Chapter 26
Emma’s voice was ice–cold, laced with authority. “You should call her Ms. Maddie Evans.”
Jane flinched, the weight of the words sinking in. “It‘ s… it’s Maddie Evans…” she stammered, her voice wavering, as she forced a smile.
Emma didn’t miss the hesitation. “Since you re so eager to apologize to Maddie, then you should post an apology statement online. It’s the least you can do.”
“No way!” Jane blurted out before she could stop herself, her face turning pale at the very thought.
Emma’s eyes narrowed, his voice turning sharp. “Why not?”
Jane hesitated for a moment, then snapped, “That would ruin my image! Maddie Evans may be your sister, but I’m the one working tirelessly to make money
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Chapter 26
for the company. I’m in the middle of publicity campaign for my new movie. How can I risk exposing such negative news about myself?”
my
Emma’s lip curled into a sneer, his gaze piercing. “Jane, do you honestly think you could have become the female lead without the company’s backing? Without all the resources poured into you?”
Jane straightened, a flush of defiance rising. in her chest. “What do you mean? Of course, I’ve earned my place. I have more contracts than any other artist in the company. I’ve worked hard and my value. is clear.”
Emma stood up, his posture dominating as he leaned over the desk, fixing her with a piercing gaze. “Let me make one thing. clear. Everything you have now–the roles, the fame, the opportunities they were all given to you by the company. And if we wanted, taking it all away would be as easy as a snap of the fingers. You‘ re not ast
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irreplaceable as you think.”
Jane’s confidence wavered, but she quickly tried to regain control. “But I-”
Emma cut her off, his tone dropping to a dangerous whisper. “The company didn’t promote you because of your talent, Jane. No, it was because you looked like Maddie, a cheap imitation. You‘ re just a stand–in, a substitute for the daughter we lost. Now that she’s back, you’d better understand your place. If you want to continue enjoying the perks you have, you’ll do as I say. Apologize publicly, or there will be consequences.”
Jane’s hands clenched into fists, her nails. biting into her palms until they were white. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. She remembered when netizens had pointed out that she resembled Maddie. At first, she had dismissed it–how could she, a rising star, have anything to do with an orphan like Maddie? But now, the irony hit her. She was nothing more than a second–rate
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“Fine.” Jane finally gritted out through clenched teeth. “I agree to issue the apology.”
In less than twenty minutes, Jane‘ s apology statement went viral, immediately trending on social media. In her post, she confessed that she had been the one to leak Maddie’s photos from the orphanage and encouraged online bullying out of jealousy over Maddie’s relationship with Rico.
As if on cue, Evergreen Mediat, the agency behind both Jane and Maddie released bombshell announcement. The company revealed that Maddie was, in fact, the Evans Family’s long–lost daughter, who had been reunited with her family after many years. A photo accompanying the statement showed Maddie with her
parents, smiling together as a family for the first time.
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The internet exploded. Major companies. like the Evans Family’s real estate firm, their gold jewelry business, the Evans Family‘ s pharmaceutical empire and supermarket chains all shared the news, further fueling the fire.
The fans who had once mocked Maddie calling her an orphan with no sense of self- respect, were now silenced. Those who had sided with Rico, accusing her of trying to
‘steal‘ his love, were too stunned to speak.
And then, just when it seemed like the tide couldn’t turn further, Rico dropped another bombshell–this time, a video.
The video showed Jane taunting Maddie with cruel words, reminding her that she was “nothing” compared to Rico‘ s status, mocking her for her background. The video was an unfiltered look at the
arrogance that had been masked by Jane‘ s public persona.
In the caption, Rico added: “Maddie,
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