Alpha's Abandoned Daughter is the Secret Heiress novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Celine Stone Is an Adopted Daughter

Chapter 44: Celine Stone Is an Adopted Daughter

(Amelia’s POV)

The banquet hall fell silent as I stood confidently before the crowd. All eyes were on me and Celine in our identical gowns. I could feel the tension crackling in the air like electricity before

a storm,

“Since we’re discussing propriety,” I said, my voice carrying clearly across the room, “perhaps we should address the elephant in the room. Many of our distinguished guests might not be aware that Celine is actually an adopted daughter of the Stone River Pack.”

Gasps erupted throughout the hall. The revelation hit like a thunderbolt, sending shockwaves through the assembled guests.

“What? Celine is adopted?” someone whispered loudly.

“I thought she was their biological daughter!” another voice added.

I watched as Livia’s face drained of color. Adrian looked as though he might collapse. This was exactly the reaction I’d hoped for. They had never publicly acknowledged Celine’s true status, preferring to maintain the illusion that she was their biological child to protect her position within the Stone family.

If they wanted to protect Celine so badly, I would make sure everyone knew exactly who she

was.

“Since we’re being so honest tonight,” I continued, deliberately turning attention to our matching dresses, “perhaps someone would like to explain why Celine and I are wearing identical gowns at my welcome banquet?”

Celine’s expression was a mixture of shock and confusion. She clearly hadn’t expected me to address the dress situation so directly. Her eyes darted nervously between her parents, silently begging for help.

Livia immediately jumped to her defense. “This is absurd! We had no idea you would be wearing the same dress. This is merely an unfortunate coincidence.”

Caleb stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. “This gown was personally selected by me for Celine weeks ago. It’s a one–of–a–kind designer piece from an international master.”

His eyes narrowed as he looked me up and down with contempt. “Clearly, what Amelia is

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Chapter 44 Celine Stone te an Adopted Daughter

wearing must be a counterfeit. There’s only one authentic piece in the entire world

125 Points

He smirked, his voice dripping with disdain. “How embarrassing that you would wear a fake at your own welcome banquet. But I suppose that’s to be expected from someone who doesn’t know any better.”

The whispers around the room grew louder. I could hear snippets of conversation as the guests began to take sides.

“Well, she did come from that remote Meadow Brook Pack. She probably doesn’t know

better…”

“Poor Theodore, being matched with someone who wears counterfeits…”

“Perhaps he should reconsider this arrangement…”

I glanced at Theodore, who remained perfectly composed. His eyes met mine with unwavering support.

“Amelia is my chosen fiancée,” Theodore stated firmly, his voice silencing the murmurs. “I trust her completely. Whatever she says or does, I stand by her side.”

His words warmed my heart. In that moment, I knew I had chosen the right mate.

Both Patriarch Alaric and Alpha King Gideon were watching me intently, clearly curious to see how I would handle this situation. I could feel their evaluating gazes, measuring my worth by

my response.

I smiled serenely, completely unfazed by Caleb’s accusations. “Tell me, brother, did you really not pay attention to what I would be wearing tonight?”

Caleb’s face remained impassive. “Why would I care what you’re wearing? Don’t flatter yourself.”

“So you and aunt Livia weren’t hoping I’d make a fool of myself tonight?” I asked, my tone light but my words pointed.

Adrian’s face darkened with anger. “Amelia! That’s enough. You can’t make such accusations. without evidence. Stop this nonsense immediately!”

I turned to face him directly, my patience finally wearing thin. “Nonsense? When have I ever spoken nonsense, father?”

The word ‘father‘ came out sharper than I intended, laced with years of hurt and

abandonment.

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< Chapter 44: Celine Stone Is an Adopted Daughter

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“I was the one who was switched at birth by Celine’s mother. Yet you and Livia refused to acknowledge me for her sake. That’s why I had to turn to Uncle Jaxon and Aunt Seraphinal instead.”

My voice grew stronger with each word. “Your biological daughter was swapped, and you raised your enemy’s daughter for twenty years. Then when your true daughter returned, you rejected her for the sake of your enemy’s child. If that’s not a family disgrace, I don’t know what is.”

The banquet hall erupted with shocked murmurs and whispered conversations.

“Not acknowledging your own daughter? That’s too much…”

“But they raised Celine for twenty years… there must be emotional attachment…”

Livia’s face had turned ashen. She turned desperately to Patriarch Alaric. “Father! Amelia is slandering us in front of everyone!”

Alaric let out a cold snort. “Tonight is Amelia’s welcome banquet. Yet Celine, as an adopted daughter, happens to be wearing the exact same dress as Amelia. It’s difficult not to be suspicious of your intentions.”

Caleb could no longer contain his fury. “You’re just trying to distract everyone from the fact that you’re wearing a counterfeit gown and embarrassing the Stone River Pack!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his desperate attempt. “Why are you so confident that mine is the fake, Caleb? I have evidence that Celine deliberately wore this dress tonight to humiliate me.”

Caleb’s face paled slightly, but he maintained his defiant stance. The room fell silent, all eyes on me as they waited for me to reveal my proof.

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