The True Heiress's Return

Inside the lounge, the two who had been making polite conversation were startled. Yvette clutched her chest, with panic briefly flashing in her eyes when she saw the stormy look on Shakira's face. But she quickly composed herself as if she figured something out. Evelyne also regained her calm, furrowing her brows as she coldly asked, "Who are you? Do you know what place this is? You'd better...

Shakira kept a straight face, holding her phone so high that it was almost in Evelyne's face.

The call wasn't disconnected, and Xanthe recognized Evelyne's voice. In a frantic hurry, she shouted, "Ms. Franklin, it's me. I couldn't reach you. I've lost my pass and can't get in. The security guards locked me in. Please come help me. She cries." Evelyne's expression changed slightly, and she immediately reprimanded. "How could you lose such an important entry pass?"

She exhaled sharply, speaking quickly with obvious annoyance, Ive been trying to reach you and thought you weren't coming, so I've already found someone else to perform in your place. Now that you're stuck in the holding room, stay there quietly. I'll come find you after the summit ends."

Shakira furrowed her brows deeply. "What?" Xanthe was completely shocked. "Ms. Franklin, I'm right behind the venue. You only need to tell the security, and they'll let me out. There's still time before the performance, I can...

Before Xanthe could finish. Evelyne cut her off sharply. "The performance must be perfect. If you can lose your entry pass. how can I trust your performance on stage? If anything went wrong, I'd be the one embarrassed." With that, Evelyne hung up without giving Xanthe another chance to plead.

Shakira's face turned cold. Evelyne, finding Shakira rude and clueless, ordered in her usual commanding tone. "It has nothing to do with you. Leave here."

Shakira remained still, with her piercing gaze shifting to Yvette "You'll replace Xanthe and perform the piano piece." Her tone was calm, revealing no emotion.

Yvette's face was filled with fake innocence as if she was scared of Shakira's questioning. Her voice was low as she pleaded for peace, yet her words carried a hidden warning only Shakira could understand.

"Shakira, I know you're close to Xanthe and think I've taken her opportunity to perform, but you heard it yourself, it was Ms. Franklin's decision. Today's summit is a nationally significant event, reflecting on Crescentville's reputation. You can't let your feelings ruin everyone's hard work," said Yvette.

Shakira let out a silent, cold chuckle. Suddenly, she stepped forward, and Yvette, surprised, took a step back. Unexpectedly, Shakira grabbed Evelyne's wrist and dragged her to the door, pushing her out without a word.

She closed the door and locked it in one swift motion. By the time Yvette realized what was happening. Shakira was already turning back, walking towards her. A chill ran down Yvette's sping and her whole body tensed in alarm.

"Shakira, what are you trying to do?" Yvette couldn't believe that after all she had said, Shakira hadn't understood a single word. Yvette thought, 'Is she out of her mind?"

"Yvette, was it you?" Shakira stepped closer with each step. Her face was calm, but a storm seemed to be brewing beneath, ready to overwhelm Yvette at any moment.

Yvette also retreated a step, forcing herself to stay calm. "What are you talking about? I don't get it Shakira bluntly exposed her. "You set up Xanthe's documents to go missing, leaving her stuck in confinement. You bribed Evelyne to smoothly take Xanthe's spot on stage."

Yvette's eyes widened. "That's impossible, Shakira. You must have misunderstood something. L...

"There are no cameras here, just the two of us. No need to pretend. You picked out your dress early at LK and had Felix help you connect with Evelyne. Are you going to claim you're a fortune teller, predicting Xanthe would lose her documents today?" Shakira sneered, exposing Yvette's schemes.

Yvette took a deep breath, with her last bit of pretense disappearing instantly. She was done pretending in front of Shakira.

"Yeah, so what if it was me? Blame Xanthe for being stupid and boastful, otherwise how could I have had such a great chance to take her place?" said Yvette.,

"What a shame Xanthe got locked up. Otherwise, I'd really want her to see me replace her in person. Step by step. I'd take the stage, sit before the expensive piano, perform, and earn the praise of all the high society elites and those big shots"

After shedding her pretense, Yvette unabashedly flaunted her victory, with her expression twisted into something monstrous. The greed and desire were all exposed before Shakira. Witnessing this side of Yvette, Shakira merely laughed Having lived two lives, she finally saw Yvette's true, utterly repulsive face as she imagined.

Yvette warned. "Shakira, don't even think about sticking up for Xanthe. This isn't the place for a nobody like you to show off. There are so many people outside; if you mess with me, you won't get away with it."

"Oh, really?" Shakira chuckled softly. In the next moment, she quickly reached out and easily bent Yvette's wrist.

Before Yvette could scream, there was a sharp crack. She widened her eyes in horror, fixing eyes on her broken right hand, and let out a scream.

Shakira gave a push, causing Yvette to crash into the nearby congratulatory flower display. She fell among the flowers, clutching her right hand and sobbing in pain.

"Shakira, you hurt my hand, cried Yvette.

"How dare you break my hand? You've ruined my performance today. I won't let you get away with it," cried Yvette

Yvette glared at Shakira who stood over calmly after breaking her hand. Her eyes were bloodshot with pain and anger. "Mr. Lopez can't protect you either. My parents and brother are outside, and everyone saw you lock me here. You ruined me. I'll, make sure you disappear from Crescentville forever."

Watching Yvette sitting on the floor in pain, unable to get up and just fuming helplessly. Shakira scoffed. "I've told you there's no surveillance here. What evidence do you have that I broke your hand?"

*Plus, do you think people are more interested in the gossip about your broken hand, or the truth behind Mitchell's car accident?" Shakira's words were light, yet they gripped Yvette's throat like a vice. She instantly froze.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

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