The Refused Heiress

Chapter 1 Break Up

"What a disgrace to the Hall family!"

Elena struggled to pull herself out of the fountain, her drenched figure trembling as sharp laughter and biting remarks reached her ears.

She wore nothing but a flimsy satin dress, its thin fabric clinging to her skin as the cold wind cut through her like a blade.

Alone and exposed, she stood shivering, while the other two women who had also been soaked were quickly surrounded by concerned guests, thick coats draped over their shoulders in an instant.

Elena blinked away the water clinging to her lashes, her vision clearing just enough to see one of the women responsible for shoving her into the fountain—Mia Miller.

Her heart sank like a stone.

Mia was her fiancé Edgar Smith's mistress.

Edgar had brought her to this party without even a warning to Elena!

There she stood, awkward and drenched, while Edgar rushed to Mia's side, holding her protectively in his arms, oblivious to the curious and disapproving stares from the guests around them.

The other woman was Angelina Hall, Elena's adoptive sister.

Elena watched as her brother, her beloved parents—all the people she once thought would protect her—fussed over Angelina instead.

Everything in front of her blurred as Elena's nose tingled, a wave of bitterness swelling in her chest. Before she even realized it, tears began streaming down her face.

Just then, her mother, Reela Walker, approached with a furious look on her face. "Elena! Today is your sister's birthday! Are you really going to make a scene and embarrass our family?"

Reela grabbed her roughly, her eyes blazing as if Elena were her worst enemy.

"Mom, please..."

Angelina's soft, trembling voice rang out as she staggered over, taking Reela's arm. "Mother... don't be angry at Elena. It was my fault. I tripped and fell into the pool. Don't blame her..."

Angelina coughed weakly, her body shaking as if the ordeal had drained her entirely.

Reela, overly concerned, rushed to call for the family doctor, leaving Elena alone once again.

The party was to celebrate Angelina's birthday, and her parents had invited nearly everyone of importance in Maroville. The event was even grander than Elena's own coming-of-age ceremony, even though she was their biological daughter.

For the sake of appearances, Reela had persuaded Elena to attend.

However, Elena hadn’t expected Mia to be here, let alone take advantage of the chaos to shove her into the pool, humiliate her in front of everyone.

Fortunately, Elena was quick on her feet. She grabbed Mia’s belt, yanking her down with such force that she also dragged Angelina into the water with her.

Now, surrounded by the crowd, both Mia and Angelina shot her venomous, furious glares.

Elena pressed her lips together, glaring back without a hint of hesitation.

It seemed that Edgar had finally remembered Elena’s presence and began walking toward her.

Hugging herself, shivering in the cold, Elena braced herself, wondering how Edgar would explain all this.

But when he saw her, his once-gentle expression morphed into one of pure disgust.

"Had enough of this?" The man stopped three steps away from Elena, visibly repelled, refusing to come any closer.

Elena felt a chill pierce through her, as though the warmth of her heart had been ripped away. She looked at the man she had loved for ten years, now a stranger before her.

When she had discovered Edgar’s affair with Mia, Edgar had begged for her forgiveness, promising never to see Mia again.

But now, in front of everyone, Edgar had shamelessly exposed his mistress, publicly admitting Mia’s existence to the world!

What did Edgar think of her? Where did she even stand in his life?

It felt as though a giant hand had gripped her heart, squeezing it so tightly she could hardly breathe.

She had already made the greatest compromises, so why did he continue to hurt her again and again?

"Elena, you’d better leave now. I’m doing this for your own good…" Edgar continued to shamelessly blame her.

Anger and a fiery rage surged within Elena, her fingertips digging into her palm.

Finally, a shadow crossed Elena’s beautiful eyes, and a bitter, self-respecting smile tugged at her lips.

"Edgar, let's call off the engagement," she said, her voice as cold as ice.

A flicker of surprise crossed Edgar's face before it was quickly replaced by a mocking smirk.

He grabbed her arm and yanked her forward. "Elena, I told you, Mia is no threat to you. Why did you push her into the water? Don't you know she can't swim?"

Elena bit back her anger, the fire inside her dangerously close to flaring up again—but it extinguished the moment she looked at him.

Mia couldn't swim?

Had Edgar forgotten that she couldn't swim either?

"I said, let's break up!"

Elena shook off his grip and glared at him with fiery determination. "You paraded your mistress right in front of me, Edgar. Do you really think this engagement is still worth keeping?"

By now, curious guests had gathered around, whispering at Elena's bold words, casting judgmental glances at Edgar and Mia.

Embarrassed, Edgar lowered his voice, seething. "What are you trying to prove, Elena? I already told you I'll marry you, but you won't control who I see. I suggest you keep quiet before I lose my patience."

At this, Elena raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

The slap rang out, echoing through the crowd.

Edgar's face flushed instantly, and instinctively, he lifted his hand to strike her back.

Seeing his reaction, Elena froze, knowing she wouldn't be able to dodge.

Elena instinctively closed her eyes, bracing herself as Edgar’s hand was about to strike. But just then, a tall, handsome man with a powerful presence strode toward them, his very aura casting a shadow over Edgar.

Edgar froze, his raised hand suspended in mid-air as he looked up in shock.

His lips trembled, and he stammered, "Uncle Felix, what brings you here?".