The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

The moment Vester entered, every pair of eyes in the hall turned to him.

Whispers rippled through the crowd, no one bothering to lower their voices.

"Isn't that the third son?"

"Third son? Please, he's just the bastard's kid. Everyone knows Mr. Archer can't stand him."

"If it weren't for that mistress of his dying and leaving him without a guardian, there's no way Mr. Archer would've brought him back into the family. A bastard born to a mistress-what a disgrace for the Archers."

"And on top of that, the guy's crippled. A total waste. Mr. Archer treats him like a stray pet-barely worth the trouble to feed."

"I heard his mother was the one who crippled him. Do you know why? She broke his legs just so Mr. Archer might pity her enough to see her one last time. Pathetic, isn't it?"

"Honestly, what's he even doing here tonight? Just an embarrassment."

Mr. Archer's face was practically green.

subject of praise

he brought Vester home, the only thing

he not resent

ruined the reputation he'd spent a lifetime building, branding

wrong, his expression calm, as though he couldn't hear

his jaw tight with contempt. "What's that cripple doing here? On a night this important, he just has to show up and

muttered, "Should've had

to the hatred in his brother and sister's eyes. He nodded politely

spoken, but the mocking glint in his eyes made

teeth. "What are you doing here? Get out. This is no place for a

provocative smile flickered across his lips. "Sorry, I'm afraid I can't do

he was close to shattering his own teeth. "Filthy brat. You're just as low as your whore

something feral flickered in Vester's blue eyes,

looked up at