Panicking at Her True Colors

A fake heiress exposes her real identity so that I can be found—all because she wants me to marry the crippled man who's supposed to be her husband.

She puts on an act before the whole family, wanting to drive a wedge between us. She has no idea we can all hear her thoughts.

When she slashes her palm and frames me for it, she's cursing in her heart. "Hit her, you worthless man!"

When she falls down the stairs and blames me for it, she's thinking, "Teach her a lesson, you silly old woman!"

When she buries herself in my brother's arms and acts aggrieved, she's actually thinking, "He's such a loyal dog."

My father, mother, and brother are stunned by what they hear. Then, they're infuriated.

I merely laugh and turn away, acting like I don't see anything. I just want to complete this special mission as soon as possible.

When Yelena Sterling, the fake heiress, found me, I was fishing by the river under the scorching sun.

She grabbed my hand with tears in her eyes. "Mary, I finally found you!"

Before I could react, a group of people yanked me off the fishing boat and shoved me into a luxury car.

The moment the car door closed shut, the smile on Yelena's face vanished. It was replaced by an icy glare that seemed to pierce through me like an arrow.

She didn't move her lips, but I could hear her thoughts loud and clear.

"This is infuriating! How is this woman so pretty? She looks absolutely stunning! Pfft, what does it matter? She's just a pawn to take my place and marry that cripple anyway.

"This is all because of my useless mother. She can't even cancel one stupid engagement! If not for that, I wouldn't have to let this woman return to the family.

"Even if she comes back to the Sterling family, I'll make sure she never has a good day in her life."

Half an hour later, we switched to a private jet and arrived at the top of the most luxurious skyscraper in the heart of Ashborough before nightfall.

The place was dazzling with lights. A grand banquet was in full swing.

Yelena led me through a side door into a lavish suite.

Before stepping inside, she pulled out a knife from who-knows-where. Its blade glinted coldly under the light.

She raised an eyebrow at me. Before I knew it, blood was trickling from her palm and the knife somehow ended up in my hand.

With a dramatic shove, she burst through the door with her arms wide open and threw herself into the embrace of a well-dressed woman, screaming, "Mom! Dad! Johnny! Help me!"

Blood streamed down her arm. The people in the room shot up from their seats. Their eyes were filled with shock and distress.

Johnny Sterling rushed forward and pulled out a handkerchief to wrap her wound.

"It's Mary… she tried to kill me!

"Mary, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to steal your life from you. Why won't you believe me?"

The parents and brother I had never met before immediately closed ranks around Yelena. Their brows furrowed in unison.

They turned to look at me standing at the doorway, and their gazes were filled with disgust.

I stared at this united front and felt a pang of sorrow welling up within me. Then, I said flatly, "She cut herself. It has nothing to do with me."

Johnny clenched his fists. "How dare you make such a blatant lie while holding the knife in your hand! You're just like what the private investigator said—utterly vicious!"

A private investigator? They had me investigated? Why didn't I notice that?

My elegantly dressed mother gently comforted the sobbing Yelena, then turned to glare at me furiously. Her eyes were red.

"Even knowing your true nature, Yelena still insisted we bring you back. She was afraid you'd suffer outside. How could you be so heartless and hurt her?"

My successful businessman of a father let out a heavy sigh. He seemed filled with disappointment. "If you want to return to the Sterling family, you must get on your knees and apologize to Yelena for today's incident. The Sterling family will not harbor ungrateful, knife-wielding criminals. Kneel!"

Yelena raised her chin and smiled smugly. She looked at me tauntingly.

I had once imagined what it would be like to meet my birth parents, but I never expected it to be like this.

I stared at them but didn't move.

"Johnny, if she refuses to apologize to Yelena, then break her legs."

Johnny approached me slowly.

My eyes turned cold. I flexed my fingers, and the knife twirled deftly between them. The sight of it made the four of them freeze.

With a flick of my wrist, the knife flew into the air. As it fell, I caught its blade between my fingers, then, with a swift motion, sent it whizzing past Johnny's head. The knife embedded itself deep into the wall behind him.

I slowly entered the room and said in a chilling voice, "I don't hold back when I strike. But since you're my biological parents and brother, I'll let this slide. Remember, don't try this again."

Johnny shut his mouth mechanically and swallowed hard.

My father instinctively pulled my mother closer. His eyes were filled with fear.

At that moment, Yelena's thoughts surfaced in my mind again.

"What are you waiting for, you idiots? Are you seriously scared of that? Didn't I tell you she learned some parlor tricks? That's just a stupid trick to fool morons like you!

"Why are you two old geezers just standing there? Aren't you supposed to love me the most? Are you just going to let her get away with this? Scold her! Do something!"

The three of them tensed instantly. They turned around to look at Yelena in unison.

The atmosphere grew heavy, and I smiled.

She probably hadn't realized it yet, but we could all hear her thoughts.

With Yelena around, this operation was about to get much more interesting.