Unmasking Falsehoods

Madison jerked her head up. Her eyes were wide with panic as she stared at me.

With a scoff, I looked down at her. She was probably wondering how I knew she wasn't just an adopted daughter but Tyler's illegitimate child.

But I wasn't about to explain myself to her.

Today, all the truth would come to light.

Unfortunately, despite what I said, no one seemed ready to take my side.

After all, over the years, Madison had attended various events with Tyler as the successor of the traditional pottery. Many people had known her.

Meanwhile, ever since my mom, Lindsay Campbell, passed away, I'd been living in seclusion with Grandpa. There, I learned the art of traditional pottery in the mountains. I rarely stepped into the outside world.

Just as we were in a standoff, a man suddenly stepped onto the stage. He glared at me with a sharp, commanding gaze. "Enough!"

I recognized him immediately. He was my fiancé, Wilson Guzman, who had a small but notable reputation in the heritage community.

He knew all about my family's situation, including the truth about Madison and me. Our engagement was common knowledge, but I knew he wouldn't tell the truth.

After all, during the years I'd been in the mountains, he'd already been secretly involved with Madison.

As expected, he first rushed to help Madison to her feet, then accused me sternly, "What the heck are you doing, Phoebe? Maddie's always been patient with you at home, but this isn't the place for you to spout nonsense.

"Since you're claiming Maddie is impersonating you, I'll testify for her. She's the Campbell family's heiress, the true successor of traditional pottery, and my one and only fiancée!"

With Wilson vouching for Madison, my credibility was shot. Everyone practically wanted to rush up and throw me off the stage.

"Get out of here! A mere adopted daughter can never take the stage!"

"The Campbell family is a well-known name in the heritage community. Does she think we've never seen its heiress? How dare she confuse the facts?"

"Wilson is the Campbell family's son-in-law. He would never mistake his own fiancée! Honestly, liars deserve to be punished harshly!"

Realizing the situation had turned in their favor, Madison straightened up. She linked her arm with Wilson's as she said, "It's okay. Phoebe is just a bit naive. Let's spare her this time. If she likes the trophy so much, she can keep it.

"I believe traditional pottery is too important to be defined by a single trophy. With Grandpa and me, we'll ensure the craft thrives and grows!"

Her words were poised and diplomatic, making me seem petty and unreasonable in comparison.

Wilson's gaze hardened as he looked at me. "Maddie is being magnanimous, but I can't stand seeing her wronged.

"You better give the trophy back to her now, or I'll be sure to tell your dad, and he'll teach you a lesson for being so out of line."

He made his threat, expecting me to cower. But I just smirked. My tone dripped with disdain as I replied, "Sure, why don't you go ahead and tell him? Now? Or should I call him myself? I'm curious to see if he dares to teach me a lesson."

The audience erupted in shock. No one expected me, a mere adopted daughter, to speak so boldly.

Everyone started to curse at me.

"Shameless, utterly shameless! A mere adopted child thinks she can bully the true heiress!"

"I bet the Lloyd family has been too kind to her. She doesn't even respect her own father! What a waste, raising someone like that!"

"No wonder she was adopted. If her biological parents saw how vicious she's become, they'd probably regret not choking her when she first started crying!"