Chapter 701 Unveiling The Truth
“Damien is quite a catch, isn’t he? He was the heir to the Lenoir empire, with seemingly endless wealth and power at his disposal. If I were in your sister’s shoes, I wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip away either. Marriage certainly seems like the most logical course of action, wouldn’t you agree?”
Cherise’s eyes sparkled with amusement, but her smile sent a chilling vibe, causing Ursula to instinctively
recoil.
Ursula stammered, her face turning crimson, and retorted, “You… what nonsense is this?! Weena is not the woman you claim her to be; she’s definitely not some gold-digging opportunist! When she rescued Damien, she had no knowledge of his wealth or position. If it weren’t for his public plea to find the girl who saved him, she would have never sought any recognition or compensation!”
Ursula paused before declaring indignantly, her voice filled with righteous anger, “And who are you to accuse my sister with such audacity? Three years ago, Damien was trapped in a fire. My sister, Weena, bravely risked her own life to save him. Her feet were severely burned in the process, and she still struggles to walk today. This is a debt Damien undeniably owes her!”
This was Ursula’s default counterargument, a defense mechanism honed to deflect criticism towards her sister. However, this time, its impact on Cherise was far more profound than intended. While Cherise was aware that Rowena had saved Damien, she didn’t know that she was the one who had rescued him from the fire.
Despite their five-year estrangement, Cherise still held a flicker of affection for Damien. She had entrusted Zachary with keeping her informed about his life. From his reports, Cherise understood that the only major incident involving Damien was the fire three years ago. Yet, the one who pulled him from the flames was not Rowena but Cherise herself.
The fire-resistant scrapbook, a tangible symbol of their enduring bond, had been rescued from the flames, only to become a painful reminder of their past.
Cherise had inadvertently grabbed the scrapbook in the urgency of saving Damien, unaware of the potential danger. It was only after Damien’s ambulance had departed that she realized the severity of the burns on her right hand.
This secret she had closely guarded for years, for in the eyes of the world, Damien was her enemy. But only Cherise knew that he would forever remain her beloved deep within her heart.
Tucked away in the hidden corners of her study lay a metal scrapbook, its weathered surface a testament to the pa*sage of time.
In the quietest hours of the night, when sleep eluded her, Cherise would reach for it. It was a portal to a past filled with shared laughter and whispered secrets.
In hindsight, she realized that she and Damien had a deeper connection than she had ever acknowledged. He took pleasure in exploring Shaw Village, her hometown, flipping through her photo albums and diaries, trying to etch every smile and moment of hers in his mind and heart. And she, in turn, found solace in those scrapbooks, clinging to the joy and laughter they had once shared.
Suddenly, Ursula’s voice broke the silence, its smugness unmistakable in her remark, “Humph! Are you mesmerized? Impressed by my sister’s heroic actions, huh?”
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She interpreted Cherise’s contemplative gaze as admiration for Rowena’s bravery and continued. “Damien was a guest at the hotel where Weena worked when the fire broke out. Unaware of his identity, she selflessly rushed into the blaze to save him. Her heroic act deserves all the comfort and material rewards. she has received.”
Ursula’s words sharply contrasted with the cherished memories Cherise held.
Cherise replied with a measured smile, concealing the storm brewing within her. “I see. Your sister is truly selfless and compa*sionate.”
Selfless and compa*sionate enough to claim credit for someone else’s deeds, to revel in Damien’s gratitude, and to accept his compensation without a burdened conscience.
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