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.

flicker of emotion that passed through the woman’s expression. What she

Cassandra Santiago.

extended family members who had made no effort to hide her dislike

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

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

of the table had spoken louder than words ever could, as she had noticed their gaze and actions

a line that many here thought was etched in

curious that

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

reigning in her reaction. Her pregnancy had already tested her patience several times that day. But this wasn’t the moment to lose her cool. It was, however, not a moment to be trampled on

think it’s strange, Mrs. Cassandra, that a family as old as the Santiagos

her long manicured nails digging into her

settling in quickly," she said, voice

her head.

stilettos clicking with authority as she let the restroom door shut behind her. "Who do

Jessica frowned slightly. "Disrupt?"

subtly made you the heir of the Santiagos. That seat has never been given lightly, and tonight you were handed it like some treasured heir. Just like that. A seat that Donald hasn’t been given the

have no quarrel with you, Cassandra.

haven’t you? Spent weeks

a headache coming on, yet she couldn’t start now to explain her innocence in this matter and, left with no option, she could only stand her ground. Besides,

only honored it." She smirked with

every chance, every recognition.

then a thought settled in her heart.

decision to keep a close watch on her, but then she would let her have the upper hand. Besides, she was just a

closer, her perfume—a cloying, overwhelming floral—invading Jessica’s space. "You may hold Lady Matilda’s attention now, but don’t think you’ve won anything. This family