Chapter 4 Exposing Her Hypocrisy

Andrew, Regina, and Fergus, gathered in the living room, were drawn like moths to the sudden disturbance outside. Fergus was the first to spring forward. When he took in the scene, rage surged through him like a tempest. Swiftly, he helped Raine to her feet and struck Nancy sharply across the face. Nancy recoiled just in time, her eyes narrowing into a cold, unyielding glare. "What do you think you're doing?" Raine sobbed uncontrollably. "Fergie, please don't. Nancy has every right to be angry. I'm the one who stole her place as the family's heiress. It's all my fault!" As she spoke, she deliberately revealed the scratches on her arm. Regina's eyes clouded with pain. "Raine, what are you saying? Nancy, how can you push her? She's lived with us all these years. To us, she's no different from family. "Besides, you being switched with her has nothing to do with her whatsoever!" Nancy's face remained composed, yet the air around her thickened with unspoken storms. The tension settled so densely that all four of them struggled to catch their breath. Her voice dropped, cold as ice. "I pushed her?" Before the moment could stretch further, Raine jumped in. "Nancy, it's all on me. Mom, Dad, Fergie, please don't blame her. From now on, I'll keep out of Nancy's way." Her words, soaked with self-reproach and understanding, struck deep into the hearts of the trio, wrapping them in a shared grief that was impossible to shake. Andrew's voice cut through the tension with undeniable authority. "Nancy! Apologize to Raine!" Nancy's eyes narrowed. "And what if I refuse?" Fergus shouted, "We, the Lidells, have no place for those who harbor wicked hearts. Refuse to apologize, and you're not welcome here!" Nancy shut her eyes briefly. Then she pulled out her phone and played a recording. "Nancy, it must've taken great effort for you to find us. You've been raised among commoners for so long. Now that you've returned home, you should leave their bad habits behind." From the recording came Raine's voice, heavy with scorn. "Commoners are good people. At least they aren't two-faced." "Nancy, say what you will, but don't ever think you can come home." Without warning, the recording unleashed a flood of raw sobs into the air. Regina, Andrew, and Fergus stood frozen, eyes locked on Raine in utter disbelief. Raine's face drained of color in an instant. She silently questioned when Nancy had started the recording. Nancy was such a bitch. A country bumpkin like her was always brimming with cunning, deceitful schemes. Regina's voice, laced with both shock and disappointment, broke the silence. "Raine, did you stage this? How could you deceive us like this?" They wondered if she was the soft and thoughtful Raine they once knew. The voice on that recording was unrecognizable, steeped in cruelty and selfishness. Raine met the heavy disappointment in her family's eyes, and tears instantly streamed down her face. She dropped to her knees, crying out, "I'm sorry, Mom and Dad! I was wrong. I was just so afraid of losing you. Please forgive me for letting you down!" Fergus was taken aback, then his heart softened at the sight of her anguish. Gently, he helped her to her feet and said, "Silly goose, you've always been everything to us." He then turned to Andrew and Regina. "Mom, Dad, can't you see Raine's true nature yet? She's always been pure and innocent. She behaved that way solely out of a fear of losing both of you." Regina's face twisted with concern as she watched Raine sob until she struggled to catch her breath. Gradually, her heart gave way. She turned to Nancy, only to find she was already walking away. A sudden unease washed over Regina as she called out, "Nancy!" Fergus sneered with disdain. "If she's bold enough to leave, then let her be! Her temper is unbearable, as if we're the ones begging for her return!" Regina reproached him softly. "You're impossible. Nancy is still your sister." "Raine is the only sister I recognize," Fergus said firmly. At first, he had been curious about Nancy, but after today's encounter, he saw how volatile and fierce she truly was. She wasn't half as endearing as Raine. Regina's anger simmered beneath a veil of helplessness. Finally, she turned to Andrew. "What do we do now, darling?" Andrew paused thoughtfully before replying evenly, "To be part of a great family is never an easy path. Nancy grew up in the countryside. She's fiery-tempered and unrefined. "It may be best for her to spend some time away and settle herself before she returns." Regina said, "That's true. Nancy is, after all, a child raised far from these refined circles. She is unaware of the subtle complexities and silent rules that govern high society. "When the time is right, we'll need to find someone to teach her the proper manners and etiquette." Still, Regina felt a deep, unshakable ache. After all, Nancy was her own flesh and blood. Noticing the change in Regina's demeanor, Raine glanced toward her and suddenly said with a smile, "Mom, Ms. Jackson is here at Riversdale. She's agreed to meet me!" Regina's dark mood lifted instantly, giving way to heartfelt happiness as she said, "Ms. Jackson serves as a judge for the National Piano Competition. "Having her mentorship will make winning the championship far more attainable. Let's go meet her." … Nancy had already reached the gates. No one moved to stop her, yet she felt no disappointment. This was precisely what she had anticipated. Raine was, as expected, hypocritical and loathsome. The Lidells' unwavering devotion had only served to strengthen her arrogance. Since their affection belonged solely to Raine, what reason did Nancy have to remain? Her only regret was that she hadn't taken those gifts with her. After settling into the car, Nancy noticed her hunger was far from satisfied. Without delay, she made her way to a well-known restaurant in Riversdale. The moment she arrived, she asked for a private room. The waiter regretfully responded, "I'm afraid all our private rooms are taken. Would you be comfortable at a regular table instead?" Unused to eating in public, Nancy paused uncertainly. At that moment, someone suddenly brushed past her from behind. When she glanced up, her eyes widened in shock.