Cassandra took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She couldn't let her emotions get the better of her—not here, not in front of everyone.
"I know you also love Eric," she said slowly, voice trembling with restrained anger. "But how could you use such despicable acts to get him? Do you know that by doing this, you are tainting our family name?!"
Your family name! Not mine! Yvonne seethed in her head. And what despicable acts? They were framed! Even if she wanted to seduce someone—which she don't—it wouldn't be him!
Cassandra continued, her voice sharpening.
"And if Mother and Father hear about this, do you know how ashamed they would be of you?!"
They haven't heard? Yvonne thought, surprised. She had assumed that by now, the whole Blackthorn district—and possibly the kingdom—would already be buzzing with rumors. Maybe she had overestimated things… or maybe Cassandra was exaggerating to intimidate her.
Just then, the hall doors opened.
Eric walked in.
Flanking him were the same two young men Yvonne had seen with him on the first day of resumption—one tall and broad-shouldered with a lazy grin (Kael), the other leaner, sharp-eyed, and observant in a way that made her skin itch (Lucen).
Cassandra's face lit up at his presence, her entire demeanor softening.
"Eric!" she called, rushing forward. She bowed slightly and added, "I apologize for my sister's despicable behavior. Please forgive her. She is simply overwhelmed by obsession—something she mistook for love—which caused her to resort to such shameless acts."
Eric: "..."
Yvonne: "..."
Wow… Cassandra is really something. Yvonne thought bitterly. Apologizing for her even though she has no idea what actually happened. Angelic on the outside… but her? She is the one living this nightmare.
Whispers erupted around them, some mocking, some curious.
(Cassandra is big-hearted and Alessandra is the devilish one.)
(Wow, Cassandra is so kind. Apologizing for her sister despite being betrayed.)
(How big-hearted she is. No one could endure being backstabbed by their own sister.)
What the hell?!Sinful acts? Backstabbed? Devilish? Big-hearted? The hypocrisy made Yvonne stomach chuned as she clenched her fists, jaw tight. Judged without anyone knowing the truth… typical.
"Cassandra," Eric finally spoke, calm and measured, "there's no need to apologize for your sister's behavior. Actually, there is—"
"Hey!" Snapping, . Yvonne cuts him off. What nonsense is he talking about? "There's no need to apologize for your sister behavior?' Are you insane? How can you speak like that? Are you trying to pin all the blame on me?"
Kael's eyebrows shot up. Lucen tilted his head slightly, studying Yvonne with renewed interest.
"Alessandra, stop it!" Kaylyn shouted.
"Who's pinning the blame on you? You should learn from your sister and apologize!"
Learn from my sister?
Yvonne almost laughed.
Fine. If they wanted Alessandra, she will give them Alessandra—but her own Alessandra. Anyone question her behavior, she'd pinned it on her so called memory loss.
"Yes," Yvonne said sweetly, stepping forward, posture perfect, voice calm but cold. "I should learn from my sister."
Cassandra frowned, confused.
"So, dear sister,"
She continued, giving Eric a soft smile, "there is no need for you to apologize. Why would you apologize for something so memorable… so exciting… and so—oh my… I'm shy."
Gasps rippled through the hall.
Kael choked on air.
Lucen's eyes narrowed.
Kaylyn's jaw dropped.
Yvonne could feel the eyes on her, some shocked, some amused. Perfect. Let them think what they want.
She turned to Eric, voice now intimate, soft.
"Anyway, Eric dear, we should find another place for our meetings from now on. As you know, we can't use the riverbank anymore."
"Alessandra?!" Cassandra's face turned crimson. "How could you be so shameless?!"
"What's wrong, sister?" Yvonne asked innocently, tilting her head. "Worried that I might be cheated on?"
She smiled, dreamy and lovestruck. "Don't worry. Young Master Eric is not the cheating type, as you also know. He confessed his love to me and promised never to betray me. He even promised to take full responsibility and care for me for the rest of my life."
Whispers exploded in the hall as Eric slowly turned towards her, his brow twitching.
This makes Yvonne stomach tightened, but she kept her face serene.
Cassandra's mouth opened, then closed. Shock and disbelief flashed across her face. Her world shaking. Confessed? Promised? No. This can't be true… He can't… She refused to accept it. Never.
"Alessandra!" Cassandra shouted, trembling. "How can you be so shameless—forcing yourself on a man?!"
Yvonne raised a brow, lips curving into a teasing smile. "What's wrong with forcing myself on a man? The man didn't complain… in fact, he liked it."
Cassandra's glared. If gaze could kill, Yvonne would have been cut into pieces.
"Alessandra! How can you be so shameless!!!"
Yvonne took a step closer, eyes cold, smile now sinister. "Did you just find out?"
"What?" she stammered.
"I am shameless," Yvonne said, loud enough for all to hear. Calm. Controlled. Yet dangerous.
The hall went silent.
And for the first time, Cassandra felt it.
The Alessandra she thought she knew—the obedient, submissive twin who endured every insult silently—was gone.
Before her stood someone completely different.
Someone who did not care about titles or appearances. Someone who would not be judged without cause.
Someone… who was fearless.
The gasps and whispers continued. Every pair of eyes, every judgmental gaze, every astonished expression fueled Yvonne confidence. She wouldn't give up control—not now, not ever.
She didn't care about Cassandra's fury. She didn't care about the rumors.
She was Yvonne.
And Yvonne doesn't bow. Not in her appearance or.. Alessandra appearance.