When She Rose From the Ashes (Natalie and Jensen) novel Chapter 591

**Chapter 591: The Real Motive**

Ruby’s heart pounded furiously in her chest, a tempest of rage swirling within her. The mere thought of that woman standing before her was enough to ignite a firestorm of fury; she envisioned herself tearing into her with unrestrained ferocity.

Waylon, however, broke the tension with a furrowed brow, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. “Do you have a picture of this Candice?”

Ruby shook her head, frustration creeping into her voice. “No, I don’t have a photo. The only reason I know about her is because my mother mentioned it. Apparently, my father once let it slip when he was drunk, and it stuck with her. She’s held onto that resentment all these years, constantly bringing up his ridiculous history with Candice. As for the baby switch, my mother stumbled upon that information by sheer accident. At that time, she intended to use it as leverage to force my dad to get rid of Candice. But then, as fate would have it, Candice vanished without a trace, and my mother has never forgiven him for that. She always believed he was hiding her away. Their arguments over Candice have been a constant in our lives, which is how I know all this.”

Her words hung in the air, leaving everyone momentarily speechless. Natalie’s brow knitted in disbelief. She had never imagined that she had been stolen and swapped at birth for such a twisted reason. Candice was indeed a despicable figure, a shadow lurking in the corners of her life.

Waylon, however, seemed to be struck by a sudden realization. He rose abruptly from his seat, his expression shifting to one of deep concentration, and made his way into his study.

The unexpected movement left everyone bewildered.

“What’s wrong with Dad?” Natalie inquired, her eyes narrowing as she observed the grim look on Waylon’s face.

The others exchanged puzzled glances, their gazes shifting to Ruby, who mirrored their confusion. Just as she was about to follow him, Waylon returned, clutching a photo album tightly in his hands.

“What are you doing?” Ruby asked, her voice echoing the collective curiosity of the room.

Waylon placed the album on the coffee table with a deliberate motion. “These are photographs I’ve collected from the company’s annual parties over the past twenty years. This Candice you’re talking about… I think I remember her. We had an employee named… Tian Tian, over twenty years ago.”

The revelation left everyone in stunned silence. Was it true? Before her entanglement with Hayes, Candice had worked at the Stone Group?

Natalie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Dad, why do you remember her so vividly?”

She hesitated, not rushing to the album, but instead probing for answers. Her question drew the attention of everyone back to Waylon, who seemed lost in thought.

Ruby’s fury was palpable. The realization that her daughter had been taken from her due to some twisted “romantic entanglement” that Waylon had inadvertently attracted made her blood boil. She could feel the heat rising within her, threatening to consume her.

Flynn, noticing the storm brewing in his mother’s eyes, quickly intervened, stepping between Ruby and Waylon. “Mom, you can’t place all the blame on Dad for this. I can vouch for him—he’s never done anything to betray you over the years. But when these opportunistic women throw themselves at him, it’s not like he can just lock himself away, right?”

His attempts at reasoning fell flat, as Ruby remained trembling with indignation. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and her voice came out hoarse and strained. “I considered so many possible scenarios, but I never imagined this. What kind of grudge is this? She failed to seduce my husband, so she seeks revenge on me? Is there no justice in this world?”

Natalie felt the weight of despair settle on her shoulders, mirroring her mother’s turmoil.

Observing the family’s distress, Jonas, ever the pragmatist, produced a file from his bag. “Your assumptions are correct. However, Candice didn’t target you because she failed to seduce Mr. Stone.”

“What do you mean? There’s another reason?” Ruby asked, her voice thick with confusion and curiosity.