The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 229

Chapter 279

Laila’s POV

My breath in my throat, my gaze was fixed onto the screen. I couldn’t look away, watching as my entire life fell apart right in front of my eyes.

“We talk now with Adelaide, Vanessa Harper’s aunt, who has uncovered this story,” said the news reporter.

The screen split in half, so that the reporter was on one hak and Adelaide was on the other. The room behind her was dark, but from what Hannah had told me, I imagined she was hiding out in Victor’s house, somewhere.

“I just truly care about my niece so much,” Adelaide lied, but it was convincing. If I didn’t know her like I did, I would have assured the tears in her eyes were real. She dabbed at them with her tissue, “But we had a falling out a few years back. I blame myself. If I had been there, perhaps I could have stopped this imposter from taking her place…”

“Many people will recognize the Harper name, and some might know Vanessa as a reputable business woman,” the reporter said. “She has been a part of this community for several years now. When do you believe that this switch occurred?”

“I believe it has been a few years now. Vanessa disappeared for a while, and when she came back… I think she was someone else.”

The reporter nodded solemnly. “An accusation like this is a serious matter. Without proof, you could be held liable for providing false information.”

“I have proof. Of course, I have proof. Pictures where she looks too different. Blood tests that don’t match.” Adelaide dropped her fake sadness for a moment, showing her disdain. With a small cough, she returned to her weeping. “I met with this imposter recently. She was looking for money. I should have known then, but it had been a long time since I had seen my niece. It wasn’t until she falsely accused me of crimes that I truly knew what I was dealing with.”

“You were falsely accused?” The reporter was surprised.

I was outraged. I was only in the hospital because of her! Now she was going to deny it? In front of the whole world?

A very dark feeling crept over me as I realized that this might actually work. Adelaide had so much power… could she not only expose me but also turn everything around on me as well?

And here I was, powerless to stop her.

Hannah looked at me, and I came clean at last. “Your sister Vanessa died of a horrible disease. It was incurable. Her last act was to ask me to take her place. She gave me a life when I had nothing, and I am forever indebted to her. And, in her final moments,

ever her last thoughts were of you and your sister. She asked me to protect you both, and I have been trying ever since.”

A pain flashed over Hannah’s face, but she lowered her head to hide it. “I thought it might be something like that. Thank you for telling me. I’ll keep this secret, I promise.”

“It’s not much of a secret anymore,” I said. “You had better get out of here before the reporters come.”

Hannah lifted her head at once, panic replacing the sadness in her gaze. “They will?”

From the screen, Adelaide continued her interview. “You misunderstand. I don’t just think the imposter stole Vanessa’s life. I think she killed her to do it.”

My whole body went very cold.

William growled. “Ridiculous.”

“Go, Hannah,” I said. “Don’t be seen.”

Hannah tugged her hood more fully out of her face, gave me one last worried glance, and then sneaked from the room.

+30 Bonus

William, in an intent to comfort, I was certain, placed his hand on my shoulder. He was so angry though, that he grabbed me a bit harder than he’d surely meant to.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said.

“You have to stay out of this, William.”

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