The day Julian Sterling was stolen by the "Real Heiress," I found out I was pregnant. For eight months, he prepared a wedding of the century for Tiffany, while I almost died giving birth to Joey alone. Later, breaking news popped up— The Crown Prince of the Sterling Empire, Julian Sterling, was involved in a late-night street racing accident. Tiffany was seriously injured, and he permanently lost the ability to have children! Afraid he would snatch Joey, I hid in fear for five years. Until Mrs. Sterling's 60th Birthday Gala, I was temporarily drafted to be a waitress. Joey, who was in the break room, accidentally ran out and bumped into Mrs. Sterling. The whole venue fell into a sudden dead silence. That face was simply a carbon copy of Julian Sterling's childhood! Julian pushed through the crowd and rushed over, his voice hoarse and changing tone: "Kid, whose child are you?" Joey was scared, crying out: "Mommy... I can't find my mommy." "Her name is Natalie." Chapter 1 Knock knock knock. The team leader knocked on my desk: "Natalie, the hotel is short of hands. Go cover as a waitress for tonight, Triple Pay." I hesitated. Mrs. Sterling's 60th birthday gala, such an occasion might run into old acquaintances. And leaving Joey alone at home at night, I was really worried. "Leader, I have to be with my child tonight..." The leader's tone was impatient: "Leave him with your parents, neighbors, or even the break room if you have to." "Can't you arrange such a small thing?" A sneer came from the next cubicle. It was Lisa, the one who loved gossiping the most. "Wow, triple pay. I'd fight to go!" "Leader, you are taking care of Natalie, right? After all, she's a single mom with a child of unknown origin, lots of places to spend money." Lisa's words were harsh, but true. It's getting cold, Joey grows fast, I also want to buy him a better coat. Anyway, it's helping outside the hotel, won't enter the main hall. I nodded and agreed. "Thank you, Leader, I'll go." "Okay, go change now. 6 PM, gather at the hotel back door, don't be late!" Walking to the changing room, I passed Lisa's desk. Her voice wasn't low, as if deliberately saying for me to hear: "What are you pretending for. Unwed pregnancy, acting all high and mighty. Don't even know who the dad is, got knocked up by someone playing around, who knows where the bastard came from." Pfft. Colleagues diagonally opposite covered their mouths laughing, the young intern beside also lowered her head snickering. My eyes felt hot, couldn't help retorting: "Lisa, you are a mother too, keep your mouth clean." Lisa stood up abruptly, crossing her arms and snapping back: "My mouth isn't clean?" "Are you clean? A vixen, don't know who the baby daddy is, pretending to be a chaste woman here!" "If I were you, I'd go back and clean myself up, anyway you are damaged goods. What if you really meet a blind man in the banquet hall who doesn't mind your bastard and is willing to be a stepdad?" I was trembling with anger. Just as I planned to say something more, the leader came over to smooth things out. "Alright Lisa, say less." "Natalie, you go pick up your child too, don't delay work." I looked up, forcing that heat back. When leaving, Lisa was still talking and laughing with others, casting contemptuous glances at me while speaking. I turned around, wiped my eyes fiercely. Natalie, you can't cry. For Joey, you can endure anything. After picking up Joey, I really couldn't rest assured leaving him alone at home, so I brought him to the hotel's employee break room. Prepared picture books for him, packed snacks and water. "Joey be good, Mommy is working right outside. You play here, don't go out, okay?" Joey has always been very obedient. Nodded and asked me: "When will Mommy come back?" "Very soon." I kissed his forehead, coaxing: "Finish reading this picture book, and Mommy will be back." "Remember, never run around, okay?" Joey nodded vigorously, extending his pinky finger. "Okay, Pinky Promise!" I hooked pinky with him, stamped thumbs, then went to the banquet hall with peace of mind. Lisa and several other female colleagues also came. They gathered at the entrance of the inner hall, fixing makeup with phones, giggling. "Sigh, what a pity for the Sterling family's Crown Prince, handsome and rich, how come..." "I heard this Miss Tiffany is a recognized-later heiress, just a wild girl. Likes to drive fast cars for thrills. Courting death herself and dragging the man down, now great, crashed her man into a eunuch!" "If you ask me, the Sterling family is unlucky too, married a jinx, the family line cut off in her hands." ... Just then, a delicate female voice suppressing anger sounded from behind: "Who are you calling a jinx!" Tiffany glared at Lisa and the others viciously. Scaring their faces white, all lowering heads daring not speak. Tiffany swept her gaze, suddenly saw me not far away. Shouted in surprise: "Natalie?" Chapter 2 I sighed helplessly in my heart. Wanted to sneak away, but still got recognized. Braced myself and walked over: "Miss Tiffany." Tiffany actively walked two steps towards me, looking me up and down in this cheap waitress uniform. Smiled triumphantly and hypocritically. "It really is you?" "Why are you a waitress now, and outside? Must be hard, right?" Saying that, Tiffany wanted to pull me into the inner hall, tone so intimate as if she really meant well for me. "Come, I'll arrange inner hall work for you, easier too." "Maybe you can even see Mom and Dad!" Just took two steps dragging me, Tiffany remembered Lisa standing aside. Instantly changed face. "You guys, fired." "Get out now! A bunch of dirty things!" Lisa's group legs went soft, almost kneeling, didn't even have time to beg for mercy. Dared not resent Tiffany, could only stare dead at my back. Sure enough, Tiffany was as expected. Once inside, she pretended to suddenly realize: "Sister Natalie, look I forgot. Inner hall is not short of hands for now, only toilets and trash cans haven't been cleaned." "Look at you..." I knew Tiffany deliberately humiliated me. But honestly, this little difficulty is nothing compared to what I survived alone these years. "Okay, I'll go right now." I agreed simply, taking the cleaning tools. While I was cleaning the trash can in the corner, the protagonist of the banquet hall, Mrs. Sterling, slowly appeared. Before everyone could gather around to flatter. Heard Mrs. Sterling scolding mercilessly: "How can I have a long life!" "Look at yourself, what a 'good wife' you married, harming our Sterling family to cut off descendants!" I looked up. After five years, time seemed extra merciful to Julian, still handsome enough to make people unable to look away. Just a layer of gloom shrouded between his brows. Seems infertility hit him hard. Julian didn't speak, Tiffany could only accompany smiling carefully: "Mom, don't be angry, watch your health..." "Don't call me Mom!" Mrs. Sterling interrupted sharply. "I can't afford it! If not for you insisting on street racing, would Julian have that accident?" "What sin did our Sterling family commit! A good son, harmed by you... harmed to leave no heir!" Saying that, Mrs. Sterling turned the spearhead to the silent Mr. and Mrs. Xu beside: "And you!" "Recognized some bullshit heiress back. Now good, ruined my son, are you happy?" Mr. and Mrs. Xu's submissive apologies came vaguely. But Mrs. Sterling got more excited as she spoke, accumulated resentment exploded completely: "That girl named Natalie in your family back then, I thought she was quite good! Quiet, dutiful. It was Julian who lost his head, insisting on marrying such a disaster!" "I really regret it!" Tiffany's face was even worse. Especially hearing Mrs. Sterling mention me, the resentment and embarrassment on her face almost couldn't be suppressed. Eyes turned, immediately took the conversation: "Mom, look what a coincidence." "You just mentioned Sister Natalie, I really met Sister Natalie here today!" Voice just fell, Tiffany walked straight towards me. Before I could react, I was dragged by her to the center of the banquet hall. Lights bright, my rough uniform, that half-wet rag in hand, illuminated with nowhere to hide. I rarely felt shame, but could only force a greeting: "Hello Auntie." "Mr. Xu, Mrs. Xu, hello." Mrs. Sterling looked at me, eyes complex, the words praising me just now seemed to hang on her lips, but now only embarrassment remained. Mr. and Mrs. Xu were even more stunned, didn't expect to see me this way. After a brief dead silence, unknown who first let out a very light sneer. Immediately, low ridicule came from the onlookers. "Oh my god... really her? The one following Young Master Sterling back then?" "Tsk tsk, this uniform is the lowest cleaner in the hotel, right? Look at that rag in her hand, so dirty! Miss Tiffany even calls her 'Sister'? Really giving her face, if it were me, I'd let security kick her out long ago, standing here is bad luck!" "Heard she took a big sum when breaking up back then, how did she mix into this ghost look? Money all spent on boy toys?" ... Just when this wave of humiliation was about to swallow me— "Quiet!" I didn't expect Julian would take the initiative to relieve me. He had no expression on his face, gaze swept around heavily, the whole venue instantly silent as a cicada in winter. He then looked at me again, tone actually very gentle. Like pitying me: "Natalie, why are you a cleaner here?" "When we broke up, didn't I give you a lot of money?" Money? I looked up, looking at him blankly. These years, I haven't received a penny from him. When I gave birth to Joey, I couldn't even pay the rent. Didn't even finish postpartum recovery, went out for odd jobs. I opened my mouth, subconsciously asked back softly: "...What money?" These two words were light, but like a thunderclap. Julian's pupils shrank fiercely, surprised expression couldn't be suppressed. Gaze shifted to Tiffany beside him instantly: "Tiffany, where is the money?" Chapter 3 Tiffany stammered and couldn't give a reason at all. Could only cast help-seeking eyes at Mrs. Xu. Mrs. Xu stepped forward immediately, reached out wanting to pull my arm, but dodged by me without a trace. Her hand paused awkwardly in the air, then said coquettishly: "Oh, Natalie, you child!" "You left too hurriedly back then, we kept that money for you all along, just didn't find a suitable chance to give you. Look at this trouble, all misunderstanding, misunderstanding!" Mr. Xu also rubbed his hands aside, nodding repeatedly in agreement: "Yes yes, always remembering it!" This speech full of loopholes was simply too fake. Julian's face completely sank, gloomy gaze staring dead at Tiffany: "Fifty million." "Not a cent less, transfer to Natalie's account before noon tomorrow. Otherwise, stop being Mrs. Sterling!" Tiffany didn't expect Julian would be so ruthless. Forcing her like this in front of so many people. Could only glare at me viciously, forcing a smile to respond: "Julian, it was my negligence." "Don't worry, I will definitely handle it tomorrow." I sighed, really didn't want to get involved in their circle anymore. Current me, just want to live well with Joey. "No need for money. I can support myself now." "There is still work over there, I'll go busy. Excuse me." Finished, I didn't look at anyone's reaction, walked straight to the corner. Banquet hall returned to noise, I also quietly resumed working. Carrying rag and bucket, just one last stall left, I can take Joey off work. Suddenly a noise came from afar. Followed by Tiffany's scream: "Impossible! I was clearly wearing it on my hand, that diamond bracelet cost five million!" "How could it disappear!" My heart sank inexplicably, ominous premonition surged up. Next second, only heard Tiffany continue speculating: "Just now... just now seems only Sister Natalie was close to me. Before holding her arm coming in from outside, the bracelet was clearly there. Could it be..." Tiffany's voice hadn't fallen. Bodyguards slammed open my stall door, dragging me out. "I didn't!" "I have been working, never touched anything not mine." "What are you doing, let me go!" I struggled violently. But strength disparity, could only be dragged over helplessly. Tiffany walked up quickly, apologizing pretentiously: "Sister, sorry, sorry!" "This bracelet is really too precious, I can't afford to lose it. I just want to confirm, just check if you have it. If not, I'll let them release you immediately, I apologize to you!" Tiffany said. But action was extremely clear, reaching hand into my right pocket. Under the gaze of everyone present, the bracelet was taken out! The whole banquet hall instantly erupted in an uproar, disdainful spitting gazes cast from all directions. Tiffany pretended to look unbelievable. Stumbled back a step, holding the diamond looking at me with heartache and disappointment: "Sister, how could you do this..." "If you lack money, you can tell me. How could you... how could you steal?" And just then, police and site security arrived. Evidence mountain high, eyes of crowd. I looked around in panic, explaining palely: "Not me!" "Really not me, I don't know how this bracelet appeared in my pocket!" Speaking, I could only pull Julian's sleeve beggingly. Probably too helpless. Scared enough that I could only ask him for help. "Julian, we grew up together anyway, you know me!" "I really am not a person who steals! Julian, I beg you help me!" "I didn't take it! It's a frame-up!" My tears fell drop by drop. Julian looked at my red crying eyes, expression complex. Raised hand wiped tears spilling from corner of my eye, replied coldly: "Natalie, you know." "I only believe evidence." Chapter 4 Julian didn't believe me. The leading police officer hesitated no more, stepped forward, said to me seriously: "Ma'am, we now suspect you are involved in a grand larceny case, please come back to the station with us to assist investigation." Click. Cold handcuffs, put on my hands. I looked at Julian, couldn't say a word. Old wounds seemed to relapse again, dull pain coming from chest almost making me unstable. We grew up together. Julian once said he would protect me forever. Why? Hurt me again and again. When I was taken away by police, Tiffany stepped forward, leaned in and demonstrated with volume only I could hear: "Bitch, can you play against me?" I was pressed into the police car and taken away like this. In the employee break room, Lisa and others were packing their personal items in disgrace. "All blame that Natalie, must be her intention. Seeing people coming, didn't even remind us!" Intern agreed: "Exactly! Deserve her being arrested as a thief! Better lock her up for ten or eight years, see how she shows off later!" Lisa lost job, angry speechless. Face gloomy zipping backpack, teeth grinding loudly. Just as they prepared to leave, Lisa's peripheral vision glimpsed a small figure in the corner. It was Joey. He was very good, didn't run around, quietly flipping through old picture book. Lisa's gaze fell on Joey, a vicious idea seized her instantly. She dropped the backpack, squeezed a smile on face, walked towards Joey. "Joey ah, reading picture book?" "So good." Joey was a bit timid, but still politely called: "Hello Auntie." Lisa responded, reached out seemingly intimately touching Joey's hair. "Sigh. Joey, Auntie tell you something. Your mommy ah, was just taken away by police uncles in uniform. They said your mommy did bad things, want to arrest her." "What?" The picture book in Joey's hand dropped to the ground with a snap. He retorted urgently, voice carrying crying tone. "Mommy won't do bad things!" "Auntie also believes your mommy, so Joey must go save her!" Lisa stretched out hand, pointing towards the main banquet hall direction. "Joey, don't cry. Look, go out from here, run towards the brightest, liveliest place. Once inside, find a... hmm, find a grandma dressed especially beautifully, looking most powerful!" "Find her, you beg her to save your mommy, let police uncles release your mommy!" "Remember, only she can help your mommy!" Joey was young, couldn't distinguish malice in Lisa's words at all. He cried out: "Thank you Auntie!" Joey didn't even have time to pick up the picture book on the ground, ran towards the banquet hall. Lisa stood at the door, watching Joey's back, revealing a carefree and twisted smile. Several people gathered, anxious and excited asking: "Sister Lisa, this... won't cause trouble right?" "Trouble, what trouble? At most annoy the Sterling family, make Natalie's days in prison harder. If this little bastard gets lost, it has nothing to do with us either." Finished, Lisa left triumphantly with others. Joey was very scared. But for me, still ran into the main banquet hall by instinct. Saw at a glance the most prominent position in the center, the old lady surrounded by many people. She dressed sparkly, people around were respectful to her. That's her! Joey had no time to think, thought of saving mommy overwhelmed everything. He used all strength, pushed aside blocking people, rushed over recklessly: "Grandma, please let police uncles release my mommy!" Joey cried shouting, hit directly on Mrs. Sterling. Mrs. Sterling caught off guard, stumbled by collision, luckily supported by people beside with quick eyes and hands. Looked down, words about to get angry froze on lips: "Oh my, whose child is this..." That face! Whole venue instantly silent. Eyebrows, nose bridge, simply identical to her son Julian Sterling when young! At the same time, Julian also ran over hurriedly. Looking at Joey's face, picked him up in disbelief, asked excitedly: "Kid, whose child are you?" Joey was scared by such scene, shouted with crying tone: "Uncle, please save my mommy! She was taken by police!" "Mommy... I can't find mommy anymore." "Her name is Natalie."
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