Chapter 8

I picked up the microphone that Susan had thrown on the ground.

"Hello everyone, my name is Jade Winters."

My voice wasn't loud, but it was clear.

"I am the true creator of 'First Light,' as well as all of Miss Susan Winters' award-winning healing gem designs."

I looked at the faces below the stage - some shocked, some sympathetic, some contemptuous.

I also saw the desperate look in my parents' eyes.

"Today, I stand here not to seek sympathy, nor to accuse anyone."

"I just want to take back what rightfully belongs to me."

"My works, my name, and my entire eight years of life that were stolen from me."

After speaking, I put down the microphone and bowed deeply to the audience below.

When I straightened up, my eyes were a bit moist.

But in my heart, there was an unprecedented clarity and lightness.

It was over.

Everything was over.

The aftermath barely required my involvement.

Public opinion swept over Susan and the so-called "Starlight Cup" like a tsunami.

The competition was urgently suspended.

The Starlight Cup Council issued a statement overnight, announcing the cancellation of all Susan's awards and apologizing to the public for inadequate review.

Chairman Wallace was also exposed for academic misconduct and inappropriate relationship scandals, and was suspended from his university position pending investigation.

Susan became a pariah.

Her former classmates and friends came forward one after another, exposing her past misdeeds.

Such as bullying classmates, cheating on exams, and living extravagantly with the money my mother gave her.

My parents also became the laughingstock of the pack community.

They no longer dared to leave home.

I didn't return to that house.

I rented an apartment with a studio in City A and started a new life.

Ryan and Lewis helped me a lot.

Lewis recommended me to Shadowmere Gallery, a top domestic gallery specializing in healing arts.

The gallery director was very impressed with my work and decided to sign me on the spot, planning to organize a solo exhibition for me.

My life finally seemed to be getting on track.

Until a month later, when I received a call from my father.

He said they had already moved out of my house.

He said he and my mother wanted to see me.

I refused.

"There's nothing to see."

"Jade, your mother... she knows she was wrong." My father's voice carried a hint of choking, "She's very sick, not eating for days at a time, just staring at your sister's old awards."

"That's what she deserves."

"Even if we were wrong, we're still your parents! Are you really going to be so heartless and never acknowledge us again?"

I fell silent.

I wasn't heartless.

I was just tired.

And scared.

I was afraid they would drag me back into that swamp again.

"Dad," I said softly, "why did you treat me like that back then?"

This was a question I had always wanted to ask but never dared to.

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

So long that I thought he wouldn't answer.

Then he slowly began to speak.

"The year you were born, our pack business failed and we were deep in debt. The year your sister was born, I bought a lottery ticket and won a million."

"We had someone read our fortunes. That person said you had a hard fate that would bring misfortune to the family. Your sister was born with a naturally wealthy fate that would bring prosperity to the family."

I stood there holding the phone, stunned.

So that was the answer.

How absurd.

How ridiculous.

Just because of a few meaningless words from a charlatan, they condemned me for life.

I suddenly laughed.

As I laughed, tears began to flow.