Chapter 6 Engagement
The next morning, Sierra came downstairs, yawning.
Isabella wasn’t a fan of getting up early, so it was Sierra, Karla, Trevon, and Jamal who enjoyed their breakfast.
After that, Jamal went to work while Karla said to Sierra, “Rara, Trevon and Arthur talked on the phone last night. It’s a big deal that you’re back, and it’s only right if we announce it to everyone. Arthur is hosting a party at the old mansion tonight, and we’re taking you with us.”
“Tonight? So soon?” Sierra was a bit surprised.
Trevon and Karla exchanged glances. Pondering for a while, Karla awkwardly explained, “To be honest, we were planning on announcing something else tonight. Since you’re back, it can only be announced after we’ve made your identity public.”
Sierra looked at her, puzzled. What was she talking about?
Afraid that Sierra might say no, Trevon said quickly, “Just come with us tonight. You’ll know the rest once you get there.”
Sierra was baffled. But since she was back, she could only accept who she was and the arrangements they had made.
Little did they know that Isabella, who was at the corner upstairs, overheard everything. Her expression grew serious.
She thought, “Grandpa is gonna announce something else besides Sierra’s identity? Could it be…”
Soon, the night fell. Sierra. Trevon, and Karla rode in a luxurious limousine, heading to the Cordova’s old mansion.
Soon, the car stopped at the grand entrance.
Sierra had expected it to be a family gathering, yet to her surprise, there were reporters outside the mansion. The second they got out of the car, the reporters immediately pointed their cameras at them.
Who’s that young lady? She doesn’t seem like the daughter of the Cordova family:”
“Ive never seen her. Well, she’s way prettier than the couple’s daughter.”
“Are you sure? I think she looks like Mrs. Cordova very much…”
The others all nodded in agreement.
“You’re right. She’s a spitting image of Mrs. Cordova…”
Just then, Jamal’s car arrived. At the sight of him, the reporters screamed. “He’s so handsome!”
“He surely is! He and his four brothers all have striking faces. What a pity that they rarely show up together…”
Everyone’s attention was attracted by Jamal and Sierra, and no one even noticed when Isabella stepped out of the car. She forced a smile while clenching her dress so tightly that her knuckles were turning pale.
She thought bitterly, “Why? They haven’t even announced Sierra’s identity yet. How come those stupid reporters are all focusing on her? How could they ignore me just like this?”
Soon, they entered the mansion.
The Cordova’s old mansion was incredibly spacious. After walking through the long, wide corridor, they entered the banquet hall on the first floor.
At this moment, the hall was filled with handsome young men and beautiful young women, all socialites and heirs from prominent families.
Upon noticing the commotion, they all turned to the Cordova family.
Trevon and Karla walked in the front, and Sierra and Jamal followed them side by side.
The guests were whispering among themselves at first; instantly, the hall fell silent.
They all knew Isabella; none of them had ever seen Sierra, who was stunningly pretty.
Upon closer look, they found that she looked like the Cordova family a lot. In comparison, Isabella was completely overshadowed.
Noticing the crowd’s meaningful gazes, Isabella could only maintain a smile; she tried her best not to lose to Sierra.
fell on
Just then, Arthur Cordova walked over. The second his Sierra, a look of admiration flashed across his eyes. “Sierra, right? Sure
gaze
enough, you’re my granddaughter. With such grace and beauty, you befit the Cordova family.”
Isabella felt that his words were like a loud slap in her face; filled with hatred and embarrassment, she bit her lip.
She had always known Arthur didn’t like her. With Sierra’s appearance, surely, he would think even less of her.
She couldn’t help but glare at Sierra discreetly, blaming Sierra for
everything.
Meanwhile, Sierra smiled modestly, “Grandpa, you’re flattering me. Dad and Mom’s good genes did most of the work.”
“Oh, silly girl. You should give yourself enough credit. Sit,” Arthur said while leading Sierra to the couches in the center of the hall.
Those sitting there were all the old–generation bigshots in Kingbury. Everyone wanted to come over and say a few words to them, but no one had the guts to do so. However. Arthur led Sierra toward them directly.
Sierra wasn’t intimidated. Meeting their gazes, she greeted them gracefully. “Hello, everyone. I’m Sierra, Arthur’s biological granddaughter.”
Her self–introduction was neat, concise, and straightforward.
The onlookers were stunned.
“What’s going on? I thought Sir Cordova only had one granddaughter.
“I thought so, too. He actually has such a beautiful granddaughter?”
Someone in the know whispered, “You haven’t heard? Yesterday, the Cordova family attended the party hosted by the Giada family and brought back a girl. It seems the Giada family’s adopted daughter is the Cordoval family’s real daughter.”
“Seriously? What about Isabella? We’ve seen her before. Is she fake?”
The curious onlookers were all discussing. It was the first time Isabella was discussed in public, and she couldn’t help but wring her hands.
On the contrary, Sierra had become the center of attention.
Chapter & Engagement
A respected elderly man smiled and said to Arthur, “I’ve heard. This is your long–lost granddaughter, right? She’s been raised by the Giada family
these years.
“She’s surely graceful and pretty. At first glance, I could tell she’s part of your family.”
Isabella felt she was mocked as if she wasn’t worthy of being part of the Cordova family, but all she could do was straighten her back and stand by Karla and Trevon while clenching her teeth.
She was well aware of one thing. Everyone knew she wasn’t the real daughter of Karla and Trevon, so once she left, she might not even have the right to stand next to them anymore. She could only pretend to be sweet and docile.
Arthur was pleased when he heard the others‘ comments about Sierra, and he looked at Matthew Lester. “Well? My granddaughter is a perfect match. for your grandson. Don’t you think?”
Matthew sized up Sierra. Seeing her striking features, tall and slender figure, especially that hint of vitality in her eyes, he said to Arthur suspiciously, “Arthur, don’t tell me you found her out of nowhere to fool me because I said I wanted to break off the two families‘ engagement.”
Though the two families had agreed upon the engagement, Matthew had always felt his grandson was out of Isabella’s league. Arthur had been wanting to make the engagement officially known, but Matthew came here today to put an end to it.
To his surprise, Arthur showed up with such a pretty girl; it was no wonder he had such speculation.
“Why would I lie to you? We’ve done the paternity test,” Arthur said with a proud look on his face, confirming Sierra’s identity. “She was switched
Chapter & Engagement
at birth. We found her back only recently.”
Matthew frowned. “So, you have two granddaughters?”
Arthur glanced at Isabella.
Isabella hoped Arthur would save her some face, but her hope was shattered in the next second. Arthur said, “The police made a mistake. Sierra is my only granddaughter.”
Immediately, everyone looked at Isabella in a different way.
Isabella wasn’t Arthur’s granddaughter; Sierra was the one and only.
In other words, Sierra would eventually have everything Arthur owned.
Matthew smiled with satisfaction, “Nice. She looks perfect with my grandson.”
Just like that, Sierra’s status was confirmed by both Arthur and Matthew. On the contrary, Isabella had been working so hard to get their approval but failed. She felt so bitter that she couldn’t even breathe.
She thought, “I’ve always wanted to be Matthew’s granddaughter–in–law. Yet, the second Sierra is back, Matthew changes his mind about
canceling the engagement.
“The Cordova family doesn’t think much of me, and the Lester family can’t stand me either?”
