Reclaiming What Was Meant to Be Mine

Chapter 20 Framed

Chapter 20 Framed

"What else could it be? She's just someone who came out of a slum. I don't know how she managed to manipulate the Smith family into adopting her. That woman is so arrogant. She thinks she's entitled to be treated as their daughter just because she's living in their house. And what's even more infuriating is that she somehow convinced the Smith couple to let her stay in Linda's room," Amelia pouted as she defended her good friend.

At the mention of Roslin, Amelia's anger flared up. She firmly believed all these troubles were caused by that wretched Roslin. If it were not for her, none of these issues would have arisen, and Amelia would not have ended up being slapped.

Roslin!

Amelia gritted her teeth as she silently repeated that name in her heart.

Although she was innocent, straightforward, and devoid of any schemes, the same could not be said for her parents.

They exchanged a glance as they sensed something fishy.

"Who told you all these things?" Natalia asked.

"Of course, it's Linda," Amelia replied. Then, she realized that she might have revealed too much about her good friend and hurriedly added, "We noticed that Linda was in a bad mood, so we asked her about it. You know how reserved Linda is. She hardly ever talks about these things."

Natalia shook her head as she looked at her innocent daughter.

"Let Sona treat your face."

After sending her daughter away, Natalia turned to James and said, "Lucinda's personality doesn't seem like someone who would spontaneously adopt a child. She was hesitant to adopt Zed initially. It doesn't add up for her to suddenly adopt a girl out of nowhere."

James nodded in agreement.

He made a phone call. "Gather more information about the adopted girl in the Smith family. Yes, the adopted girl. The more details, the better."

Twenty minutes later, the investigation results came back.

"Our speculation was correct. The child they recently adopted is actually the biological daughter of the Smith couple, and it appears that Linda was the one mistakenly taken," James explained with a sigh.

They had heard of such incidents before, but it was the first time that someone so close to them had witnessed it firsthand.

Natalia was surprised, and then a realization struck her. "No wonder. Linda didn't tell Amelia the truth."

With that, Natalia smiled and said softly, "Speaking of which, since this entire situation started because of her, we can use her to help resolve the issues between our families." Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"I believe people would find this kind of rare occurrence quite intriguing, especially when it takes place within a wealthy family. It's quite captivating-a girl from a slum taking the place of the true heiress. It's more thrilling than any TV drama. Don't you agree, Darling?"

James embraced his wife and let out a chuckle. "You're always full of ideas. But what if those people online don't buy into it?"

"It's simple. We can allocate some funds to hire a team of internet trolls who can manipulate public opinion and divert everyone's attention to this issue. Even if a few people continue to make a fuss about our situation, it won't pose a significant problem."

In the end, this incident caught both families off guard.

James gently kissed her forehead. "Go and comfort Amelia. I was a bit too harsh earlier."

"So now you're feeling sorry for her?" Natalia playfully scolded. "She does deserve to be disciplined."

After finding Amelia, Natalia looked at her swollen face with a mix of pity and anger. "You have to be more careful in the future."

"Even you're saying that, Mom," Amelia pouted with grievances.

"Don't believe everything Linda says in the future. Use your brain."

As Amelia was still immersed in her sulking, her mother's words failed to register with her. They went in one ear and out the other, and she merely responded with half-hearted words, "Okay, okay, I understand."

...

"I finally reached you." Jack sighed in relief. "The online sentiment has shifted, and both families should be taking action. If you want the matter to stay in the spotlight, you'll have to spend money to hire internet trolls. Otherwise, you won't be able to outplay the other side."

While flipping through the latest news that had surfaced, Roslin listened to Jack and calmly responded after he finished, "No need. Let's end this matter here. I'll transfer the remaining payment to you now."

After hanging up the phone, she took out the SIM card from her mobile phone and threw it into the toilet before watching it get flushed away and disappear.

"Miss, dinner is ready."

Just as Roslin reached the staircase, a stern shout came from behind.

"Stop."

Roslin ignored it and continued walking downstairs.

Seeing her not stopping, Linda angrily descended. As she reached out to grasp Roslin, she lost her balance and fell forward before smashing heavily onto the floor.

"Ah!" Linda let out a miserable scream.

The piercing sound was highly penetrating and spread throughout the entire villa. Lucinda in the living room, John in the study, Mary and others hurried over.

"What happened?" Lucinda hurriedly approached her daughter on the floor. "Linda, why are you on the ground?"

"What happened? Why all the commotion?" John walked down from upstairs and saw Linda sitting on the ground, his eyebrows slightly furrowing. "What's going on?"

Linda endured the pain with teary eyes. "I'm fine, Mom and Dad. Don't blame Rosy. It was an accidental fall."

Instantly filled with anger, Lucinda rushed toward Roslin and raised her hand to slap her.

However, the sound of a slap did not resound as Linda had hoped. Instead, she saw Roslin firmly gripping Lucinda's wrist. With a flick, Lucinda staggered back two steps.

"You've gone too far. You slapped your sister and now dare lay a hand on me. Do you still have any regard for me as your mother?" Lucinda angrily reprimanded.

"If you treat me as your daughter, I'll treat you as my mother. If you don't, then you're not my mother."

"You..." Lucinda turned to look at John. "Honey, just listen to the nonsense she's spewing."

"Nonsense?" Roslin sneered. "You believe her one-sided words and immediately resort to violence. Let me ask you. Have you ever treated me as your daughter? If not, what right do you have to speak to me?"

Linda tried to climb up to intervene. But as soon as she stood up, she fell back heavily. She seemed to be in too much pain to get up. Anxious, she exclaimed, "Mom, it's not her fault. It was my carelessness. Please don't blame her. It's all my fault. I'm the one to blame."

The more eagerly she admitted to all the accusations, the less Lucinda believed her.

"Honey, just look at Linda and look at her. This girl, who doesn't even live with us, has developed all sorts of bad habits and constantly resorts to lying. If other families were to witness this, what reputation would be left for our family?"

John looked at Roslin. "What's going on?"

"Dad, please don't blame Rosy. It's my fault." Linda hurriedly defended. Her young face had turned pale while fine beads of cold sweat formed on her forehead.

John's eyebrows furrowed deeply as he felt a pang of heartache. His gaze shifted toward Roslin, growing colder and more stern. "Explain yourself."