Chapter 3

The entire ballroom exploded into whispers, every guest wearing a look of shock and disbelief.

Julian was the first to react. He took a step forward, practically yelling, "Charlie, do you even know what you're saying? Have you lost your mind?"

Julian’s defense instantly gave the panicked Charlotte a boost of confidence. She stepped out from behind him, tears welling in her eyes, and glared at me.

"Don't listen to him! He's lying!"

"Charlie, do you think no one sees through your sick, twisted mind? You couldn't have Julian, so you lost your mind! You're actually accusing your own sister of being fake just to ruin us! You have no decency!"

"You're just a twisted, disgusting creep who's obsessed with his own sister's fiancé!"

Charlotte's voice grew more and more hysterical.

Faced with this massive wave of slander and the suspicious looks from the crowd, I merely let out a soft chuckle.

I looked at Julian, whose face was completely pale, and asked casually, "Julian, do you remember the time you and Charlotte were rushed to the hospital together when you were eight?"

The question was so sudden.

Julian froze, his voice stiff. "Yes, I remember. Why... why are you bringing that up now?"

I didn't answer him directly. Instead, I shifted my cold gaze back to Charlotte.

"That's because Charlotte is extremely allergic to mangoes. You sneaked into the kitchen with her and ate the mangoes meant for dessert, which caused severe laryngeal edema. She almost choked to death."

"But Charlotte, the dessert I just gave you was a mango pudding. You ate quite a bit of it, yet you didn't have any reaction at all."

"Care to explain?"

Hearing this, Julian gasped, suddenly realizing something was wrong. He instinctively let go of Charlotte's hand.

Charlotte’s eyes darted around, and she shrieked, "Explain what? It was just a childhood allergy! People outgrow them all the time!"

"You said it yourself, it happened when we were eight. Because that allergy was so severe, I underwent advanced immunotherapy when I was abroad. I've been cured for years!"

"Wrong again!"

The moment she finished, I smirked and shook my head.

"I lied to you. It didn't happen when we were eight. It happened when we were seven!"

"It was the day right after your seventh birthday party. Right, Julian?"

Charlotte never expected my real trap to be here. Her eyes widened in panic. She instinctively looked at Julian.

Julian didn't say a word. Instead, under the watchful eyes of everyone in the room, he stared at Charlotte and took several steps back, putting a clear distance between them.

His silence was deafening.

Instantly, the atmosphere in the ballroom grew tense and bizarre, filled with hushed whispers.

Charlotte began to panic, but she still desperately tried to deny it. "That was a childhood memory! It's been over ten years! Who remembers things that clearly?"

"Besides, everything you've said is just your speculation and testing. Where is your proof? You have no real evidence! You're just playing word games to frame me!"

Taking a deep breath, Charlotte looked around the room. She put on a brave, wronged front, squaring her shoulders as she spoke.

"Fine! Since everyone is doubting me, I know that if I don't clear my name today, I'll never be able to hold my head up in this city again. Charlie, go ahead! Bring out whatever 'proof' you think you have!"

"But let me tell you, I knew a sick freak like you would target me when I returned. I came prepared with absolute proof of my identity! But if it turns out you are just slandering me—"

"I want you to get down on your knees and beg for my forgiveness! And then, you will pack your bags and get the hell out of the Vance Group!"

I smiled with satisfaction.

"Deal."

Truthfully, I was tired of playing games with this imposter anyway.

I shrugged, raised my hand toward my assistant standing offstage, and ordered, "Gary, since everyone is waiting for proof, bring it out."

**Chapter Four**