NovelEnglishChapter 204 Who Is She Really?
Joanna stood frozen for a beat, her mother’s words hitting like a slap. Bitterness welled up inside her. She'd
always known where her mother’s priorities lay- power, appearances, and most of all, profit. And nothing offered
a higher return than marrying into the right family.
She lowered her gaze, her voice tinged with quiet frustration. “Mom... relationships don’t work that way. You
can’t force feelings.”
Her mother scoffed, full of contempt. “Feelings? You think those rich boys actually care about love? They care
about power and connections. Joanna, stop being so naive. That's how they operate. Wake up. If you keep
dragging your feet, you'll be stuck picking from whatever's left.”
Joanna bit her lip but didn’t argue. She knew better-pushing back would only make things worse. So she just said
quietly, “I get it. I'll keep it in mind.”
Her mother shot her a glare, full of disappointment. “Keeping it in mind‘ won't get you anywhere. You need to
act. | heard Larry from the Houston family just got back into the country-he’s running the Houston Group now. If
you can get close to him, we’d finally have sreal standing in the Rivers family.”
At the mention of Larry’s name, a subtle shiver ran down Joanna's spine. She'd heard the stories-how calculating
he was, how ruthless. Cold, unreadable, and dangerous in all the ways that mattered. That kind of man wasn’t
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtsomeone you “got close” to. He was the kind you stayed far, far away from.
She nodded vaguely. “I get it. I'll figure out a way to talk to him.”
And with that, she used work as an excuse and made a quick exit.
Her mother shouted after her, her voice ringing through the house. “Work, work, work! You act like that job’s
going to secure your future. No matter how well you perform, it won't land you a marriage!”
Elsewhere, Sloane arrived at the meeting point where Lena was already waiting.
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Lena was already there waiting. As soon as she spotted Sloane, she walked up and handed over two folders. “Ms.
Rivers, here are the DNA test reports you requested.”
Sloane took the documents, her fingers trembling slightly. She took a breath to steady herself, then opened the
envelope containing the results for herself, Helen, and Marshall.
Based on the available data and DNA analysis, Marshall is excluded as Sloane's biological father.
Her eyes froze on the sentence. Her heart dropped-but she didn’t stop. She flipped to the second file, the one
comparing her DNA with Helen's.
No biological relationship.
For a moment, Sloane just stood there, the pages in her hands, her mind blank. If ner Helen nor Marshall was her
parent... then who was?
ked hard, then quickly moved on to the third report—Samantha and all.
Based on the available data and DNA analysis, the results support Marshall as Samantha's biological father.
She grabbed the final envelope-Helen’s test. Just as she expected, Samantha was the biological child of both
Helen and Marshall.
Sloane had been right.
But now, thin
more tangled.
se years ago? Who switched the babies?
the real daughter of the Rivers family. But who else knew the truth? they hiding? What deeper secret had been
buried all this time?
most of all... who was she really?
Sloane clutched the reports tightly, her mind spinning with questions and
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emotions she couldn't fully name.
“Ms. Rivers, are you alright?” Lena asked gently, eyes full of concern.
Sloane shook her head and let out a breath. “I'm okay. Thank you, Lena. | really appreciate you getting these.”
Lena nodded respectfully. “Is there anything else | can do for you?”
Sloane paused, thinking. Then she looked up, her voice calm but firm. “I want you to investigate everything
about the Marshalls from nineteen years ago. Their social circle, who they were close to—especially if they had
any enemies.”
She couldn’t quite explain it, but something in her gut told her Helen had never wanted her to succeed. If she
turned out to be the daughter of someone the Marshalls hated... it might explain everything.
Of course, it was only a guess. But Sloane intended to find out the truth.
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