CHAPTER 482: A RISK WORTH TAKING

The imposter had to be connected to Hannah.

Hannah and her entire family used every trick—stealing, scheming, outright taking—to strip Charles and his family of their lives.

What Hannah stole was her mother’s life.

Would Hannah really stop there, satisfied?

Victoria had been Hannah’s "defeated opponent," the contrast she trampled on to make herself look brighter. Victoria died, but she left behind a daughter.

When people become consumed by obsession, they keep pushing. Hannah hadn’t felt the deepest thrill from crushing Victoria alone. It wasn’t enough to shove one woman into the mud—she wanted that woman’s child to spend her entire life being replaced too.

That’s why the imposter knew everything about Selina. Why she could impersonate her so well. You don’t just "pick that up." You don’t just "become someone else."

Not without ten years of relentless training.

So the imposter almost certainly came from the Hill Family—likely trained by Hannah herself.

But... what exactly was the relationship between the imposter and Hannah?

Selina remembered—when the imposter spoke to Jacob, she’d used one word: mom.

Could the imposter be Hannah’s daughter?

Selina thought about it and wasn’t convinced. What kind of parent would force their own child, from the time she was little, to get surgery after surgery, to study another girl’s every move, to live her life without even a name of her own?

"Selina, what are you thinking?" Gavin’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

Selina paused, then shared her theory.

Aiden’s eyes went sharp and cold. "It’s very possible. But if you told anyone else that theory, they wouldn’t believe it."

Selina nodded. That much was true.

After all, the imposter looked like she came from Jacob. Like she was part of a Carter Family plot. Dragging Hannah into it would seem like a reach.

"For now, the most important thing is to get your real face back."

Aiden gave a short nod. "It’s getting late. I’ll take you back to the Foster Family."

Selina agreed softly, then suddenly remembered something and warned him, "You have to act like we’re not close in front of the imposter. Don’t forget!"

Gavin muttered under his breath, "...What kind of hobby is that?"

Aiden’s eyes flickered with understanding—he knew exactly what Selina was aiming for. "Don’t worry," he assured her.

...

The three of them walked back into the sitting room.

Logan was sitting there with a book in hand, gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, his sharp profile lit by the afternoon sun. At the sound of footsteps, he looked up.

To no one’s surprise—and yet somehow surprising—the imposter was still there.

Of course she was.

She couldn’t wait to see Selina come back looking scolded and humiliated by Aiden.

And when she looked up—yes!—Selina’s eyes were a little red, her head slightly bowed behind Aiden, while Aiden’s face was a cold, unreadable mask. The whole picture screamed of an "unpleasant conversation."

Before the imposter could even open her mouth, Aiden turned his ice-edged stare on Logan.

"Mr. Reid," he said flatly, "I’m taking Miss Carter to the Foster Family for a few days. You’ll have to explain that to the Carter Family yourself."

Logan feigned mild confusion. "Explain what exactly?"

Aiden’s expression didn’t budge. "Do you not know why I’m taking her? Since you apparently can’t stop her from coming here to Sapphire Valley Villa—and upsetting Selina—then I’ll cut it off at the source."

"Miss Carter will stay at the Foster Family. That way, she won’t be able to bother you and Selina."

Logan let out a soft sigh, a performance of weary helplessness. "Foster heir, Sophia and I aren’t—"

"No need to go on." Aiden cut him off coldly. "I only believe what I see. And while I was speaking with Miss Carter, she kept saying things that made no sense—claiming she was Selina, claiming Selina was the imposter. Utter nonsense."

The imposter’s eyes lit up.

Selina had already told Aiden the truth—and he didn’t believe her?

Ha. Aiden didn’t believe Selina!

She knew it. Other than Logan, no one would ever realize she wasn’t the real Selina.

And now that Aiden believed her, he would keep believing her.

Selina wanted her identity back? Dream on.

The imposter put on a helpless little shake of the head.

"Second Brother, Miss Carter must’ve been angry and just talking nonsense. Don’t be too harsh on her."

Aiden’s voice was cool.

"Miss Carter, please—come with me back to the Foster Family."

Then he softened his tone, his next words smooth as silk: "Selina, if you need anything, call me. I’ll be going now."

Gavin nodded awkwardly, adding, "I’m leaving too. And... if you need anything, you can come to me. You know we all care about you."

Gavin couldn’t act to save his life—his eyes darted, his voice wavered, guilt written all over his face.

But the imposter was too elated to notice.

She was drunk on the joy of completely replacing Selina.

Look—Selina’s family, Selina’s brothers—they were all hers now.

Her mother was right.

Replacing Selina was the best decision she’d ever made.

...

Back at the Foster Family estate, Aiden and Selina had barely stepped inside when an assistant approached.

"Sir, Carter has agreed. He didn’t say much—looked confident, like everything’s in his hands."

"And... there’s a lot of gossip out there now. With talk of Mr. Reid’s removal, Reid Group’s stock prices are starting to shake."

Aiden waved the assistant away, then turned to Selina.

"What do you think?"

"Jacob’s certain because he thinks I can’t restore my face," Selina said evenly.

"He thinks I won’t be able to prove who I am. When the shareholder vote comes, Logan will be isolated—no support, no chance."

Her voice tightened.

"Right now, nothing matters more than finding a way to restore my face."

The irony stung.

She was Selina—but she had to find a way to prove it to the world.

Aiden seemed to think of something. He looked at her, steady and certain.

"Selina, I might know a way."

Her eyes brightened instantly.

...

Three days later, the power struggle inside Reid Group had spiraled into open war.

The entire upper crust was buzzing, hungry for rumors.

Whispers spread that Logan and Selina’s marriage was in shambles—that divorce was inevitable.

And the Morris Family? They were fully backing their daughter.

The shareholder meeting loomed.

If over half the votes landed on the board’s side, Logan would be stripped of his chairman title.

Overnight, the man who’d once been untouchable in City A had become the center of the storm.

Not just corporate betrayal.

Not just enemies circling.

Now there were whispers of infidelity too.

It felt like people were waiting for it—waiting for Logan to break, to fall.

At the same time, Aiden asked her, "Are you sure? Selina, the effects aren’t certain. The pill might restore your face—or it might do nothing. Or..."

He hesitated, holding up a single small capsule, breathing deep.

"...or it might be poison."

"The Foster Family has always stood beside the Hill Family in medicine," Aiden went on. "If there’s a way to restore your face, I’ll find it. But are you sure—you want to rush this now?"

Selina’s gaze lifted from the pill, unwavering.

She nodded.

"I’m sure."

Time was running out.

She had to reclaim who she was.