Chapter 253

Nathaniel turned on his heel and disappeared into the night.

Daphne's entire body trembled with terror. Her greedy deception of pretending to be Harrison had backfired spectacularly. Nathaniel's parting words echoed in her mind - this would be the mistake that haunted her forever.

She was utterly ruined.

Her desperate gaze landed on Daniel, the only person she believed could salvage this disaster.

Though Daniel came from modest means, his relentless ambition had propelled him forward. He'd invested hundreds of thousands in her over the years, always the first to solve her family's problems. Losing him now would be catastrophic.

"Daniel, please...it was all my fault." Her voice cracked as she clutched his sleeve. "Take me home. I'll fix everything. We can start fresh-"

He yanked his arm away, his expression glacial. "You're done in Willowbrook, Daphne. Only when you've hit rock bottom do you remember me? I see you clearly now. Your greed makes you unworthy of compassion."

Without hesitation, Daniel strode away.

"Daniel! Wait!" She screamed after him, clutching her stomach. "I'm carrying your child! You can't abandon us!"

He barely glanced at her swollen belly. "That baby was always just another pawn to you. You'll never be fit to be a mother. Do it a favor - terminate the pregnancy."

His retreating footsteps echoed like a death knell.

Daphne collapsed onto the pavement, her dreams reduced to ashes around her.

"No! This can't be happening!" Her wails pierced the night air.

Meanwhile, Harrison, Rosalind, and Gabrielle emerged from an upscale restaurant, laughing over dessert.

"Harrison, how do you think Daphne's birthday gala went?"

"With Nathaniel attending and her pregnancy announcement? She probably thinks she's won the lottery."

"What a disgusting pair!"

Rosalind and Gabrielle exchanged looks of disgust at both Nathaniel and Daphne.

Harrison merely smiled when suddenly - "Stop right there!"

A disheveled figure barreled toward them, tripping at Harrison's feet.

Harrison gasped. The filthy, trembling woman was Daphne.

Rotten food stained Daphne's designer dress. Her hair was matted with eggshells. An angry mob chased her, screaming, "Liar! Fraud!"

"Daphne?!"

Rosalind and Gabrielle gaped in shock.

The once-glamorous socialite had become public enemy number one. Of all people to collapse before, it had to be Harrison. Every shred of dignity had been stripped away, leaving only raw humiliation.

Suddenly, Daphne remembered Harrison rushing to her defense at The Grand Celeste incident. Back then, Harrison had genuinely considered her a friend.

Tears blurred Daphne's vision as she scrambled up and fled. "Leave me alone!"

Rosalind turned to Harrison, stunned. "Was that really Daphne? What happened?"

Harrison watched the retreating figure, equally perplexed.

Back at their dorm, the trio turned on the entertainment news. A breathless announcer declared:

"Shocking developments! Rising star Daphne Sinclair's wholesome image lies in tatters after tonight's explosive revelations! The beloved actress has been exposed dating a construction worker while pregnant out of wedlock!"

The screen cut to footage from the gala, showing Daniel's dramatic entrance and subsequent confrontation.

Rosalind nearly choked. "What?! Daphne had a boyfriend this whole time?"