Chapter 1328:

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They scattered like startled birds, dashing in every direction while the adults stood stunned, unsure whether to chase or reel in disbelief at Nancy’s bold move. Clinging to Khloe, Nancy grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked with everything she had.

“Ahhh!” Khloe shrieked, but to Nancy’s surprise, made no attempt to push her away.

Tears threatened to spill, but Nancy bit them back, her voice shaking. “Dad… Mom… I am sorry. If there is a next life, I still want to be your daughter.”

“Cut!” The voice sliced through the chaos like a blade.

The room fell dead silent—everyone frozen in place—except Nancy, who was still locked onto Khloe’s head like a bulldog on a mission.

A large hand reached in and gently held her by the forehead.

Nancy blinked, dazed, and turned slowly. “Dad?”

Aiden stood there, looking torn between guilt and amusement. “Nancy, sweetheart, if you keep pulling like that, Molly is going to need a wig.”

“What?” Nancy blinked again, confused. She glanced over at Khloe, who now wore a sheepish smile and eyes full of apology.

“Nancy, I am really sorry. I said some pretty harsh things earlier. But it was all for the scene, I promise,” Molly said, rubbing her sore scalp.

“What exactly is going on?” Nancy’s mind raced, each scattered detail snapping into place like shards of a broken mirror suddenly mending. The kids—none of them looked afraid. In fact, they stood off to the side munching on snacks, chatting animatedly like it was some sort of backstage party.

“Actually, this was all a play.” From behind the shadows, Stephen stepped forward, his smile warm and disarming.

Nancy blinked. “Uncle Stephen?” Her voice shot up, a blend of disbelief and confusion. “You mean… from the moment I was taken, all of this was staged?”

That explained so much.

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If they had really been traffickers, would they have been more ruthless? Sure, they had barked threats and played rough, but not once had anyone laid a hand on her. And if they truly meant harm, controlling a bunch of kids would have been effortless. Yet no one got hurt. Not even close.

“Yes,” Stephen nodded, a sigh escaping his lips. “The entire thing was your mother’s idea. She believes you are too spoiled. She wanted to show you what the world could really be like. So, she pitched the idea, and I directed it.”

He turned to the woman who claimed to be Khloe. “This is Molly—she played the villain. But in real life, she is a friend. We have worked together before.”

Nancy studied Molly’s face with fresh eyes. A slow gasp slipped from her lips. “So you are Molly? The one who used to run scenes with Uncle Stephen? Your makeup skills are insane. I would never have guessed.”

“If you figured it out, how could we keep the act going?” Molly groaned, rubbing the sore spot where her hair had been yanked a little too hard.

Nancy glanced at Molly’s tousled strands and the faint scratches lining her cheek. Guilt crept up her spine like an unwelcome chill. “Sorry, Molly. I got a bit too into it.”

“It’s just acting.” Molly offered a crooked grin, brushing off the apology. “I’m a professional, remember? These little scrapes are nothing compared to the stunts I’ve pulled off before.”

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