Four Ballots. Four Names. My Family Chose To Trade Me Away Chapter 08

Four Ballots. Four Names. My Family Chose To Trade Me Away Chapter 08

Dozens of black sedans and news vans stopped at the entrance of Dust Hollow.

Harrison led the pack, his face dark as a thundercloud.

Celeste and Seraphina hung back, wrapping their faces tightly in scarves.

Piper, playing the part of the dutiful daughter, held Celeste’s arm supportively.

The villagers heard the commotion and gathered around.

Dorian pointed at me standing at the entrance of the town hall and shouted at the top of his lungs.

“Wren! You poisoner!”

“Today, in front of the whole country, you will hand over the antidote!”

Camera flashes blinded. Microphones jabbed toward my face.

“Miss Holloway, why would you harm your own mother and sister?”

I looked at them, perfectly calm.

I gestured to the white projector screen hung on the town hall wall.

“Since everyone’s here-let’s see the evidence.”

I clicked the remote. A lab report appeared, stamped with a state accreditation seal.

“These are results from a state-certified lab. Before I left, I preserved samples of all water sources and skincare products in the Blake house. No toxins were found. Nothing.”

Dorian snarled, “You swapped them beforehand! This proves nothing! Who else could’ve done this?”

I ignored him and advanced to the next slide.

Screen captures of Seraphina’s bar tabs, her cigarette purchases, and text messages in which she complained: [Faking this sweet girl act is so exhausting.]

“Seraphina’s vocal damage was caused by chronic lack of sleep, heavy smoking, and drinking. Acute irritation of the vocal cords.”

Next slide: Celeste’s payment records to an underground med-spa for unapproved filler injections.

“Celeste’s facial disfigurement was a rejection reaction to low-quality illegal fillers.”

The reporters shuffled. The live chat flipped instantly.

“Whoa, so they did it to themselves and blamed her??”

“Seraphina’s ‘pure’ image was a total scam!”

Dorian, frantic, lunged to smash the projector.

“Shut up! You bitch!”

But before he got close, Mayor Thorne blocked him with a dozen men carrying shovels, crowbars, and other

farm tools.

“Think you can cause trouble in Dust Hollow?”

“Wren is our town’s benefactor. Touch her and see what happens.”

The villagers pressed in around the Blakes and reporters.

Harrison, pale with fear, saw the gleam of farm tools and backed away.

“Leave! Now!”

They retreated from Dust Hollow under a rain of rotten tomatoes, overripe eggs, and spoiled vegetables.