The Fake Heiress Ruined My Face, So My Billionaire Dynasty Ruined Her Life

While I was at home recovering from childbirth and resting on maternity leave, my former college roommate Jessica—a girl who had hated my guts since freshman year—suddenly announced her wedding in our college alumni SnapChat group. She even went out of her way to tag me: "I’m ready to bury the hatchet, Audrey! You simply must come to my wedding! If I’m in a good mood, I might even be able to get your broke husband a gig as a security guard." I had no idea what kind of psychotic breakdown she was having this time, so I simply replied: "No thanks. We're good." The SnapChat group instantly blew up. "Jessica is being so sweet and generous by including you, and you're turning her down?" "Back in college, you always tried to compete with her. What's wrong? Ashamed to show off your pathetic husband?" Jessica chimed in, pretending to be gracious: "I really just want to help, Audrey. After all, my husband is one of the hottest rising CEOs in the city. A single scrap from his table would be enough to change your family’s miserable lives." The group flooded with flattery, and several people eagerly asked for her new husband’s identity. In response, Jessica dropped a glamorous wedding photo, followed by a voice memo of her fiancé greeting everyone. The moment that deep, familiar voice played through my speaker, my stomach plummeted. And when the wedding photo finally loaded, revealing the man standing next to her—a man identical to my husband—it felt like a thunderbolt struck straight through my skull. If that was her husband... then who the hell was currently changing my baby daughter’s diaper in the next room? Staring at that face, the exact replica of my husband, the first thought that spilled out of my mouth was: "Lucas... do you have an identical twin brother you never told me about?" Lucas paused his hands over the diaper, immediately shaking his head. "I'm an only child. You know that." "Why the sudden question? Pregnancy brain finally catching up to you?" He handed our daughter over to the maternity nurse, walked over, and wrapped his arms tightly around me from behind. His voice was soft, overflowing with tenderness. I was in no mood for jokes. If he didn't have a twin, then who on earth was Jessica Vance about to marry? I turned around and looked straight into his eyes. "Lucas, are you seeing someone else behind my back?" Lucas's face went blank for two seconds. Then, he burst out laughing as if I had just told the most absurd joke in the world. He playfully tapped the tip of my nose. "Babe, what is going on with you today?" "Oh, I get it. It’s the postpartum hormone drop, isn't it? It makes you overthink." He pulled me against his chest, sounding genuinely guilty. "It's my fault. I've been neglecting you with work. How about this? The second I get back from this business trip in two days, I'll clear my entire schedule and stay home with you." With that, he pulled a velvet box from his briefcase and opened it to reveal a pair of bangles. "I had a friend secure these at an auction a few days ago. You’ve worked so hard for our family, Audrey." My breath caught. I recognized them instantly. They were the legendary Imperial Jade bangles auctioned off two months ago—worth over a hundred million dollars. Lucas had only taken over the branch office of the Sterling Corporation six months ago. Did he pour every dime he’d ever made into these bracelets for me? Even though his entire career existed solely because of my family’s secret backing, seeing this level of devotion still tugged at my heart. "You reckless spender!" I teased gently. Lucas ruffled my hair with a fond smile. "Everything I earn belongs to you and our little girl." Leaning into his warm embrace, I was about to vent to him about the ridiculous circus in the alumni group. Before I could unlock my phone, Lucas’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen, took the call, and said he needed to leave for the airport immediately. Before walking out the door, he planted a sweet kiss on my forehead. "Wait for me, babe." After he left, I stared down at the glowing green jade. A heavy wave of guilt washed over me for ever doubting him. Meanwhile, the SnapChat group was still buzzing with endless praise for Jessica. Recalling Jessica’s insufferable narcissism back in college, she was probably just lying for clout, using an AI-edited photo or hiring an escort. I didn't care enough to engage with a psycho like her, so I left the group. Maybe it really was just postpartum boredom making me overly emotional. Our daughter was well cared for by the night nanny. I needed to pick up my paintbrushes again, get back to work, and clear my head. The next morning, I packed my art supplies and drove out to my private coastal villa for some fresh inspiration. Yet, as my car pulled up to the gates, I froze. The vacant beachfront estate was draped in massive floral walls and arches of white balloons. Someone was hosting a full-blown wedding at my house! Before I could even process the shock, a shrill, familiar voice pierced the air. "Well, well! Look who was acting all tough in the group yesterday! Couldn't resist crawling here on your knees, could you? Are you and your deadbeat husband so broke you can't even afford baby formula, so you came to suck up to Jessica?"The woman sneering at me was Chloe, Jessica’s loyal sidekick. Looking around, I spotted dozens of familiar faces—all of our old college classmates. And right in the center of the crowd, dressed in an extravagant white lace gown, stood Jessica Vance. She scanned me from head to toe with absolute disgust. "Audrey Sterling, if you came to beg me for scraps, the least you could do is look presentable. Showing up in cheap, frumpy rags like this only proves how little respect you have for me!" "All these years after graduation, and you haven't improved one bit. No wonder your life is a disaster, reduced to popping out a kid for some fat, hideous old creep!" Jessica was as toxic as ever. I frowned in disgust. Sure, my postpartum body wasn't back to its runway standard yet, but it was nowhere near what she claimed. Lucas had spent nearly a hundred grand on elite postpartum recovery programs alone. Besides, I was just coming to my own house. Why would I dress to the nines? I swallowed my temper. Many of our former classmates here had been decent people. Today was supposed to be her wedding day. Even if she was a pathologically vain liar, I didn't want to humiliate her in front of everyone. I said flatly, "I didn't come for your wedding. I came to my own house. It's a coincidence." "And as for the rumors, let me clear the air. My husband isn't an ugly old creep. He’s young, wildly successful, and treats me like a queen." "Wisdom silences rumors. We were classmates once; there’s no need to make this ugly." Chloe let out a loud snort, crossing her arms arrogantly. "Oh please, Audrey! Are you seriously bragging about your pathetic marriage right now?" Brad, our former class president, stepped forward and pointed toward the massive portrait display near the villa entrance. "Audrey, don't you feel any shame trying to flex in front of us? Jessica is marrying Lucas Adams—a titan of the business world! He has the looks, the power, and the fortune." "Your nobody husband isn't fit to shine his shoes. Stop making a fool of yourself!" I followed his finger to the display wall. My blood ran cold. The man in the photograph was unmistakably Lucas. There was no mistake now. The groom Jessica was marrying was my husband. A sickening sense of absurdity hit me. What kind of sick game was she playing? I marched forward, leaning in close so only she could hear my low, venomous whisper: "Lucas Adams is my husband. I suggest you quit while you're ahead, Jessica. Otherwise, you won't survive how this ends." Instead of flinching, Jessica’s face darkened, and she raised her hand, slapping me across the face with all her might. *Smack!* "Audrey Sterling! You really are a shameless leach! Back in college, you stole my art submissions, and now you have the nerve to claim my husband?!" She glared at me and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Everyone, guess what I just heard?" "Audrey just claimed Lucas is her husband!" The lawn erupted in collective outrage. "What the hell? Has she lost her damn mind?" "Look at her—exhausted, plain, washed-up! Mr. Adams wouldn't look at her if she were the last woman on Earth!" "Jessica was way too soft-hearted back then! She never should have forgiven her for the plagiarism. Scum like Audrey doesn't deserve pity!" I clutched my stinging cheek, trembling with rage. "Jessica Vance! That contest piece was mine, and you stole it!" "I stayed silent back then because your family was dead broke and desperately needed the prize money! And you dare turn this on me?!" Jessica curled her lips into a cruel, unbothered smirk. "Fine. Since you claim I stole your art, and that Lucas is your husband... where’s your proof?"The classmates chimed in, eager to please the future billionaire's wife: "Exactly! If you're going to scam someone, at least do it right! You think we're stupid enough to believe your word?" "Stop humiliating yourself, Audrey! Back in school, you always acted all pure and untouchable while pretending to be rich. We were sick of you then!" "Total copycat! First she stole Jessica's art, then she copied Jessica's outfits! Even Dolly the cloned sheep didn't last that long!" "Get on your knees and apologize to Jessica right now! She’s kind enough that she might actually let you off easy!" Looking at their sneering, sycophantic faces, the reality of who these people were finally hit me. "Fine. If you refuse to stop, I have no reason to spare your dignity." "This estate is registered under my name and my husband's. Trespassing on private property is a felony." I pulled out the master key to the villa and shoved it into the lock. It didn't turn. The key wouldn't budge an inch. Jessica and her entourage burst into mocking laughter. "Audrey, are you enjoying playing the clown this much?" I stood frozen, completely dumbfounded. How was that possible? This was my family's private villa! Jessica covered her mouth, chuckling wickedly. "Since you refuse to wake up from your little fantasy, let me shatter it for you." She gestured, and Chloe handed her a sleek folder. Inside was a notarized property deed to the villa and an official marriage certificate. Printed in crisp, bold lettering were the names: *Lucas Adams and Jessica Vance.* "Impossible! You must have changed the locks!" I was gasping for air, trembling from sheer fury. "Lucas and I are legally married! We just welcomed our daughter this year!" I didn't know what her angle was or how she had forged official legal documents so quickly. "Jessica, forging government documents is a federal crime! Back down right now!" "Otherwise, I swear to God I will call the police!" Jessica lunged forward and struck me with another vicious slap. "Audrey, you ungrateful wretch! You think official state seals can be faked?!" Brad stepped up, taking charge of the public execution. "Audrey, since you want to push your luck, I won't hide the truth for you anymore!" "Back in college, she was a kept woman! Every single night, different luxury cars picked her up right outside the campus gates!" "She claimed her family bought all those designer bags, but from what I heard, her parents were just broke, low-class nobody traders!" The alumni exchanged gasps of malicious revelation. "I knew it! A serial home-wrecker!" "She probably used that baby to trap some married man!" "Jessica, you were way too merciful back in the day. That’s why she dares to ruin your wedding now!" "She probably came here specifically to seduce your husband! You need to teach this bitch a lesson she'll never forget!" Suddenly, several people lunged from behind, pinning my arms down hard. I couldn't move. Before I could utter another word, Brad’s hand came down across my face twice. *Crack! Crack!* My ears rang violently. Humiliation and burning fury scorched every nerve in my body. "I didn't lie! My family is filthy rich!" "Lucas IS my husband! If you don't believe me, let me go home and get our actual marriage certificate!" "Or let me call him right now! One phone call, and you'll see who's lying!" Jessica flicked her manicured fingers. "One last chance." They released me. My hands shook as I grabbed my phone and dialed Lucas. Once. Twice. Three times. Voicemail every single time. My heart plunged straight into an icy abyss."He's... he's traveling for business. He must be on the plane! Once he lands, he'll call me back!" No matter how busy Lucas had ever been, he had never once missed my call. Right now, that excuse was the only thread of sanity I had left to cling to. To them, it was just pathetic stalling. An irritated scowl crossed Jessica’s face. "Enough, Audrey. I thought you might show some remorse. Clearly, I was too kind." She nodded, and the men grabbed my arms again, wrenching them backward. Suddenly, Chloe’s sharp eyes caught something glinting on my wrists. "Jessica! Isn't that the rare Imperial Jade your husband bought for you at the auction last month?! How the hell is it on her wrists?!" Jessica’s eyes narrowed into slits. She stepped forward. Brad grabbed my wrists, brutally wrenching the jade bangles off my skin. The sharp friction tore at my flesh, and I cried out in pain. "Let go! My husband gave those to me!" "If you break them, your entire pathetic bloodline couldn't afford to pay me back!" I watched helplessly as Brad presented the bangles to Jessica like an obedient lapdog. "Look at that color—flawless Imperial Jade, worth over a hundred million dollars!" Brad gushed. "Jessica, how could you be so careless and let a thief steal something this valuable?" Veins bulged along Jessica’s neck. She lunged forward and grabbed me by the hair, violently yanking my head back. "You really have guts, don't you? You bribed my housekeeper to steal my wedding gift?!" "Only a trashy peasant like you would hoard these like a treasure!" With a vicious grin, she hurled the bangles down onto the stone paving. *CRASH!* The hundred-million-dollar jade shattered into jagged, worthless shards. "NO!" I screamed, tears of sheer fury burning in my eyes. The sound of my heartbreak only fueled her sadistic excitement. "Do you have any idea who my husband is? He can buy me a hundred more pairs whenever I snap my fingers!" "You're about to regret your greed, Audrey." "If you only coveted my jewelry, I might have tossed you a bone out of pity. But you dared to covet my husband. Today, I'm going to cure you of your home-wrecking addiction once and for all!" Brad eagerly raised his phone, launching an Ins live stream. "Today, we're going to discipline this trash on behalf of her deadbeat parents in front of the entire internet!" Jessica knelt down and picked up a razor-sharp shard of shattered jade. "You think you can steal men just because you have a pretty face?" She slowly brought the jagged edge toward my cheek. "Let’s see if any man ever looks at you again once you're a mutilated freak!" Panic seized my chest. "No... Jessica, don't! Stop!" I clamped my eyes shut, but the searing, blinding agony ripped across my face anyway. Warm blood poured down my cheeks. I thrashed against the hands pinning me, but I was completely powerless. I burned every single twisted, laughing face into my memory. "I will make every single one of you pay for this!" I choked out. Another brutal slap silenced me. Chloe chuckled darkly, grabbing my wrist. "Jessica, taking her face isn't enough. We have to destroy her hands." "Back in college, she stole the art piece Jessica worked three whole months on." "Then she slept with the judges to steal the grand prize for herself!" Jessica’s lips curved into a cold, terrifying smirk. "You're right. I'll shatter these hands today. Let’s see you ever steal someone else’s work again!" With a single glance from her, Brad and two other men slammed me face-first onto the gravel. My arms were pinned above my head, my hands spread out flat right beneath Jessica’s designer heels. Chloe handed her a heavy decorative stone from the garden. Jessica crouched down slowly. These hands were my life. They were made for holding paintbrushes. Terrified beyond pride, the screams tore from my throat: "Don't touch my hands! Fine! I admit whatever you want!" "The villa is yours! I stole your art! I won't fight you for anything, just please don't ruin my hands!" The crowd merely burst into raucous laughter, their phone cameras flashing in my face. "Admitting it now? Too late, bitch!" Jessica raised the stone, her eyes wild with malice, ready to smash it down onto my fingers. I squeezed my eyes shut, weeping in absolute despair. At that exact second, someone yelled: "Look! Mr. Adams’s car is here!"