THE FAKE LADY AND THE PASTRY SHOP 

I had known Duke Maximilian for over ten years.

But on the day my identity as the fake daughter was exposed, and I was unceremoniously kicked out of the Count’s manor, he was leisurely attending the welcome banquet for the true daughter.

The man who had always been cold and indifferent was unbelievably gentle and cautious when facing the newly-found Vivian.

I completely gave up hope.

Bringing along the business acumen that the capital’s nobility always mocked as reeking of money, I packed my bags and headed to the southern coast.

Three years later, the pastry shop chain I founded opened a branch in the capital.

Upon this return, everyone assumed that I was still hung up on Maximilian and wanted to cling to him.

Even Maximilian himself took the initiative to find my pastry shop.

He frowned, just about to open his mouth to speak.

I turned my head and called out to the little girl running around behind me:

“Mia, come here and help Mommy pack some raspberry tarts for the Duke.”

Maximilian suddenly blanked out. A second later, his face turned deathly pale.

I had been back in the capital for less than half a month.

News of Duke Maximilian and the Count’s daughter’s impending marriage kept reaching my ears incessantly.

I didn’t know if they recognized me, or if it was purely a coincidence. Every day, customers came to my pastry shop to gossip. Even tonight, at the Grand Duchess’s birthday banquet, there were still people enthusiastically discussing this couple.

“What a match made in heaven, they should have been together long ago. If the Count’s daughter hadn’t been swapped by malicious people back then, oh well…”

“So what if she was swapped? That impostor hogged her identity for fifteen years, running after Duke Maximilian all those years, yet His Grace never even spared her a glance.”

“It seems a crow will always be a crow, it can never become a swan. I just pity the true lady, she must have suffered so much being swapped all those years…”

Sympathetic sighs echoed one after another.

I gritted my teeth, trying to suppress the urge to lace the pastries with arsenic and send them all to heaven.

I really didn’t expect that after only three years away from the capital, things would be exaggerated to this extent.

It was true that Vivian and I had our identities swapped, but there was absolutely no malicious conspiracy. Back then, the Countess and Lady Vane happened to give birth on the same day at a monastery. The old midwife was senile and simply made a mistake.

As for Vivian, being swapped all those years didn’t make her suffer at all.

Although the Vane family wasn’t powerful nobility, they were filthy rich merchants in the southern coastal region. She grew up in the lap of luxury, spoiled by her parents, getting whatever she wanted. Where did this “suffering” come from?

“Victoria?!”

I put down the tray of baked goods and was about to turn away when I was suddenly recognized by an old acquaintance. Afraid that others wouldn’t hear, she deliberately shouted at the top of her lungs.

“Is it really you?”

I looked at the guests who were all turning to look at me because of her noise, feeling a bit speechless.

Chloe, the daughter of the Prime Minister, was once my arch-nemesis, and also a fanatic admirer of Maximilian.

Now that she finally caught an opportunity, she naturally wouldn’t miss the chance to humiliate me.

Sure enough, she blocked my way, looked me up and down, and gasped in feigned astonishment:

“Oh my God! Have you fallen so low that you have to work as a chef in the Grand Duchess’s manor?”

Gasps of shock echoed around, though I had no idea what they were overreacting to.

I looked at Chloe, giving her a faux smile, and took the chance to advertise:

“Celine Pastry Shop, crispy crusts and generous fillings, just opened. If Lady Chloe is interested, you can order from my shop for your next tea party.”

For the Grand Duchess’s banquet this time, I didn’t know which dignitary was addicted to my pastries and recommended me here.

Even though I didn’t intend to get involved with these people upon my return to the capital, this was a great free promotional opportunity to make my brand famous in the capital. I had no reason to say no to money.

Chloe’s eyes widened, looking behind me in disbelief.

I vaguely sensed something was wrong and turned my head.

Suddenly meeting a pair of bottomless, profound eyes, my body stiffened.

Maximilian…

When did he get here?

Three years unseen, that handsome face was as dazzling as ever. However, the emotions surging in his eyes were hard to read; it was unclear whether seeing me made him subconsciously feel unlucky or disgusted.

Behind him, Vivian gracefully stepped forward as well.

Seeing me, she didn’t seem surprised at all. She slowly walked to Maximilian’s side and gently tugged the edge of his cape.

“Would you like to go over and say hello?”

She presented the perfect, generous demeanor of a future wife. Anyone who didn’t know better would think they were already married.

Maximilian seemed to finally snap out of it. He took a step aside, expressionlessly avoiding Vivian’s touch.

“Not necessary.”

Still as arrogant and lofty as ever.

As if anyone wanted to talk to him anyway.

I sneered internally and walked away.

I didn’t know if he heard it, but his expression paused, looking somewhat grim.

After I finished cleaning up in the kitchen and was preparing to leave the manor, I bumped into him again.

I didn’t think he came looking for me on purpose; it was probably just a coincidence! After all, he used to avoid me like the plague.

Afraid he would think I orchestrated this encounter, I strode past him, intending to leave immediately.

“Victoria.”

He called me.

My footsteps didn’t stop.

He closed in with a hint of anger, gripping my wrist tightly: “Are you doing this on purpose?”

“Is the Duke calling this commoner?”

His face darkened.

“Your Grace, this commoner’s name is not Victoria.”

His breathing was slightly heavy, seemingly suppressing something: “Then what is your name now?”

I pursed my lips, not answering.

He spoke again: “I heard you didn’t go find your biological parents? All alone, where have you been these past few years?”

How did he know I didn’t stay with the Vane family?

I glanced at him, retracted my expression, and replied calmly:

“As you can see, I am selling pastries.”

He choked: “You…”

“Does Your Grace like pastries? When you and the Count’s daughter hold your wedding, you can also find me to place an order. Blueberry tarts, meat pies, macarons, croissants… I can make them all.”

“Victoria!” he interrupted loudly.

Flushed with anger, he said: “When did I say I wanted to marry her, you…”

He hesitated, furrowing his brows. Not knowing what he was thinking, his face looked extremely awful.

I was no longer the person I used to be; I was now too lazy to guess what the hell he was thinking.

Pain transmitted from my wrist. I raised my hand and reminded him: “Your Grace, I’m afraid it’s inappropriate for you to do this, isn’t it?”

He finally regained his composure.

His face sank, his eyes dark: “What is inappropriate?”

His tone was somewhat unreasonable.

I choked: “Men and women should keep their distance, Your Grace.”

“Coming from your mouth, don’t you find that sentence ridiculous?”

…

Seeing that I didn’t bother to reply, he sneered: “Haven’t we been intimate for a long time?” 

Meeting his sharp gaze, I remembered something. My face stiffened, and I blinked unnaturally.

“What joke is Your Grace making…”

I tugged my wrist, trying to break free from his grasp.

“In the dead of night, you holding my hand like this… if others see, I’m afraid your upright and honorable reputation will be ruined.”

“Do I still care about my reputation now?”

He laughed coldly, tightening his grip: “Do I need to remind you what you did three years ago?”

Under the fragmented moonlight, his eyes carried a desolate coldness like snow.

My memories were involuntarily pulled back to that night three years ago.

At that time, I didn’t know that the next day I would face the truth of my fake identity being exposed.

Arrogant and bold, when I found out Maximilian had been drugged at the Second Prince’s estate, I secretly followed him.

Seeing him stumble into a room, I followed right behind.

Initially, I truly didn’t want to take advantage of his peril. But the moment I pushed the door open, I was pinned against the door by a man who had lost his reason.

The scorching heat could be clearly felt even through the thick woolen fabric. His heavy panting close to my ear was an invitation to sin.

Maximilian had never been so intimate with me. Nor had he ever been so desperately eager to strip off someone’s clothes.

Possessed by some demon, I actually didn’t resist.

That night, like a tireless machine, he tormented me to the point where I ached for days.

I regretted my decision countless times later. But what happened, happened.

When I regained my senses and heard the commotion outside, I could only endure the pain, hurriedly put on my clothes, and slip away.

To this day, I didn’t know what happened to Maximilian afterward.

I only knew that Vivian was also at the Second Prince’s estate that night and was recognized on the spot by the Count’s family.

The very next day, the news about Vivian and me being the true and fake daughters spread throughout the capital.

With such a sudden upheaval, I had no mind left to worry about Maximilian.

Two days later, I was kicked out of the Count’s manor under the charge of “Pushing Vivian into the lake out of jealousy”.

I must admit, the nobility was truly ruthless. Having lived together for sixteen years, the moment they discovered we shared no blood, my pseudo-noble parents immediately turned their backs on me.

I will forever remember the Countess hugging Vivian and sneering:

“I told you she couldn’t be my daughter! Your father is so learned, but look at her, she knows nothing of poetry, painting, or music. She reeks of vulgar money, always showing off and talking about doing business.”

“My Vivian is the true embodiment of our family’s grace. You must have suffered so much wandering outside all these years, yet you maintained your elegance and wisdom. Everyone outside is praising you as the capital’s number one talented beauty!”

Looking at the faint, triumphant smile on Vivian’s lips, at that moment, I wholeheartedly agreed that they were indeed a family.

The old were harsh and mean; the young was scheming. Jumping into the lake on purpose, framing me without batting an eye.