Filed to story: The Heiress Rises From Ashes Book PDF Free
Rosie’s gaze bore into Brenna, filled with envy and anger.
The audience erupted in thunderous applause.
With her hand firmly in Ethan’s grasp, Brenna felt compelled to agree. She faced Ethan, her expression cold.
Ethan looked at Brenna with evident love, his smile radiating happiness.
The audience was taken aback to see the typically reserved Ethan so openly smitten, and their cheers grew louder.
Rosie, unable to conceal her dismay, turned to Audrey with a desperate, questioning look. “Ethan was meant to be with you. Are you really going to let Brenna steal him away?” she said.
Audrey maintained her composure, seemingly unaffected by Rosie’s words.
Rosie watched the stage bitterly and warned Audrey, “If you keep letting Brenna get her way, she’ll end up taking everything from you.”
Audrey replied with detachment, “You’re wrong. I’m not letting her take anything from me. I’m simply not interested in Ethan. I already have a boyfriend. Why don’t you just say it if you like Ethan? What’s the point of scheming in secret? Do you really think we haven’t noticed you badmouthing Brenna on purpose in the group chat? Do you think any of us will believe you, or that we’re that easily fooled? Aunt Giselle and Uncle Shepard have been good to you; they won’t be happy if they find out what you’ve been up to.”
Realizing her attempt to turn Audrey against Brenna had failed, Rosie withdrew from the argument. “Stay out of my business. If you say anything to anyone about this, I won’t let you off easily.”
Audrey’s response was cold. “Is that so? Well, I’m curious to see what you’ll do.”
After the speeches, Brenna and her parents descended from the stage to mingle with the attendees.
Ethan stayed by Brenna’s side as she interacted with Shirie’s affluent community. She had to keep smiling, though gradually the effort was wearing her down.
Ethan eagerly introduced his best friend, Jayceon Russell, to Brenna.
When Brenna heard the name, her expression shifted sharply as she said, “You’re Jayceon Russell?”
Jayceon wore a perfectly tailored blue suit, radiating an air of refinement. His thick, dark brows framed striking eyes. His nose was well-defined, and his lips carried an undeniable allure. A charming, almost disarming smile rested on his face. He stood nearly as tall as Ethan-tall and commanding-effortlessly standing out in any crowd.
There was no denying his magnetic presence. Even Brenna had to admit he looked even more polished and attractive in person than in photos. It was no surprise that her friend, Ellie Moore, had willingly had a child with him.
Looking at him now, Brenna believed he seemed unaware that he had already become a father.
The woman beside him was breathtaking, exuding natural elegance. Her expressive eyes lingered on Brenna with quiet admiration. She wore a crystal-studded blue gown that accentuated her slender figure, her curves impossible to ignore as she leaned into Jayceon.
The woman’s beauty was undeniable, and even Brenna had to acknowledge her striking presence.
Jayceon rested an arm around the woman’s shoulders, his eyes soft with affection.
Watching them, Brenna couldn’t help but think-this man had completely forgotten about Ellie.
Sensing her piercing stare, Jayceon looked at Brenna with mild surprise.
“Miss Harper, have we met before? Why the hostility?” he asked.
Brenna grew irritated as memories of Ellie’s hardships rushed back. Alone in Nowiew, pregnant and struggling to raise a child without support, Ellie had endured so much. She had balanced work and motherhood with no one to lean on. Brenna could feel the weight of her struggles.
And Jayceon? He had likely been living carefreely with another woman. At that moment, there was no doubt in Brenna’s mind-Jayceon was the father of Ellie’s child. She had seen Ellie’s son before. The resemblance was unmistakable-Jayceon and Ellie’s son looked so alike.
Glaring at Jayceon, Brenna said bluntly, “Mr. Russell, I believe you’ve been with many women already. Is the woman beside you your latest fling?”
The room fell silent. The gathered guests-many familiar with both Jayceon and Ethan-were taken aback by Brenna’s directness. All eyes turned toward them, eager to see what would unfold next.
Jayceon’s reputation as a notorious playboy was no secret in high society. He had a way of making women feel special, but just as easily, he discarded them without a second thought. Ethan, puzzled by Brenna’s hostility toward Jayceon, turned to her.
“You know him?” he asked.
Brenna frowned. The fact that Ethan was close to someone like Jayceon made her question his character as well. Without hesitation, she yanked her arm free from Ethan’s and dramatically slipped off the ring from her finger, tossing it at him.
Her voice was cold as ice. “Of course. I know him. I could recognize him anywhere.”
Jayceon, perceptive as ever, had already noticed the hostility in her eyes. Under normal circumstances, he would have confronted anyone speaking to him that way. But this was different-Brenna was Ethan’s fiancee, the daughter of the influential Harper family. He had to tread carefully.
“Miss Harper, have I done anything to offend you?” he asked cautiously.
Brenna scoffed, her eyes burning with anger and disdain. “Ellie Moore. Remember that name? Have you ever wondered how she has been all these years?”
She instinctively reached for her phone to show him pictures of Ellie and her son, but then remembered-she was wearing an evening gown with no pockets. Her phone wasn’t with her.
Her cold stare drilled into Jayceon, seeing him as nothing more than a heartless jerk.
Jayceon’s confident smirk vanished instantly. The carefree air around him disappeared as his expression stiffened. With a frown, he shoved the woman he was with aside and stepped closer to Brenna. “Where is Ellie?” he asked.
Brenna took satisfaction in his reaction. “I have no idea. You seem to be enjoying yourself just fine with other women, so why are you even asking about her now? What does she mean to you anyway?” she said.
Ethan was puzzled. He knew Jayceon had once been deeply in love with a woman who had mysteriously disappeared. For years, Jayceon had spared no effort searching for her, asking his people to look all over the world, yet no trace had ever surfaced.
Over the years, Jayceon had been with many women, but each one bore some resemblance to that woman-whether in their eyes, the shape of their nose, the curve of their lips, or the way they carried themselves.
“Brenna, if you know something about that woman, just tell him,” Ethan said gently.
Brenna glared at him. “I do not know anything!”
Without sparing Ethan another glance, she strode away to join her parents and brothers as they greeted guests.