The moment Dixon's name was mentioned, everyone froze.

Everyone there knew exactly who he was. Dixon was the world's leading investor; any industry he touched was guaranteed to turn a profit. His assets spanned the globe, and even the wealthiest man in the country couldn't hold a candle to him.

In fact, the only reason so many people had scrambled to attend the summit was the rumor that Dixon would be making an appearance.

Eli wrapped his arms tightly around my neck and spoke up for me in a small voice. "She's my mommy. My mommy. You're the bad person."

Yvonne didn't believe a word he said. She stepped forward, trying to pry him from my arms. She clearly thought that if she could "rescue" Dixon's son, the rewards would be unimaginable. The prospect of such an opportunity made her lose all sense of reason.

Her expression twisted. "Elizabeth, hand over the boy! Not only will you not get a single cent for kidnapping him, but you'll also end up in prison!"

Suddenly, people around us began closing in, reaching out to grab Eli.

Eli started crying in fear. I held him tightly, trying to navigate through the crowd. "He's my son. Don't come any closer. We're leaving right now."

But Yvonne blocked my path, her voice rising to a screech. "He's your son? Are you trying to tell us that Dixon Smith is your husband? Take a good look at yourself! If you're going to lie, at least make it believable. Don't make me call the police!"

I wasn't afraid of that. "That's right. Dixon is my husband. Go ahead and call the police. I'd love to see who they arrest when they arrive."

As soon as I said that, everyone thought I had lost my mind.

"So, Samuel Storm is your father, and Dixon Smith is your husband. Elizabeth, you're delusional! Just wait. I'm calling the police right now. Let's see how you explain yourself then." Yvonne pulled out her phone and began dialing the police.

But Nicholas reached out and took the phone from her hand. He looked at me with a complicated expression. "Forget it, Elizabeth. For the sake of what we once had, I don't want to go that far. Just leave before things get out of hand. I'll give you money. Just tell me how much you want."

He still thought I was after his measly money.

Back in university, my father was already incredibly successful, but I had hidden my identity to live a normal life. Once I discovered Nicholas had been testing me by pretending to be poor, I stopped taking him seriously.

His family's newly made fortune couldn't even compare to my family's wealth. Yet, he had spent years terrified that I was a gold-digger. It was ridiculous.

Jealous of Nicholas' sudden protectiveness, Yvonne sneered. "Yes, Nicholas, give her some money. She only ever cared about money—that's why she ran off abroad with some foreigner. Now that she's been dumped and is broke, you're the only one kind enough to still care."

Nicholas' hand stiffened on the phone.

The implication was clear—if he gave me money now, he was the fool cleaning up another man's mess.

I hadn't realized such a ridiculous rumor had been spread about me after I left. But I wasn't afraid of gossip. I had confidence and a dependable husband who truly loved me.

I decided it was time to pull back the curtain on Yvonne. "Yvonne, do you really think no one knows you were living with a foreigner for money while stringing Nicholas along at the same time? I'll give you credit—you're a pro at handling men. You've had Nicholas completely fooled for years."

Yvonne panicked instantly. "What the hell are you talking about? I never did that! The only person I've ever loved is Nicholas. Don't think you can ruin what we have. Nicholas already knows exactly who you are!"

Nicholas jumped to her defense as well. "Elizabeth, I won't let you talk about Yvonne like that. She's nothing like you. She loves me for me. She was even willing to take out an eight-million-dollar loan for me before she knew I was wealthy."

I let out a cold laugh. "Nicholas Hunt, you really are naive. Yvonne knew exactly who you were from the start. That's why she seduced you.

"Why don't you take a look at her ex-boyfriends? Every single one is a wealthy heir. What makes you think you're the one exception she made for love? You're an idiot."

After hearing my words, Nicholas' expression soured.

Suspicious by nature, he began to have doubts. With a darkened face, he questioned Yvonne, "Is what Elizabeth said true? Did you already know who I was back then?"

Yvonne immediately looked wounded, as if she had been deeply wronged. "Nicholas, Elizabeth is lying. Don't you trust me? From the moment I met you, I understood what love at first sight really meant. I fell for you, not your name. Have you forgotten everything I've done for you?"

Nicholas' suspicion wavered, but it didn't vanish. Lowering his head, he sent a message to his assistant, ordering him to look into Yvonne's university history.

Furious, Yvonne lunged at me and slapped me hard across the face. Before I could even react, she snatched Eli from my arms.

Eli struggled, reaching out for me and screaming, "Mommy! Mommy, help me!"

Terrified for him, I tried to stay calm to keep him from panicking. "It's okay, baby. Daddy and Grandpa will be here soon to save us. When they get here, they'll take care of all the bad people. Don't be scared."

With my constant reassurance, his frantic crying gradually faded into quiet sobs. Each sob felt like a knife to my chest.

Seeing how obediently he responded to me only fueled Yvonne's rage. She slapped me five more times in quick succession. She even ordered the staff to start hitting me, but Nicholas stepped in.

He said, "That's enough. This ends here. We have more important matters to attend to today. Elizabeth, be sensible and leave now. Otherwise, even I won't be able to help you."

Panic surged through me. All I wanted was to get Eli back. "Yvonne, give me my son right now. If anything happens to him, I'll make you pay."

Still reeling from the fact that I had exposed her, Yvonne clutched Eli tightly and refused to let go. "You're the one who's going to pay. I'm calling the police right now. Elizabeth, you can spend the rest of your life rotting in prison!"

She quickly dialed the police, reporting that someone had kidnapped Dixon Smith's son and demanding an immediate response.

Honestly, I was hoping she would call them. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I knew Samuel and Dixon were due to arrive any second.

But Yvonne wasn't finished. Holding a sniffling Eli, she boasted to the surrounding crowd, "I'm the one who saved Dixon Smith's son. When he arrives, he'll definitely reward me. If any of you help me teach this woman a lesson, I'll personally introduce you to Dixon."

Most of the people there didn't have the status of the Hunt family, and Yvonne's promise was tempting to resist. They swarmed me.

Someone grabbed and tore at my clothes. Another clawed at my hair and face. Fists and kicks rained down on me. I struggled desperately, shielding my head, but the blows left my entire body throbbing with pain.

Nearby, Yvonne cheered them on. "Hit her harder! Beat her to death if you can!"

The commotion finally drew the venue manager over. The moment he saw the state I was in, his legs nearly buckled. He screamed, "Stop! Stop right now! Do you have any idea who she is?"

Behind him was my father, who had just arrived, and Dixon, who had rushed over straight from the airport.

But Yvonne was too blinded by her own excitement to hear a word the manager said. Overjoyed, she pointed at me and turned to my angry father. "Mr. Storm, this woman was pretending to be your daughter. I've already had her dealt with for you."

Then, she eagerly carried Eli—still crying—over to Dixon. "Mr. Smith, your son was nearly kidnapped by this woman just now. Luckily, I stepped in and rescued him."

Her eyes sparkled as she waited for the praise she had dreamed of. Putting on a modest act, she added, "It was truly the least I could do!"