Dumped for a Fake: The True Heiress Returns

A sharp crack split the air.

A twelve-million-dollar diamond ring was slammed onto the floor, its facets casting sharp light across the cold marble surface.

Christina White squinted at Austin Lewis as he held his ideal woman, Mary Johnson, while he glared at her with contempt and spoke in a superior, insulting tone.

"Christina, you think buying a fake diamond ring to force me into marriage will make me marry you? Let me tell you, even if you die, I'll never let a lowly woman like you marry me."

While speaking, Austin peeked at Christina's phone, which was still glowing in her palm.

On the screen, a diamond ring sparkled on Christina's slender finger.

Austin smirked. "Want to post it on Instagram? And say what? That I proposed to you? Christina, your tricks just keep getting more pathetic."

His cruelty left Christina torn between tears and laughter.

If she kept quiet, it would be impossible for anyone to believe that the man standing there was the same person she had been dating for three years.

Then again.

She already knew that for these three years, Austin had just been using her as Mary's replacement, didn't she?

Unfortunately, Austin wrongly assumed that seeing Mary would make Christina desperate to hold onto him or even pressure him into marriage.

Austin didn't know that the ring he'd smashed on the floor was an engagement gift from her billionaire fiancé, Gabriel Stone.

"Force you into marriage?" Christina laughed coldly. "Austin, tell me, why would I suddenly try to force you into marriage? Is it because your first love came back? Or because I know that for three years you've just been using me as Mary's replacement, and now you can't even choose between the two of us?"

"You!" Austin was stunned. How did Christina know all this?

Christina looked at Mary, her expression silently mocking her by suggesting she wasn't as important to Austin as she believed, a realization that stung Mary deeply.

The store clerk crouched down, carefully picking up the ring, not daring to get involved in their business.

Christina stared at the damaged ring; the cracked diamond was a complete waste of Gabriel’s kind gesture.

But even if it wasn't broken, she wouldn't wear a ring Austin had touched.

Once she finished dealing with things here, she'd go pick out a pair of rings with Gabriel.

Christina lifted her chin. "You broke the ring, I don't want it anymore. Remember to pay for it. As for these three years, I'll just consider them wasted."

"Christina, cheap stuff like this, I could pay you back a thousand times over, but explain to me what you mean by 'wasted'!" Austin grabbed the ring and smashed it again. This time, the diamond shattered completely, just like Christina and his relationship.

"If you're blind, go get it treated. Open your eyes and look carefully—this is a top-tier custom diamond ring. Not only is it worth thirty million dollars, it's not a custom piece just anyone can order."

With a simple glance from Christina, the clerk headed off to retrieve the custom certificate.

She threw the certificate at Austin. "See it clearly. I'm waiting for your compensation!"

Austin stared at the document, stunned that Christina could ever pay for such a pricey ring. "How could this be?"

Christina glanced at them, not wanting to waste more time, and turned to leave.

Back then, her family arranged a marriage for her, and her match was Gabriel, her neighbor of over ten years.

Back then, she viewed Gabriel as nothing more than a casual friend and couldn't stomach the idea of an arranged marriage for money without any real love.

For various reasons, Christina ran away from the wedding and left Aurora City.

After reaching Harborview City, she started out broke and struggled, but as her life eventually improved, she found what she believed to be true love.

Who knew that three days ago, when she went as usual to pick up Austin from a drinking party where he'd gotten drunk.

She stumbled upon a conversation where they mentioned her and Mary, only to realize her three-year relationship was a lie; Austin had simply been using her as a stand-in for Mary the whole time.

Now that Mary was back, Austin was actually hesitating between Mary's old flame and her beauty, unable to make a choice.

It disgusted her.

That night, after getting caught in a heavy rain, she made up her mind. She called home and agreed to go back and marry Gabriel after handling things here.

Who knew that when she got Gabriel's message to come get a "surprise," she'd run into Austin and Mary.

Christina was just thinking about how to smooth things over with Gabriel when Gabriel's call came.

"I heard the ring got smashed?" Gabriel's cool voice revealed no emotion.

Christina pressed her lips together. "Mr. Stone really has eyes and ears everywhere—you even know what just happened in Harborview City."

"Of course. I know everything about you."

Christina was curious if Gabriel had been aware of everything she had gone through over the last three years.

After thinking about it, she didn't ask.

With Gabriel's capabilities, it was just a matter of whether he wanted to know or not.

When Christina didn't respond, Gabriel had to continue.

"I'm abroad today. I've already had someone arrange the flight route. I'll fly back right after the meeting."

Since he'd gone that far, Christina quickly responded, "Are you free then? Come with me to pick out new engagement rings."

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

So soon?

Christina arched an eyebrow but decided against asking a question that would ruin the moment.

She thought about it and decided to go home and pack.

Night had fallen, and with tomorrow fast approaching, she knew she had to move out of Austin's place before Gabriel arrived.

When she opened the door, she found that Austin had beaten her home. He let out a derisive snort at the sight of her and tossed a cheque onto the table.

"I don't care who you borrowed the money from. Take the check right now and pay them back. Don't embarrass me!"

Christina froze for a moment, then immediately realized Austin had confirmed the ring was real, but after confirming it, he obviously assumed she'd borrowed the money from someone.

Christina picked up the check and waved it in her hand. "The ring was bought by my fiancé. But breaking someone's stuff means paying for it—that's only fair. I'll take the check."

A thirty-million-dollar check.

After three years of being together, this was the first time Christina realized Austin was capable of such generosity toward her.

But Austin frowned. "Fiancé?"

He looked Christina up and down. Austin said dismissively, "Christina, if you want to make me jealous, try something else. Don't use these little tricks on me. Everyone in Harborview City knows you're my girlfriend. In Harborview City, you can't even find a man to play along with your act. You think I'd believe such an obvious lie?"