Filed to story: The Heiress Rises From Ashes Book PDF Free
Ruby cast a knowing look at Isabella. Unlike her daughter, she saw the potential in Brenna’s medical expertise and what it could mean for them.
She said, “Enough. We can’t afford to completely alienate her right now. Let’s see how things unfold before making any rash decisions.” Though reluctant, Isabella nodded in agreement.
Inside the hospital elevator, Christopher trailed behind Brenna and Ethan like an eager shadow. He wanted to vent about the Barrett family’s shameless behavior to Brenna but hesitated with Ethan present.
Ethan, too, had something on his mind. He wanted to invite Brenna to lunch, hoping to use the time to strengthen their relationship. But with Christopher nearby, he held back.
When the elevator doors slid open on the third floor, Christopher took the opportunity to excuse himself. “I’ve got patients to see. I’ll catch up with you later,” he said to Brenna.
Brenna gave him a small, appreciative smile. “Alright, let’s stay in touch,” she said.
As a few more people stepped into the elevator, Ethan hesitated again. The presence of strangers made him even more hesitant to invite Brenna for a meal.
It wasn’t until they left the hospital building that Ethan finally spoke up. “Miss Harper, I sincerely apologize for everything that happened today. I’d like to make it up to you with lunch. I’ve already made a reservation-please let me treat you.”
He studied her quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips. The more he looked at her, the more captivating she seemed to him.
Brenna, however, didn’t feel there was anything for him to apologize for. She had only been doing her job, and it was natural for people to doubt her abilities given her young age. Those doctors had already admitted their mistake and apologized.
As for the Barrett family’s behavior-that was their own doing, not something orchestrated by the Mitchells. There was no reason for Ethan to feel responsible for that.
Before Brenna could respond, her phone vibrated with a message from Giselle, informing her that several clothing brands had delivered outfits for her to choose from.
“That won’t be necessary. I was paid for my work, and encountering challenges along the way is understandable. There’s nothing for you to make up for. Besides, I have matters to attend to at home now,” Brenna said in a polite but firm voice.
Ethan misread her refusal, assuming she was still upset with how the Mitchell family had treated her. He felt a pang of guilt, believing their arrangements had been dissatisfying and had made her uncomfortable. With sincerity, he said, “I understand. If you don’t want to have lunch with me, I won’t press the matter. But at least let me drive you home. It’s difficult to get a taxi at this hour.”
“Alright.” Brenna hesitated briefly but ultimately agreed. It felt awkward to refuse such a considerate offer, especially from the wealthiest man in the world. If she rejected his kindness outright, it might seem like she was deliberately making things difficult for him.
To her surprise, Ethan didn’t instruct his assistant to drive her home. Instead, he personally got behind the wheel, leaving his assistant behind.
This unexpected turn left her momentarily unsure of where to sit. Sitting in the back seat felt inappropriate when the world’s richest man himself was driving. But sitting in the front-beside him-felt a bit awkward. In her mind, the front passenger seat was reserved for a man’s girlfriend or wife. Taking that spot made her uncomfortable.
As she hesitated with her hand on the car door, Ethan looked at her with expectant eyes. “Sit up front. My passenger seat is always reserved for you,” he said.
His words only made Brenna more hesitant. The Harper and Mitchell families did have a marriage arrangement, but there were two other eligible daughters in her family. She had just returned, and it was unclear who the Mitchells had in mind for the marriage arrangement. Sitting next to Ethan felt a bit inappropriate.
“Mr. Mitchell, wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to sit here?” Brenna said.
“It’s perfectly fine. To me, you’re the one whom I will marry,” Ethan said. With that, he stepped out of the driver’s seat, walked over, and gently ushered Brenna to the passenger seat.
Throughout the drive, Brenna remained tense, feeling awkward and not knowing what to say.
Ethan, inexperienced when it came to pursuing women, wasn’t sure how to initiate a conversation either.
When they arrived at the Harper family’s residence, Ethan parked the car but made no move to leave. Instead, he got out and walked Brenna to the entrance.
Inside, the living room resembled a high-end boutique, with multiple clothing racks displaying neatly arranged designer outfits. Rosie stood among them, enthusiastically picking out pieces while the housekeeper, Rachael, assisted by hanging her selections onto a separate rack.
The moment Rosie spotted Ethan, she turned her attention to him and approached him with a dazzling smile. “Ethan, you’re here! I’ve picked a few outfits. Can you help me decide which ones look best?”
At the same time, Giselle approached Brenna, taking her hand with motherly affection. “Brenna, come take a look. See if there’s anything you like. I wasn’t sure about your style since you’ve been away from me for so many years.”
Brenna hadn’t even spoken when Ethan’s expression darkened slightly. Rosie had already picked out more than twenty outfits, leaving the remaining selection for Brenna. If Brenna were to choose from what was left, wouldn’t she be choosing the unwanted ones?
Brenna surveyed the assortment of clothes before her. None of them interested her. During her years with the Barretts, new clothes had been a rarity, but she had never minded. Her time had been consumed by studying and sketching designs for the family, leaving little room for such concerns.
Now that she finally had the freedom to choose, Rosie had already taken the finest selections. A flicker of annoyance passed through Brenna. She would rather walk away empty-handed than settle for leftovers.
Rosie, smug with satisfaction, caught the subtle shift in Brenna’s demeanor. Her plan had worked-Brenna was clearly displeased. What did it matter if Ethan had personally escorted Brenna back? She still managed to make Brenna feel upset.
Rosie was determined to make sure Brenna felt unhappy.
Sliding up beside her, Rosie looped her arm through Brenna’s with a show of warmth. Feigning an apologetic look, she said, “Brenna, I saw these clothes and figured you wouldn’t mind if I picked out a few for myself first. You don’t mind, do you?”
She gestured to the remaining outfits and added, “There’s still plenty left for you. You won’t hold it against me for picking some clothes first.”
The store’s selection was undoubtedly high-end, and Rosie’s taste was different from Brenna’s. But even though there were still some elegant pieces left that Brenna liked, she had no interest in getting what was left.
With a faint smile, Brenna eased her arm away, putting space between them. “I don’t mind,” she replied.
Rosie’s satisfaction deepened at the sight of Brenna’s restrained irritation. She had gotten to her. The clothes she had chosen were the most luxurious of the lot-not because she loved them but because she wanted to make a stance.
“Go ahead and pick something,” she said, her tone dripping with false generosity.
Giselle approached, her expression tinged with guilt. She had known it was unfair to let Rosie choose first, but Rosie’s enthusiasm had made it difficult to deny her. Besides, she didn’t want Rosie to feel overlooked just because Brenna was now part of the family.
So, she had allowed Rosie to choose first, a pang of guilt tugging at her for Brenna.
Caught in the middle, she said cautiously, “Brenna, go ahead and pick a few. These are all the latest styles this year.”
Brenna’s faint smile barely concealed the disappointment in her eyes. “There’s no need. The clothes my friend brought over yesterday are more than enough for me. When I was with the Barretts, I only had two outfits. Now, I have more than I ever did back then, and that’s enough for me.”
But Giselle wasn’t convinced. Before she could say anything, Rosie spoke, sounding aggrieved. “Brenna, are you upset just because I picked first? I couldn’t help myself when I saw these. I only chose a few, but if it bothers you, I’ll put them back.”
Tears gathered in her eyes as she hesitated, then reluctantly returned the clothes she had taken, acting as if it pained her to do so.