Chapter 4
515 Words
The Hayes family clan banquet was held at the brightly lit old family estate.
Every important member of the Hayes clan, near and distant relatives included, was in attendance.
This was the tenth and final test Brandon had set for me: Replacement.
Halfway through the banquet, Brandon walked to the center of the main hall, leading a woman by the hand.
It was Cindy.
She wore a custom-made maternity gown, her belly heavily swollen. She looked at least eight months along.
She held onto Brandon's arm, a proud, triumphant smile on her face, the kind only a winner wears.
Brandon cleared his throat, his voice carrying across the entire banquet hall.
"Everyone, this is Cindy. She's pregnant with my baby."
"In two more months, the Hayes family will have a new addition."
The hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted into warm, enthusiastic applause.
My mother-in-law, Linda, was the first to stand up, her face breaking into a wide smile.
"Wonderful! The Hayes family finally has an heir!"
In an instant, every eye in the room turned toward me.
Among those stares, there was fake sympathy, but way more of the giddy pleasure of watching a useless good-for-nothing get replaced.
Brandon pulled Cindy close and walked over to me, then looked down to issue me his final order.
"Claire, since you can't give me an heir, you will raise Cindy's child as your own.
"This is your last bit of value as the Hayes family's daughter-in-law."
Linda immediately stepped forward, took my hand, and said with fake concern, "Claire, don't be upset.
"This child will be registered under your name, and he shall be regarded as your biological son.
"You'll still be the rightful young lady of the Hayes family."
The surrounding relatives also started chattering and urging me to agree.
"That's right, Claire. You're lucky to get to raise the Hayes family heir."
"Come on, for a woman, not being able to have kids is basically a sin. You've got such a great opportunity here. Why wouldn't you take it?"
"That's right. Don't bite the hand that feeds you."
Every word cut into me like a knife.
At last, my father-in-law, John Hayes, who had stayed silent the whole time, delivered his final ultimatum.
His voice was not loud, but it carried an unshakable authority.
"Claire, this is the family's decision. Accept it, or leave with nothing."
The whole hall fell silent again.
Every eye was fixed on me, waiting for me to break down, throw a fit, then meekly accept my humiliating fate.
A cruel smile tugged at the corner of Brandon's mouth.
He thought he had won.
He thought he had trampled my dignity completely under his foot.
But I smiled.
I stood up slowly, smoothed out my skirt, and ignored the disgust on Brandon's face.
Step by step, I walked to the projector at the front of the hall and plugged in a USB drive.
I locked eyes with Brandon, who looked startled and confused. My smile was soft, but ice-cold.
"Honey, your test is over.
"Now it's my turn."
- Writer
