Chapter 4 Get out of the DAWSON Family

"What do you mean, me?"Emily looked innocent.

"It was you who framed me," Fiona said, her voice trembling with urgency."You bribed the maid to give me the bracelet.You wanted to set me up, you..."

Before Fiona could finish her sentence, there was a loud slap.

Smack!

Her cheek stung with a burning pain, but Fiona couldn't focus on that.She stared fixedly at Hilbert."Dad, it's been three years.

Don't you know what kind of person I am by now?How could I possibly steal the bracelet?"

Hilbert let out a cold laugh."Three years ago, you deliberately imitated Emily to trick me into adopting you!At that time, I missed Emily so much that I went along with it.Now I realize I made a mistake.Someone like you, born vain and selfish, can never be taught to be decent!"

Vain! Selfish!

Fiona's legs went weak, and she instinctively took a few steps back.

Three years.

Three years of living together, three years of affection, and this was the judgment she received?She always thought she had a strong heart. One needle prick, she could endure that pain. Two needle pricks, she could still bear it.But what about three or four needle pricks?That kind of pain, sharp and overwhelming, felt like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami engulfing her whole being.

The intense pain made it impossible for her to deceive herself any longer. This trap wasn't set by Emily alone.Even if Emily was involved, at the root of it all, it was clear that Mom and Dad... wanted to drive her away.

"Dad, Mom, please don't say that," Emily said softly."Maybe she just liked it too much."

"Liked it enough to steal?"Hilbert sneered."I should never have adopted such a disgraceful thing."

"Dad, you shouldn't say that.My sister just made a mistake in a moment of impulsiveness," Emily said with a face full of tolerance. "If she likes the bracelet so much, let's just give it to her."

"Give it to her?Does she even deserve it?"

Hilbert said coldly."Go, take the bracelet off her."

Immediately, a servant stepped forward and roughly yanked the bracelet off Fiona's wrist.The bracelet was sized for Emily, so it was a bit small for Fiona.It was easier to put on, but taking it off was much harder.The person taking the bracelet showed no mercy, practically tearing it off.Her hand hurt all over.

Fiona's voice was hoarse."Stop, I'll do it myself."

"Ignore her, keep going!"Hilbert said coldly.

The servant pulled even harder.Her wrist hurt so much that she gasped in pain.The bracelet was finally yanked off.

Hilbert said with a blank expression, "Fiona, I told you before, if the thief doesn't step forward, they will be kicked out of the Dawson Family.Even though you're my adopted daughter, I can't tolerate this behavior.I'm ending our adoption.From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

Fiona almost lost her balance.She didn't understand.Were the past three years all a lie?Was her parents ' kindness and guidance all fake?How could they turn their feelings on and off so easily?They took their love back, but what about her?What was she supposed to do?For three years, she had loved and respected them as her real parents.In just a few days, three years of feelings had turned into this.The world was absurd, yet terrifyingly real.

Hibert continued, "And another thing, all these years you've been living with the Dawson Family, eating our food and drinks.

And what did you do?You steal from us and even dare to slander Emily!Fiona, I don't want to say more, but you need to pay back every cent you've spent from the Dawson Family."

Fiona's face turned pale.She wanted to ask: Mom, Dad, have you ever, even for a moment, truly considered me your daughter?But she knew there was no need to ask.The answer was already clear.

To the Dawson Family, she was just a replacement, a convenient tool.Who would pour their heart into a tool?Now that she was no longer useful, it was only natural for them to kick her out.Her heart ached slightly, turning cold as the chill of the night.She always thought of herself as someone carefree and understanding.Even when she saw Emily and Abel being lovey-dovey, she could just smile and brush it off.But now, she was truly hurt. Before, she didn't care because Abel and Emily never mattered to her.Feeling disheartened, was because they were her parents, the ones she had poured all her love to.She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out.She could prove her innocence today if she wanted to.But what good would it do?Her parents just wanted to get rid of her and they didn't want to bear the burden of public opinion.They wanted her to be the one at fault.If that was the case... then she would let them have their way.She decided to put an end to these three years of feelings.

Fiona spoke slowly, "Fine.I'll pay back all the money I've spent.From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."

She tried to make herself appear stronger.

She reminded herself.The more difficult the situation, the less she could show any weakness.

Hilbert narrowed his eyes, a hint of indifference flashing in them."Remember what you said.Tomorrow, I'll send you the bill.Now,you can get out."

Since he had decided to break all ties with Fiona, he wanted to eliminate any possibility of her threatening Emily.He would calculate an astronomical amount that Fiona owed the Dawson Family.He wanted to make sure she could never recover.

Fiona pressed her lips together and slowly turned around.

Abel's eyes flickered, and he suddenly said, "Wait a moment."

Officially, he and Fiona were still engaged.As soon as he spoke, everyone turned to look.

Fiona paused slightly, looking calmly at him.

"What is it?"

Abel had wanted to break off the engagement for a while but lacked the right moment.Now, the Dawson Family had handed him the perfect opportunity.Abel had no reason not to seize it.He was about to break off the engagement, he might as well get it over with in one go.She didn't want to have any more entanglements with these people.

Abel spoke coldly, "Fiona, although we are engaged, given what you've done, the Mikkelsen Family can no longer accept you."

Fiona looked at him calmly, waiting for the inevitable words.So, he was breaking off the engagement.So, he was going to humiliate her.Hadn't she suffered enough today?

In their eyes, wasn't she just a speck of dust they could trample on as they pleased?Fiona lowered her gaze, hiding the sadness in her eyes.

Abel continued, "I hereby announce that our engagement..."

He was about to declare the end of their engagement.

Suddenly, a calm voice interrupted."What about the engagement?"

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a commanding authority and pressure.At some point, Lucian had walked over with an indifferent expression.His features were refined, but his eyes were cold and distant.Combined with his natural air of nobility, it made hearts inexplicably tremble.

"Uncle," Abel stammered slightly, then forced a smile."Uncle, what brings you here?"