From Slander To Stardom: All Eyes On The Unlikely Heiress

"Katherine is expecting. We should end this marriage."

Jason Baxter's low, steady voice delivered the words with chilling bluntness.

Emma Benton's fingers curled tightly, her nails biting into her palms as if that pain could calm her heart.

Today was supposed to be their third wedding anniversary. She had reheated the dinner she prepared again and again, waiting for him to come home. Instead, the moment he walked in, he crushed everything with a single sentence.

Emma looked at the man she had loved for three years and then at the woman sitting beside him. A sharp ache spread through her chest, stealing her breath.

Jason sat across from her, his fingers tightly clasped with Katherine Benton's. "You know how my parents are. They've been pressuring me nonstop for a child," he said, his tone weary. "Now Katherine is pregnant. Emma... I really can't take the pressure anymore."

With that, he pushed a stack of papers across the table.

The bold words "Divorce Agreement" stabbed into her vision.

In all three years of marriage, Jason had never once shown disgust toward the large red mark on her face.

When his parents pressured her relentlessly about having children and even forced bizarre fertility treatments on her, he had always stood in front of her without hesitation, declaring, "I only want Emma. She'll be my wife for life."

Those promises still echoed in her mind.

Yet here he was, holding another woman's hand, saying he couldn't take the pressure anymore.

A bone-deep chill crept up Emma's legs.

She forced a strained smile, her voice rough. "So your solution is to let my sister carry your child?"

Jason's brows knitted faintly, but before he could form a reply, Katherine cut in ahead of him. Her tone was soft and seemingly considerate, but the look in her eyes was sharp and undisguised. "Emma, I love Jason. Please, just let us be happy. And don't forget, I'm the real Benton daughter, the one they finally found after all these years. This marriage arrangement should've been mine from the start. As for you, with a face like that, it's hardly shocking he chose me instead."

Emma said nothing.

Just three days ago, her biological parents had called. They were coming to take her home today.

Everything had already been prepared, including medical arrangements to remove the red mark on her face.

She had wanted to surprise Jason, to finally show him her unmarked face and start fresh together.

Now, however, it felt as though destiny had already chosen a different path for her.

After a long stretch of silence, Emma reached for the pen. Without a second thought, she signed her name cleanly and firmly.

"I'll clear out immediately," she said coldly. "You two can stop pretending now."

Her decisiveness made Jason's frown deepen. A strange sense of discomfort, brief yet unsettling, rose in his chest.

Emma packed only the bare necessities. Anything tied to Jason, she left behind.

As she pulled her suitcase toward the door, a tall, elegant figure blocked her path.

"You really think the Baxter residence is somewhere you can stroll in and leave at will?" Jason's mother, Maggie Baxter, stood there with folded arms, chin raised, her gaze dripping with disdain.

For the past three years, Maggie had made life difficult for Emma at every turn.

Back then, she swallowed everything for Jason's sake, unwilling to cause him trouble.

But that reason no longer existed.

"And if I do?" Emma shot back, a mocking curve forming at the corner of her mouth. "Is being a Baxter really worth clinging to?"

Maggie's face hardened instantly. "You're free to leave, but not before we inspect your belongings. Who knows what valuables you might be trying to smuggle out!"

She gestured sharply. Two maids rushed forward, ripped the suitcase from Emma's hands, and began digging through it without the slightest care.

"Mrs. Baxter!" one maid suddenly exclaimed, holding up a gleaming emerald bracelet. "Isn't this the bracelet you mentioned went missing a few days ago?"

"Emma Benton!" Maggie exploded, her body shaking with fury as she pointed straight at Emma's face. "I knew that bracelet didn't just disappear by itself. You stole it!" Her voice rose shrilly. "Do you really think I'd allow a woman who can't even bear children to take a single cent from the Baxter family?"

Katherine hurried forward at once, lightly holding Maggie's arm as if to steady her. Her voice was gentle, almost comforting.

"Maggie, please don't get so worked up. It's bad for your health. I'm sure there's been some kind of mistake. Emma doesn't seem like someone who would do such a thing."

She then turned toward Emma, her expression sincere, as though she were really trying to help. "Emma, maybe you came across the bracelet somewhere, thought it was beautiful, and took it to look at for a moment. Perhaps you simply forgot to return it. Why don't you explain it properly so Maggie won't misunderstand you?"

The servants immediately began whispering among themselves.

"I never imagined Emma would do something like that..."

"She always put on airs, but who knew she'd stoop to stealing?"

"Katherine is really too kind; she's still defending her after all this."

"Once Katherine officially joins the family, the household atmosphere will definitely improve."

Jason's brow furrowed deeply as his gaze fixed on the emerald bracelet held aloft. Confusion and disappointment flickered in his eyes. "Emma," he asked in a low voice, "what is this all about?"

A faint, icy curve appeared at the corner of Emma's lips.

Trying to frame her with something this crude was almost laughable.

"Don't be upset, Maggie." Katherine stepped in with a soft, conciliatory smile, her tone gentle enough to soothe. "If Emma likes the bracelet, let her keep it. Think of it as a farewell gift from us."

As she spoke, she gently patted Maggie's back. "I have an even purer emerald bracelet at home. I'll bring it over for you tomorrow."

Maggie's furious expression eased a fraction at those words, and she snorted coldly through her nose. "Fine. Since Katherine's spoken, we'll drop it. Now get out of here, Emma!"

The servants immediately followed her lead.

"Katherine really is the perfect match for Mr. Baxter."

"To be so forgiving and magnanimous... what a kind and generous heart."

Katherine absorbed their praise quietly, lifting her chin ever so slightly in quiet satisfaction.

She extended the bracelet toward Emma, her smile warm and benevolent. "Go on. Take it. This way, no one can say you walked away with stolen goods."

Emma studied her for a moment, her eyes calm yet piercing.

Under that penetrating stare, Katherine felt inexplicably unsettled and swallowed reflexively.

Then, to everyone's surprise, Emma actually accepted the bracelet.

She cast a casual glance at it, and then scoffed disdainfully before flicking her wrist.

The green gemstone flashed through the air in a clean arc before landing neatly inside the trash bin in the corner.

The crisp clinking sound rang out loudly, instantly plunging the room into stunned silence.

"Emma! Are you completely insane?" Maggie screamed, her face contorting with rage. "That bracelet is worth a fortune! Katherine kindly handed it to you, and you tossed it away like trash?"

Katherine's expression collapsed into wounded restraint. She bit her lip, her eyes glistening. "Emma, I know you resent me, but there's no need for this. You've lived comfortably for more than twenty years. Going back to your real family in the countryside won't be easy. Eight brothers, struggling lives... the burden alone is overwhelming. Seriously, selling that bracelet could've helped you survive."

Emma met her gaze, her voice steady. "You gave it to me, didn't you? Then it belongs to me. And I decide what to do with it."

Maggie's face flushed dark red. "Pick it up this instant and apologize!"

Emma's eyes turned glacial as she looked at her. "I tolerated your behavior before out of respect for my husband. But now?" She let out a quiet, humorless laugh. "You don't get to order me around anymore."

Maggie's eyes nearly bulged out from sheer anger. "A woman like you never deserved my son in the first place. If it hadn't been for-"

"Mom, that's enough," Jason finally cut in, deep impatience clearly etched across his brow.

Maggie fell silent but continued glaring at Emma with undisguised hatred.

Emma glanced at the time. Whoever was coming for her would arrive soon.

She had no interest in wasting another breath here. She lifted her suitcase and turned to walk away.

"Stop right there! What kind of attitude do you think you're showing-" Maggie couldn't help herself and pointed angrily at Emma's back, launching into curses.

However, her next words died instantly when she saw what was waiting outside.

A sleek, limited-edition Bugatti was parked at the curb. Its polished body gleamed with understated luxury under the sunlight.

Standing beside it was a middle-aged man in a perfectly fitted uniform, upright and dignified, his presence reflecting well-trained grace and discipline of an elite family.

He spared the Baxters no glance at all-his attention fixed solely on Emma.

When she approached, he bowed gracefully and opened the car door with flawless etiquette.

"Ma'am, after you."

Emma dipped her head once and lowered herself into the car.

As the door shut, the driver, Tom Briggs, stole a glance at her through the rearview mirror. His eyes paused on the red mark on her face, and an old memory surfaced unbidden. The calm poise she carried was uncannily similar to her birth mother, Mary Pearson, when she was young-cool, dignified, and impossible to overlook.

The engine roared to life, and the car shot forward, kicking up dust that drifted back and settled squarely on the three figures who had followed her outside.

Maggie coughed, her face contorting. "That ungrateful girl! No upbringing at all. We were far too lenient with her just now!"

Then something occurred to her. Her eyes widened, and her voice rose sharply. "Hold on-wasn't that car featured on the cover of last week's financial magazine? How on earth did that hideous woman end up riding in something like that?"

Jason remained silent. His brows were drawn tightly together as his gaze followed the departing limited-edition Bugatti.

That vehicle wasn't something money alone could secure.

Katherine observed him from the corner of her eye, thoughts spinning quickly. "Did Emma arrange all of this ahead of time?" she said slowly. "Otherwise, the timing is too perfect. And the way she got into that car... she looked far too accustomed to it. It couldn't have been her first time. Maybe she knows some loaded guy."

Jason's expression darkened at once. The muscles in his jaw clenched, and the veins along his clenched hands stood out starkly.

...

Inside the moving car, Emma finally broke the silence. "Tom, where are we headed?"

"Tulip Villas," Tom replied. "It's roughly a two-hour drive. You should rest."

A brief flash of surprise crossed Emma's eyes. Tulip Villas was known as the most tightly guarded residential area for Glexdale's elite.

She pushed aside her questions for the moment and spoke again. "Tom, could we stop by Grace Memorial Hospital first?"

"Are you not feeling well?" Concern immediately edged into his voice.

"No." Emma's gaze dimmed slightly. "I want to see Alexander Baxter one last time before I go."

Among the Baxters, Jason's grandfather had been the only one who ever treated her with genuine warmth.

At Grace Memorial Hospital, Emma navigated the corridors with familiarity until she reached Alexander's room.

Lying in the bed, he was still unconscious. The illness had drained him terribly-his body frail, each breath shallow and strained.

Emma's eyes burned. She reached out and gently wrapped her fingers around his cold hand.

"Emma?"

A calm, familiar voice sounded behind her.

She blinked, steadying herself, and turned around. Seeing the man, she gave a small nod. "Dr. Andrews. How is he doing?"

Nate Andrews followed her gaze to the bed and released a long, heavy sigh. "The outlook isn't good. The cancer has metastasized. At this stage, conventional treatments are unlikely to make much difference."

Emma pressed her lips together, and then pulled a small vial from her pocket and casually tossed it to Nate.

He caught it, studying the container with confusion. Suddenly, his eyes widened.

"That's... a miracle drug for cancer. Only ten vials have ever been released worldwide. Where on earth did you get this?"

Nate's gaze lingered on Emma, deep in thought.

He added, "About a year ago, I faced a case that had me stuck for two weeks. You just happened to walk by, took one glance, and solved it. Since Alexander was admitted, you've pulled him back from the edge more times than I can count."

He stared at her, disbelief plain in his eyes.

"Emma... who exactly are you?"

But Emma's face remained unreadable, clearly uninterested in revealing anything more.

Nate dropped the subject, shifting gears. "You've been nothing but a blessing to the Baxters, and yet look how they've treated you. You deserve better than that..."

Before he could finish, Emma interrupted with a dry, faint smile. "Please take care of Alexander for me."

This medicine had nothing to do with Jason or any of the family drama. It was simply the last favor she could do for the old man.

With that, she turned to leave. As she passed by the adjacent ward, she glimpsed a flurry of doctors gathered in urgent discussion.

"Mr. Miller's condition has taken a sharp turn for the worse. It's critical!"

"At this point, surgery is the safest option."

"Let's hold off a little longer. The family is expected within the next thirty minutes."

Emma's gaze cut through the chaotic scene, settling on the frail, pale figure lying unconscious in the bed.

The constant beeping of the heart monitor filled the room with tension.

Her voice was calm but steely as she spoke, slicing through the noise. "He has no more than twenty minutes left. If you don't operate now, he won't make it."