The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 456

Aline felt a chill run down her spine. After all these years with Sawyer, she knew better than anyone—he was unhinged beneath that calm surface. Push him too far, and he was capable of anything.

Swallowing hard, Aline fought to keep her composure. “O-of course she’s your daughter,” she stammered, forcing a smile.

She rushed to add, “You must have seen those comments online, right? None of it’s true—they’re just making things up. Don’t listen to them.”

Sawyer watched her fidget and squirm, and it was all the confirmation he needed. She was lying.

His face hardened as he grabbed her by the throat, backing her into the wall. “Aline, did you really think I wouldn’t get a paternity test?” His grip tightened, inch by inch.

With Dick off visiting the Glenwood family, only Jeanette was left at home. Panic seized her as she saw Sawyer about to choke the life out of Aline. Terrified, she forced herself to dash over, clutching Sawyer’s arm and pleading, her voice trembling, “Dad, please! Let go of Mom—you’re going to kill her!”

The thought that Jeanette might not be his daughter made Sawyer’s skin crawl. He shoved Jeanette aside with one hand, his other hand squeezing even tighter around Aline’s throat. He spat out the words through gritted teeth, “Tell me, whose daughter is Jeanette?”

Aline’s face twisted in pain; she couldn’t make a sound, barely able to mouth the words, “I’ll… I’ll tell you.”

Only then did Sawyer release her.

Aline collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath, clutching her throat as she gulped down air. It took a long moment before she could speak again.

Jeanette rushed to help her up. Aline’s legs were still shaking; she kept her eyes down, unable to look at Sawyer.

Realizing there was no more hiding, Aline finally confessed, “That’s right. Jeanette’s not your child. She’s Dick’s.”

“You two are monsters. Absolute monsters.” The realization that this mother and daughter had made a fool of him all these years made Sawyer want to strangle them both.

Aline immediately stepped in front of Jeanette, shielding her from Sawyer’s rage. “Maybe I lied to you,” she said warily, “but all these years, I’ve run your household, smiled for you, kept everything in order. Even if I haven’t earned your gratitude, I’ve at least paid my dues.”

“Shut your mouth.” Sawyer almost laughed in disbelief. Years of being made a fool of—raising another man’s child, thinking she was his own.

He’d given everything to Jeanette, even planned to leave the Iverson Group to her. He’d gone so far as to keep Citrine at arm’s length, worried she’d fight Jeanette for the inheritance.

And in the end, it was all just a joke. He was the punchline.