The foul-smelling spitnded squarely on Aurora''s face the face of a girl known for her fastidiousness and poise.


    Aurora froze, utterly stunned.


    It felt as if her blood had turned to ice, every breath searing cold into her lungs. She stood there shaking, teeth chattering, as if she''d been cast into a snowstorm with no hope of warmth.


    But worst of all was not the humiliation itself, but the scornful stares that pressed in from every direction, sharp with contempt, cutting deeper than any words could.


    News spread like wildfire between the contestants, especially when it involved someone as high-profile as Aurora.


    Groups clustered together in hushed whispers, but their eyes never left her. Each nce was like a knife, slicing straight to the bone.


    "God, I can''t believe she''s the illegitimate one. I always thought she was the Williams family''s golden girl," someone murmured, just loud enough to be heard.


    "Illegitimate kids aren''t rare these days, but one who''s this bold? That''s a first," another added.


    "Exactly. Most families hide them away, terrified of anyone finding out. But her? She parades around like she''s some sort of socialite, always front and center in the spotlight."


    "A socialite? Please. I''ve never heard of a so-called ''firstdy'' who''s actually a love child," someone scoffed.


    "And her mother-what nerve. After rescuing Skyler, she just kept him hidden away? Aurora''s fans keep making excuses, saying Skyler lost his memory and her mother didn''t know he was married. But back then, there were missing person ads everywhere—TV, radio, newspapers, online. Even outside my building, there were posters. If I knew, how could her mother not?"


    "I actually looked up the old


    headlines just now," another voice chimed in. "Skyler was a real piecez of work. Back in the day, he unted that socalled ''true love'' around everywhere. All the tabloids had pictures of him and that woman together, out on dates, eating at fancy restaurants. Not a single photo of him with Nora. The press yed up the angle that Skyler''s marriage to his wife was just a business deal, no real feelings involved, while his ''true love'' was some tragic, star-crossed romance."


    "Sounds just like Haynes and Rachel, doesn''t it? Everyone knew Haynes was married, but nobody knew to whom her name wasn''t public until Ste@nd Haynes had that big falling out. Turns out, Ste was the wife all along."


    "Birds of a feather, right?" someone muttered darkly.


    "Aurora''s so lucky-her mother''s death gave her thisdder out of her ss, a chance to rewrite her destiny. But what about Nora and Ste? They''re the real victims here..."


    "Mistresses are always marked for shame. How''s she going to keep up her perfect-goddess act now?"


    The truth was brutal: over ny percent of people would never ept children born out of wedlock. Inheritance rights or not, no one wanted a surprise sibling showing up to im a share of their parents'' love-or their money.


    Aurora had always seemed untouchable-admired for her status, beauty, intelligence, and charm. She''d never endured humiliation like this, not once.


    She bit down on her lip, face drained of color, her whole body swaying as if she might copse at any moment.


    Aurora had never allowed herself to appear weak in public. Yet now, her eyes burned with unshed tears, and she couldn''t stop them from welling up.


    Suddenly-smack! A bottle of soda flew straight at her.


    The cap hadn''t been screwed on properly, and fizzy liquid sshed all over Aurora''s face and down her clothes.


    For a few stunned seconds, her mind went utterly nk. She couldn''t even process what had just happened.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!