?Chapter 53:


    “Elliana, everyone must confront the consequences of their actions. There’s no escape through avoidance or denial. Fortunately, your youth when those mistakes urred means people will forgive you. Simply live honorably from now on.” Paige’s words dripped with false concern, each syble striking Elliana like a physical blow.


    Elliana pierced Paige with an icy stare. “The police never confirmed anything back then. What authority grants you the right to judge me?” The mysterious fire that year remained unsolved. Though investigators concluded it was arson, they never identified the perpetrator. The usation against Elliana had been maliciously fabricated by the Jones family.


    Elliana’s pointed challenge left Paige scrambling to appear wounded. “Elliana, I speak only for your benefit. I hate seeing you stumble through life, repeating one error after another.”


    A harshugh escaped Elliana’s lips. “Are you threatened by my search for truth? Why resist uncovering what really happened? Does guilt haunt you?”


    Panic shed across Paige’s face. “Elliana, stop this nonsense! What possible reason would I have for guilt? I was merely eight when the fire urred. How could it involve me?”


    “Indeed.” Elliana’s lips curved into a dangerous smile, unafraid to expose secrets before millions of livestream viewers. Since Paige was determined to destroy her, she abandoned all pretense of civility. The time hade to shatter this carefully constructed facade. “My parents remained married when the fire devastated our lives, yet you’re three years my senior, being my half-sister. Isn’t that intriguing?” The observation struck Paige’s most vulnerable point. Nothing terrified her more than public discussion of her illegitimate birth. Elliana’s calcted revtion forced her to press her lips together in rigid silence, terrified that further conversation would expose even more humiliating truths.


    Though Paige retreated into silence, the livestream chat erupted with spection.


    “I dismissed it as gossip before, but Elliana’s public statement and Paige’s inability to deny it suggest the rumors were urate. Kiara truly was the mistress!”


    “Now Elliana’s hostility toward Paige makes sense. Is Elliana avenging her mother?”


    . brings magic to life


    “Paige’s mother destroyed Elliana’s parents’ marriage, so Elliana targets Paige’s rtionship. Perfect karmic justice!”


    “I loathe home-wreckers and feel zero sympathy for their illegitimate children. Despite Paige’s beauty, she’ll never earn my support!” Witnessing public opinion turn viciously against Paige, Haley frantically signaled the camera crew to redirect focus toward the next guest.


    Vivien stepped into the spotlight. The moment cameras captured her, she waved enthusiastically and beamed. “Hello, everyone! I’m Ran’s sister, Vivien. My mission on this show is protecting my brother and his fiancée’s perfect rtionship from any outside interference!”


    Vivien’s rehearsed deration, prepared before Elliana’s explosive revtion about Paige’s illegitimate origin, had been crafted to target Elliana.


    The whole crew’s original strategy involved portraying Elliana as harboring designs on Ran, suggesting she joined the show to steal Paige’s fiancé. However, circumstances had shifted dramatically, and Vivien failed to adapt, inadvertently deepening Paige’s humiliation. The livestream chat immediately reignited discussions about infidelity and homewreckers.


    Paige shot Vivien a venomous re, muttering through clenched teeth that Vivien was an absolute imbecile.


    Oblivious to her blunder, Vivien eagerly anticipated exposing Elliana’s former supposed feelings for Ran, salivating at the prospect of humiliating Elliana before millions.


    Haley, however, dared not risk another disaster and swiftly directed cameras toward the next guest.


    The following introductions proved disappointingly mundane.


    Two freshly debuted male artists, Townsend Herrera and Cesar Chapman, clearly hoped to benefit from proximity to the celebrated actor Kent, yet neither possessed any distinguishing qualities.


    Two rich girls, Nayeli Byrd and Celine Rivera, alongside a loaded guy, Joaquin Fairclough, simrly failed to capture any meaningful attention.


    The final guest, however, offered an unexpected breath of fresh air. Hailee Loftus stood apart—a recent college graduate from modest origins, her background sharply contrasting with the assembled elite. The previously subdued livestream chat suddenly buzzed with renewed interest.


    “Hailee radiates authenticity—gentle, unspoiled, her natural appearance feels refreshingly genuine.”


    “Wait, isn’t this program titled ‘The Heiress’ Graduation Trip’? How did someone ordinary secure a spot? What purpose does she serve?”


    “Will a regr person inevitably suffer among these wealthy heirs and socialites?”


    With quiet confidence, Hailee smiled and shared her purpose. “My goal is simple: meet diverse individuals, experience new perspectives, and expand my knowledge. I appreciate your understanding.”


    The other guests exchanged contemptuous smirks.


    Elliana’s gaze sharpened as she sensed something amiss.


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