The High-Society Scandal

The crystal chandelier's light stung my eyes, and the silk collar rubbed my neck raw and itchy. I'm Nicole Lynn. Just three days ago, my biological parents, Jimmy Lynn and Jane Carter, brought me back from the countryside to the Lynn Family. This villa is so big it feels like a maze, the polished marble floors reflecting shadows, every step echoing through the halls. But all this luxury didn't give me a shred of warmth; instead, it felt like an exquisite prison. In the dining room, glasses clinked back and forth, guests dressed to the nines, chatting and laughing as if nothing was wrong. Jane Carter held her red wine glass, her skirt swaying as she walked toward me, a smile so sickly sweet it hardly felt real lingering at the corner of her mouth. "Nicole, quickly give your sister Ruby some fish." I caught Ruby Lynn's gaze; she sat at the head of the dining table, dressed in a princess gown, her hair perfectly styled, but behind her eyes was an unmistakable, unapologetic challenge. I picked up the serving chopsticks, just about to reach for the fish, when Ruby suddenly barged over, her elbow slamming hard into my wrist. "Ow!" The serving chopsticks clattered against the plate, warm fish broth splashing out, staining the pristine tablecloth. A sharp pain shot through my wrist, and I frowned as I looked at her. Jimmy Lynn put down his wine glass, his brow furrowed into a knot, his tone thick with impatience: "It's Ruby's birthday today. As her sister, you should show her some leniency." "I didn't mean to," I said softly. I barely defended myself. "Still saying you didn't?" Ruby immediately raised her voice, her eyes instantly reddening. "You just don't like me and you're deliberately picking fights! I wanted that fish from the start, but you insisted on fighting me for it, even spilling the broth!" Jane Carter quickly pulled Ruby Lynn into a hug, softly patting her back, then turned to glare at me like she wanted to eat me alive: "Nicole, Ruby's been spoiled since she was little, never faced this kind of hardship. Why can't you just be a bit more understanding?" I didn't say another word, just picked up the juice in front of me and took a sip. The juice was sickeningly sweet, nowhere near as crisp and refreshing as the chrysanthemum tea Grandma used to make. When Grandma was alive, she always picked the bones out of the fish for me, gently stroking my head as she said, "Nicole, you need to eat more fish to grow tall." But in this so-called "family," there's not even a trace of warmth to be found. Halfway through the dinner, the guests' chatter slowly began to focus on me, whispers constantly carrying over. "So, she's the Lynn Family's long-lost biological daughter? She looks delicate enough, but her clothes are way too plain." "I heard she grew up in the countryside, hasn't seen much of the world, and just now almost upset Miss Ruby." "The Lynn Family must have a kind heart after all, still willing to take her back and support her." Those words stabbed at my heart like needles; I clenched the glass tightly in my hand, my fingertips whitening. At that moment, Ruby Lynn came over carrying a bowl of hot soup, her face lit up with an innocent smile: "Sister, this soup has been simmering for three hours. I brought it specially for you—please try some." No sooner had she finished speaking than her wrist suddenly twisted sharply, tilting the bowl straight toward me. The scalding soup was about to spill all over me. Instinctively, I grabbed her wrist and flipped it over. With a splash, the hot soup drenched her evening gown. "Ah! It's scorching!" Ruby Lynn screamed sharply, bouncing on her toes. "Nicole Lynn! Are you out of your mind? I was being kind to bring you soup, and you went and poured it on me on purpose!" Jane Carter immediately rushed over to hug her, anxiously checking her skin, "Ruby, how are you? Where did you get burned? Does it hurt?" "Mom, it hurts so much!" Ruby Lynn shrank into Jane Carter's arms, tears streaming down like beads breaking off a string. "My sister's just jealous of me—seeing me as Mom and Dad's favorite, she wanted to ruin my birthday party!" "Nicole Lynn, how can you be so cruel?" Jane Carter turned and glared at me, the hatred in her eyes practically spilling over. "Ruby was only ever kind to you, and yet you struck such a cruel blow!" "She was the one who tried to splash me first; I was only defending myself." I hurried to explain, but my voice was drowned out by Ruby's crying. "Enough!" Jimmy Lynn slammed the table, making the cutlery rattle. "In front of all these guests, can't you just behave? Do you have to cause trouble?" "Dad, I really wasn't wrong!" I looked at him, hoping he'd believe me. But Jimmy didn't even look at me. He yelled toward the door, "Butler! Lock her in the basement! Don't let her have anything to eat, and don't let her out without my permission!" "I'm not wrong! You can't just blame me without knowing the whole story!" I struggled, but two servants grabbed my arms and dragged me out hard. The heavy iron gate slammed shut with a bang, the sound of the lock echoing through the empty hallway. I leaned against the cold wall and slowly sank down, feeling every ounce of my strength drain away. All that was left inside me was bitterness—these were my own parents, the "family" that took me in; no love, just calculation and cruelty.