Filed to story: The Heiress Rises From Ashes Book PDF Free
“Shopping,” he said with displeasure. “Your card was charged 1.8 million dollars today. You really didn’t hold back! This kind of spending will bankrupt us eventually!”
Caught off guard, Isabella bit her lip, suddenly feeling the weight of her actions. The bags of luxury items now seemed overly extravagant.
Ruby’s face clouded over. She said, “I see. Please take the bags upstairs discreetly and make sure he doesn’t see them.”
However, upon entering the house, Ruby and Isabella were immediately met by Alec’s stern look.
“Going shopping again? My card was charged 1.8 million dollars today. You really didn’t hold back! This kind of spending will bankrupt us eventually!” he exclaimed.
Ruby quickly nodded to the servant. “Take the bags upstairs quickly.”
She then began to confront Alec. “Why are you raising your voice like that? What’s the issue with us spending a bit? I’ve always shopped like this, and it never bothered you before. What has changed today? We just spent a little over a million dollars. When did our family ever start worrying about such a small amount? You’re upsetting Isabella! After everything she endured living away, isn’t she entitled to a few luxuries now that she’s home? Don’t be so stingy!”
Alec, stunned by her response, sank onto the couch, releasing a deep sigh as he looked at Ruby and Isabella.
He said in a serious tone, “Do you grasp the severity of our company’s situation? Since Brenna left, we’ve lost all our confirmed orders, and our sales team has failed to secure new ones. Our factory has been shut down for almost a month.”
Ruby was aware that the company had been struggling recently. Every night at the dinner table, her husband and son would discuss different ways to resolve the situation.
But she hadn’t realized the situation was this dire.
“What’s causing this?” she asked, quickly placing the blame on Alec for failing to maintain their business orders, frustrated now that their personal spending was under scrutiny.
Alec’s patience snapped. He exclaimed in anger, “What’s going on? I’ve been discussing our company’s difficulties daily. You know full well what’s happening! We need to cut back on spending given our tight financial situation!”
Ruby retorted sharply, “The purchases are already made. What do you expect us to do, return everything? If you want them returned, handle the matter yourself. I won’t embarrass myself over this.”
Her attention was then caught by a gold-embossed invitation on the table.
“The return banquet for the Harper family’s daughter?” She looked at the signature and suddenly realized it was from Shepard.
Her mood lightened. “Look, let’s not argue. This might be our chance. The Harper family, one of the top families in Shirie, is inviting us to their daughter’s return banquet. They are a powerhouse in the automotive industry. You could ask Mr. Harper for some orders. Wouldn’t that help solve our problems?”
Alec, who spent more time on operations than social engagements, was puzzled. “Who is the Harper family’s daughter? We’ve never really interacted with the Harper family before. Why would they invite us to the banquet?”
Ruby shook her head and said, “I’m not sure who their daughter is either, but there’s talk that the Harper family lost a daughter twenty years ago and have only recently found her.”
Alec lowered his head, lost in thought. Just then, a possibility crept into his mind, one that sent a chill down his spine.
“Do you think it’s possible that Brenna is the Harper family’s lost daughter? Her biological parents’ last name is Harper, isn’t it?” he asked curiously.
Before Ruby could respond, Isabella slid onto the sofa beside him and said, “Dad, that’s impossible! Didn’t they say Brenna’s biological parents were from some remote village? They’re poor! Her mom’s a teacher, her dad’s a farmer, and she has an uncle who’s bedridden. But the Harper family we’re talking about now is one of the most powerful and wealthy families in Shirie. If Brenna was really their daughter, why didn’t they send someone to bring her back when she left our family?”
Disdain flickered across Ruby’s face. She quickly nodded in agreement and said, “Exactly! How could Brenna be that lucky? There’s no way she’s related to that Harper family. You are overthinking the matter.”
A heavy silence settled over the room. No one spoke, but the same thought lingered in everyone’s mind. Still, Brenna’s real last name was Harper. What were the chances of that being a coincidence?
Could it really be true? Was Brenna the daughter of the Harper family? The thought weighed heavily on Alec’s mind.
After a long pause, he lifted his gaze to his wife and daughter and said, “Buy some decent clothes. We will go to the Harper estate to attend the banquet. I’ll see if we can build a good relationship with them and if they’re willing to throw us a helping hand. Even if our company ends up being their subcontractor, it’s better than having no business at all.”
Ruby’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and Isabella’s face lit up with a smile.
A few moments later, Isabella cautiously asked, “Dad, how much should Mom and I spend on the clothes? The Harper family is hosting such a lavish return banquet for their daughter. All of Shirie’s elite will be there. We can’t show up in plain outfits and risk being looked down on.”
Alec nodded in agreement. Making an impression was worth the expense, especially when it could benefit their family’s business. He said, “There’s no time for custom orders. Just pick something from a reputable brand. I’ll give you a million.”
Isabella and Ruby exchanged delighted looks. Their excitement made them forget the coincidence of Brenna having the Harper name.
However, Alec couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling in his gut. The timing was too strange. Brenna had left just days before the Harper family’s daughter returned. Could that really be a coincidence?
If that were true, then Brenna’s contributions to the Barrett family’s success shouldn’t be over. She had helped them make money before. She should definitely continue to do so in the future.
After all, the Barretts had raised her. Besides, the Harper family owed them for that. They should repay them by supporting their business.
A slow smile spread across Alec’s face. He reached for his phone and called his assistant to order an investigation into the identity of the Harper family’s daughter.
Nearby, Isabella studied the invitation closely. The banquet was set to take place at the Peace Hotel, the most luxurious and prestigious venue in Shirie. It was said that the pastries there were crafted by world-class chefs; they were rare delicacies that even money couldn’t buy.
The fruits were imported from overseas, and every drink on the menu was of the finest quality.
But what excited Isabella the most was the chance to mingle with families even more powerful than Jordy’s. If a young heir from one of those top-tier families took an interest in her, she could secure a better future for herself.
She had also heard that the Harper family’s eldest and second sons were bachelors, making them prime candidates. With her beauty, if they were both drawn to her… which one should she choose?
The mere thought sent a thrill through her.
If she managed to marry someone from the Harper family, she would make sure they supported her family in climbing to the top of Shirie’s elite. Then, she could indulge in luxury.
Brenna had been busy for days, and she finally finished her submission for the car design competition.
Just after she submitted her work, a message popped up on her phone.
It was from her studio’s manager, Thiago Moreno.
“Someone wants us to design a car. They’re offering ten million.”