Chapter 1 Cutting Ties and Calling Off the Engagement – Scarlett Stands Alone
At the edge of life and death in a burning building, Scarlett Joyner’s fiancé, Connor Jude, was busy celebrating another woman’s birthday.
When she called him for help, all she got in return was scolding.
“Why do you have to make a scene today? The more you reject Rebecca, the further you’ll push me away!”
He continued, “Alright, I got you a gift. Calm down and come to Rebecca’s birthday party right now!”
What he didn’t know was that the person who set the fire and tried to kill her… was his dear Rebecca.
Shattered glass exploded around her, cutting off the explanation Scarlett was about to give.
And with that, she gave up completely.
No tears, no drama
–
she walked out of the fire with help from the firefighters.
Then, calmly, she dialed a number from Jandale.
“I’ve made up my mind. I’ll go back and acknowledge my real family at Grandma’s birthday banquet in fifteen days.”
The voice on the other end was thrilled at first, then anxious.
“Why wait fifteen days? Is it because of your three adoptive brothers and that fiancé of yours?”
Scarlett looked up, her gaze falling on the billowing black smoke.
She had once stayed away from Jandale out of gratitude to the Joyner family for raising her.
But today, that one–sided devotion had been burned clean.
The caller’s voice turned more urgent.
“Why not come back today? I’ll open the doors of Jandale for the Joyner and Jude families, help them climb the social ladder!”
She gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
“No need. I’m staying fifteen more days to finish some things. As for the Joyner and Jude families… I want nothing to do with them ever again.”
Three hours later, outside the Diamond Hall of the Globerra Hotel, Scarlett’s straight back began to ache slightly.
Her wounds had stopped bleeding. The burns were treated simply, but the antiseptic spray stung her nose.
She hadn’t had time to change clothes. Wearing a knee–length dress soaked with blood, she raised her leg and kicked the door open.
The noise and laughter came to an abrupt stop as the door slammed open..
Everyone turned to look at her.
And met her eyes wild, desperate.
—
A shiver passed through the crowd.
The oversized coat she wore couldn’t hide the bloodstained skirt.
Her calves were covered in wounds.
Step by step, she walked toward Connor.
Fresh blood seeped through the wounds again.
It was horrifying.
Connor’s expression changed dramatically — pain and concern flashing in his eyes.
He almost rushed over without thinking, but Rebecca Joyner’s voice stopped him.
“Scarlett, if you were unhappy, you could’ve told me. I wouldn’t have held a birthday party. But why didn’t you say anything earlier? Why come now just to humiliate me?”
Connor’s arm was tugged back. He leaned instinctively toward Rebecca. The concern in his replaced with irritation.
eyes
vanished,
Scarlett had been suspicious of him and Rebecca for some time, and he was tired of it.
But today of all days- – Rebecca’s first birthday since being acknowledged by the Joyner family – had lied about a fire and now showed up like this to cause trouble. It was too much.
–
–
“Scully, what are you doing now? Don’t forget if Rebecca hadn’t spoken up for you, you, a mistaken heiress, would’ve been kicked out of the Joyner family long ago. You owe her for life!”
Scarlett stopped walking and looked up.
Her long lashes trembled. Scenes from the past years played through her mind.
Six years ago, the Joyner family had mistaken her for their daughter, and because of the engagement between the Joyner and Jude families, Connor naturally became her fiancé.
They met, got to know each other, and fell in love. To outsiders, they were the perfect couple.
But last year, just as they were preparing to get engaged, Connor discovered Rebecca and secretly took her for a DNA test.
The results showed that Rebecca was the real heiress.
From that moment on, her adoptive parents and brothers completely changed their attitudes. But she had no jealousy.
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Chapter 1 Cutting Ties and Calling Off the Engagement
–
Scarlett Stands Alone
+8 Pearls
She even picked herbs from the mountains for Rebecca’s weak body and introduced her to her mentor.
But after Stanley Joyner used the family’s connections to get Rebecca into her research team, Rebecca plagiarized her report and submitted it for an award.
When confronted, Rebecca said, “I didn’t know Scarlett was doing the same research.”
With no proof, Scarlett was angry and frustrated, but the Joyner family turned on her.
Her eldest brother, Denton Joyner, said, “Sure, you’ve won some awards, but the school only gave them to you out of respect for the Joyner name.”
Her second brother, Eugene Joyner, sneered, “Rebecca earned her awards through hard work. Don’t slander her out of jealousy.”
Stanley added, “Without the Joyner family’s resources, you wouldn’t have won anything. You haven’t won anything this year – doesn’t that say something about your abilities?”
Connor looked at her in disappointment. “Academic fraud is a crime. Do you have proof? If not, it’s slander. Scully, you’ve gone too far.”
She had wanted to leave the Joyner family, but each time she tried, they pulled her back in. Especially Stanley always sending little gifts to cheer her up.
–
She had been an orphan all her life. She longed too much for a family, which is why she’d stayed this long.
Suddenly-
Her three brothers stepped in front of her.
Denton was full of disgust. “You showed up like this just to ruin the party? Where’d you learn such cheap tactics?”
“You already stole six years from Rebecca. Now you want to ruin her birthday too? If we’d known how twisted you were, we would’ve kicked you out long ago,” Eugene said bluntly.
Stanley added with menace, “Go change clothes. Apologize to Rebecca in front of the guests. If she forgives you, you can stay in the Joyner family.”
–
Even after facing scenes like this countless times – even after deciding to sever all ties her heart still ached unbearably.
In fact, today she’d gone out to buy Rebecca a birthday gift.
But then she overheard a conversation between her brothers and Rebecca.
“That mistaken identity? We only kept it because her kidney was a match. If your health hadn’t worsened, we would’ve done the transplant that year.”
“Exactly. It’s just one kidney. She won’t die. We’ll compensate her with a house or something.”
“Let’s schedule the transplant after the birthday. I’ll tell her it’s for research and give her anesthesia won’t suspect a thing.”
–
she
Rebecca hesitated, but finally agreed.
Scarlett stood frozen outside the door, feeling like she’d fallen into an icy abyss.
The family warmth she clung to… was all part of a plan to harvest her kidney..
But she didn’t even have the courage to burst in and confront them.
She was too powerless. Even if she exposed them, she wouldn’t be able to escape.
So she ran back to her apartment, cried her heart out, and decided to leave.
But as soon as she opened the door, someone struck her on the head.
Right before she passed out, she saw the thug take a wad of cash from Rebecca.
That’s why, trapped in the fire, she hadn’t called anyone from the Joyner family.
Connor was her only hope.
The painful memories slammed back into her. Her hand clenched over her heart, trembling. Her breath reeked of blood.
She never wanted anything to do with the Joyner family again
–
not for the rest of her life.
Taking a deep breath, she forced down the pain.
“As you wish. I’m here to tell you
—
I’m leaving the Joyner family.”
She didn’t even notice Stanley’s clenched muscles or his furious, heavy breathing.
She pushed past him and walked straight toward the platform.
Her white dress was soaked in blood
–
like a rose in a storm.
Her cold eyes swept over the stunned Connor and Rebecca.
She picked up a glass of wine. A tear fell, landing in the drink.
“Today, I ask everyone here to witness – I am calling off my engagement to Connor Jude.”
Then she said, “Also, congratulations to the true Joyner heiress. I am leaving the Joyner family willingly. From now on, our lives have nothing to do with each other.”
