Ca sat on the other side of the ss, clutching the phone in trembling hands. Her voice broke as she pleaded, “Pearl, you''ve finallye to see your mother."


    A flicker of hatred passed through Pearl''s eyes.


    She dug her nails deep into her palm, fighting the wave of nausea that rose in her chest. There was no way she could ever ept this pathetic woman as her mother.


    Her mother-her only real mother-was Eleanor.


    If Ca hadn''t raised Isadora, none of this would have happened. Isadora never would have returned to the Vaughan family.


    Pearl should still be the cherished heiress of the Vaughan Group, the beloved daughter of Eleanor and Richard-their little Pearl.


    But now, she had been thrown out of the Vaughan family in disgrace, more lost and humiliated than she''d ever been. The girls she once called friends-all from the city''s wealthiest circles—now shunned her, giving her a wide berth as if her misfortune might be contagious.


    Prescott Vaughan still sent her some money, but life now was nothing like before. The difference was night and day.


    She''d tried again and again to beg Eleanor and Richard for forgiveness, but they refused to see her.


    Desperate and out of options, Pearl finally remembered Ca.


    A bit of asking around revealed that Ca was about to get out of prison.


    An idea took root, and that''s why Pearl hade to see her.


    Pearl''s voice was icy cold. "Thanks to your daughter Isadora, I was kicked out of the Vaughan family."


    Ca stared at her in disbelief. "What? The Vaughans adored you! Why would they ever do that?"


    Pearl''s face twisted with bitterness. "Why don''t you tell me? Since you were the one who swapped me and Isadora at birth, why didn''t you just get rid of her? Or disappear as far away as possible? Why did you have to bring her back? Everything I had is gone-ruined, just like that!"


    Back when Isadora was weed home, Ca had never been afraid. She thought the Vaughans'' love for Pearl was unshakeable. All those years of scheming to pave the way for her daughter had seemed worth it.


    She never imagined things would end up like this.


    Ca mmed her fist onto the table, her voice trembling with emotion. "Don''t worry, Pearl. I''m about to be released. I promise, I''ll help you get your life back. As for Isadora-don''t worry about her. I''ll take care of that girl. She won''t stand in your way."


    *


    Sometimes, when Richard was away, Isadora would visit Eleanor at Vaughan Manor.


    Today, as she stepped into the grand foyer, she found Eleanor looking much improved. Several jewelry consultants were spread out in the living room, disying thetest seasonal pieces.


    Eleanor spotted Isadora and beckoned her over. "Isadora,e see if there''s anything you like."


    Isadora remembered how, every season, Eleanor would choose a few sets of jewels to wear to charity gs and parties. Pearl was always the one sitting at her side, trying on nes and bracelets, the perfect society daughter.


    Now, standing in Pearl''s old ce, Isadora felt strangely out of ce, her interest faint at best.


    One of the jewelry consultants smiled. "Miss Vaughan, the sapphire bracelet you''re wearing is worth more than everything we brought todaybined."


    Eleanor nced at the bracelet on Isadora''s wrist. The sapphires gleamed, each stone perfectly cut and dazzling—a truly exquisite piece.


    Eleanor waved a hand dismissively. "That''ll be all for today. We''ll look again another time."


    The consultants began packing up the glittering jewels, carefully returning each piece to its case.


    Isadora''s gaze drifted over the tray, and she picked up a pearl ne, idly turning it over in her hand.


    One consultant''s eyes lit up, sensing a potential sale. "Miss Vaughan, do you like


    that AMANI pearl ne? It''s a one-of-a-kind piece."


    Isadora looked at Eleanor. "I seem to remember Pearl wore this once."


    At that, Eleanor took the ne and examined it closely. "Your grandmother gave that to her on her sixteenth birthday."


    The consultant exined quickly, "This ne was part of a lot we acquired— jewels that had been pawned."


    At that moment, Laura, the housekeeper, came down from upstairs. "Ma''am, all of Pearl''s valuables-her jewelry, everything is gone from her room."


    Eleanor could hardly believe it.


    She''d only meant to give Pearl a wake-up call, a chance to reflect. If Pearl could admit her mistakes and change, maybe just maybe she''d get another chance.


    But Pearl''s heart was pitch-ck.


    Eleanor''s voice was tight. "You may all go. Leave the pearl ne I''ll take it. Put it on my ount."