On Our Wedding Day My Husband Announced His First Love Online-Chapter 56: Identity Exposed

When I got downstairs, I noticed there was something off about the way Sebastian’s third aunt was looking at us. She had a teasing expression, as if she were waiting for a show to start.

Remembering what Sebastian had told me yesterday, I couldn’t help but feel a nervous flutter in my chest.

But then again, infighting among powerful families was nothing new. Even for someone like Sebastian, the eldest son and grandson, there were surely plenty of people watching from the shadows, waiting for a chance to take him down.

"Come, Chelsea, sit next to Grandma." Just as my mind was wandering, Madam Forrest beckoned to me with a wide smile.

I hurried over and sat beside her.

"I hear from Sebastian that you’re a voice actress now? That’s quite an interesting profession..."

The old madam smiled and patted my hand. Then, she slid an Ice Jade Bracelet from her own wrist and placed it onto mine. "Dear child, I owe you for saving my life last time. This bracelet was a courtship gift from Sebastian’s grandfather. I hope you don’t mind it..."

I hadn’t expected the old madam to suddenly give me such a precious gift. I immediately tried to slip it off. "Grandma, no, I can’t accept this."

"That’s enough. You’ll keep it." The old madam pressed my hand down, her tone leaving no room for refusal.

’I still wanted to refuse out of instinct. The bracelet was incredibly significant, and given that I was here under false pretenses, how could I possibly accept something so precious?’

Since the old madam was holding my hand, preventing me from taking off the Jade Bracelet, I could only turn my pleading gaze to Sebastian.

"Just accept it. It’s a token of our Matriarch’s goodwill. You can’t very well refuse her kind intentions, can you?"

’I couldn’t believe he was going along with this charade.’ But the old madam had already instructed the servants to serve the meal, looking perfectly content. I had no choice but to accept it for the time being. ’I can always give it back to Sebastian later,’ I figured.

However, seeing Sebastian’s third aunt grinning even more broadly from the side, I couldn’t help but feel a little anxious.

’I had a nagging feeling this Jade Bracelet represented something more...’

...

After breakfast, the old madam pulled me into the living room to chat. Sebastian sat in an armchair to one side, head tilted as he watched us, chiming in with a comment every now and then. The atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

Just then, the sound of cheerful chatter and laughter drifted in from the doorway.

"Zoe, Grandma will be so happy to see you!"

I instinctively looked up to see Fiona Forrest walking in, arm-in-arm with a woman of graceful, slender build. The sharp CLICK-CLACK of high heels echoed on the tile floor. Her every movement radiated the elegance of a high-society lady.

"Grandma, look who’s here!"

"Madam Forrest, I’ve come to visit..." The speaker was a young woman in her early twenties with a placid smile.

She set an exquisite gift box on the table. "It’s a local specialty I brought back from Vornen for you to try."

The old madam smiled faintly. "How thoughtful of you, Zoe."

"As long as you like it," Zoe Lockwood said, her gaze already shifting to Sebastian, who was seated to the side. Her eyes seemed to ripple with moisture. "Mr. Sebastian, it’s been a while."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, his expression indifferent as he gave a noncommittal grunt.

A flash of embarrassment crossed Zoe Lockwood’s face, but she recovered with practiced ease. Her gaze then fell on me, and she put on a surprised expression as if she’d only just seen me. "And this is...?"

I understood the moment I saw her. This girl was in love with Sebastian.

After all, you can’t hide the way you look at someone you love.

Unfortunately for her, it was a classic case of unrequited love.

"Hello, my name is Chelsea Joyce." I smiled and nodded at her.

"Chelsea Joyce?" Zoe Lockwood frowned slightly, then immediately turned to Fiona Forrest at her side. With a look of confusion, she asked, "Fiona, why does that name sound so familiar to me?"

Fiona Forrest froze for a second, as if she couldn’t process the question. Finally, she pursed her lips and frowned in displeasure. "I remember... the one who made such a huge scene divorcing Theodore Grant a few days ago was named Chelsea Joyce."

"Oh, right, that’s it!" Zoe Lockwood clapped her hands, feigning a sudden moment of understanding.

I almost had to laugh at their clumsy acting.

’They were just kids, really. They looked like they were either still in college or had just graduated. There was still a look of pure, unadulterated foolishness in their eyes...’

’Did they have any idea how terrible their acting was?’

’Or maybe they thought no one in the room could see through their petty little scheme...’

Amused, I glanced over at Sebastian, only to meet his jet-black eyes. They held a casual indifference, betraying no hint of his thoughts or feelings.

Zoe Lockwood turned to me. "Since you share the same name, I wonder if you’ve heard the story?"

I decided not to beat around the bush. "I am the Chelsea Joyce you’re talking about," I said with a smile.

A flicker of triumph flashed in Zoe Lockwood’s eyes, quickly masked by feigned shock. She raised a hand to her mouth, her face a picture of disbelief. "You... You’re Theodore Grant’s ex-wife?"

And just like that, she’d revealed my identity.

’I really had to thank these two,’ I thought wryly.

’Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known how to play the next scene.’

’Now, things could proceed naturally.’

"That’s me."

"Madam Forrest, were you aware of this?" Zoe Lockwood whipped her head around to look at the matriarch.

"Enough. I’m feeling a bit tired..." But the old madam suddenly stood up. Her smile was gone, replaced by an aura of authority that commanded respect without a trace of anger.

Zoe Lockwood’s jaw dropped. This time, her shock and surprise were genuine. She clearly hadn’t expected Madam Forrest to remain completely unfazed, even after she had so bluntly exposed my identity.

Growing anxious, she hurriedly said, "Madam Forrest, I heard from Fiona that this Miss Joyce is the girlfriend Mr. Sebastian brought home. She..."

She trailed off, her voice laced with manufactured concern. "Couldn’t there be some kind of misunderstanding?"

"Exactly!" Fiona Forrest chimed in, nodding vigorously. "Sebastian must have been deceived!"

"Fiona!"

Just then, Fiona’s mother rushed over, closing the distance in a few quick strides. She grabbed her daughter by the ear. "You wretched girl, what nonsense are you spouting in front of the Matriarch?"

"OW, Mom, what are you doing?!" Fiona yelped in pain, grabbing at her mother’s wrist. "That hurts! Let go!"

"Serves you right if it hurts!" her mother shot her a harsh glare.

Then, she turned to Sebastian with an apologetic expression. "Sebastian, I’m afraid I’ve spoiled Fiona rotten. Please don’t take what she says to heart..."

"She’s nineteen. She’s not a child anymore." Sebastian’s voice was cool, but his gaze was sharp as a blade. "To be foolish enough to be used as someone else’s pawn... It seems the Matriarch’s lessons have been completely wasted on her!"

Fiona’s face went pale at his words. She wasn’t a complete idiot; she knew perfectly well that Zoe Lockwood had just used her as a pawn.

I could also tell they must have planned this beforehand. Zoe Lockwood was supposed to be the one to blow my cover, but at the last second, she’d backed out and pushed Fiona to the front...

’So much for sisterly solidarity.’

"I... I was just worried you were being deceived, Sebastian!" Fiona, thoroughly spoiled, jutted out her chin and pointed at me with undisguised contempt. "Besides, this divorcée is completely beneath you! A man like you could have any woman he wants. Why on earth would you bring home someone who’s divorced?"

"Because I damn well please!"