Panicking at Her True Colors

A fake heiress exposes her real identity so that I can be found—all because she wants me to marry the crippled man who's supposed to be her husband.

She puts on an act before the whole family, wanting to drive a wedge between us. She has no idea we can all hear her thoughts.

When she slashes her palm and frames me for it, she's cursing in her heart. "Hit her, you worthless man!"

When she falls down the stairs and blames me for it, she's thinking, "Teach her a lesson, you silly old woman!"

When she buries herself in my brother's arms and acts aggrieved, she's actually thinking, "He's such a loyal dog."

My father, mother, and brother are stunned by what they hear. Then, they're infuriated.

I merely laugh and turn away, acting like I don't see anything. I just want to complete this special mission as soon as possible.

When Yelena Sterling, the fake heiress, found me, I was fishing by the river under the scorching sun.

She grabbed my hand with tears in her eyes. "Mary, I finally found you!"

Before I could react, a group of people yanked me off the fishing boat and shoved me into a luxury car.

The moment the car door closed shut, the smile on Yelena's face vanished. It was replaced by an icy glare that seemed to pierce through me like an arrow.

She didn't move her lips, but I could hear her thoughts loud and clear.

"This is infuriating! How is this woman so pretty? She looks absolutely stunning! Pfft, what does it matter? She's just a pawn to take my place and marry that cripple anyway.

"This is all because of my useless mother. She can't even cancel one stupid engagement! If not for that, I wouldn't have to let this woman return to the family.

"Even if she comes back to the Sterling family, I'll make sure she never has a good day in her life."

Half an hour later, we switched to a private jet and arrived at the top of the most luxurious skyscraper in the heart of Ashborough before nightfall.

The place was dazzling with lights. A grand banquet was in full swing.

Yelena led me through a side door into a lavish suite.

Before stepping inside, she pulled out a knife from who-knows-where. Its blade glinted coldly under the light.

She raised an eyebrow at me. Before I knew it, blood was trickling from her palm and the knife somehow ended up in my hand.

With a dramatic shove, she burst through the door with her arms wide open and threw herself into the embrace of a well-dressed woman, screaming, "Mom! Dad! Johnny! Help me!"

Blood streamed down her arm. The people in the room shot up from their seats. Their eyes were filled with shock and distress.

Johnny Sterling rushed forward and pulled out a handkerchief to wrap her wound.

"It's Mary… she tried to kill me!

"Mary, I'm sorry! I