The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 613

Chapter 613 A Showdown at the Chapel

As far as the eye could see, the grounds were filled with members of the Torres family-men and women, young and old, all dressed formally and speaking in hushed, reverent tones.

Since the ancestral ceremony involved intricate traditions and the main hall was too small to accommodate everyone at once, it was customary for men and women to enter separately. The men went in first, followed by the women.

Sebastian had been pulled aside by a few of the senior family members and joined the line with the other men.

Before leaving, he gave Riley’s hand a reassuring squeeze and said quietly, “Stay close to Mom. Don’t wander off.”

Riley nodded and watched him disappear behind the heavy wooden doors of the family hall.

She turned and began scanning the crowd for Miranda.

But before she could spot her, someone gently tugged at her sleeve.

Riley paused and glanced over to find Teresa standing beside her.

Teresa offered a smile that seemed friendly on the surface.

“Ms. Harper,” she said, her tone soft and almost sweet-though using “Ms. Harper” here, in the middle of a family gathering, struck an oddly formal note. “Are you… planning to join the ceremony with the rest of us?”

The question felt a little off, but Riley nodded politely. “Yes, I am.”

Teresa’s brow furrowed slightly, and she lowered her voice. “Ms. Harper, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. This ceremony is a big deal for the family-everything is about standing and tradition. Your name… hasn’t been officially added to the family records yet, has it? Since you’re not in the registry, technically speaking, you’re not really considered part of the Torres family at this point.

“Maybe it would be better if you observed from outside this time. Once everything’s been formalized, you can participate next year. That way, no one can accuse you of overstepping or make things uncomfortable for you. What do you think?”

Riley caught the subtle hostility in Teresa’s words right away.

But using family paperwork as an excuse to publicly mark her as an outsider? That was prett low-tier, even for petty family drama.

Riley kept her expression neutral, though inwardly she was rolling her eyes.

She met Teresa’s gaze head-on. “And what gives you the right to say that to me?”

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes sharp and clear. “Are you the head of the Torres family? Or are you speaking on behalf of the elders?”

Teresa’s smile stiffened.

She hadn’t expected Riley to come back at her so directly-one sentence and she was already on the defensive.

But maybe that was even better.

In a flash, Teresa switched gears.

Her tense look melted into one of carefully crafted hurt. “Ms. Harper, you… there’s no need to be so harsh. I didn’t mean anything by it-I was just trying to help.

“I was only worried… that once everyone starts going inside, if you’re not officially recognized and one of the elders calls you out in front of everyone… well, that would be really embarrassing for you.”

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