From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 92

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**Chapter 6**

Curiosity danced in their eyes, a palpable eagerness to delve into the tapestry of my past. I chose my words with care, sharing only the brighter threads of my experiences, the moments that sparkled amidst the shadows.

As I recounted my story, an unexpected wave of emotion swept over Mom. Her eyes glistened with tears, the façade she had maintained crumbling under the weight of her feelings. Without warning, she enveloped me in her arms, her embrace a desperate plea for connection.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her voice thick with sorrow. “Mom and Dad have been looking into what happened to you. You’ve endured so much pain… My dear Scarlett, you’ve faced such unimaginable hardships! Your father and I, we arrived too late—so terribly late!”

I held her tightly, feeling the warmth of her love seep into my bones. “No, Mom, you’re not late at all. You came at the perfect moment. It’s not too late,” I reassured her, my voice steady despite the tumult of emotions swirling within me.

Just then, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as Ashley burst into the room, her appearance disheveled and frantic. She approached Mom and Dad with an air of desperation, her voice quivering with a mix of fear and malice.

“Sir, Ma’am, please don’t be fooled,” she pleaded, her tone dripping with false innocence. “Scarlett O’Hara is a master of deception. Back at the orphanage, she seduced a director who was well over forty, and she bullied her peers every single day! You must believe me—she’s only acting sweetly now to manipulate you!”

Her words were like daggers, aimed straight at my heart. “Sir, Ma’am, I can see that you’re kind people. But I implore you to think carefully. Scarlett O’Hara is a bringer of misfortune, and she will only lead you to disaster… Ah!”

In a moment of cold fury, I seized Ashley’s hair and slammed her face against the desk with a force that echoed in the room. The sound was sharp, a visceral reminder of the tension that had built up.

“Ah! Ahhh… Help! Help! Sir, Ma’am, please save me!” Her cries were a mix of panic and betrayal.

I paused, feigning a casual interest in the unfolding scene, deliberately testing the waters. In my previous life, I had learned the hard way that blind trust could lead to heartache.

Though I yearned for my parents’ acceptance, I needed to gauge their reactions.

The outcome was striking.

Mom stood up, her demeanor shifting from gentle warmth to an icy resolve. “Ashley Wilkes, is that your name? You’re the one who took my child’s place in the Butler family’s adoption and spread vile rumors about her at school.”

Dad, protective and reassuring, pulled me into his embrace, his hand resting on my shoulder in a comforting gesture. “Your timing is impeccable. My lawyer will arrive in thirty minutes. We’ll address the bullying issue with the school and your adoptive parents,” he stated, his voice firm.