Chapter 67 Self-Sabotaging
Michael gritted his teeth to suppress the rage he felt. “Angie, Madeline isn’t Cameron’s daughter. She’s mine and your mother’s daughter…” he uttered honestly. He shot a gaze at Joseph as he spoke, and Joseph gave him a subtle nod. Michael heaved a sigh of relief.
While they were on their way home, Michael had ordered Joseph to call both of their family doctors to inform them to be on standby just in case they were needed. Michael was sure that his son had followed his orders. Angie didn’t realize the way Michael and Joseph were exchanging looks, as she was too stunned by what Michael just said. She glared at Michael while questioning him. “W-What do you mean, Dad?”
Crystal was more shocked than Angie was. With her eyes widened, she questioned Michael with a look of disbelief. “What did you just say, Michael? Say it again!” When Michael saw the two family doctors edging closer to his wife, he gained some courage to repeat himself. So, Michael held Madeline’s hand before walking over to Crystal and placing Madeline’s hand in Crystal’s. He placed his arm on Crystal’s back as he spoke in a gentle tone. “You heard what I said, Crystal. Madeline… Madeline’s our biological daughter. It’s all my fault. I failed to take care of our daughter, and I didn’t realize that I had brought the wrong child home. I’ve already done a DNA test to prove that Madeline is our daughter…”
“No! That’s impossible!” Angie shouted while shaking her head. Crystal was still too stunned to respond. “This doesn’t make sense. Stop cracking such terrible jokes, Dad. This can’t be real. This isn’t real. I’m your biological daughter. I look just like Mom! Everyone says I look like Mom. How could I not be her daughter? You’re lying, Dad. You’re lying!” Angie cried.
“I’m not…” Michael tightened his grip around Crystal as he gazed in Jonathan’s direction. Jonathan calmly pulled the DNA test results out. He had made a lot of copies of the results, so he handed one copy to each member of the family. Angie went through the results with trembling hands, and tears trickled down her cheeks after that. She wailed and sobbed as she tore her copy apart. “No! This can’t be true! This is fake. You guys are lying. I don’t believe it! You guys are all lying!” She shook her head.
How could I not be my parents’ child? I’m the young lady of the Wendel Family. I don’t believe this. I share the same blood as Mom and Dad. I’m my brother’s younger sister. I’m the precious girl in the Wendel Family. I am! I have to be!
Ever since Angie was a child, tons of people had been envious of her for being born into a rich family. They were also envious of her loving parents and the eight older brothers and cousins she had. She had always been the brightest, most eye-catching gem in all her social circles. Everyone looked up to her. But if she wasn’t her parents’ daughter, and if she wasn’t the young lady of the Wendel Family, all of this would disappear overnight.
I’ll be banished by the heavens. Everything I used to have will no longer belong to me. All the envious gazes I used to get will turn into mocking and ridiculing gazes. I might even be kicked out of the upper-class circles. I’ll turn into an outsider… I can’t allow that to happen. I can’t!
“You! This was all a part of your evil scheme, wasn’t it? You scammed my father. You’re Cameron’s daughter, and you’re just as bad as her. You’re evil. You must be trying to harm me!” Angie charged over to Madeline as she reached out to grab Madeline’s shirt.
Sebastian held his arm out to push Madeline behind him, but Madeline stopped him right in time as she used her other hand to grab Angie’s wrist. In one swift motion, she twisted Angie’s wrist to her back before pushing her onto her knees.
Angie wailed in pain. Right then, Cedric stormed over to Madeline. “Are you crazy, Madeline? What are you trying to do?” Madeline raised her foot and kicked Angie to the ground before patting the dust off her hands. “I’m just protecting myself. Do you have bad eyesight, Cedric? Didn’t you see what just happened?” she asked calmly.
“You…” Cedric was at a loss for words.
Madeline raised her brows as she looked at him. “Do you think I should act the way I used to? Should I let her hit me and curse at me without fighting back? If that’s the case, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you! I used to take all the beating and cursing because I thought I was Cameron’s daughter. I thought I was indebted to you guys and the Taylor Family. But now, I’ve returned my debts to the Taylors, and… it seems like I never owed you guys anything. Why should I allow her to bully me, then?”
“You… You…” Cedric couldn’t seem to argue against her. Madeline turned to look at Michael. “I don’t think your family welcomes me, Mr. Wendel. Perhaps I should visit another day.”
“No, Madeline. Don’t get mad.” Michael was still trying to calm down Crystal, who was trembling uncontrollably. “I want you to apologize to your sister!” Michael barked at Cedric.
Cedric pretended not to hear anything as clenched his teeth and bent down to help Angie up. Angie quickly crawled into his arms as she began to sob. She felt as if her entire world had collapsed at that moment. She despised Madeline.
Madeline’s someone who deserves no respect—her mother was an illegitimate daughter. In the past, Madeline received less respect than the maids in the Taylor Family. But now, the man I like the most is saying that he likes Madeline. Even after Madeline went through the IVF procedure and had two sons, that man still hasn’t given up on her. All he thinks about is her. I hate Madeline. I wish she could just die and disappear from this world. But Madeline didn’t just stay around. I can’t believe she’s actually my parents’ biological daughter. Right now, she’s about to overtake my position as the young lady of the Wendel Family. I know I’m not as smart, pretty, or fit as Madeline. The only thing I’ve always won her in is my family background. My dad is Michael Wendel and my mom is Crystal Taylor. I have eight brothers and cousins who love me. I’m the precious princess of the family. But now, all of that is gone. All of this belongs to Madeline. I wouldn’t be surprised if the skies actually fell to the ground at this point, Angie thought.
All she did then was cling to Cedric as if he was the last sliver of hope she could find. My brothers are mine. My parents are mine. I’m the young lady of the Wendel Family. No one can snatch that away from me. I’ll fight anyone who dares to do it!
Michael was annoyed by Cedric’s actions, but he couldn’t do much. All Michael could do was to speak to Madeline. “Don’t get mad, Madeline. Cedric isn’t going against you. He’s just like that. I promise all four of your brothers will be nice to you in the future!”
“Michael…” Crystal had been staring at Madeline the whole time. Crystal’s entire body was shivering as she looked up at her husband. “Are you saying that Madeline is our biological daughter?”
“Yes.” Michael nodded as he hugged his wife. “Madeline’s our biological daughter!”
“What about Angie?” Crystal’s gaze was eerily calm despite her trembling figure. “If Madeline is our daughter, then who are Angie’s parents? Why does Angie look so much like me?”
