<b>Chapter 141 </b>


    Marcia froze, her movements abruptly halting as she fought to steady her trembling emotions. “What are you trying to say?”


    This bitch–could she possibly know something?


    Back then, she’d dropped out of high school, with no hope of ever making it to college. Most days, she hung around with a rough crowd, never knowing where her next meal woulde from.


    It was Frank who recognized her–or rather, recognized the jade pendant hanging around her neck.


    That moment turned her entire world upside down.


    Suddenly, she was treated like royalty.


    Frank doted on her. At the slightest hint of tears in her eyes, the golden boy born with a silver spoon would bend over backward to make her


    smile.


    She knew, no matter what she did, Frank would always forgive her–his loyalty had no limits.


    So, she married his older brother, Spencer.


    If she stayed with Frank, she’d only ever im half of the Atwater family’s wealth. But with Spencer… that was a different story.


    That way, everyst bit of the Atwater fortune–Frank’s, Spencer’s–would


    be hers.


    But then Spencer’s sudden death forced her to change her ns.


    And now, Frank’s affection wasn’t what it used to be.


    If Elissa really knew something…


    Marcia’s body tensed, her gaze sharpening despite herself.


    Elissa caught every subtle shift in her expression, a knowing smile


    tugging at her lips as she spoke, her words slicing through Marcia’s,


    10:44


    <b>wasil </b>


    you.”


    If Elissa had been mostly sure before, now she was certain.


    Marcia was, without a doubt, the same girl who used to bully her in the orphanage all those years ago.


    “You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Marcia snapped, voice quivering with emotion, her jaw clenched tight. “I’ve worn this pendant since I was a child. You have no proof it isn’t mine!”


    “Proof…” Elissa leaned back, exuding a calm confidence that made her seem far superior even from her seat. “Isn’t your anger proof enough?”


    “Who’s angry?” Marcia shot back, forcing down her agitation. The thought that Elissa might actually know something sent another wave of panic through her. “What makes you think this pendant isn’t mine? What could you possibly know?”


    Everything she had now–every luxury, every door opened–she owed to the path Frank had paved for her.


    And she knew all too well: Frank had only helped her because of this pendant.


    Because he’d mistaken her for someone else.


    To this day, she still didn’t know exactly what kind of connection there was between that prissy little princess from the orphanage and Frank.


    She’d stolen the pendant in secret back then; no one had seen her do it.


    So how could Elissa know?


    Could she have known that girl…?


    The more she thought about it, the more rattled Marcia became.


    Elissa watched her spiral and couldn’t help but find it odd. “It’s just a piece of jewelry. It’s not like you’d go to prison for taking it. Why are you so nervous?”


    <b>2/3 </b>


    <b>10:44 </b>


    <b>Chapter </b>141


    Something didn’t add up. It had been years–there was <i>no </i>way to find proof now, and even if Marcia had stolen it, Frank would still protect her.


    So what was Marcia so afraid of?


    Realization dawned on Marcia as well. As long as Frank never found out, what did she have to worry about?


    She drew a deep breath, forcing her voice to steady. “Why would I be scared? I just can’t stand being used of something I didn’t do. Isn’t what you’re saying basically calling me a thief?”


    Elissa’s tone was cool, almost indifferent. “You didn’t mind being the other woman. Why be so afraid of being called a thief?”


    Marcia choked on her retort, then let out a derisiveugh. “You’re just mad because you can’t win your own husband’s heart. Looks like you’re the one who’s really losing it.”


    “You’re right,” Elissa replied lightly, unconcerned. She grabbed her purse and stood to leave.