Chapter 345

"She's the real Cassandra Wright!" Gregory Thornton exclaimed.

The entire ballroom erupted in gasps. The Blackwood family stood frozen, their eyes locked on Evelyn standing center stage. Some guests whispered excitedly, while others shook their heads in disbelief.

"Liam." A voice cut through the murmurs. "You grew up with her. You'd know better than anyone - is that really Cassandra?"

Liam Blackwood's gut twisted at the mention of their childhood. It had taken him far too long to recognize her. His voice carried across the silent room. "That's Cassandra Wright."

The declaration silenced all doubts. Whispers spread like wildfire. "No wonder General Blackwood married her. This explains everything."

Margaret Hoffis collapsed onto her knees. Victoria immediately clung to her grandmother's arm. "Grandmother, please! I'm your real granddaughter! She's lying - that test was forged!"

"We've video called every week for years! How could you forget? DNA results can't be faked!"

"The video doesn't lie. Would my own parents not recognize their daughter?"

Suddenly, Margaret seemed to regain her composure. She stood protectively beside Victoria. "It's true! We've had countless video calls. Would Cassandra's parents not know their own child?"

She turned toward Archibald. "Even Archibald has spoken with her on video! Though Cassandra hasn't returned to Aldenria in a decade, she's looked exactly the same!"

"Archibald, explain this to everyone! They're accusing an innocent girl of fraud! She's willing to take another DNA test. Don't you trust science? Don't you trust Cassandra's own parents?"

Tears welled in Margaret's eyes. Archibald's face darkened with barely contained rage. Clutching his chest, he bellowed, "You foolish woman! Get down from there! Stop harassing Evelyn!"

The crowd's sympathy shifted back to Victoria. No one could imagine parents failing to recognize their child.

Nathaniel Winslow had long forgotten this was supposed to be his engagement party. His lips curled as he watched Evelyn. "This just keeps getting better."

Suddenly, Dorothy Simmons burst forward. "That's my daughter, Evelyn Carter!"

She rushed the stage and grabbed Evelyn's wrist, addressing the crowd. "I apologize, everyone! This is my daughter Evelyn. She's... unwell. Please forgive this disturbance!"

Evelyn struggled against her grip. "Let me go!"

Rosalind Baskins charged onto the stage, followed closely by Ryan Sullivan on Liam's orders. They each seized one of Dorothy's arms, dragging her aside.

"Evelyn, have you lost your mind?" Dorothy shrieked. "You're embarrassing yourself at Mr. Winslow's engagement!"

"Is this how you think you'll win his affection? The DNA tests proved twice you're my daughter!"

"Silence!" Rosalind snapped.

Nathaniel's lips twitched in amusement at the suggestion Evelyn wanted to marry him.