Chapter 12 Ms. Fletcher
After Rence had brownies reluctantly, Shelton brought her to the mourning hall and said, “Mrs. Duran, I need to go to Mr. Duran and can’t come inside with you.”
Renee grunted and waved her hand. “Bye.”
Shelton smiled politely, “Goodbye, Mrs. Duran.”
Many guests had arrived at the mourning hall and Diane was obviously in charge of the event. She was wearing a grief–stricken face. Anyone who didn’t know the truth would think she was devastated over the death of Tristan.
“Diane,” a rich woman spoke up. “I heard that Mrs. Freida Duran brought the Fletcher girl over. Where’s she?”
“The Fletcher girl?” one person chimed in. “Do you mean Joanna? She’s the most sought–after woman in Ampleshire. I doubt the Fletcher family would agree to send her here.” The person looked at Diane apologetically. “I’m sorry, Diane. It came out wrong. The daughter of the Fletcher family is lucky to marry into the Duran family. But Tristan
was…”
The rich lady crossed her arms and scoffed, “Of course, Joanna won’t come here. She’s the precious daughter of the Fletcher family. They value her very much and will never let her marry a dead man. I mean the biological daughter of the Fletcher family, the one that grew up in a small town.”
The Fletcher family’s switched daughters weren’t fresh news for many people in Ampleshire. Chloe Gibson, Renee’s mother, was in poor health after having three sons, but she insisted on having her daughter.
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Because she was too weak and had to go to a remote place called
Peace Town for recuperation. She planned to return to Ampleshire half a month before her due date. But she had premature labor and was sent to a small hospital in town.
Another woman gave birth to a girl at the same time at that hospital. Due to the slack management of the hospital, a nurse made a mistake and switched the two baby girls. As a result, the real rich girl had to live in poverty in a small town while the other was being doted on in a rich household.
Normally, when they found out about the switch, the Fletcher family should bring their biological child back. After all, the Fletcher family was one of the top families in Ampleshire and was more than capable of raising another child. But, fearing hurting Joanna’s feelings, they pretended that Renee didn’t exist and just let her stay in the small
town.
If the Duran family didn’t demand them to fulfill the engagement, they wouldn’t bring Renee back.
Diane smiled dryly and said, “Ms. Rence… is still sleeping. She’s from a small place and doesn’t know the rules. I’m just Tristan’s aunt and have no right to discipline her. So, I have to come here to hold the fort…”
“Really?” one high–pitched voice shouted. “One day of living here and she thinks she’s the queen? No wonder her parents abandoned her.”
“I know… I heard that she’s hideous and has a bad temper. She’s no match for Joanna at all.”
The crowd giggled in mockery and belittled Renee viciously as if they were sworn enemies of hers.
Diane hurriedly said, “Alright. That’s enough. The Fletcher family’s
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people are coming. It’ll be embarrassing if they hear it.”
“Why? In my opinion, the Fletcher family doesn’t even think she’s a family member. She arrived here yesterday. But neither her father nor her brothers had come over to see her. It explains a lot.”
At that moment, a gentle female voice cut in. “Ladies, please stop talking about my sister like that.”
They paused and looked in the direction of the voice. A young woman in a white dress was standing elegantly in front of them. She looked graceful and pretty. Although she wasn’t gorgeous, her polished demeanor made her stand out in the crowd.
A young man in a black suit was behind her.
He looked like a playboy even though he was wearing an official suit. The playful glimmer in his fine eyes added to his charm. The smirk formed by his thin lips could sweep all the young women off their feet.
“They are Ms. Joanna and Mr. Klein…” someone said in a small voice.
