The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 21

“Baron Boris and his wife have arrived!”

 

Shailoh’s head turned instinctively toward the door. Displeasure swept through her like a cold tide. She stood in startled silence as a lady snapped her fan shut and offered what she clearly considered sage advice.

 

“Miss Griche, it’s best not to mingle with those people.”

 

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

 

What Shailoh saw was just a well-matched young couple. However, for some reason, the woman’s expression was anxious, as if she were restless and timid.

 

“Well, Miss Griche might not know.”

 

As Shailoh’s eyes widened, waiting for an explanation, the lady lowered her voice and continued.

 

“That woman was originally a maid. She seduced Baron Boris, her own young master, and secured her position using her body. The promising baron rejected refined and beautiful young ladies from good families to fall for such a vulgar, lowborn woman.”

 

Baroness Boris had momentarily separated from her husband during this exchange. She glanced toward their group and flushed crimson. The gossiping woman, emboldened by this reaction, raised her voice further.

 

“Ever since their marriage, she shamelessly shows her face everywhere. No matter how desperately she tries to ingratiate herself with high society, who would genuinely accept her? What’s so proud about tying down her husband? She appears here without shame.” The lady noticed Shailoh’s expression hardening. She quickly added, “Of course, this is entirely separate from your situation, Miss Griche. You were born noble, even if your family fell on hard times. It’s a different matter altogether.”

 

A fallen noble. That was the past Sasha Griche had crafted for herself. Thanks to this carefully constructed history, the nobility had accepted her.

 

Suddenly, a bitter taste rose in Shailoh’s throat, as if she had eaten an unripe fruit. Steadying her breath, Shailoh abruptly changed the subject. “I heard a story once, though I’m not sure if you’ll find it interesting.”

 

“Oh my, what kind of story?”

 

“One day, a thirsty gypsy wandering the desert found a dark cave and went inside. Luckily, in the darkness, he found sweet underground water and drank it.”

 

“That’s good. And then?”

 

It was just about the time everyone was starting to get bored at yet another identical banquet. The noble ladies, thinking this might be a clever insult toward the woman standing alone, perked up their ears to listen.

 

“But when he woke up the next morning, it wasn’t underground water, but just rainwater that had poured there. The gypsy, realizing this, spat it all out at once.” With a faint smile, Shailoh continued, as if she found it hilarious. “Thinking about it, isn’t the human heart quite shallow? When desperate, they drink eagerly as if it’s honey, but the moment they realize the truth, they spit it out. It’s still drinkable water, no matter where it’s contained. Why does it matter where it’s contained?”

 

It was an unmistakable jab at someone. As the air turned icy, like cold water had been thrown, Shailoh calmly nodded. “Well then, I’ll excuse myself.”

 

Why did she say that? As Shailoh brushed past the crowd, she pondered. She hadn’t meant to defend or side with the woman she was seeing for the first time. Besides, it wasn’t beneficial to make enemies of the ladies she’d just been speaking with. But Shailoh simply couldn’t stand that moment. The double-faced nobles were always nauseating, to the point where she felt she might suffocate from the stench.

 

Her unsteady steps caught the attention of a waiter carrying champagne, who spoke to her. “Madam, are you alright? Do you need assistance?”

 

“No, I’m fine.”

 

Refusing the waiter’s support, Shailoh staggered out onto the balcony. The cool breeze sobered her up a bit. She steadied herself against the railing, sensing someone behind her. Before she could turn to see who it was, a familiar voice rang out.

 

“I thought it might be you… and it is.”

 

Instead of replying, Shailoh slowly turned around. Seeing her face, the woman shook her head in disbelief.

 

“…Sasha. No, Shailoh.”

 

Shailoh had expected this encounter eventually. She already thought she might see this woman at the banquet. Unlike when she’d spotted her at the theater, Shailoh faced the familiar face with surprising calm. Confirming that there was no one else around, she nodded straightforwardly.

 

“It’s been a while, Claire.”

 

“…”

 

“How have you been?”

 

“How can you be here so openly? You’re supposed to be a murder suspect on the run and missing.” Instead of answering, Claire muttered with a pale face.

 

Shailoh scoffed and stepped forward boldly. “You shouldn’t say things like that. That’s a false accusation your family pinned on me.”

 

“That’s not true!”

 

“Not true? Really? Lying and making up things is your specialty.”

 

“D-Don’t come any closer!”

 

“Why? Do I look like a ghost to you?” Shailoh narrowed her brow and grabbed Claire’s trembling hand, pulling her closer as if daring her to confirm the reality. “Are you scared to see me again because you have a guilty conscience? Did you ever feel guilt at all?”

 

“That’s not it. You’re the one who repaid kindness with evil deeds. You’re the one who committed those crimes…”

 

“If that’s true, why are you afraid of me?”

 

Shailoh recalled the princess she had played not long ago—a villainess with no guilt, cold-hearted, and ruthless in achieving her goals. Everyone scorned her, but Shailoh understood that kind of blind determination for something. She was no longer the stray dog wandering the streets, desperate for affection.

 

“Are you afraid of what I might do to you?”

 

As Shailoh gripped Claire’s wrist tightly, Claire’s lips trembled, and she averted her gaze.

 

“Making things up? I… I don’t know.” With the next question, Claire, turning even paler, collapsed weakly. She fell to the floor, her dress crumpling messily, and spoke in a faltering voice. “I-I did think it was… strange. It made no sense for you to suddenly poison the guild leader of the Grid Merchant Guild. You wanted to leave our family and noble society behind, so there’s no way you would do… something like that.”

 

“The one who killed the Grid Merchant Guild Leader wasn’t me, but your brother, Evan Diponz. He poisoned him, and I happened to witness the scene.”

 

Shailoh released Claire’s hand as if shaking off something filthy, then stepped on her skirt with her shoe, forcing Claire to look up by gripping her chin.

 

“Whether you believe me or not doesn’t matter. Now I’m going to take everything back, step by step.”

 

“I’m innocent!”

 

As Shailoh tried to leave the balcony, Claire’s sobbing stopped her.

 

“I did nothing wrong! I just… wanted you to marry him instead of me. You got to be happy in my place for eight years, so it’s only fair you pay for that!”

 

“So that’s why you insisted on keeping me when I was ready to leave everything behind and return to Kildare Barony.”

 

Claire’s lips turned blue at Shailoh’s piercing words. Shailoh looked down at her with cold calm.

 

“So, are you happy now that you’re living a wealthy life?”

 

Her question was genuine, but for Claire, it felt like a nail being driven in. She trembled with shock, betrayal, and fear, bursting into tears.

 

“My husband has nothing to do with this! If you dare harm us—”

 

“If I do, then what?”

 

“I’ll expose your true identity. You’ll vanish without a trace.”

 

“So, that’s why you sought me out? You must have known in advance that I’d be attending this banquet.”

 

“Don’t make baseless accusations.”

 

“No, it’s the truth. You’re scared of me. You must have always checked whether I was attending any event or not. Otherwise, there’s no way I wouldn’t have seen you at other gatherings until now.”

 

Claire couldn’t refute further when Shailoh pressed her to that point.

 

Smiling faintly, Shailoh released the wrist she’d been gripping as if discarding trash.

 

“Tell me. Who’s backing you?”

 

“…”

 

“And what are you holding onto?” Looking down at her shaken wrist, Claire suddenly pressed Shailoh with anxiety.

 

“What?”

 

“What are you holding onto that makes you so confident to show your face to the world?”

 

“Well.” Shailoh couldn’t help but laugh at Claire’s response. A bright light flickered in her mind like lightning.

 

Claire was convinced that Shailoh held something that could ruin her. That meant there was something that absolutely must not be revealed. Her mind raced.

 

“If you want to know, wait until I contact you. But if you mention my existence to Duke Diponz or anyone else before then, you’ll regret it deeply. Got it?”

 

As Shailoh threatened her, Claire nodded, her face drained of all color.