I responded sternly, "Yes!"
I had thought that once I told the truth, they would realize their mistake.
But to my surprise, it seemed as if I had told the most ridiculous joke.
They all burst into laughter.
"With your dull brain, no wonder you have to sell your body to survive. You're even telling such an outrageous lie."
"He's the richest man. Do you even know how distinguished the richest man's mother is? How could a disgraceful cripple like you compare to her?"
"You look like you're in your thirties. How could you possibly have a son as old as Mr. Hayden? Do you think we're as stupid as you?"
Amid their laughter, Juliet yanked my hair, mocking me.
"I thought you were smart and cunning for being able to get my husband to take a picture with you. But you're actually as dumb as can be.
"Don't you know the person my husband cares about most is his mother? And you, the shameless mistress, are lying and claiming to be my mother-in-law? You'll get yourself killed!"
Then, Juliet's eyes flashed with malice as she ordered the bridesmaids.
"Shave this wretch's head! Let's see how she dares to seduce men in the future!"
These people were prepared for this.
As soon as Juliet gave the order, several of them pulled out scissors from a black bag.
Then, with sinister smiles, they approached me.
I looked young for my age and had always been attractive.
But I had a leg problem that, despite years of treatment, could never be fully cured.
This was a sore spot for Lamont. He most dreaded anyone calling me a cripple.
He would never bring up my condition voluntarily.
Yet, ironically, it became the very reason these people refused to believe my identity.
Seeing that they were about to cut my hair, I struggled and shouted again.
"I really am Lamont's mother! If you don't believe me, you can call him and ask!"
My words only made them bolder.
They surrounded me, cutting my hair haphazardly while slapping my face repeatedly.
"You shameless mistress, still lying even after being exposed? Let me beat that filthy mouth!"
Soon, my face was swollen, red, and bruised. My scalp, now bare, was covered in bloody cuts from the violent haircutting.
Seeing this, Juliet burst into a satisfied laugh.
"Well, look at her! Doesn't she look like a turtle without its shell?"
The bridesmaids laughed along with her.
One middle-aged woman in the crowd, unable to bear it any longer, stepped forward and tried to reason with them.