Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 281: Who do you think you are?

Jessica took a deep breath and stood rooted at the spot, her ears perked up and her sense of hearing heightened. Her eyes subtly scanned the hallway, alert to every flicker of movement.

Then she noticed another restroom, just beside the one she had exited from moments earlier.

A strange feeling crawled down her spine. She couldn’t shake off the sense that someone had been waiting for her. Watching her. Maybe they lacked the courage to approach, or perhaps they were simply waiting for the right moment.

Her instincts screamed for caution, but then she decided to create an opportunity for the person. Taking a deep breath, she stepped backward, retreating into the restroom, leaving the door slightly ajar.

She turned toward the sink, her expression hardening. Her heartbeat slowed through sheer willpower.

She twisted the faucet. The water gushed out with a steady stream, splashing against the porcelain.

Slowly and calmly, she began to wash her hands, her eyes locked on her reflection in the mirror. She wanted to see the person and possibly meet her enemies sooner.

It had been clear at the table that she wasn’t welcomed by them. She had an inkling they were afraid she would take over the leadership, but she didn’t care.

From the mirror’s surface, she watched. Still, no one approached. The hallway remained silent.

She pulled the hand towel from the rail and dried her hands with quiet precision. Then, she stepped back out into the hallway with controlled grace and shut the door behind her with a firm click.

"Who’s there?" Her voice rang out, sharp and cold.

The door to the other restroom creaked open, and a tall, slender woman emerged. Her face was round but with sharply defined cheekbones, plastered in thick makeup that seemed more like armor than adornment.

Her fingers and wrists were weighed down with gold bangles and rings. Her designer gown shimmered with gold accents, catching the hallway light like a curtain of stars.

But her eyes were icy and unwelcoming, carrying no sparkle.

that passed through

Cassandra Santiago.

family members who had made no effort to hide her

not as clueless as I thought. I was actually waiting for you. Or were you just

one brow slowly but said nothing. Silence was her armor now. Her eyes calmly took in the other woman, her pose, her clenched fists,

That seat beside Lady Matilda at the head of the table had spoken louder than words ever could, as she had noticed their gaze and

had disrupted something and seemed to challenge a line

mildly curious

didn’t come. Irritated, she snapped, "Young lady, are you deaf all of

exhaled slowly, reigning in her reaction. Her pregnancy had already tested her patience several times that day. But this wasn’t the

strange, Mrs. Cassandra, that a family as old as the Santiagos never taught you the

fist clenched by her side, her long manicured nails digging into her palm. The insult hit its

settling in quickly," she said, voice low,

tilted her head.

the heels of her stilettos clicking with authority as she let the restroom door shut behind her. "Who do you think you are, walking in and disrupting the hierarchy of this

Jessica frowned slightly. "Disrupt?"

the Santiagos. That seat has never been given lightly, and tonight you were handed it like some treasured heir. Just like that.

tone firm but composed. "I have no quarrel with you, Cassandra.

time plotting this moment, haven’t you? Spent weeks feeding stories to the matriarch, spinning tales about being Nora’s daughter.

matter and,

choice. I only honored

Lady Matilda’s watchful eye. She’s earned every chance, every

up at her sides. Now, things seemed clearer. It was a selfish plot, but then a thought settled in her heart. "Isn’t

close watch on her, but then she would let her have the upper hand. Besides,

"You may hold Lady Matilda’s attention now, but don’t think you’ve won anything. This family doesn’t forget... and we don’t welcome