Chapter 43: The Truth Unveiled, A Family Torn Apart–2


    I nced at Natalie, seeing her in a new light. She had called me “the treasure of our family” without hesitation.


    Vanessa sobbed harder, then bowed deeply to me. “I’m sorry, Sister Olivia. I was


    wrong. I shouldn’t have lied and ndered you. I’m sorry…”


    (Connor’s POV)


    Without hesitation, I announced coldly, “Dad, Mom, Grandmother, I will be sending my


    foster sister abroad.”


    My words stunned everyone into silence. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the


    corner seemed deafening in the sudden quiet.


    Vanessa’s eyes widened with panic, and she started shaking her head wildly.


    “No, I don’t want to go abroad! I don’t want to leave!” she cried, herposurepletely shattered.


    My tone remained resolute and unyielding. “This is a notice, not a discussion.”


    (Eleanor’s POV)


    I felt my voice tremble in reluctance. Despite her faults, Vanessa had been my


    “I disagree. Vanessa keeps mepany at home,” I protested. “You and your parents are always <i>so </i>busy–who will be with me if she leaves?”


    Then Connor dropped a bombshell, his voice slicing through the room like a de.


    “Vanessa covets her own foster brother. Are you really going to keep her in Riverdale?


    Aren’t <i>you </i>afraid of scandal?”


    “WHAT!” I nearly choked on my breath, clutching at my chest in shock. William and


    Katherine paled with disgust beside me.


    (Katherine’s POV)


    My face turned ashen as the implication of Connor’s words sank in.


    “What is the meaning of this?” I demanded, unable to believe what I was hearing.


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    Chapter 43 The Truth Uny…


    +15 Points >


    Vanessa’splexion drained of all color. She trembled violently, lips white as chalk.


    “Brother, you… you…” she stammered, unable to form a coherent denial.


    (Connor’s POV)


    My face darkened, my tone merciless as I confronted the truth we had all ignored for


    too long.


    “Vanessa, put away those filthy thoughts. Stay far away from me. I will never be


    interested in you.”


    (Olivia’s POV)


    I was stunned by his ruthless exposure. My amber eyes widened slightly.


    I never expected that, just because I once hinted Vanessa might be infatuated with


    her foster brother, Connor would now tear apart all illusions so publicly and cruelly,


    even banishing her abroad without mercy.


    (Eleanor’s POV)


    I felt overwhelmed, clutching my chest as my voice trembled with anger and


    heartbreak.


    “Is it true? Did you really harbor such shameless feelings for your brother?”


    Vanessa desperately wanted to deny it–I could see it in her eyes–but the words died


    in her throat. She could neither confess nor lie.


    What she couldn’t do was say she didn’t love him, because her obsession was clearly


    bone–deep. Yet she couldn’t bear the idea of leaving him behind forever.


    “Grandma, I… I…” Her sobs turned hysterical. “Please, don’t send me away!”


    (William’s POV)


    I watched my wife’s gaze fill with disgust and outrage. This girl we had weed into our home, raised as our own, had betrayed our trust in the most disturbing way.


    I sighed heavily, seeing no alternative. “Tomorrow we will arrange your departure immediately. You still have the vi we bought for you in the Western Territory. You can live there. I’ll arrange a position for you at our overseas branch.”


    Connor’s voice cut through her pleas, firm and final. “Without my permission, you are


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    < Chapter 43: The Truth Uny…


    never to return to the Northern Territory.”


    (Vanessa’s POV)


    +15 Points ?


    “No! I won’t go!” My despair exploded into madness. “Brother, I don’t want to leave


    you!”


    My tears streamed uncontrobly, my voice shrill and crazed. I couldn’t hold back


    anymore–years of hidden feelings burst forth like a broken dam.


    “Why? Why can’t I love you? We grew up together, but there’s no blood rtion. Why


    can’t you just look back at me? Is it wrong that I love you? Is it wrong that I want to be with you forever?”


    (Katherine’s POV)


    A resounding p echoed through the hall.


    I stood tall, having struck Vanessa’s face hard enough to leave a vivid handprint. My


    voice was cold with fury.


    “Shut up! Stop talking nonsense! Connor is your brother, and will always be your brother. Even if one day you leave the Rivers family, you’ll never be with him!”


    (Vanessa’s POV)


    I sneered bitterly, my cheek stinging from Katherine’s p.


    “Heh, do you think I care about being your adopted daughter?” I red at her with


    hatred that had festered for years. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have be his


    sister. Did <i>you </i>ever ask if I wanted to be adopted? I never wanted to be his sister!”


    With <i>those </i>venomous words, I turned and stormed out of the Rivers family mansion, leaving stunned silence behind.


    (Olivia’s POV)


    Witnessing this ugly and heart–wrenching scene, my heart remained unsettled for a


    long time.


    The family that had seemed so perfect from the outside had just been torn apart


    before my eyes. Vanessa’s confession and subsequent banishment had exposed raw


    wounds that would not heal easily.


    <


    Chapter 45 The Truth De


    Beside me, Connor gently took my hand, his palm warm and steady against mine. His


    voice lowered softly,forting me with quiet determination.


    “Livvy, don’t carry any guilt in your heart. None of this is your fault.”


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