Chapter 5 A Fool

• Shelina's POV:
• All eyes were on me and Mom. I was certain my expression looked awful.
• Then some clueless idi*t had the nerve to mock me. "Lina, is this your special guest? A homeless person?"
• I was furious. Of course, I knew exactly who said it. She was the youngest daughter of the Wheelers, always jealous of my pretty dresses and designer bags.
• I shot a fierce glare at that little brat from the Wheelers. This was my party, and she had no right to stand here running her mouth.
• I'll deal with her after the party. Right now, I have more important things to worry about. I stormed over to the girl in rags and demanded, "Who are you? Do you have an invitation to my party? And why on earth are you dressed like that at my birthday celebration?"
• "Birthday party?" The girl in rags looked at me with disbelief, almost as if she was mocking me.
• I couldn't understand why, but even though I had no sympathy for this filthy girl standing in front of me, I couldn't help but feel disrespected. How could someone show up at my birthday party in such a disgraceful state?
• If it weren't for the fact that she got off the Andersons' helicopter, I would've already had security throw this vagrant out.
• "Who am I?" The girl didn't answer my question but instead threw the question back at me.
• Then she said something that made me livid: "I'm your father!"
• D*rn it! What was she talking about? Did she show up just to ruin my birthday party?
• I was about to call the security to toss her out of the estate, but then she added, "His biological daughter."
• What?!
• My brain froze. For a moment, it was like everything went blank. I couldn't even hear properly; it felt like my ears were ringing.
• What?! What the f*ck is she saying? She's spouting nonsense at this important party?
• Wait. Dad's biological daughter? Could she be that little brat, Shannon?
• I took a deep breath and asked her, "You're Shannon?"
• That circus clown?
• Is she still alive? Does this clown survive?
• I was about to throw some harsh words at this little brat, but Mom quickly gripped my arm and shot me a look, telling me to stay back. I obediently closed my mouth, letting Mom handle this little brat.
• She had ruined my birthday party. I'd never forgive her! Once this was over, I'd make sure she got what was coming to her.
• Mom walked up to her quickly and said, "Shannon, is it you? I've been waiting for you for so long. Oh, my poor child, you've finally come back."
• For a moment, even I was fooled by the look of motherly affection on Mom's face. It was as if she had always treated Shannon like her own daughter.
• My mom could be a professional actress. She would be a queen of the silver screen. Not a trace of disdain crossed her face, even as she stood in front of the ragged and filthy Shannon.
• It looked like Shannon fell for Mom's act, too. I saw her smile at Mom and say, "Megan, how have you been?"
• Oh my God, did she just call my mom by her name?
• My heart pounded in my chest as I quickly glanced around at the guests. That little brat was speaking loud enough that everyone had to have heard her call Mom by her name.
• I underestimated her. A circus clown, yet her first move was to publicly undermine us.
• I knew a few things about the situation between Mom and Dad. But I didn't think there was anything wrong between them. They truly loved each other and only got together after Shannon's mother had passed away.
• However, I'd heard that the Andersons didn't approve of this kind of messy family history. I had even gone out of my way to find out what Jerome liked. I knew he cared deeply about family relationships and wouldn't tolerate any such scandals in his own family.
• To ensure that I'd have a secure future as Jerome's girlfriend, the Stapletons had forbidden the staff from gossiping about Mom and Dad's past.
• Mom had even fired and driven out of Nearburg any servants who knew the full story. Now, there was hardly anyone left in this household who was aware of the past.
• But now Shannon had exposed everything at the party. The guests were whispering among themselves.
• "I heard Mrs. Stapleton is Mr. Stapleton's ex-wife's sister ... "
• "Isn't this the Ms. Morris who was kidnapped by traffickers ten years ago?"
• "The Stapletons used to be the Morrises. Mr. Stapleton's father only married into the family. After Ms. Morris passed away, the family name changed to Stapleton."
• "I had no idea there was such a history! How shocking ... "
• Listening to all the gossip, I could feel the fire of rage rising in my chest. No, I had to get rid of this little brat.
• But Mom cleared her throat and continued, "Sweetheart, it's good that you're back. Let me take you to freshen up. What happened to you? How did you get so dirty? Life in the circus must've been hard, right?"
• She squeezed my hand discreetly, signaling for me to stay quiet and not do anything rash.
• Just then, another figure descended from the Andersons' helicopter, like a god stepping down beside me.
• Jerome!
• I stomped my foot in excitement, wondering if this was the heir of the Andersons from Nearburg.
• "Mr. Jerome?!" I rushed forward, thrilled. "You ... you're here for my birthday party? Thank you so much."
• But why had Mr. Jerome brought Shannon with him? I wanted to ask him, but I knew I wasn't in a position to question him right now.
• Once I became Mr. Jerome's girlfriend, then I'd be able to get rid of any girl around him, no questions asked.
• For now, I decided I should play the role of the shy, sweet girl. I knew the Andersons, being involved in the mafia, often dealt with cold, harsh things like guns and drugs. They probably needed someone soft and delicate to lighten things up.
• Ever since that gala, I couldn't stop thinking about Jerome. I had begged my father to send my birthday party invitation to the Andersons, and it seemed Jerome had accepted and even come personally to wish me a happy birthday.
• At that moment, I was sure I was the happiest girl in the world.
• I pressed my lips together, trying to contain my excitement.
• If I could, I'd have jumped for joy. I wanted to show off to all these socialites about my connection with the Andersons.
• I lifted the hem of my dress and walked toward Jerome.
• But the next second ...
• "Who are you?"
• Wait, what?
• I saw Jerome frowning, his face full of impatience. This wasn't how I imagined it—Jerome smiling and wishing me a happy birthday.
• He acted like he didn't know me at all.
• "Pfft ... " That brat from the Wheelers couldn't help but laugh out loud in front of everyone.
• "I thought Mr. Jerome came to wish Shelina a happy birthday, but he doesn't even know who she is."
• The other girls were covering their mouths, trying to suppress their laughter, but I couldn't do anything about it. I couldn't get mad at Mr. Jerome, after all. I had to maintain my poise and lady-like demeanor in front of him.
• I swallowed my shame and fury, glaring at the little brat from the Wheelers, silently telling her to shut up.
• I clenched my starlight gown tightly. The Andersons hadn't come to wish me a happy birthday at all, they had come to humiliate me.
• I racked my brain, trying to remember if I had somehow offended the Andersons without realizing it, to make Jerome treat us like this.
• I took a deep breath and glanced at Shannon, who was watching the scene unfold like it was some kind of show. My mind raced as I tried to assess the situation.
• No! I couldn't let my birthday party be ruined. As the birthday girl and the star of the night, I couldn't allow myself to be made into a fool.