Filed to story: The Heiress Rises From Ashes Book PDF Free
Ernst, however, saw things differently. “Are you scared?”
“Why should I listen to you?” Brenna shot back without a second thought. “Mom, Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma didn’t agree to this. They only approved a DNA test. Now, just because I won’t cooperate, you’re calling me scared? You just want to accuse me of having plastic surgery, no matter what the truth is. Don’t you think you’re being unreasonable here?”
She took another bite of her breakfast and casually sent a message on her phone, as if the conversation didn’t concern her.
Furious, Rosie turned to Ernst. “Ernst, look at her! Is it so wrong to ask her to prove she hasn’t had plastic surgery? If she really looks like Mom naturally, why not just cooperate? I went through all the trouble of arranging the matter with the hospital, and if she refuses to go now, it will make me look bad.”
Brenna ignored her and kept her focus on her meal.
Livid at her defiance, Ernst firmly declared, “You’re going to the hospital with us today. I’m not like my parents, so I won’t let you get away with this. If you refuse, I will tell my parents and grandparents that your resemblance to my mother is because of plastic surgery.”
Brenna met his cold gaze unflinchingly. Then, she calmly finished her coffee and grabbed her backpack and phone to leave. “Go ahead. Let’s see who will believe you. I’m busy. I don’t have time for your childish games.”
She shot Ernst a disdainful look. “With your intelligence, how did you even become the Vice President of the Harper Group?”
Ernst watched her walk away with an icy gaze. But for all his anger, there was nothing he could do to stop her.
Unbeknownst to them, Luther and Tessa exited the elevator just in time to witness the scene. Luther didn’t hesitate and scolded his grandson, “Almost 30 but still so immature. I think your parents were right to send you for some training at the primary level of the company.”
“Grandpa…” Rosie slipped into her usual coy self and approached Luther. “What did Ernst do wrong? What’s so bad about having a doctor check Brenna? What is she afraid of if she hasn’t had plastic surgery? I think she’s feeling uneasy.”
Luther sat down calmly. “Let me ask you this-what do you plan to do if it turns out Brenna hasn’t had surgery? And if she has, then what? She’s your family! And this is how you want to treat her?”
The last two sentences were punctuated by a sharp slap on the table. Rosie and Ernst flinched. Seeing the anger in Luther’s eyes, they dared not say another word.
Instead, they exchanged uneasy glances as they realized something. The whole family was on Brenna’s side. To everyone else, they were the unreasonable ones.
Before they could say anything, Luther said, “This nonsense ends now. We agreed to a DNA test. But pushing for a cosmetic surgery check? That crosses the line. You’re not treating Brenna as family. Ernst, you’re supposed to be her brother. If she were really your sister, would you apologize to her?”
His voice was firm, and his expression was serious.
Ernst was speechless. He had never considered that question before, nor had he ever thought of apologizing to Brenna. All he saw was how easily she had deceived the whole family.
Luther let out a heavy snort. “You wouldn’t, right? I knew it!”
Ernst hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “Grandpa, if Brenna were my real sister, I’d apologize to her. But she really is materialistic-“
Luther’s cane struck the floor with a sharp crack. “Materialistic? And how exactly is she materialistic? Because she accepts gifts from her elders in the family? Every year, I buy you gifts and send you money, and you accept them all. Does that make you materialistic, too?”
Brenna spent her morning treating Vincent. By the afternoon, she was at the studio, finalizing the sale of her cargo ship’s nuclear power system design. She also evaluated drafts submitted by several designers for other clients. By the time she arrived home, night had already fallen.
Downstairs, Rosie sat in the living room with a man dressed in a white coat. The rest of the Harper family was absent, likely occupied with their own affairs.
Brenna wasn’t the least bit surprised. Each member of the Harper family had their own responsibilities, so it was natural for them not to be home from time to time.
Rosie stormed up to Brenna, seething. “What have you been doing all day? I called and messaged you, but you ignored me! Do you even realize how long the two of us have been waiting for you here?”
It was only then that Brenna fully noticed the man beside Rosie. He seemed to be in his early thirties, his face mostly hidden behind a medical mask, with only a pair of deep eyes visible. From what little she could see, he was quite handsome.
A name tag was pinned to his coat, displaying his photo and department details.
A metal case labeled “Dot-hill Medical Plastic Surgery Hospital” rested at his feet.
Brenna raised an eyebrow, finding the situation amusing. She said to Rosie, “So, you actually hired someone to verify whether I’ve had plastic surgery? And who is this exactly? What are his credentials? How long has he been in the field? Is he even qualified?”
She stepped closer, gripping his name tag for a better look. It read: Hackett Martinez, Resident Physician.
From what she knew, a resident physician was barely above a fresh graduate. They had only just gained the authority to diagnose and prescribe medication independently, and chances were, this man wasn’t even permitted to perform surgeries yet.
For someone with such unimpressive credentials, he certainly was bold to come to the Harper residence.
“This guy doesn’t seem very reliable.” Brenna made her stance clear and turned to head upstairs.
Rosie, infuriated by Brenna’s dismissive attitude, stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “You’re not going anywhere! He’s my friend! He graduated with a PhD from a top foreign university-he’s qualified enough to examine you!”
She then turned to Hackett. “Come here; examine her now!”
Before Hackett could respond, a series of sharp honks cut through the air. A sleek black luxury van glided into the driveway. The door swung open, and a stylish young man stepped out of the car.
He was strikingly handsome, with sharp features and an effortless air of confidence. Carrying a stack of shopping bags, he strode briskly into the living room.
Brenna had seen the Harper family’s group photo before, so she recognized him immediately-he was Dalton, her second elder brother. He was a renowned celebrity.
Rosie’s face lit up with excitement. Dalton had always been the most indulgent toward her, showering her with gifts whenever he visited and never refusing her requests for signed photos.
She eagerly rushed over, her eyes locked onto the bags in his hands. Reaching out, she tried to take them from him. “Dalton! Why didn’t you tell me you were returning? I would’ve gone to pick you up!”
Instead of answering Rosie, Dalton looked at Brenna, studying her composed and strikingly beautiful sister with curiosity. “You must be Brenna,” he said.
Rosie tugged at the bags again, expecting him to hand them over. “Dalton, you can give me these now.”
Dalton continued to ignore Rosie. He pulled the bags away from her and handed them to Brenna. “Brenna, I have been buried in work these past few days and couldn’t return sooner. I apologize for not coming home to see you sooner. These are for you-you have to accept them and forgive me.”
Despite having never met Brenna before, Dalton felt no sense of distance between them. The moment he saw her, she felt like family. Brenna felt the same. Despite his superstar status, Dalton was remarkably warm and approachable, without a trace of arrogance. She accepted the gifts without hesitation and flashed him a bright smile. “It’s good to finally meet you, Dalton,” she said.
Dalton grinned, looking as excited as a child. “Out of the three of us, you look the most like Mom!”