The bankruptcy of the Lopez family became the biggest news in New York’s elite social circles.
But the real shocker was Kimberly Garcia, heiress of the Garcia family, being revealed as the true controlling force behind it.
Those who once mocked and looked down on me were now scrambling to curry favor.
At a commercial gala, I attended as the Garcia Group representative.
Clad in a custom crimson gown, I appeared arm–in–arm with Russell Garcia.
The room fell silent instantly, every gaze locking onto me.
Shock, envy, jealousy, regret–all flickered across their faces.
I spotted familiar faces in the crowd: Scott’s old cronies.
They turned ghostly pale upon seeing me, looking ready to vanish into thin air.
Ignoring them, I moved toward the event hosts.
Yet someone dared block my path.
“Ms… Ms. Garcia.” A slick–haired man oozed flattery, his smile greasy.
“I’m CEO Andrew from Johnson Group. We previously collaborated with… the Lopezes.”
“Perhaps we could find a quiet corner to talk?” His eyes roamed over me with undisguised hunger.
Russell’s expression darkened, but I gently pressed his arm.
Smiling coolly at Andrew, I countered, “I remember you.”
“Among Scott’s friends, you were always the loudest hurling insults.”
“Burden.‘ ‘Cripple.‘ Your creative contributions, weren’t they?”
Andrew’s face purpled, sweat beading his forehead. “Ms. Garcia, misunderstandings! All misunderstandings!”
“Scott deceived me! I never knew you were-”
“-A Garcia?” I finished icily.
“So if I weren’t an heiress–just a disabled nobody–I’d deserve your scorn? Your boot on my neck?” My quiet voice carried through the ballroom.
0.0%
07:55
Chapter 7
Onlookers stared. Andrew’s knees buckled. “Th–that’s not what I meant-”
“Then enlighten us,” Russell cut in, his tone glacial.
“Since when does a Garcia heir endure slander from your kind?”
“I expect bankruptcy headlines for Johnson Group by tomorrow.”
“Or face the consequences.”
His words held the weight of a thousand pounds, crushing Andrew to the floor.
Without a backward glance, I guided Russell away.
Midway through the gala, an unexpected figure emerged.
Maria Moore. Draped in moon–white silk, meticulously painted like an ethereal fairy, she glided toward me.
“Kimberly. Long time.” Her voice chilled the air, resentment thinly veiled.
I met her gaze impassively. “Indeed.”
“Rumor says you destroyed Scott?” she probed.
“Not destroyed,” I corrected. “Merely reclaimed what was always mine.”
She suddenly laughed, a bitter, desolate sound. “Kimberly, you’ve won.”
“You used your leg to win him for three years.
“1
“Now you’re using your family background to crush him completely underfoot.”
“Does that make you feel especially accomplished?”
I watched her contorted expression and suddenly found it rather amusing.
“Maria, have you forgotten?”
“You chose to abandon him yourself back then, colluding with his rivals in their act.”
“It was you who personally pushed him into my arms.”
“Now why come play the victim before me?”
54.9 %
07:55
288 Vouchers
Chapter 8
tt
288 Vouchers
Chapter 8
