"I..." Ashley panicked.


    "Really? Funny, I don''t recall any of this," Debra said. "Miss Steele, is there any truth to these wild usations?"


    All eyes swiveled to Ashley, who quickly adopted an expression of wounded innocence. "Miss ir, how could you say such things? I nev ald such things."


    "You did! You all heard her!" She screeched, her finger jabbing usingly at the circle of socialites.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    However, none of them stood forward to say anything. Shelia was isted and desperate, while Den pressed his lips into a thin line.


    Debra''s smile widened, a picture of sympathy. "It seems Miss ir is not quite herself today. My ns to remarry Juan have been set in stone for some time. Perhaps the recent loss of her child has affected her mental state, causing her to speak so irrationally." "I''m not being irrational," Shelia protested, her voice rising to a shrill pitch.


    Debra clucked her tongue, a sound dripping with faux concern. "Joe, be a dear and drive Miss ir to the hospital. We must ensure her condition doesn''t deteriorate further."


    Debra''s tone was mild, but everyone could sense the insinuation in her words.


    Den finally found his voice. "I dare any of you toy a hand on my daughter."


    Suddenly, the door creaked open, revealing a young woman with a delicate face and a slim build.


    Dressed in simple jeans and a t-shirt, she looked woefully out of ce among the bejeweled guests. Spotting Den, she rushed forward to clutch his leg. Tears: streamed down her cheeks.


    "Dad, I finally found you."


    Den''s face d kened like a storm cloud, while Edgar smirked from the sidelines.


    Perched on the second floor, Debra raised an eyebrow. "What a night!"


    "Dad, I''ve been searching for you for so long. I''m your daughter, Jade," the young


    woman cried.


    Cameras shed as the media vultures circled, sensing a story.


    Shelia anxiously grabbed Den''s wrist, shoving the young woman away. "This is my father. Who the hell are you? Who sent you in? Security!"


    The security guards stepped forward but were halted by Edgar. He strode towards the young woman, helping her to her feet. "Let''s not be hasty. Since tonight is already full of surprises, why don''t we let thisdy speak her piece?"


    The real Jade wiped her tears, her eyes locked onto Den. "Dad, I''m your daughter. I''m Jade."


    "Enough!" Shelia barked. "You can''t just im to be someone''s daughter without proof. Edgar found me and brought me to Den. We had a paternity test. You''re just here to cause trouble."


    "Nothing is absolute. Thisdy does bear a resemnce to Den," Edgar chimed in, looking at Jade. "Miss, do you have anything to prove your identity?"


    "Yes, I had a ring," Jade replied, pointing at Shelia. "She stole it from me."