Return of the Crowned Heiress

Chapter 251

The following morning, Carmen was shoved out of her home with a grocery list in hand, courtesy of her stepmother's shrill commands.

"We can't even leave the house because of you!" the woman yelled from the doorway. "Everywhere we go, people point and whisper, all thanks to your shameless ways!" Carmen froze on the front steps, already bracing for the worst.

Her stepmother wasn't done. "If you had an ounce of self-respect, you'd disappear! Better yet, just die and spare this family the disgrace!"

"I didn't do it!" Carmen shouted back, her voice raw. "Those pictures and videos are fake! None of them is real!"

But the words fell flat, drowned out by years of the same accusations. Carmen could recite the next part by heart. No one believed her. Lies told often enough became the truth.

She trudged out onto the street, her stepmother's yells still echoing in her ears. But when she looked up, Carmen froze.

The walls in the hallway, which had been covered with those damning photos just the night before, were bare. Every last one of those photos had been torn down. Only faint adhesive stains remained.

For a moment, Carmen wondered if it had all been some fever dream. She stood there, stunned, until she heard the sound of a door opening across the hall.

Out stepped Felicia, carrying a small duffel bag. She caught sight of Carmen and gave her an easy, natural smile.

casual neighbors,

no judgment or ridicule. It

head

her breath and waited for the elevator alongside

work. Carmen remained stoic, staring at the floor. Then, as they

their tongues in disgust, their glares heavy with scorn. Carmen's face turned pale,

practically sprinted out of the elevator, eager to avoid further confrontation. The man groaned on the floor, spitting out a

the heel of her shoe. She twisted it slightly before walking off, her tone as calm

high-pitched yelp and cursed after her, but Felicia paid no mind. She was already heading out the

the only one with

latest winnings to fulfill her promise to fund her new business venture. The transaction was complete, and

second stop was the local herbal market. Felicia was determined to expand her arsenal of medicinal concoctions, from salves to antidotes. Most importantly, she

if her physical

at least outwit them. Poison could even the odds. If she ever found herself in danger, it would be a trump card-one she could count

grocery store was just as miserable as she had

One butcher barely concealed his grimace as he handed her change, as though her