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Laila's POV:

As Mr. Leonard made his declaration, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the room pressing down on me. His words echoed in my mind like a relentless drumbeat. He had one critical way to prove to them that I was not the real Miss Laila. I could feel my heart lurch, my breath caught in my throat. What was this “critical” way he was talking about? My mind raced, every possible scenario playing out in rapid succession. I had no idea what he meant, and the uncertainty clawed at me.

But then, a part of me understood why he chose to use the word "critical." It wasn’t just important—it was definitive, a way to cut through all the doubts and questions. My stomach churned with anxiety as I thought about it. What if it was something I didn’t know about? What if there was a way he could prove that I wasn’t Laila and I couldn’t defend myself against it?

I bit my lip, trying to steady myself. I didn’t want to mess this up. Not for me, not for Lila’s family. I didn’t want to destroy what little hope they had left. They were relying on me. Lila’s legacy, her family’s wealth—it all hung in the balance. And yet, I couldn’t help but feel like an imposter. Who was I to stand in Laila’s place and take on this responsibility? The weight of that thought was almost too much to bear.

But then I remembered why I was here. I wasn’t here for the money or the status. I wasn’t here to take anything from them. I was here to give Lila back what was hers, to restore her legacy. I was here because Lila believed in me, and because she had trusted me with her identity, with her life.

“Don’t worry,” Nolan’s reassuring voice broke through my anxious thoughts. I glanced at him across the room, catching the flicker of encouragement in his eyes. He gave me a subtle nod, a small but confident gesture that seemed to say, You’ve got this. I took a deep breath and nodded back, the weight on my shoulders easing ever so slightly. He believed in me, and for some reason, that made all the difference.

And then it happened. Hamilton, her face a mixture of disbelief and relief, chimed in with her solution. A DNA test. The moment the words left her mouth, I felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me. DNA? Was that really necessary? Of course, it made sense—what better way to prove my authenticity? But my nerves were fraying at the edges. A DNA test meant irrefutable evidence. If I wasn’t who I claimed to be, the truth would be exposed for the whole world to see.

But if I was Laila, it would finally put all of their doubts to rest. The tension in the air was suffocating. I didn’t know if I was ready for what was about to happen, but I couldn’t back down now. This wasn’t just about me anymore—it was about Laila, about her family, about everything they had lost. I had to do this.

Mr. Leonard continued, his voice steady and calm as he explained the process. The DNA test would be conducted using a blood sample from Mr. Martin, Laila’s father, who had passed away. He had donated blood every year to a central blood bank, and they had been able to track down his records. It seemed almost too good to be true—a perfect way to solve this mess once and for all.

I glanced around the room, trying to gauge the reactions of the others. Most of the board members looked surprised, some skeptical, but others seemed satisfied that this was the only way to get a definitive answer. And then there was Hamilton—her face twisted with anger, her eyes burning with resentment. She didn’t want this test, I could tell. I could practically feel the animosity radiating off her. She would do anything to make sure I wasn’t who I said I was.

But I had no choice. I had agreed, and there was no turning back now.

The board members spoke up, their voices loud and insistent. They all seconded the idea of the DNA test. They were convinced that if I was really Laila, the test would confirm it. But if not, they promised to take me to court for impersonation. The threat hung in the air, cold and unyielding.

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, but I refused to let fear control me. I had come this far, and I wasn’t going to back down now. I lifted my chin, my eyes meeting Hamilton’s with a quiet determination. “I’ll do it,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me. “If that’s what it takes to prove I’m the real Miss Laila, then yes, I’ll take the test.”

Hamilton’s eyes narrowed, as if searching for a crack in my resolve. “You’re not afraid of the consequences?” she sneered. “You’re willing to risk everything, even when the truth is so obvious?”

I swallowed hard but met her gaze without flinching. “If I’m telling the truth, there’s no need to be afraid,” I said, my voice unwavering. “If I’m the real Laila, then I have nothing to hide.”

For a moment, the room fell into silence. I could feel the tension thickening, the air crackling with unspoken words. But then Hamilton scoffed, her lips curling into a tight, disdainful smile. “You really think you can fool us?” she muttered under her breath.

But I didn’t let her words shake me. I was determined to see this through.

“I think,” I continued, my voice calm but firm, “that if I’m not who I say I am, the truth will come out, and I’ll accept whatever consequences come with it. But if I am Laila, then the legacy that’s rightfully hers will be restored.”

Hamilton crossed her arms, her eyes sharp, and she leaned in closer, her expression filled with suspicion. “You’re confident, aren’t you? Too confident. That makes me think you have something up your sleeve. Don’t think for a second that I’ll let this go unnoticed. I’ll be there to monitor the test, every step of the way. If there’s anything even remotely off, I’ll know.”

I nodded, not backing down. “I welcome the scrutiny. The truth will speak for itself.”

Hamilton didn’t respond, but the cold, calculating look in her eyes told me everything I needed to know. She was determined to see me fail. She was going to do everything in her power to make sure the test didn’t go in my favor. But I couldn’t let that stop me. If I was Laila, the truth would come out, and nothing Hamilton did could change that.

As the meeting came to a close, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of calm wash over me. The storm was far from over, but I was ready for whatever came next. I would take the DNA test. I would face whatever consequences lay ahead. And no matter what happened, I would fight for Laila’s legacy.

And in that moment, I realized something important. This wasn’t just about proving who I was. It was about making sure Laila’s family got the justice they deserved. It was about standing up for what was right, no matter the cost.

I wasn’t going to back down. Not now. Not ever.