Reversed Destinies of the Fake Heiress Ch 5

Chapter 5 The Slum
Jocelyn glanced back as she was about to leave, and in that brief moment, her eyes locked with a pair of intense, searching ones.
The man’s gaze was sharp, the subtle pressure of his stare undeniable.
Her expression didn’t shift, remaining composed and indifferent.
He was dressed in a suit, its collar neatly fastened with ornate clasps. His jawline was chiseled, as if sculpted from stone, and his complexion was pale, almost porcelain-like. His nose was straight and regal, and an air of quiet authority surrounded him, making him seem both commanding and detached, as though he were observing everything from a distance.
Jocelyn had met many people throughout her life, but it was clear this man wasn’t just another high-society figure. She knew immediately that he was not someone to provoke.
She had no intention of attracting his attention.
With a slight shift in her gaze, she turned to leave.
The man watched her retreat, his face unreadable. His long fingers drummed lightly on the table, lost in thought.
“Caleb, what are you looking at?” Dominic asked, his curiosity piqued as he followed the man’s gaze. By now, Jocelyn’s figure had already disappeared into the distance.
“Nothing,” Caleb replied coolly, rising to extinguish his cigarette in the ashtray. “Let’s go.”
“Caleb, aren’t you going to check on your fiancée?”
By the time Dominic glanced up again, Caleb’s tall form was already heading toward the door.
“Caleb, wait up!” Dominic called, rushing to catch up.
…
Ruby’s eyes burned with resentment as she stared at the spot where Jocelyn had vanished.
In this life, I will be the one admired by all!
I will be the true daughter of the Moores!
Jocelyn is nothing but a common peasant—what right does she have to compete with me?
Even if Jocelyn’s left the Moores, I won’t let her escape the fate of being a stepping stone for my success.
After her rebirth, Ruby had perfected her acting skills, making it appear as if she didn’t want to see Jocelyn go.
Rebecca watched, her heart aching with sympathy.
Ruby is a perfect girl in every way, except for her overly kind nature.
Even though Jocelyn took everything from her, Ruby can’t bring herself to fully hate her. She still wishes to treat her like a real sister …
“Sweetheart, I know you have a good heart, and you don’t want her to leave. But someone like Jocelyn doesn’t deserve your kindness. She’s nothing but an ungrateful wolf!” Rebecca said. “By the way, Ruby, how has your adoptive mother treated you all these years?”
“In my first year of college, my adoptive mother didn’t pay my tuition, and I almost got expelled. I only stayed because my grades were so good the principal waived the fees. When I was in elementary school, everyone called me a b*stard nobody wants … ” Ruby’s voice cracked as tears streamed down her face.
The truth was that her adoptive mother had always been good to Ruby. She had spoiled her since childhood, protecting her from harm.
Even though Ruby wasn’t her biological child, her adoptive mother had worried about how Ruby would be treated by the Moores. To ensure Ruby wouldn’t be looked down on, she gave her all her savings to help her make a good impression.
Ruby twisted the truth, knowing no one would uncover the real story.
After all, in this world, evil only made goodness stand out more.
Just as green leaves make red flowers shine brighter, the lower class existed to highlight Ruby’s brilliance.
As Ruby finished speaking, the people around her couldn’t hide their disgust.
From her words, they were sure that her adoptive mother was behind the baby swap.
It was simply a well-planned plot to swap children!
Why else would her adoptive mother refuse to give Ruby an education?
Her adoptive mother clearly wanted to keep Ruby ignorant and useless.
How despicable!
Rebecca cried as she held Ruby. “My poor child, how could she treat you like this? She’s so heartless … ”
Ruby gently patted Rebecca’s back, her voice filled with sorrow. “It’s alright, Mom. I’ve gotten used to it over the years. After all, I’m not her real daughter … ”
“Sweetheart, you’ve suffered so much … ” Rebecca held Ruby close, feeling guilty and heartbroken.
In a corner where no one could see, a faint, satisfied smile curled at the edges of Ruby’s lips.
I have achieved my goal.
Now, everything is within my control.
The mysterious tycoon must certainly be watching me from the shadows, too.
…
Using the memories of her previous life, Jocelyn quickly located the address of her biological mother, Shana Leif.
Shana lived in one of the poorest basements in Cloudhaven.
The place was a dump—dirty and disorganized, a dark pit that never saw sunlight. The air was thick with the scent of mold.
It was dinnertime, and elderly people and children stood in doorways, eating from bowls. They eyed Jocelyn with curiosity.
Nobody like her had ever come to this rundown slum.
The original Jocelyn had always worn heavy makeup; her dark, obsessive aura had masked any traces of her natural beauty.