Marrying Without My Eight-Year Boyfriend Knowing
Chapter 69

I shook my head.

"I don't know much about the development of the South District, but I do know one thing: the bigger the waves, the greater the risks. You say this information was hard for you to get, but I knew about it half a year ago. The fact that it hasn't been finalized yet doesn't guarantee a problem, but it definitely signals a risk."

Christian gave me a condescending glance.

"Margaret, don't think that just because Jacob protects you, you're actually capable of managing a company. Unlike you, I've proven my abilities by bringing the Torres Group to its current level in a short time. My vision is sound, and anyone who wants to make money has to take risks. I believe in one thing: risk and reward go hand in hand.

Or maybe you're just bitter about losing me and are trying to make your presence felt in front of me."

Disgusted, I was about to slam the table and leave when Robert grabbed my hand and flashed a dazzling smile.

"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right. After all, being this confident in yourself is truly a rare thing. But my fiancée's eyes have been sullied—I need to take her away to clean them. So, excuse us."

Robert ushered me into the car, where he immediately started his own round of complaints.

"I can't believe your taste used to be this bad. You dated such a loser for years? Compared to me, he's leagues behind."

I rolled my eyes.

"It was because of the connection between our families. To me, all men are the same. He was good to me before, and I didn't expect someone's attitude to change so quickly."

Robert ruffled my hair lightly.

"It's not that you didn't expect it—it's that you've been too focused on business. He realized you're not the biological daughter of the Barnes family, so he decided you weren't worth his time anymore. Isn't that obvious?

Good thing you didn't reveal your cards to him. Otherwise, you wouldn't have seen his true colors so quickly."

I stared at Robert, struck by how logical he sounded.

"See? Not all men are the same. Now, don't you think I'm the most reliable option? Want to give me a chance?"

He wasn't wrong-Robert was no less attractive than Christian. But we were too familiar with each other, and I just couldn't take him seriously. I shot him a glare and changed the subject.

"Focus on driving."

I thought the buzz around the engagement had died down, but the next day, I found myself trending on social media again.

Apparently, I'd been followed. It wasn't hard to guess who was behind it— Christian and Gianna.

[Fake heiress exposed, yet she still claims a billion-dollar mansion?]

The post included a photo of me entering my villa.

The comment section was flooded with insults.

"Shameless! How dare she live as the real heiress for so many years and then take such an expensive mansion? The Barnes couple is way too indulgent toward this fake daughter."

"Such a lavish lifestyle-who knows if it's really a father-daughter relationship or something else altogether."

"These wealthy families are so messy. Even being a biological daughter can't beat being a mistress, apparently."