Filed to story: The Heiress Rises From Ashes Book PDF Free
Brenna placed a stack of documents on the table. “My education is not what the Barretts say. I wasn’t planning to bring it up, but since you all seem to be doubtful of me, I have no choice but to show you.”
The entire Harper family turned their attention to the topmost paper-a graduation certificate.
Rosie was the first to snatch the top document, only to freeze when she saw that it was a master’s degree from a prestigious university. Before she could process it, Ernst grabbed the second certificate-another master’s degree from a globally-
Renowned university. Both of them sat there in stunned silence, unable to believe what they were seeing.
Rosie, unable to filter her thoughts, blurted out, “You were so desperate to hide the fact that you never even finished elementary school that you bought fake certificates, right?”
The name of the university on the certificate was one she had applied to multiple times but had never been accepted into. Money alone wasn’t enough to secure admission there.
Brenna had lived a difficult life with the Barrett family-how could they possibly have afforded to send her overseas for advanced studies? “As far as I know, tuition at that school isn’t cheap,” Rosie continued. “The Barretts treated you horribly, so where did you even get the money for studying there? I highly doubt these are real.” Scoffing, she tossed the certificate aside.
Ernst, having thoroughly examined the documents, passed them to their grandfather.
Luther put on his reading glasses, carefully inspecting the certificates. His expression shifted as his eyes gleamed with approval. A pleased smile spread across his face as he said, “Brenna is exceptional. No wonder she is a Harper.”
Meanwhile, Shepard and Giselle flipped through the remaining documents, discovering an entire collection of awards from international competitions. The stack was thick, filled with evidence of Brenna’s achievements. Giselle brimmed with emotion. “My child, despite all the hardships you endured with the Barretts, you’ve accomplished so much. You’ve surpassed both of your brothers. Even our eldest, the smartest in the family, didn’t finish his master’s until he was twenty-four. And here you are, holding dual master’s degrees at just eighteen. You’re the pride of our family.”
Brenna sat back comfortably, her smile unwavering as she responded, “The Barrett family recognized my potential in design and chose to have me focus on their business instead of school. If I had taken the conventional route, I would have graduated much earlier.”
Rosie refused to accept this and turned to Giselle. “Mom, don’t be fooled! She probably bought these certificates!” she exclaimed.
Then, she sneered at Brenna, saying, “You’re shameless, using fake documents to deceive Mom and Dad!”
Brenna remained unfazed. “Take a closer look. Each certificate has a serial number and an official seal. You can verify them online. Is it really so hard to believe that someone else achieved what you couldn’t?”
Rosie shoved her aside and quickly began checking on her phone. Brenna then turned to Ernst. “Do you doubt the authenticity of my certificates, too?”
Ernst flipped through a few of them. Though he found it hard to believe, he knew they were genuine.
“No. I misjudged you.” He cast a sidelong glance at Rosie, annoyed that she had spoken without proof, almost making a fool of him.
However, he still wasn’t entirely convinced of Brenna’s abilities and maintained a distant demeanor. “The Harper Group has a car manufacturing division that’s holding a design competition with a ten-million-dollar prize. Since you’ve won so many awards in mechanical design, why not participate in the competition?”
Brenna’s patience with him finally ran out. She could tell that until she stumbled, he wouldn’t stop testing her.
She said, “Sure. As my brother, you should support me. If I win first place, what reward will you give me?”
Ernst smirked, sensing an opportunity to put Brenna in her place. “Those awards and certificates you have only reflect your past, not your current skills or future potential. How about this-if you manage to win this time, even if it’s just third place or an excellence award, I’ll give you one percent of the Harper Group’s shares. What do you say?”
Luther nodded in agreement. “That’s good. Every family member has shares in the Harper Group except Brenna. She is exceptionally gifted and has endured years of hardship. If she wins, I’ll also award her one percent of the shares.”
Tessa smiled warmly. “Go for it, Brenna. Grandma is rooting for you.”
Shepard said, “Brenna, I believe in you as well. Win or lose, I’ll give you two percent of the shares.”
Rosie’s face paled. After years of trying to earn the family’s favor, she had only managed to secure 0.5 percent of the shares. Yet, Brenna was about to receive four percent just like that-shares worth tens of billions!
“I want to enter the competition, too! If I win, will I get shares?” Rosie demanded.
Shepard said immediately, “You don’t have a background in mechanical design. Why would you participate in that competition?”
Frustrated, Rosie stomped her foot. “Then why does she get so much when I only have 0.5 percent? It’s unfair! If you won’t let me compete, then you shouldn’t be giving her that many shares, either.”
Her eyes locked onto Brenna, filled with resentment. “You wouldn’t be that greedy, would you? Do you even understand how much one percent of the Harper Group’s shares is worth? Do you know how much annual dividend that brings? You should refuse this right now!”
Brenna met Rosie’s glare with a calm smirk. “You think this is unfair? Then participate in the competition. If you win, I’m sure they’ll consider giving you shares, too.”
Ableson, who had been reviewing the certificates, looked at Brenna with newfound respect. “Brenna clearly has a gift for automotive design. If she wins, I fully support her joining the Harper Group’s automotive division.”
His wife, Jillian Harper, flipped through the documents and nodded approvingly. “Winning so many prestigious international awards at such a young age-the company needs talent like hers. And since she’s family, granting her shares is only fitting.”
Luther looked at Brenna with a smile. “Such remarkable talent shouldn’t be wasted. Brenna, I believe in you achieving great things in the Harper Group.”
Rosie clenched her fists as she watched Brenna bask in their praise. Her resentment deepened. “I don’t care-I want to participate in the competition, too!”
Rosie was determined to find a way to stop Brenna from claiming such a large share of the family business. She couldn’t let this happen.
Her eyes scanned the elders before settling on Brenna. “If I win and my award ranks higher than yours, those shares should go to me instead. Do you agree?”
She met Brenna’s gaze, her expression filled with hostility and challenge.
“Alright,” Brenna said without hesitation.
But Rosie wasn’t satisfied. She wanted more. “If you lose to me, not only will the Harper Group shares go to me, but you’ll never be able to work for the company-ever.”
Giselle intervened and gently said, “Alright, everyone. Let’s stop arguing and sit down to enjoy our meal together as a family.”
But Ernst had no intention of letting the matter drop. He pulled out an award certificate, the most prestigious one Brenna had, and placed it on the table. Then, he turned to her and said skeptically, “I’ve seen the designs from the Barrett Group. Honestly, they’re average at best. Brenna, didn’t you claim to have designed all of Barrett’s products? Because if this is the standard of the products, I have to say, it’s unimpressive. Logically speaking, something like this shouldn’t have won an international award. I think Rosie’s suspicions earlier were not without reason. Are you sure these certificates are real?”
Brenna met his gaze without flinching and calmly replied, “The Barrett Group’s resources are limited. They can’t afford to produce high-end products.”
Ernst let out a short, dismissive snort. Clearly, he wasn’t buying her explanation.
He said, “Well, I’ll be watching your performance in the design competition.”