The sudden and vicious slap left me dizzy.

All eyes were now on me.

"So this is the mistress who seduced the richest man, Mr. Hayden? She looks decent, but who knew she'd be so shameless?"

"Some people seem decent on the outside but who knows what they're doing behind closed doors."

"Exactly, and she's spending money in a jewelry store. She must be an experienced swindler."

I paid no attention to the onlookers' comments and seriously explained to Juliet,

"You're Juliet, right? You've got it wrong. I'm not the mistress you're looking for."

Juliet scoffed and pulled out her phone, showing me a photo.

"Still trying to deny it? My husband never likes taking pictures. If you're not a mistress, why would he take a photo with you?

"What? You have the nerve to be a mistress but not to admit it?"

As Juliet spoke, she glanced at the necklace in my hand and snatched it, throwing it to the ground and stomping on it.

"How dare you buy jewelry with my husband's money? You're nothing but a disgrace. Do you deserve it?"

Seeing the photo of me with Lamont, I suddenly understood.

Juliet had mistaken me, his mother, for the mistress trying to seduce her husband!

I tried to explain hurriedly, "I'm not a mistress. I'm Lamont's…"

Smack!

Before I could finish, Juliet slapped me again.

"Lamont? How dare you call his name so intimately in front of me and still claim you're not a mistress?

"A cripple like you thinks you're worthy of my man?"

Several bridesmaids chimed in.

"I bet this cripple's leg got broken when she was caught seducing another woman's husband."

"A woman as shameless as her has probably been beaten a lot."

"Since she has no shame, let's strip her naked today and give her some real fame!"

The bridesmaids were all indignant, eager to tear me apart.

Juliet seemed very pleased with their suggestion and kicked me to the ground.

She said coldly, "Strip her!"

The bridesmaids immediately surrounded me, violently tearing at my clothes.

Struggling, I shouted, "Stop! I'm Lamont's mother!"

Hearing my words, the bridesmaids froze.

Juliet squinted her eyes and stared at me.

"You just said you're Lamont's mother?"

I responded sternly, "Yes!"

I had thought that once I told the truth, they would realize their mistake.

But to my surprise, it seemed as if I had told the most ridiculous joke.

They all burst into laughter.

"With your dull brain, no wonder you have to sell your body to survive. You're even telling such an outrageous lie."

"He's the richest man. Do you even know how distinguished the richest man's mother is? How could a disgraceful cripple like you compare to her?"

"You look like you're in your thirties. How could you possibly have a son as old as Mr. Hayden? Do you think we're as stupid as you?"

Amid their laughter, Juliet yanked my hair, mocking me.

"I thought you were smart and cunning for being able to get my husband to take a picture with you. But you're actually as dumb as can be.

"Don't you know the person my husband cares about most is his mother? And you, the shameless mistress, are lying and claiming to be my mother-in-law? You'll get yourself killed!"

Then, Juliet's eyes flashed with malice as she ordered the bridesmaids.

"Shave this wretch's head! Let's see how she dares to seduce men in the future!"

These people were prepared for this.

As soon as Juliet gave the order, several of them pulled out scissors from a black bag.

Then, with sinister smiles, they approached me.

I looked young for my age and had always been attractive.

But I had a leg problem that, despite years of treatment, could never be fully cured.

This was a sore spot for Lamont. He most dreaded anyone calling me a cripple.

He would never bring up my condition voluntarily.

Yet, ironically, it became the very reason these people refused to believe my identity.

Seeing that they were about to cut my hair, I struggled and shouted again.

"I really am Lamont's mother! If you don't believe me, you can call him and ask!"

My words only made them bolder.

They surrounded me, cutting my hair haphazardly while slapping my face repeatedly.

"You shameless mistress, still lying even after being exposed? Let me beat that filthy mouth!"

Soon, my face was swollen, red, and bruised. My scalp, now bare, was covered in bloody cuts from the violent haircutting.

Seeing this, Juliet burst into a satisfied laugh.

"Well, look at her! Doesn't she look like a turtle without its shell?"

The bridesmaids laughed along with her.

One middle-aged woman in the crowd, unable to bear it any longer, stepped forward and tried to reason with them.

"Girls, it looks like you've taught her quite a harsh lesson. How about covering her up with some clothes now? Her family would be heartbroken to see her like this."

Hearing this, Juliet sneered and glared at the woman.

"How I deal with this wretch is none of your business!

"You seem to be so eager to defend a mistress. Then you're no good either.

"Maybe you've lived your whole life as a mistress too, which is why you sympathize with her.

"My husband is the richest man in the city, Lamont. Do you want to challenge me? If so, I'll make sure you get the same treatment!"

Lamont was the richest man in the city. At the same time, his time in prison and his ruthless reputation were widely known.

Upon hearing that Juliet had the backing of Lamont, the middle-aged woman immediately fell silent and quietly retreated into the crowd.

Juliet's gaze turned cold again as she looked down at me.

"You crippled wretch, limping around must be exhausting, right?

"Today, I'm feeling generous, so I'll help you out of your misery."

With that, she called out to her bridesmaids.

"Bring the tools! I want this wretch crawling for the rest of her life!"

Upon hearing this, the bridesmaid, holding the black bag, immediately pulled out a steel pipe and handed it to Juliet.

Juliet took the steel pipe, her gaze toward me filled with malice and cruelty.

Before I could react, she raised the pipe and brought it down heavily on my right leg.

Crack!

The sound of bone snapping echoed in the air.

The searing pain swept through me.

It drenched me in cold sweat, almost causing me to pass out.

"Someone as wretched as you should crawl on the ground like a maggot," Juliet sneered.

"A cripple like you thinks you can compete with me for a man? Let me tell you, the position of the wealthiest wife in town belongs to me and only me!"

Her voice dripped with arrogance as she looked down at me.

Lamont had always spoken of Juliet as being gentle, kind, and generous. I believed him and had been very pleased with her as a daughter-in-law.

But I never expected her to be this vicious and ruthless.

Gasping weakly for breath, I gritted my teeth and whispered, "You may not hold that title for long."

Juliet's expression turned icy when she heard it.

"How dare you curse me, you filthy bitch?" she spat.

"Since nothing decent comes out of your mouth, then you might as well never speak again."

With that, Juliet pulled a needle and thread from the black bag.

Seeing this, one of the bridesmaids, her voice trembling slightly, asked.

"Juliet, isn't this going too far? We're in public, and this could get us into serious trouble."

Juliet, utterly fearless, replied, "What are you afraid of? My husband is the wealthiest man in the city. He spoils me. If anything happens, he'll handle it. Even if I were to kill this bitch, it wouldn't matter."

After that, she crouched before me like a grim reaper.

She ordered others to hold my mouth open.

Then, stitch by stitch, she began sewing my lips shut.

Every puncture of the needle and every pull of the thread sent waves of excruciating pain through my body.

Blood dripped, forming a pool around me.

Those few minutes felt like an eternity.

Unable to open my mouth, all I could do was let out muffled and agonized whimpers.

Once my lips were completely sewn shut, Juliet finally stopped, feeling satisfied.

"Good, the bitch can no longer run her mouth."

She said, standing up and wiping the blood from her hands with a smirk.

The bridesmaids chimed in with praise, "Juliet, you truly live up to being the wife of the richest man in the city! The way you handle the wretch is masterful."

"Only with strength can one maintain their status. Juliet was born for a life of luxury!"

"Exactly! Even fate wants Juliet to rid herself of this filthy mistress on her wedding day!"

With their flattery, a triumphant smile spread across Juliet's face.

It was as though she could already see herself enjoying a life of grandeur as a rich wife.

Juliet lifted her leg again and stomped on my face with force.

"Didn't you say I wouldn't become the wife of the richest man in the city?" she sneered.

"Well, then I'll take you to my wedding now so you can witness firsthand how I marry into the richest family in the city!"

"And I'll make sure my husband tears you apart personally. You'll know what real despair feels like!"

Juliet stuffed me into a burlap sack and dragged me to the wedding venue.

The sack scraped along the ground, causing holes to form in the fabric.

Through these holes, I saw the sprawling green lawn, beautifully arranged for a perfect wedding.

The place was crowded with people, and reporters were broadcasting the event live.

The wedding of the richest man in town was a spectacle that captured the attention of all.

At the very center of the venue, Lamont stood by the main seat, gazing off into the distance.

That seat had been specially reserved for me.

He was waiting for me to arrive.

When Juliet dragged a large and bloodstained burlap sack into the wedding scene, everyone froze in shock.

Lamont was even more puzzled, asking, "What's in there?"

Juliet clung to Lamont's arm, whining in complaint, "Honey, this sack contains a vile wretch.

"Not only did she bully me and curse our marriage, but she also insulted and tarnished your mother's reputation!"

Several bridesmaids chimed in.

"Exactly. We've never seen anyone so shameless. Her arrogant face alone was enough to make us furious."

"Thank goodness Juliet caught her right away. If not, she would have destroyed both Juliet's and Mrs. Hayden's reputations!"

"Mr. Hayden, you must not let her go so easily. Otherwise, everyone will think they can bully Juliet and your mother!"

Lamont's expression darkened to the extreme after their words.

"How dare she tarnish my mother's reputation?"

Seething with rage, he approached me slowly.

Seeing this, the guests started whispering.

"Mr. Hayden is not only the wealthiest man in the city, but he is known for his ruthlessness. I heard that when someone bullied his mom before, he attacked with a knife, killing one and injuring two others, which landed him in prison for several years."

"That's right. Everyone knows that Mr. Hayden's greatest weakness is his mother. Whoever provokes him is just asking to die."

Amid the murmurs of the crowd, Lamont, like a grim reaper, reached my side.

"Anyone who hurts my mother will never have a good ending."

Through the small holes in the burlap sack, I could see Lamont's furious face.

I wanted to tell him that Juliet was lying.

I hoped he would realize that it was me inside soon.

But my mouth was sewn shut.

I could only watch as Lamont grabbed a heavy chair from nearby.

And he brought it crashing down on my head.

A sharp pain hit me, and my head slumped forward as blood began to pour.

The sack quickly turned crimson.

Juliet's lips curled into a slight smile when she saw it, her eyes glinting with the satisfaction of revenge.

The next moment, she gleefully untied the burlap sack, revealing my barely conscious face.

"Well, honey, the wretch you just hit is actually the mistress who tried to seduce you.

"How do you like the surprise I prepared for you?"