Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 362: You Exposed Yourself

Genevieve and Stefan danced for a while longer while the others were back at the table. She laughed as Stefan spun her gently and pulled her back to him. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright.

After a moment, she leaned close to his ear. "I need to use the ladies’ room," she shouted over the music.

He nodded and kissed her cheek. "I’ll be at the table. Don’t want to dance without you."

As Genevieve walked away, Stefan returned to the table.

Dawn, who was laughing at something Callan said, raised a brow at Stefan. "Where is Genny?"

Stefan jerked his head in her direction. "She went to the ladies."

Dawn looked in the direction in time to see three ladies whispering and pointing in Genevieve’s direction.

Dawn straightened in her seat and her brows pulled together as she returned her gaze to Genevieve as she walked toward the hallway that led to the restrooms.

A second later, the same ladies pushed away from the bar and followed after her.

Dawn rose. "I’ll be back," she said quickly, already moving.

Jamal reached for her hand. "Where are you going, babe?"

"Restroom," she replied. "I’ll be quick."

Callan watched her go, then looked at Emily. "Have you checked on Mari yet? You should go give Mari a call to be sure she got to Jax’s place safely."

Emily blinked. "Oh my God, you’re right. I can’t believe I completely forgot."

"You were having fun," he said lightly. "That’s allowed."

She looked at him with a warm smile. "Thank you for reminding me," she said, then followed Dawn.

Inside the restroom, Genevieve stepped out of the stall and walked to the sink. She turned on the tap and stared at her reflection, fixing her hair.

Just as she reached for her lipstick in her little purse which was slung over her shoulder, the ladies Dawn had taken note of earlier, walked in.

"Excuse me," one of the said.

Genevieve turned to look at them.

Three young ladies stood behind her, arms folded, faces sharp with judgement.

"Aren’t you Genevieve Harris?" one asked.

Genevieve’s heart skipped. "Yes," she replied softly.

"I told you, didn’t I?" One of them told her counterparts.

Another one of them scoffed. "Wow. You really have no shame, do you?"

Genevieve froze. "I beg your pardon?"

"Dancing out there like nothing happened," the first continued. "Like you didn’t ruin someone’s life."

"Did you really think crying on live video would fix everything?" the third added. "Crocodile tears don’t erase what you did."

"Seeing the way she cried on that video, one would think she’d have the decency to stay away from the public to show her remorse but look at her going on with her life like she didn’t do anything."

Genevieve’s mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Before she could speak, Dawn walked in.

"What exactly is your problem?" Dawn snapped, stepping into their midst.

The women turned, surprised.

"One of her stupid friends is here to save her. You can’t advise your friend, can you? After what she did, you are clubbing with her this way. You must be birds of a feather," one of them sneered at Dawn.

"You don’t even know who I am and you think you have a right to run your mouth this way?" Dawn asked in disbelief.

Another of the ladies narrowed her eyes. "You look familiar. Aren’t you the one whose identity she stole?"

Dawn’s eyes hardened. "And what business is that of yours?"

The lady shrugged. "Just saying."

Dawn stepped closer. "Whatever happened in our family is none of your concern. So keep moving and mind your lives."

"I can’t believe she was dancing and partying with her this way when she was the victim," one of them muttered as they walked away.

"Little wonder they were able to deceive her for so long. She’s not very smart," another one said with disapproval.

"This is why you should not have made that stupid video," Dawn said, annoyed.

Genevieve flinched but said nothing. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say in that situation. She felt ashamed that Dawn had spoken up for her.

"You exposed yourself," Dawn continued. "And now you’ll keep meeting people like that."

Dawn faced her. "How could you just stand there and let them talk to you that way? I always thought you were bold. Next time, don’t just stand there. No one has the right to talk to you that way."

Genevieve looked down. She remembered how cruel she had been to Dawn growing up. She remembered how she had bullied Dawn and encouraged others to bully her."

Dawn sighed. "You’re doing that face again."

Genevieve looked at her. "What face?"

"That sad, guilty face," Dawn said. "Snap out of it. I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at what just happened. Shake off whatever you’re thinking and feeling right now. The confident you from the dance floor suits you better."

Genevieve let out a small breath. "Thank you."

"So," Dawn said, changing the subject as she stood in front of the mirror looking at her face, "you’re really not moving away again? Are you going to stay here in Ludus and get married to Stefan and live happily ever after? What’s the plan?"

Genevieve smiled. "Callan’s mom offered me a role at the foundation she cofounded with Lucy."

Dawn’s eyes lit up as she turned to her. "Really? That’s great! What role?"

As Genevieve explained, her eyes slowly brightened. Her hands moved as she spoke. Her voice grew stronger.

Dawn smiled, happy to see her regaining her confidence. "That’s nice. So, when do you start?"

"I have to travel to Westend first. Need to settle some things," she said, and Dawn nodded slowly.

"The lawyer wanted us to come together but I said I’ll come alone. I wasn’t sure you’d want to go back there," Genevieve said and Dawn nodded again.

"Yeah. I don’t want to go there."

"I’ll let you know whatever we discuss about the Will," Genevieve said and Dawn smiled.

"Thanks. Come on. Let’s go back."

"Thank you, Dawn," Genevieve said before Dawn could go. "For standing up for me when you didn’t have to."

"You’re my sister. I have to. Besides, I thought of you for so long as my younger sister that it’s still registered in a part of my brain that I have to look out for you."

Emily stood just outside the door, phone to her ear as she talked to Mari. "I believe your dad will cool off by morning. I’m really glad Cal made that call and you’re safe," she said softly.

Dawn and Genevieve waited for her to end the call and then the three women walked back toward the table together.