Chapter 360

Jennifer was caught off guard by those words. “Maris, stop this right now!”

She thought her actions were completely hidden. Easton had only just found out about her relationship with Octavian. Jennifer was good at reading situations. If she found no hope with Easton, she would quickly move on.

Since she saw no promise with Easton, she relied on herself. This way, she could make Easton feel guilty.

Camellia, furious, yelled at Maris, “What nonsense are you saying? You are embarrassing my daughter in front of everyone! Do you want to ruin her life? I’ve said it before; my daughter is only three days older than Natalie. It was Wendy who broke their bond.”

Maris looked at crying Wendy with barely hidden disdain. “You’ve been having secret affairs, and not just once or twice. My husband saw you with Nick several times. He thought you were just friends, but now he knows you’re lovers.

“Nick was broke and chased after Wendy; everyone knows this. He deceived Wendy into marriage.”

Maris’s words were piercing, and her stare at Camellia was cold.

Camellia trembled, her composure cracking; she couldn’t understand why anyone would defend Wendy now.

Nick stayed quiet, his head down. He had come to the fancy event with flair, but now his pride was in ruins.

He had deliberately pursued Wendy; her innocence, beauty, and wealth had made it easy to deceive her. For over twenty years, he enjoyed this life. Yet now, with this truth exposed, he felt utterly humiliated.

Maris wasn’t done yet. “Nick swapping the two kids was just part of your plan. If Jennifer had lived with Camellia, she’d be nobody. Staying with Wendy gave Jennifer the education and connections to join high society – eventually becoming Easton’s fiancée.”

Maris’s remarks briefly shook Jennifer, making her almost faint with disbelief. This was not how she wanted things to be. She wanted to see Wendy lose everything, begging like a dog. She also enjoyed stomping on Natalie.

Talking about Easton, Camellia proudly said, “Mr. Garcia loves my daughter because of her wonderful traits. Natalie comes from a poor village; she has no education and no job – how can she compare to my daughter?”

Wendy, boiling with anger, shot back, “If you hadn’t conspired with Nick to take my daughter, Natalie would certainly shine brighter than Jennifer!”

Camellia froze for a moment; the joy she had felt was replaced by a deep hurt.

Natalie watched, indifferent, realizing Wendy was finally defending her.

She remembered the happiness she felt coming home with Jason, only to find Jennifer taking everything from her.

Wendy coldly stared at Jennifer’s tears, saying, “Natalie, I recognize you as my true daughter, but I have poured all my love into raising Jennifer. When you returned, I must insist you stay as my adopted child. Jennifer will always come first.”

In that moment, Natalie’s hope for her mother’s love shattered. She thought her hard work and goodness would win her mother’s compassion, as her biological child. Instead, she faced Wendy’s cruel words and a severance document.

As she fell into her thoughts, she couldn’t shake Camellia’s scornful voice. “Wendy, don’t kid yourself into thinking you’re so noble. You say Natalie is your daughter, but we all know you claimed her to be your adopted child.

“You won’t even acknowledge your own flesh and blood – what right do you have to call yourself Natalie’s mother?”

Wendy often regretted hurting her biological daughter for Jennifer.

In pain, Wendy replied, “You speak truthfully; family bonds are the most precious. I let the crying and scheming Jennifer manipulate me into abandoning my own daughter, making Natalie just an adopted child.

“I didn’t know the truth then. I instinctively tried to protect Jennifer from any troubles. I even denied my own daughter.”

With a resentful look at Jennifer, Wendy said, “Jennifer, you are a heartless ingrate.”

Jennifer instantly felt thrown off balance, her face hot with the realization that Wendy’s words could ruin her carefully built image.

Jennifer pulled out a diagnostic report from her bag. “Ladies and gentlemen, I owe much to Wendy’s care, and I appreciate her concern for years. However, Wendy is mentally ill, having suffered delusions. I took her for examinations, and this is proof.”

Jennifer worried that Wendy might discover her schemes and confront her. To avoid any trouble, she arranged for Wendy’s mental illness diagnosis; sending her to a psychiatric hospital was something Jennifer had long wanted.

Holding the report up for everyone to see, Jennifer said, “Wendy’s current claims are just nonsense – don’t be fooled. Natalie has often plotted against me; our conflict comes from her schemes. Please see the truth behind these lies.”

Jennifer moved so quickly that she didn’t notice Easton, who had bowed his head among the crowd.

Onlookers looked at the report in Jennifer’s hands, their eyes questioning Wendy.

Murmurs spread around them.

“So Wendy really is mentally ill; no wonder she’s shouting like this.”

“Nick and Camellia drove her to this point. Wendy raised Jennifer well, yet Jennifer accuses her loving mother of being insane, ignoring all the sacrifices made for her. Is Jennifer worthy of sympathy?”

Hearing these words, Jennifer felt a surge of anger.