessed to all the blame, the less Chloe believed her. "Honey, look at Linara, then look at her," Chloe said, gesturing toward Seraphina. "This girl, not living with us, has picked up all sorts of bad habits, lying at the drop of a hat. If other families see this, our family's reputation will be ruined." Oberon turned to Seraphina. "What's going on exactly?" "Dad, don't blame Seraphina. It's my fault," Linara hurriedly defended, her face pale from pain, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Oberon frowned deeply, a trace of pity flickering in his eyes. His gaze toward Seraphina turned colder. "You explain."