I sighed and took out my phone to call the police.

"Since neither side trusts the other, let the police handle it. Oh, and we should also call Nolan and the whole family over to let them know about this..."

Elaine pointed at me and yelled, "It'll be too late when the police arrive! You would have removed the evidence by then! This kind of poison is volatile, so it must be used immediately after the packaging is opened! She just put the poison in, so the packaging must be on her!"

As soon as Elaine said that, Sandra lunged at me, trying to rip my clothes.

I was caught off guard and my phone was flung far away. I could only try desperately to protect my coat.

"Are you crazy? How dare you try to strip someone naked in public?! Elaine Geston, if you offend me, you'll never marry Nolan!"

Elaine snorted.

"The evidence will be found soon! You're done for! No one would fall for your empty threats! No one would fall for your lies!"

The comments were having a field day, cheering Sandra on.

[Good job, Mom! It doesn't matter if she did it or not, just plant the evidence in her pocket and nail her!]

[A mother's love is so pure. Sandra would do anything for her daughter!]

When I saw the comments, I tried even harder to stop Sandra from reaching into my clothes.

While we were tangled up, someone suddenly walked up to us.

Elaine immediately changed her attitude. She smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Alfred, what are you doing here? Did Nolan send you?"

I pried open Sandra's hand that was tightly clutching my collar and turned my head. I saw a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair in a suit.

I quickly asked him for help.

"Are you the butler? Call security! These people are trying to frame me, saying I poisoned the wine!"

Sandra pushed me hard and yelled, "This is my son-in-law's butler, Alfred! Show some respect!"

Then, she put on a smile and said to Alfred, "Alfred, this is the substitute that Nolan hid away for ten years! She poisoned the newlyweds' wine and tried to kill them both!"

Alfred looked at me with contempt.

"I see. So you're a vile woman who can't see the light of day. No wonder Master Nolan dumped you."

He turned to Elaine and Sandra and said kindly, "Since you caught her red-handed, you can deal with her however you want, but make it quick. Master Nolan is almost done, so don't delay the wedding!"

I was so mad I laughed.

What a gullible man.

The next second, I saw him secretly exchanging a glance with Sandra.

I instantly understood what was going on. I sneered at him.

"So that's why Nolan and my parents aren't here yet. You're holding them back. How much did Elaine Geston pay you? If you keep this up, you can forget about working for the Clark family!"

Alfred was enraged because his misdeed was exposed. He pointed at me and yelled, "Shut up, wench! You'll pay for what you did! Maids, hold her down and search her thoroughly!"

With Alfred's permission, Sandra led a group of maids over and surrounded me.

My coat was torn apart, revealing the evening gown I was wearing underneath.

My handbag and phone were snatched and thrown away.

I couldn't hold back my anger anymore. I gave up trying to be civil and slapped Sandra hard.

Sandra covered her face and fell to the floor, still holding a white box that she was trying to stuff in my coat.

Elaine screamed, "Mom!"

She threw herself next to Sandra, her eyes teary, and glared at me.

"You poisoned my wine, and now you hit my mother?!"

With a frown, I pointed at Sandra's hand angrily.

"She deserves it. She tried to stuff that box into my pocket! Who knows if she's trying to plant evidence to frame me?"

Sandra pointed at me and yelled, "You wench, now you're making up lies because I found the evidence on you!"

I was furious. "Fine, if you insist that's mine, let's call the police and have them check for fingerprints..."

Alfred instantly yelled at me furiously, "Enough! Stop acting innocent! We have evidence and witnesses, yet you're still trying to deny it!"

He turned to the guests in attendance and said loudly, "Everyone, I, Alfred Bane, have been working for the Clark family for three years, and I've never heard of Master Nolan having an aunt. I'm sorry for the commotion. We'll deal with this woman immediately!"

The comments were ecstatic:

[Great, we have official confirmation now. Let's see what else the evil substitute can say!]

[Alfred is awesome! No wonder Sandra hooked up with him!]

With Alfred's declaration, all my previous explanations became useless.

The surrounding guests stepped back to keep their distance from me, looking at me like I was trash.

Alfred swung his hand with a sneer. "Grab her!"

Instantly, a group of bodyguards in black rushed forward, each holding a stun baton.

I kept stepping back while trying to reason with them for the sake of my sister and nephew, but these people wouldn't listen to me at all.

I could only turn around and run to the door.

But before I could reach it, I heard Alfred shout behind me, "The servants over there, close the door!"

I heard the click of the door being locked.

My heart raced, and I quickly surveyed the surroundings.

Elaine and Alfred had controlled the entire venue. The only people who could save me were currently oblivious to my plight.

I gritted my teeth, tore off my necklace and watch and threw them into a corner while shouting loudly, "Anyone who's willing to take these tokens to Nolan Clark and tell him what's happening will be handsomely rewarded!"

After saying that, I ran to a smaller door in the opposite direction which led to a small room.

Alfred shouted, "Catch the liar! You will have the Clark family's gratitude!"

More and more people moved behind me.

I ran into the small room and locked the door with trembling fingers, not even having time to catch my breath.

The next second, with a loud crash, the door was kicked open by Alfred.

I fell heavily to the floor. The splintered wood cut my skin and drew blood.

He walked in with a sneer, grabbed my arm and dragged me out.

"You think you can run from me?! I'm in charge of this whole place!"

The comments were going crazy with excitement:

[Alfred is so reassuring. He's doing his best to protect our sweetheart Elaine!]

[I'm so glad he's there. Die, substitute!]

The pain made me gasp. I struggled desperately.

Alfred held onto me tightly and gave me a sinister smile.

"Since you and Master Nolan have spent so many years together, you should at least have a drink today to celebrate his marriage!"

He waved at Sandra, signaling her to bring over the poisoned wine.

But out of the corner of my eye, I saw something else.

The real substitute quietly picked up what I had thrown, and while everyone's attention was on me, she slipped out the window.

Alfred held me down with one hand and spoke to Elaine with a gentle tone, "This is revenge for you, Miss Elaine!"

He pinched my chin, wanting to force-feed me the poisoned wine.

But I turned my head and bit Alfred's wrist hard, drawing blood.

I then spat a mouthful of blood and saliva and glared at them.

"I'll remember this. You'll all pay for this!"

The comments were dismissive:

[Who does she think she is? Elaine will be a member of the Clark family soon. She can crush the substitute without lifting a finger.]

[She's about to die and still wouldn't repent. She deserves a heavier punishment!]

[Feeding her a glass of poisoned wine isn't enough. They should break her limbs and make her get on her knees to beg for Elaine's forgiveness! That would be satisfying!]

Alfred grabbed his wrist, gritted his teeth, and kicked me hard.

I rolled away, covered in blood and dust.

Elaine handed Alfred a stun baton with a sweet smile.

"Alfred, use this to teach her a lesson."

Watching Alfred approach me, my fingers trembled. I tried to get up but couldn't move.

The banquet hall doors opened the exact moment the stun baton was swung.

The person who came in was none other than today's groom, Nolan Clark.

[As expected of a young man brought up by the Clark family. He's a real catch. No wonder the mistress would shamelessly attend the wedding to cause trouble. If she could latch onto him, her future's set!]

[Now that the male lead is here, the substitute is done for! Homewreckers should just die!]

Elaine felt smug inside, but she put on an aggrieved look and threw herself into Nolan's arms like she had no bones.

"Honey, what kept you?! Someone's trying to ruin our wedding and even tried to kill me with poison!"

Nolan was angered. "Who? How dare they?! Don't worry, honey, I'll definitely get revenge for you!"

"You're the best! But it's okay, I already had someone teach her a lesson! She still refuses to admit her mistakes though and even wants to call the police to have me arrested. She's ruined my good mood on our wedding day."

Elaine's pitiful look instantly aroused Nolan's protective instincts.

The guests also sided with Elaine.

Nolan held her in his arms while glaring at me fiercely.

"Wench! How dare you ruin our wedding?!"

He kicked me in the head, which I already couldn't lift, and my head spun.

Before I could speak, he grabbed my hair and pulled my head back hard.

When he saw my face, his face turned pale, and he fell to the floor weakly.

"Aunt... Aunt Betty? How come it's you?" he stammered, unable to speak properly.