Bride behind the mask novel (Marguerite)

Zoe stood rooted to the spot, her mind reeling from the revelation.

Marguerite was the actual Fitzgerald heiress - an undeniable fact that no one could overlook!

If Hackett decided to go through with the DNA test for Marguerite and Yuna, not only would their little charade come crashing down, but the secret Zoe had harbored for twenty-five long years would also rise to the surface!

And then, she would have nowhere to turn but a dead end.

So, before Robert and Frederick arrived, Marguerite needed to leave, and pronto!

With this thought, Zoe whispered urgently to Ablett, "You need to get a hold of Dr. Hammond from the genetics lab, stat! Have him rush over here. I'll handle the rest."

No sooner had Zoe finished her sentence than she was striding over to Marguerite, pointing an accusatory finger, "Marguerite! It's my fault, I know. I should've raised you better. It was bad enough you played mind games with your father and me, but why, oh why, did you have to mess with Mr. Winston and Mr. Fitzgerald's heads?

I've told you time and again, Yuna is the Fitzgerald family's daughter! That's not something you can change! Why can't you just accept that? Why are you causing trouble again?"

Marguerite was taken aback by Zoe's sudden grip on her arm, but her shock quickly turned to a mixture of amusement and irony.

She hadn't spoken to her so-called parents in three years, yet here they were, slinging mud her way as soon as they appeared. How ironic.

Hackett's brows knitted in confusion at Zoe's words, asking, "What do you mean by 'mind games'?"

Zoe, feeling a surge of energy, released Marguerite and locked eyes with Hackett, fanning the flames as she spoke non-stop, "Ever since Yuna was taken by you, Marguerite's been blaming me and Ablett, asking why we couldn't just swap her in and make her the Fitzgerald heiress!

She looks just like Yuna, then why couldn't she be the golden girl? We've always told her that whoever is meant to have that status will have it!

I know we've been too kind to Yuna over the years, trying to make up for past mistakes, and we've neglected Marguerite's upbringing and affection.

But we never imagined she would set her sights on the Fitzgerald heiress' title! Yes, I am Marguerite's mother, and I've already made one mistake; I can't make another!

I cannot condone my daughter doing such a heinous act!"

As Zoe spoke, she grabbed Marguerite's arm, pleading earnestly, "Come on, Marguerite! Go home with me now! We'll give you our business, just stop picking on Yuna!

I may not have shown you enough love, but darling, the Fitzgeralds are out of your league! Isn't having Maurice enough for you? Why this obsession with being a Fitzgerald heiress?

Please, I'm begging you, come home with me. Don't be the laughingstock!"

Of course, Marguerite had never said any of those things, but who would believe her?

As long as Zoe and Ablett stuck to their story, Marguerite would be tarnished, no matter how she tried to defend herself.

And Zoe couldn't help but suspect that Marguerite must have shared her grievances with Frederick about the whole acknowledgment ordeal. After all, who wouldn't covet the status of the second most prestigious family in Stonebridge City?

Maybe it was time to pile on a bit more scandal to Marguerite's name.

Perhaps by flipping the script, the tides of public opinion would turn against her!

Especially since Robert and Frederick were yet to arrive.

Add to that the fact that it was clear as day to anyone with eyes that Hackett's doting on Yuna had reached outrageous levels.

Now, if Zoe could just clutch onto Hackett as her lifeline, there might just be a chance to turn everything around.